The best cycling torque wrenches

It’s a hand tool you probably see recommended plenty in manuals and maintenance articles – the torque wrench. Simply put, this device measures and helps to control the tightening torque of a bolt.

As the materials used in bicycles are pushed closer to the extremes, the tolerances for acceptable tightening have narrowed. Lightweight components can be crushed or slip under use, both raising significant safety issues. 

While there are plenty of hardened-skin naysayers for such a tool, the truth of the matter is that if you’re working with delicate components, then the use of a torque wrench makes it far less likely for things to go wrong. Yes, it’s possible that experienced mechanics have a ‘feel’ for tightening torque, myself included, but I still use a torque wrench when my warranty (and teeth) are at risk.

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So which is best? To try to get a handle on that (no pun intended), we put 17 through their paces.

How they were tested

A torque wrench is only useful if accurate. For this, I acquired a 0-10Nm digital torque wrench-testing machine and went about testing each one at 3, 5 and 8Nm. Where the torque wrenches are pre-set in torque, equal 5Nm versions were tested.

Things to consider

Best preset torque wrenches

Park Tool Preset Torque Driver 5Nm PTD-5

• Highs: Perfectly accurate, ultra comfortable, quality construction, cam-over design
• Lows: Weight, size, price (especially to buy all three)

• Price: $45 / £40 / AU$75
• Pre-set options available: 4, 5 or 6Nm
• Bits included: 3, 4 & 5mm hex, Torx 25
• Weight: 216g
• Length: 103mm       
• Clearance: 110mm
• Average torque reading at 5Nm: 5.18nm

LifeLine Hand-Torque Wrench

• Highs: Price, metal internals, cam-over design
• Lows:  Small handle, less accurate, included spare bits don’t have holder

• Price: $15 /£10 / AU$18
• Pre-set options available: 5Nm
• Bits included: 4, 5 & 6mm hex
• Weight: 106g
• Length: 86mm
• Clearance: 97mm
• Average torque reading at 5Nm: 5.33

CDI Torque Preset T-Handle – 5Nm

• Highs: Proven design, reputable company, cam-over design, comfortable handle
• Lows: Plastic internals, no additional bits included

• Price: $36 / £TBC / AU$TBC
• Pre-set options available: 4, 5 or 6Nm
• Bits included: 4mm hex
• Weight: 108g
• Length: 95mm
• Clearance: 108mm
• Average torque reading at 5Nm: 4.62Nm

Ritchey Multi-Bit Torqkey – 5Nm

• Highs: Widely available, price, travel size, perfectly accurate
• Lows: Tiny handle makes it uncomfortable, plastic internals, not cam-over

• Price:$20 / £TBC / AU$34
• Pre-set options available: 4 or 5Nm
• Bits included: 3, 4 & 5mm hex, Torx 20 & 25, Phillips #2
• Weight: 50g
• Length: 78mm
• Clearance: 88mm
• Average torque reading at 5Nm: 5.01Nm

Best adjustable torque wrenches

Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza II 2-16 Pro Deluxe

• Highs: Compact, high quality, accurate, classy looks
• Lows: Expensive, ratchet head spoils clearance compared to original

• Price: $260 / £190 / AU$395
• Torque range: 2-16Nm
• Bits included: 2, 2.5, 3, 4 (long), 5 (long) & 6mm hex, Torx 10, 15, 20, 25 (long) & 30, Phillips #2, 100mm extension
• Weight: 192g
• Length: 170mm
• Clearance: 52mm
• Ratchet function: Yes
• Average torque reading at 3/5/8Nm: 3.05/4.9/8.06Nm

LifeLine Professional Torque Wrench

• Highs: Price, proven design, bits included, accurate, ease of use
• Lows: Generic

• Price:$70 / £50 / AU$90
• Torque range: 3-15Nm
• Bits included: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 & 6mm hex, Torx 25
• Weight: 214g
• Length: 195mm
• Clearance: 45mm
• Ratchet function: Yes
• Average torque reading at 3/5/8Nm: 3.31/5.34/7.93Nm

Park Tool Adjustable Torque Driver ATD-1

• Highs: Accurate, ultra comfortable, quality construction, cam-over design
• Lows: Needs a 6mm hex to adjust torque setting, heavy, price

• Price: $73 / £60 / AU$120
• Torque range: 4-6Nm
• Bits included: 3, 4 & 5mm hex, Torx 25
• Weight: 266g
• Length: 103mm
• Clearance: 110mm
• Ratchet function: No (but does cam-over)
• Average torque reading at 3/5/8Nm: N/A/5.13Nm/N/A

IceToolz Ocarina Torque Wrench

• Highs: Price, accurate, bits included, silly light, ideal for travel
• Lows: Plastic construction, clearance, hard to read torque in certain light or positions

• Price: $TBC / £25 / AU$TBC
• Torque range: 1-10Nm
• Bits included: 3, 4, 5 & 6mm hex, Torx 25
• Weight: 88g
• Length: 133mm
• Clearance: 146mm
• Ratchet function: No          
• Average torque reading at 3/5/8Nm: 2.92/4.83/7.7Nm

Topeak D-Torq Wrench

• Highs: Super accurate, makes you feel fancy, zippered case, low clearance
• Lows: Price, needs batteries

