The PRO 3-15 Nm torque wrench set is a high quality shop-level tool ideal for a vast span of bolt head types. The price is rather high, but for £100 you'll get a tool that lasts for years of hard service.
Torque wrenches are hardly glamorous, but with more components being made from carbon fibre, the force with which they are clamped to each other is more crucial than ever. Setting those bolts to a specific torque setting needs to be done with a dedicated, high precision tool.
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The PRO torque wrench features a base-mounted dial that controls the torque and the head of the wrench. This was easy to grip, even with oil-covered hands, and allows for 0.2Nm increments between 0 and 15Nm. I found that this covered the majority of bolts on my bike, with the exception of pedals, which I'd tighten to over 20Nm.
Included in the handy carry case are hex keys 3, 4, 5 and 6, along with Torx keys 25 and 30, and an extender for difficult-to-reach bolts. I never needed this extender, but it's useful to have for TT and aero bikes where bolts can be tucked away. It's a good range of head sizes and covered all the bolts on my bike that needed torquing.
Examining the hex keys after two months of testing shows no wear, which is just as well because, at a penny shy of £100, you'd expect this to last for years. There are cheaper options – Lifeline produces a torque wrench, working in an identical fashion, which costs only £27.50 – a massive saving – and it goes all the way up to 24Nm with additional 8 and 10mm hex key options.
> Beginner's guide to bike tools
For many people, including myself, adjusting of bolts occurs only occasionally, meaning that the price of the PRO is a significant factor for a tool that seems non-essential but is, in fact, highly recommended. If you have many bikes to fettle, and longevity is important to you, this should be the only torque wrench you'll ever need.
Verdict
Great performance for heavy use and quality that should last years
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road.cc test report
Make and model: PRO 3-15 Nm torque wrench set
Size tested: Including M3, M4, M5, M6, T25 and T30 Chrome Vanadium sockets plus extension adaptor
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?
Well, PRO doesn't actually tell you who it's aiming this at, but for the price, I'd suggest more than the average home mechanic.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
From PRO:
High quality precision tool
Adjustability from 3 to 15Nm; For all stems / handlebars / seatposts etc.
Incl. M3, M4, M5, M6, T25 and T30 chrome vanadium sockets and extension
Small and easy to use incl. storage box
Aluminium construction on the wrench is finished well. The keys are well made.
Tightens well, with a positive click once you reach the set torque.
Two months' use and no visible wear.
As a one-time investment, it's good for those who value longevity. A little expensive for more occasional use.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Very well, with no wear to the key heads.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The carry case keeps everything together and to hand.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
The torque and attachment range don't compare that well with much cheaper options.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes, it would be a good investment.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your score
The torque wrench only loses marks for the limited torque range.
About the tester
Age: 22
I usually ride: Cannondale Supersix Di2 My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 5-10 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, club rides, general fitness riding, I specialise in the Cafe Ride!
Son of a Marathon runner, Nephew of a National 24hr Champion, the racing genetics have completely passed him by. Liam spends his time plodding his way through cyclocross races, very busy not winning. As an advocate for perfectly clean chains, he can be found cleaning his bike instead of training. A shop mechanic, Liam has many helpful skills, such as being able to identify 'cross tubs by the tread pattern alone. If you bump into him, he'll probably be eating.
10 comments
I tighten pedals to a light hand tightness. I find they tighten up themselves, hence the thread direction, 20nm would make them a bugger to get off after a couple of months bedding in.
Happy to be put right on this, just what I've always done.
So how much better is this than the Lifeline and why? What justifies the extra £75?
This review http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/best-torque-wrench-for-bicycl... says they are the same torque wrench.
thought as much. What a rip off.
Bikeradar say it is the same as the Lifeline Pro which used to cost 50 quid not the 25 quid one which they don't rate and give 2.5 stars. This one is still a rip off though. There doesn't seem to be a Lifeline Pro at Wiggle anymore but other places sell the same thing for about 60 quid.
Either the 25 quid or 100 quid one will be close to useless unless you keep them calibrated, how many cyclists bother with that?
Just done a bit of Googling about cycling torque wrenches. There's a brand call Norbar that does a calibrated, UK made one that does 1-20 nm for around £75 which sounds like a much better bet.
Norbar are excellent. But the very best bang for buck are... wait for it... Halfords. Their pro range torque wrenches are top notch.
Condor used to do this version too. Theirs was £35 in their sale. Mines done pretty well, checked it at work after two years of regular use and its still pretty accurate.
I believe there's only a few torque wrench manufactuers, and pretty much all the different brands just buy them with different colors / cases / logos on. The price difference just equates to whatever the brand think people will pay for the same item.
Received my Norbar 1-20nm last night (£76 delivered from Amazon) and it's a beautifully (UK) made bit of kit. Unfortunately I can't test it because the 1/4" Allen bits haven't arrived yet...