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 .
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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.
A Reassuringly solid 190g less tool bits
Generally very pleasant to use
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
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)
2 comments
I have this wrench. It is great.
The bits are the standard size for multi-bit screwdrivers, so it is very easy to buy anything you need.
Looking at buying one of these (or the Topeak D-Torq), and found this review via Google.
Not sure if this means precision or resolution.
If the former, you don't state whether this was measured at maximum torque or not, but assuming that it was and that the more expensive tool was itself accurate, 0.5Nm represents the limit of precision for the tool (4% of 16Nm is 0.48Nm). Of course, if this was measured at 5Nm, then that's another matter entirely.
If the latter, then I agree that 0.5Nm resolution is good enough.