Best Cycling Torque Wrench [Review] in 2021

Best Torque Wrenches– A Buyer’s Guide:

Cycling is a great sport! But the overall experience can be compromised sometimes, due to accidents or problems arising in the bike. Some bolts may become loose or some nuts might need to be changed and put back.

This calls for a tool kit that has a wrench with the perfect amount and sizes of keys, and proper torque configurations and calibration to get you through the difficult time. A good cycling torque wrench can be vital in dire situations and can save you a lot of stress and time.

It enables you to at least be able to access your nearby bicycle fix shop. Hence, cycling torque wrenches can be a blessing in disguise for you. Today I am going to run through everything you need to know about torque wrenches and how to find the best product. 

Let’s jump in gang! 

Advantages of torque wrenches:

Specifically made for bikes: Cycling torque wrenches are made specifically for your bike. The nuts and bolts used in your bike are studied before making the wrench.

Hence, the calibration and the keys are made precisely to fit your needs. The wrench complements your bike perfectly.

Making things easy: A good and well-built wrench can make your life very easy when you are in a bad situation with your bike. The wrench delivers perfect torque when tightening the bolts, so as to not over tighten them. Helps prevent damage and fixes your bike.

Self-ratcheting: The main reason for using a calibrated wrench is that it helps achieve accuracy. This is very important as tightening the nuts can be a very precise and sensitive job.

Self-ratcheting allows the wrench to retract automatically, or give a warning, when the desired torque is reached.

High-selection: Torque wrenches for cycles have a high selection of hex key sizes and torques you can choose from, thus allowing you the option to take exactly what you need.

Things to consider when buying torque wrenches: 

Here are some things to consider to ensure you’re getting the very best torque wrench for your bike:

Price: Price is an important factor to consider, it is easy to go for the cheapest one you find, but you may not be getting the same level of quality you need for your bike. Spending that little extra for better quality is definitely worth it.

Torque range: Torque wrenches tend to be most accurate in their middle range and tend to range between 3 and 10Nm. You should check what you’re planning on tightening and make sure the torque wrench you’re looking to get will accommodate for that.

The last thing you want is to buy a torque wrench that won’t tighten up your bike correctly; this will potentially lead to more damage.

Along with torque range, you will also want to see whether it has ‘click’ technology; this is super helpful as it will click when it is at the right torque limit; this prevents over-tightening and causing damage to your bike.

Weight: Weight is another key consideration if you’re looking to travel with your torque kit; you want to have it whenever you go and don’t want to have it weighing your saddlebag down.

If it’s too heavy, you’re less likely to take it out on your ride and one day, a bolt may come loose, and you have nothing to tighten it back up with– it’s bound to happen if you don’t take it.

Clearance: Some bolts need a torque wrench with a low-profile head, while others can be used with anything. You should always measure the clearance of each wrench with the same 5mm bit and adapter.

Frequently Asked Question:

A torque wrench is designed to apply a specific torque to a fastener such as a nut, bolt, or lad screw on a bike. Torque wrenches have become a must-have on bikes in recent years because of the carbon fibers used to create bikes.

Clamps around the carbon components can easily damage the bike if over tightened, but a torque wrench is brilliant as they tend to click when at the desired limit to prevent over-tightening.

Can you use a regular torque wrench on a bike?

I would never recommend using a regular torque wrench to loosen bolts on your bike; torque wrenches are a measurement. Most bike manufacturer warranties can also be voided unless a bike torque wrench was used.

Should I use a digital torque wrench? 

Absolutely, digital torque wrenches are very accurate; they tend to have a tolerance of around 1%, making them more accurate than most click torque wrenches; however, these torque wrenches may not be suitable for bike fittings as they tend only to be used on cars. 

Digital torque wrenches also tend to be much more fragile than other types; you also need to be more cautious when handling. They also need batteries when operating; it can be quite costly in comparison. 

Overview:

Quality and performance are the key features we look for in cycle torque wrenches, and all the manufacturers I took a look at delivered on these 2 fundamental aspects brilliantly. They offered precision and accuracy in calibration, a vast array of hex keys, and a good build.

Some were even built with ease of use on hand, while one also offered a digital display for accurate torque measurement. All of them did an amazing job and will erase your nightmares when it comes to bicycle problems.

I would definitely recommend getting a bike torque kit for your bike; it will be sure to get you out of trouble when you need little adjustments. 

Happy pedaling!