[kil0ran]

Pretty sure that my cheapo Lifeline Torque wrench has finally gone out of calibration and not sure if it can be user calibrated. So it’s probably time I upgraded but can’t choose between the various types so looking for recommendations. This is for very regular use as I do bike repairs for friends and family.

I think I want a click type, and would prefer a ratchet head. I’ve got a Feedback Sports Range for on-ride use but I really struggle to read the scale on that (aging eyesight) and it’s too short for safely applying anything over 6NM in my opinion.

So it’s a toss up between the pre-set torque keys (4,5,6Nm) and something similar to the existing Lifeline wrench. I’d prefer a better scale than the Lifeline has got because it’s not always clear whether the torque is set correctly. I’d also probably get a cheap split beam type for chain wheels, lockrings, crank bolts, etc.

Thoughts? 

Topic

[kil0ran]

Well, it’s arrived. Quite a

Well, it’s arrived. Quite a beast isn’t it? Seems accurate, scale is easy to use once you work out the relation of the check marks to the numbers. Will do the job, and it’s handy to have one which will do hollowtech crank bolts

[OnYerBike]

Dave Rome wrote:

And please, I’m begging you, don’t set your torque wrench to its highest setting and then use it as an everyday ratchet – that’s the tool equivalent of kicking a puppy.

https://cyclingtips.com/2022/10/cool-tool-tuesday-11-talking-torque-wrenches-part-two/ 

[OnYerBike]

If you want more info on

If you want more info on torque wrenches than you could possibly need, it’s worth checking out https://cyclingtips.com/2022/10/cool-tool-tuesday-10-talking-torque-wrenches-part-one/

and https://cyclingtips.com/2022/10/cool-tool-tuesday-11-talking-torque-wrenches-part-two/

(yes, it’s so long it’s split into two parts).

There’s also a road.cc Buyer’s Guide which is a bit briefer: https://road.cc/buyers-guide/best-torque-wrenches

I would probably just get something similar to what you’ve got – some might have slightly clearer scales than others? The one I’ve got is Condor Cycles branded, but I think it’s probably a generic one with branding stuck on (quite possibly functionally identical to the Lifeline one you have). While I’m happy with it, I don’t think the scale is the easiest to read so probably wouldn’t recommend it to you.

[Rendel Harris]

IanMSpencer wrote:

IanMSpencer wrote:

Torque wrenches are designed to work up to a certain torque and exceeding that can damage the mechanism – you aren’t supposed to press beyond the force that makes it “pop”. Loosening a stuck thingummybob can tempt you into applying excess force through the wrench.

I see, thanks. When I’m loosening something I set the wrench to max torque (24NM with this model) and stop if it indicates I’ve reached that, so hopefully that way I won’t damage it?

[IanMSpencer]

Torque wrenches are designed
Torque wrenches are designed to work up to a certain torque and exceeding that can damage the mechanism – you aren’t supposed to press beyond the force that makes it “pop”. Loosening a stuck thingummybob can tempt you into applying excess force through the wrench.

If you are trying to nurse a fitting out at low torque within the limits of the setting then of course that is going to be fine because it is just acting as a torque wrench.

I have a nice £100 one, and in part it has stayed nice over 10 years or so because I only use it for torquing not for everyday bodging. For big stuff like cassettes, the bendy bar and pointer type is fine, I don’t believe that there is anything on a bike that needs super-accuracy for big torques. There are some silly designs out there though, like Speed play cleat screws which seem to have an extremely narrow band of torque between not being right enough to stay fastened, and over-tightened to not function correctly.

[Rendel Harris]

I’ve got the same one under a

I’ve got the same one under a different badge and can definitely second the recommendation, seems to work just as well as my mate’s £120 job. It’s a shame it doesn’t include a couple of sockets but bits from a standard socket set fit it fine.

Not quite sure why it says “This torque wrench is not used for loosening”, I’ve found it excellent for getting out stiff screws etc in various DIY applications.

[ktache]

Good find.

Good find.

Looks perfect for my very rare torquing needs.

And might give me a bit of a feel for my very strange torx 12 Rohloff shifter attachment.

[kil0ran]

Ah, excellent, thanks. That’s

Ah, excellent, thanks. That’s exactly what I’m looking for, that vernier style scale is much more accurate and easy to read than a line across a plastic window. I’ll get that and a split beam one for lockrings/cassettes/BBs/crank bolts

[mark1a]

For low torque applications I

For low torque applications I use one of these, less than £20 at the moment:

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJWMTWSV2/jobsworth-pro-torque-wrench-set

It’s much more nicely made than the price would suggest, and seems accurate/consistent enough when compared with another wrench. Has a nice easy to read Vernier style scale too. 

Currently available with a workstand for £40:

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BNTORQUESTAND/jobsworth-torque-wrench-and-workstand-bundle

Not the greatest stand in the world, but I use something similar outside for washing so the good one inside doesn’t get shitty.

Also have another wrench for 20Nm+ stuff such as centrelock rotors and cassettes, that’s a Draper something or other £25 from eBay. 

All of these are entry level/cheap items but I can’t bring myself to spend ~£200 on a wrench for fairly light occasional non-professional use. These are easily more than good enough for safety.

[Author]

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