• Price: $249 / £185 / AU$300
• Torque range: 1-20Nm
• Bits included: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 & 6mm hex, Torx 25, Phillips #2
• Weight: 166g
• Length: 195mm
• Clearance: 21mm
• Ratchet function: Yes
• Average torque reading at 3/5/8Nm: 3/5.06/8.03Nm

Park Tool Ratcheting Click-Type Torque Wrench TW-5

• Highs: Proven design, accurate, great range, easy to use, ratcheting, comfortable handle
• Lows: Price, no bits are included, not as unique as you may think

• Price: $116 / £100 / AU$180
• Torque range: 3-15Nm
• Bits included: ¼ to 3/8 square adaptor only
• Weight: 224g
• Length: 198mm
• Clearance: 44mm
• Ratchet function: Yes
• Average torque reading at 3/5/8Nm: 3.03/4.76/7.43Nm

Birzman Torque Wrench 3-15Nm

• Highs: Metal construction, pretty, ratcheting
• Lows: A bit fiddly to adjust, vague click at torque

• Price: $TBC / £TBC / AU$139
• Torque range: 3-15Nm
• Bits included: 3, 4, 5, 6 & 8mm hex, Torx 25
• Weight: 294g
• Length: 211mm
• Clearance: 48mm
• Ratchet function: Yes
• Average torque reading at 3/5/8Nm: 2.99/5.46/7.7Nm

PRO Torque Wrench

• Highs: Proven design, bits included, accurate, ease of use
• Lows: High price for a generic tool

• Price: $139 / £TBC / AU$155
• Torque range: 3-15Nm
• Bits included: 3, 4, 5 & 6mm hex, Torx 25 & 30, extension
• Weight: 214g
• Length: 195mm
• Clearance: 45mm
• Ratchet function: Yes
• Average torque reading at 3/5/8Nm: 3.13/4.6/7.85Nm

Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza II 2-16

• Highs: Easy to use, amazing head clearance, compact size
• Lows: Price, our sample was less accurate than expected

• Price: $185 (without bits) / £135 (without bits) / AU$285 (Deluxe version)
• Torque range: 2-16Nm
• Bits included: No (included with ‘Deluxe’ version)
• Weight: 162g
• Length: 158mm
• Clearance: 26mm
• Ratchet function: No
• Average torque reading at 3/5/8Nm: 3.66/5.15/8.41Nm

Park Tool TW-1 (discontinued)

• Highs: Simple in design, accurate, calibration is clear
• Lows: Small useable range, slow to use

• Price: $45 / £N/A / AU$N/A
• Torque range: 0-6.8Nm
• Bits included: ¼ to 3/8 square adaptor only
• Weight: 192g
• Length: 285mm
• Clearance: 59mm
• Ratchet function: No
• Average torque reading at 3/5/8Nm: 2.98/5.1Nm/N/A

LifeLine Essential Torque Wrench MK2

• Highs: Price, wide range of bits included, great case
• Lows: Generic, build quality, vague gauge setting, can accidently change torque setting during use

• Price:$40 / £25 / AU$80
• Torque range: 2-24Nm
• Bits included: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 & 10mm hex, Torx 25 & 30, long 5mm hex
• Weight: 358g
• Length: 205mm
• Clearance: 47mm
• Ratchet function: Yes
• Average torque reading at 3/5/8Nm: 3.61/5.8/7.92Nm

BikeHand Adjustable (generic, same as Harbour Freight)

• Highs: Price, can lock in torque setting
• Lows: As generic as it gets, cheap construction, hard to read torque

• Price: $30 / £22 / AU$35
• Torque range: 2-24Nm
• Bits included: No
• Weight: 562g
• Length: 264mm
• Clearance: 46mm
• Ratchet function: Yes
• Average torque reading at 3/5/8Nm: 3.82/5.58/8.17Nm

Topeak ComboTorq Wrench and Bit Set

• Highs: Cheapest adjustable on test, lots of bits included, simple design
• Lows: Not accurate, cheap construction, awkward shape to store

• Price: $27 / £15 / AU$30
• Torque range: 3-12Nm
• Bits included: 3, 4, 5 & 6mm hex, Torx 25
• Weight: 134g
• Length: 165mm
• Clearance: 174mm
• Ratchet function: No
• Average torque reading at 3/5/8Nm: 2.39/3.9/6.54Nm

Conclusion

• Beam type torque wrench: Simply uses the flex of materials to provide a torque reading. This is quite simple to manufacture and should prove durable with minimal moving parts. Accuracy is typically good, with calibration being a matter of ensuring the dial sits at 0 before use.
• Cam-over: This is where the torque wrench will continue to click out once torque is reached. It ensures a bolt cannot accidently be over torqued. Of the wrenches tested, pre-set models (excluding Ritchey Torqkey) and Park Tool’s ATD offer this feature.
• Preset torque: This type of torque wrench is not adjustable and has been factory set at a pre-determined torque. This type of torque wrench is typically low cost and highly accurate.
• Ratchet: Just like a ratchet as part of a socket set, some torque wrenches feature  a ratchet mechanism to help speed up use. Here, the tool can drive in one direction, and freewheel in the other to save you from having to reposition the tool for better clearance.
• Square drive: Many cycling torque wrenches feature a 1/4in square drive attachment. This is how sockets and bit sockets connect to the tool.

You can read more at BikeRadar.com