Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza torque wrench 2-16Nm

8
£119.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Thoroughly recommended for enthusiast bike fettlers
Weight: 
318g
Contact: 
www.upgradebikes.co.uk

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

  • Exceptional
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Quite good
  • Average
  • Not so good
  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

With the prevalence of carbon fibre and similarly lightweight components, Effetto Mariposa’s Giustaforza torque wrench is the answer to the home mechanic’s prayer-it’s compact, easy to use, affordable (at least when you consider the implications of component failure) and moreover, accurate. Sure it might seem overkill for one entry-level bike with a carbon composite post but like a decent pump or similarly good tool, it left me wondering how I fettled the fleet before I had it.

Made from beautifully machined, anodised aluminium and measuring 165mm long, the Giustaforza marries traditional Italian flair with mechanical excellence and fine, lazer etched detailing. Cocooned inside its protective sheath, it stows conveniently inside larger seat packs/day bags just ready for those first few post-build roadside tune-ups and the deeply knurled handle prevents slippage and gouged components caused by sweaty palms.

2-16NM ranges covers the most common settings on a bicycle and is simply adjusted by turning the knurled base anti/clockwise to increase or reduce the torque required as shown in a small window integrated into the grip. There’s a good sprinkling of bits provided including 2,2.5, 3,4,5, 6mm Allen wrenches, 5mm hex, T20, T25 Torx and an assortment of flat and Phillips head screwdrivers. These simply slot securely into the magnetised head and so long as the torque setting’s correct (chronic ham-fistedness aside), it’s the end of chewed fasteners and ruined threads. A basic version of the torque wrench is also available without all the extra for £89.99.

I began testing with a set of old-fashioned stem bolts before working up to an uber expensive carbon railed saddle nestling in an aluminium seat post cradle. Cross-referenced beside a friend’s all singing and dancing ultra expensive commercial offering, accuracy isn’t perfect but within 0.5NM-sufficient for all but the most obsessive and nigh on guaranteed to protect costly fittings and components from unnecessary damage.

Verdict

Thoroughly recommended for enthusiast fettlers .

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza torque wrench 2-16Nm

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Giustaforza 2-16 Nm is the first bicycle-specific torque wrench. :

- ideal torque range, 2-16 Nm (17,7-141,6 inch-pound)

- ready to use, with 16 bits included

- extremely user-friendly, lightweight & strong

- professional precision: +-4% (calibration service available)

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Giustaforza is available in three different versions:

•Giustaforza

•Giustaforza Professional, recommended for professional mechanics or for those who use the torque-wrench more frequently

•Giustaforza Basic, as a good torque wrench as any Giustaforza, but without bits

- professional precision: +-4% (calibration service available)

CNC machined anodized aluminium finish, magnetised head.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

A Reassuringly solid 190g less tool bits

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10

Generally very pleasant to use

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Cheap in comparison to replacement of high-end component exotica.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

The Giustaforza torque wrench is a delight to use and brings professional quality to the enthusiast market.Ham-fistedness aside, breakages or other component damage are things of the past and it will repay the ivestment many, many times over. Calibration seems very accurate but nonetheless, there's a calibration service should you require the last word in precision.

Nervous, sweaty palms can't upset the apple cart either thanks to a dimpled non-slip handle and reassuringly solid feel. Quality of bits is also very, very high and being magnetised, there's little risk of losing them forever beneath/behind the washing machine/unit etc.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Pretty much the complete package-right down to price.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Definitely

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

Add new comment

2 comments

Latest Comments