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Torque Wrench - recommendations for purchase

Cary BlancoCary Blanco
in General Training Discussions

I'm looking to buy a torque wrench to add to my bike assembly/repair toolkit. I'd prefer not to break the bank with this purchase. I'm seeing Park Tool and Spin Doctor bike specific torque wrenches out there any recommendations on either of these or a different one?

Links would be appreciated.

- Cary

Comments

  • Matt SamojedenMatt Samojeden

    Cary, I did my research on this about 2 years ago and Tahoe torque wrench is what chose. http://www.cantitoeroad.com/tools/giustaforza-ii-216



    It is not cheap, but our bikes and are sport are not. I have been very happy with the unit. And it goes to all events with me. Good luck in your decision process.

  • Mark RobertsMark Roberts

     I have the Giustaforza as well and it has worked flawlessly for me.  Not cheap, but its easy to use and great for tightening everything to the proper specifications which is quite important for carbon bars, stems, seatposts, etc.  

    Mark

  • Matt SamojedenMatt Samojeden
    Let me reinforce the theme that Mark pointed too. The challenge is the lower torque requirements of 3,5,-11 NM. These are often metal to carbon interface situations. The high torque situations of > 20NM are metal to metal and my view is I am ok by feel to get those right. On the low torque levels, the feel is just not there. If you over torque and strip one of those low torque connections you may be screwed. This tool recommended is a precision piece of equipment that does the low torque values well.
  • Nemo BrauchNemo Brauch
    I bought a kit from Nashbar.
    http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/SubCategory_10053_10052_202587_-1_202334_202376

    Works well, but there are no extension options so when tightening bolts in tight little places, it can get pretty tricky to get the whole head of the wrench in the necessary space.
  • Cary BlancoCary Blanco
    Thanks for the pointers. I'm going to mull this over a bit.
  • MattAaronsonMattAaronson
    I have the Park Tool one. Actually I have two. One for the low torque range, and one for the higher torque range. Unlike my typical MO which is to reasearch everything to death, in this case I was in a hurry and went for the Park Tool brand based on historical good performace in bike maintenance equipment.
  • JustMikeJustMike
    I have the park TW-2 and TW-5. I figured for stuff big enough to use the TW-2 (cranks, bbs) a beam wrench was close enough, but for stuff that needed the TW-5 (carbon headsets and stuff) I wanted precision.
  • Cary BlancoCary Blanco
    Posted By Michael Bernico on 23 Jun 2011 07:45 AM

    I have the park TW-2 and TW-5. I figured for stuff big enough to use the TW-2 (cranks, bbs) a beam wrench was close enough, but for stuff that needed the TW-5 (carbon headsets and stuff) I wanted precision.



    Uh, not a big tool guy here (although I have been called a tool), what's a beam wrench?

  • Matt SamojedenMatt Samojeden
    Posted By Cary Blanco on 23 Jun 2011 08:58 AM
    Posted By Michael Bernico on 23 Jun 2011 07:45 AM

    I have the park TW-2 and TW-5. I figured for stuff big enough to use the TW-2 (cranks, bbs) a beam wrench was close enough, but for stuff that needed the TW-5 (carbon headsets and stuff) I wanted precision.



    Uh, not a big tool guy here (although I have been called a tool), what's a beam wrench?

     Well the IPAD would not let be edit this post so had to get the real computer out.

     

    Cary a beam wrench is a style of torque wrench that has a pointer that moves across a scale face,  as you increase the torque the pointer moves from X ft lbs to X + y ft lbs.  The potential issue is that you can apply more torque than you want with a beam wrench due to the fact that it does not automatically stop at a preset torque.  So say you want 15 ft lbs or 15 NM  and your use the beam scale and happen to overdo it a bit and get 20 just for a second, well you have torque  the fitting to the higher level.  A true torque wrench lets you set the desired torque level and you tighten the fitting and once you apply that level of torque it will disengage when you try to apply more torque.

     


     

    As Michael comments for higher torque levels, a beam wrench can work, at the lower levels it becomes a bigger challenge to get the correct torque.

     

  • grosso27grosso27

    I am a total tool nerd, and after several experiments, I settled as well on the Giustaforza.  It's fantastic.  Nice & small, blatant click.  Tips are commonly replaceable sizes, etc.  Higher end click-types are definitely nice, but you need to be extra sure that you zero your torque after every use to maintain calibration. 

    I use it for 99% of torque specs on bike.  For larger items like bottom brackets, I use a Craftsman beam. 

    If you don't want to spend the money, you'd be well served to buy both Park beams, I believe they are TW-1 & TW-2.  Those will get the job done & not break the bank.

    Only problem is fitting the smaller beam into tight spaces & you have no click, so you have to be able to see the readout as well.

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