Syncros Wrench 2.0 Torque

The Syncros Wrench 2.0 Torque is capable of a wide 2-24Nm range, but suffers niggling usability issues that detract from the experience. It won't be the only torque wrench you'll ever need, and there are better options to meet all your torque demands.

As we've said many times before, you need at least one torque wrench. At the minimum a 4Nm or 5Nm preset-value one for your stem or maybe seat clamp bolts, and possibly one capable of up to 50-ish if you want to fit cassettes, disc lockrings or bottom brackets. Most bike torque settings are either in the 2-8Nm range, or up around 40-60Nm.

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There are very few components with ratings in the teens or twenties – Shimano's Hollowtech II left crankarm 12Nm being a standout exception. If you had to choose two torque wrenches only, something small doing 2-10 Nm (often) and something larger for 10-50Nm (occasionally) would be ideal.

But that's all scene-setting for what's to come. Apart from the Syncros 2.0 tool itself, the sturdy case includes a good selection of bits – Torx 20, 25 and 30, plus hex 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10mm.

There's a 75mm extension and a socket adapter to go from the native 1/4in square drive to the standard 1/4in hex bits. Both the head and the bit adapter have retaining ball mechanisms, so you can't lose a bit when installed in the tool.

The Syncros 2.0 isn't bad per se – it's accurate, with a certificate of calibration and a nice box. The finish of the tool and bits is high, and it has a premium feel about the handle.

The problems

The first letdown is the locking mechanism. Just above the knurled grip there's a spring-loaded ring you need to push up in order to rotate the grip and set the torque, so you're pushing and rotating at the same time. It's just an unnecessary barrier to quickly setting the right torque.

Most torque wrenches have a locking nut at the end of the handle, which works perfectly and allows fast setting. The Syncros 2.0 version quickly becomes annoying, while the laser-etched scale is small and hard to read in some lights.

The second letdown is in the ratcheting head. There's a considerable amount of play – enough the end of the handle can move through a range of 25mm. This likely doesn't affect accuracy, but in a £65 tool it's disappointing.

Thirdly, the weight and length make it challenging to use on the kind of very small fasteners that require a 2Nm torque. It's impractical overkill.

Value

At £65, the Syncros 2.0 is relatively expensive given its not-that-bike-useful 2-24Nm range and rather large form for use on the (most common) smaller end of that. And you will still need a second purchase to do the bigger parts of your bike.

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For the lighter settings you're spoilt for choice, with competition from the likes of the Merida Adjustable Torque Wrench (4, 5 and 6Nm) at just £26.99, or the Feedback Sports Range torque ratchet (2-10Nm), which is £80 but usefully light and compact.

The £79.99 Topeak Torq Stick is also smaller, lighter and tighter – far better suited to stems and other small bolts, and easily carried on rides or trips, unlike this much heavier, bulkier Syncros.

At the higher-torque end, your best bet is an automotive or general DIY tool from the likes of Draper or Silverline. These often do between 10 and 80Nm for around the £30 mark. I've used a Draper 10-80Nm wrench for years in a bike workshop setting, and it's still as accurate as the day it arrived (I test it).

Overall

Given the faff of the locking mechanism, the slop in the head and unnecessarily large, heavy form given its useful role on bikes, it's hard to recommend the Syncros 2.0 Torque. Nevertheless it's accurate, largely well made and will get (some of the) jobs done.

Verdict

Accurate enough, but a faff to use, awkwardly sized and not well tailored to bike use