Park Tool TW-5 Torque Wrench

Product Information

In the end it might not affect the way the tool does its job, but it certainly gave a slightly cheap feel to the whole thing. On the other hand, you have to carefully read the beam in relation to a scale to know that you have achieved the correct torque. This can be difficult if the unit you are torquing to isn’t printed on the scale or if you are aiming for a decimal. You’ll also need a steady hand. Most beam-style torque wrenches for bicycles tend to be aimed at the entry point of the market and are often made of plastic or more flexible materials. A preset torque wrench looks much like a normal Allen key, with a handle. It will tighten the bolt to the ideal tension. These are light and easy to transport, as well as being highly accurate since they can’t be adjusted. Park Tool offers two styles of beam type torque wrenches. Both wrenches use 3/8″ square drive to accept standard 3/8″ bits. Without the torque driver involved, the rest of the handle can be used to loosen off bolts – again in a range of configurations – saving the ratchet from damage.

Made in Italy, the Pro version from Effetto Mariposa is positioned as the premium cycling-specific torque wrench. Testing showed reliable accuracy and ease of use.

The TW-1.2 has a range of 0–14 Nm (0–140 inch-pounds). The TW-2.2 has a range of 0–60 Nm (0–50 foot-pounds). It comes in a foam-lined hard plastic case, something we found tough to actually get the tool out of. However, it does keep it safe and all the bits together.

The Lifeline’s box looks the part but I would wonder if the slightly cheap feeling plastic will survive the usual travails of being piled in with a load of other tools in a shed or workshop; the outer feeling a bit flimsy. Park Tool’s TW-5.2 uses a 3/8in drive rather than the smaller 1/4in head, which means it isn’t as easy to wield in smaller spaces. Yet it feels much better quality, with less play and movement at the head than other options, especially under higher torque loads. It’s all too common for cycling-specific torque wrenches to be made to a price point, typically using plastic internals as a result. The ATD clearly ignores its existing competitors and offers incredibly durable and positive feeling metal internals. The main handle and torque part of the tool can be put together in several configurations which mean it can get into tight spots where other tools may not be able to reach awkwardly positioned bolts. The TW-5.2 from Park Tool is a conventional ratcheting torque wrench designed for lower torque settings that you typically find on bike components.

FIND WHAT YOU NEED TO FIX IT FAST.

The other advantage with using a torque is you don’t have to guess how tight things should be. The old school way is hand tight and then another quarter turn but what does that actually mean? If a seat clam bolt has a torque setting of 5nm and you use a 5nm pre-set torque wrench, you’re never going to over or under tighten it, and also you won’t have to touch it again. Torque is measured as a unit of force acting on a rotating lever of some set length. In the bike industry and elsewhere, the common unit used to measure torque is the Newton meter (abbreviated Nm). One Newton meter is a force of one Newton on a one meter long lever. Another unit sometimes seen is the Kilogram-centimeter (abbreviated kgf-cm), which is a kilogram of force acting on a lever one centimeter long. It is possible to convert between the various systems.

The main reason to tighten a bot to the correct torque is for safety. If you over tighten a bolt, it can break or damage the part it’s attached to. Conversely if it’s not tight enough, it can work loose, which can accelerate wear or cause a failure. A loose bolt on a saddle clamp will only cause it to creak or move when you sit on it but there are situations where it can cause damage to the bolt. One of the most common bolts to come loose is the one holding your crank in place and if you keep on riding this can mangle the interface and mean costly replacement. Hey, that looks just like the LifeLine Professional or the Pedro’s Demi,” I hear you say. Yep, there’s a good reason for that – it’s the same. Sourced from Taiwan, this Shimano/PRO item is a rebadged tool, but there’s a good reason so many brands put their label on it – it does exactly what it should. Effetto’s Mariposa Giustaforza II 2-16 Pro Deluxe torque wrench is a high-quality option. David Rome / Immediate MediaThreaded fasteners, such as nuts and bolts, are used to hold many components to the bike. As a fastener is tightened, the fastener actually flexes and stretches, much like a rubber band. This stretching is not permanent, but it gives the joint force to hold together, called “preload,” or tension. Each fastener is designed for a certain range of tension. Too much tightening will deform the threads or the parts. Too little preload will mean the fastener will loosen with use. This can damage components, such as a crank ridden with a loose mounting bolt. Loose bolts and nuts are also generally the source of various creaking on the bike. In fact, using many torque wrenches 'the wrong way' can damage their mechanism and stop them from accurately gauging the level or torque. If the tool you've got does not do reverse thread, don't try and use it for reverse thread (or for loosening bolts).