Topeak d-Torq wrench: Are there non-branded versions available?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: 700 Ft. above sea level.
Posts: 3,319
Bikes: More than there were awhile ago.
Liked 1,414 Times
in
657 Posts
Looks to me like this "OnGuard" wrench basically IS the Topeak wrench, I guarantee Topeak does not make torque wrenches. If you can find out who actually makes the Topeak wrenches you could probably find it considerably cheaper. I'm willing to bet OnGuard isn't the manufacturer either but they are a little cheaper.
https://www.amazon.com/OnGuard-Deluxe.../dp/B0041CE2LQ (Look close at the lid though, looks like it's a picture of the Topeak to me.)
Personally, having used torque wrenches for the better part of 40 years and maintaining the torque wrench calibration for 300 wrenches for an OEM manufacturer for 10 years, I'll stick with clicker type wrenches. For the money my lowly clicker wrenches do just fine and I use them on things far more critical than bicycles. Digital are great if you have to do data collection for capability studies or SPC but otherwise they can be a little fragile and they are more expensive to repair/replace. Without getting into Belknap or Sturtevant-Richmont type industrial wrenches some of the best I have found for holding calibration in an industrial environment are the MAC and Proto wrenches. Snap On was one of the worst which I found very surprising. I'm talking continuous use and abuse 6 days a week for months and years on end by people who don't know the difference between a torque wrench and a breaker bar though. In the hands of someone who will use one within it's design parameters most name brand wrenches will hold up well. If you have to have digital though I wouldn't expect to find a quality digital wrench with the package like the Topeak/OnGuard "cheap" but you can probably do better than $200.
https://www.amazon.com/OnGuard-Deluxe.../dp/B0041CE2LQ (Look close at the lid though, looks like it's a picture of the Topeak to me.)
Personally, having used torque wrenches for the better part of 40 years and maintaining the torque wrench calibration for 300 wrenches for an OEM manufacturer for 10 years, I'll stick with clicker type wrenches. For the money my lowly clicker wrenches do just fine and I use them on things far more critical than bicycles. Digital are great if you have to do data collection for capability studies or SPC but otherwise they can be a little fragile and they are more expensive to repair/replace. Without getting into Belknap or Sturtevant-Richmont type industrial wrenches some of the best I have found for holding calibration in an industrial environment are the MAC and Proto wrenches. Snap On was one of the worst which I found very surprising. I'm talking continuous use and abuse 6 days a week for months and years on end by people who don't know the difference between a torque wrench and a breaker bar though. In the hands of someone who will use one within it's design parameters most name brand wrenches will hold up well. If you have to have digital though I wouldn't expect to find a quality digital wrench with the package like the Topeak/OnGuard "cheap" but you can probably do better than $200.
__________________
".....distasteful and easily triggered."
".....distasteful and easily triggered."
Last edited by Murray Missile; 12-06-13 at 06:05 AM. Reason: Looked more closely at picture.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Roswell, GA
Posts: 8,326
Bikes: '93 Trek 750, '92 Schwinn Crisscross, '93 Mongoose Alta
Liked 1,101 Times
in
729 Posts
I'm with Murray Missile on the clicker wrenches. They are relatively inexpensive and rugged and have no batteries to run down or leak. You can feel them click off without having to watch a display or listen for a "beep", or hold them at a weird angle to be able to see a dial or pointer. Cheap ones, which work fine IME, can be had for $20 or less. Given the low cost you can have the proper wrench for the job at hand without breaking the bank.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Columbus, GA
Posts: 536
Bikes: 2014 Cervelo R5 Dura Ace,2014 Specialized S-Works Roubaix
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Likes: 0
Liked 1,102 Times
in
747 Posts
For bicycle use where you can always see the wrench, a simple beam type is less expensive and less fragile than any clicker. You need a 1/4"-square drive for low torque applications and a 1/2"-square drive for high torque applications.
#9
In this thread, I am NOT seeking opinions on or recommendations for non-digital torque wrenches.
Please restrict responses to less expensive digital torque wrenches, preferably similar to Topeak's D-Torq wrenches.
Please restrict responses to less expensive digital torque wrenches, preferably similar to Topeak's D-Torq wrenches.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Columbus, GA
Posts: 536
Bikes: 2014 Cervelo R5 Dura Ace,2014 Specialized S-Works Roubaix
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Llano Estacado
Posts: 3,702
Bikes: old clunker
Likes: 0
Liked 105 Times
in
83 Posts
https://www.harborfreight.com/digital...ter-68283.html
Also, check ToysRUs.
Last edited by AnkleWork; 12-06-13 at 11:52 AM.
#13
At $30, this one is best for you:
https://www.harborfreight.com/digital...ter-68283.html
Also, check ToysRUs.
https://www.harborfreight.com/digital...ter-68283.html
Also, check ToysRUs.
Less expensive and NOT the least expensive.
Similar to Topeak D-Torq.
Tools and NOT toys.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 39,525
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Liked 3,359 Times
in
1,846 Posts
Gee, you sure are demanding for someone asking for FREE HELP from STRANGERS. I'm not a fan of torque wrenches or digital electronic tools, so can't help you, but following the thread, probably wouldn't if I could.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Likes For FBinNY:
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Trenton On
Posts: 245
Bikes: 2010 Cannondale T1, 1998 Specialized FSR
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#16
Did you miss it?
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 39,525
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Liked 3,359 Times
in
1,846 Posts
FBinNY, I was responding to the sarcasm in AnkleWork's post https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post16306781
Did you miss it?
Did you miss it?
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#20
OK so about your post #9 which he might have been responding to. Without dealing with the particulars. I can tell you that negative or testy responses by OPs is the best way to avoid help.
Are you suggesting that it is worse than diverting focus?
Are you saying I cannot respond to unwarranted sarcasm?
If that limits help, so be it.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 39,525
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Liked 3,359 Times
in
1,846 Posts
No problem, it's your thread, and you're the one needing help.
OTOH - since I'm not the only one who sees it that way, you might consider taking an anga management class.
OTOH - since I'm not the only one who sees it that way, you might consider taking an anga management class.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Likes For FBinNY:
#22
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Trenton On
Posts: 245
Bikes: 2010 Cannondale T1, 1998 Specialized FSR
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you're not interested in what people have to say then maybe you should just Google digital torque wrenches and see what it pulls up.
Personally, I don't think digital torque wrenches are the way to go for the amateur mechanic, if that is what you are. You won't be using it often enough to justify keeping batteries in the thing.
Remember, you get to start the thread but others will decide where it goes. That's just the way this forum thing goes - within reason. Al
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,815
Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese
Liked 672 Times
in
461 Posts
At $30, this one is best for you:
https://www.harborfreight.com/digital...ter-68283.html
Also, check ToysRUs.
https://www.harborfreight.com/digital...ter-68283.html
Also, check ToysRUs.
#25
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
Liked 1,057 Times
in
636 Posts
Of course there are non-bicycle torque wrenchs available that are cheaper and works quite ok on a bike. A specific tool is just a tool, it can work on a bike, a car, or a rocket down in Fla. This falls into the same area as "bike" grease, when any good quality grease is 10 times cheaper and works just as well.