The E-Torqbar from Topeak is a high-end portable torque wrench that combines an ergonomic ratcheting handle with a light-up torque-reading display. While it’s expensive compared to the majority of travel-sized torque wrenches, every part of the kit is built to the highest quality, and the display makes torque readings unmistakable. It’s a great bit of kit.
- Best bike multi-tools 2025: top-rated tools for mountain and gravel bikes
- Pro Starter Toolkit review
- Granite Rocknroll TQ Torque Ratchet Tool Kit review
Topeak E-Torqbar torque wrench – Technical details
Packaged in a well-built wallet with a magnetic closure, the E-Torqbar comes with a ratcheting handle, a ‘speed sleeve’ bit holder and a digital torque wrench. There’s a comprehensive range of S2 hardened steel bits, including two to six millimetre allens, T10, T15, T20 and T25 Torx bits and a #2 Phillips bit. All those bits are cut with a rough texture for ease of removal.
Powered by a single AAA battery, the digital torque wrench is capable of reading from one to 10Nm in single Newton metre increments. There is a battery included in the box. To replace it, the cover must be unscrewed with a 2mm Allen key.
Topeak E-Torqbar torque wrench – Performance
The real joy behind Topeak’s portable torque wrench range is that you’re not just buying a torque wrench. You’re buying into the brand’s ratcheting eco system that provides you with a digital torque wrench, a ratcheting handle and a comprehensive range of bits. It also gets that speed sleeve extender.
That means you’ve got a high-quality Allen key and Torx set with enough bits to tighten nearly every bolt on the bike. There is no 8mm Allen bit present, but 8mm bolts usually require significantly more torque than a wrench of this nature can deliver.
Everything about the E-Torqbar is easy. Assembling it before use is just a matter of pushing everything together, and switching it on only asks for a press of the only button on the digital torque wrench. To turn it off, hold it down.
Reading the torque wrench doesn’t get any easier. As you reach each measure, a light illuminates, indicating that the rating has been met. Tighten up to your desired rating, and that’s it. This does have a downside – there’s no click or fail-safe to stop you from over-torquing. It’s completely up to the user to stop when the right light shines. Of course, the torque wrench rotates as you tighten, so be sure to position it where you can see it.
Battery life is impressive, too. While it’s not rechargeable, I’ve not yet had to change the battery, and I’ve been working with this tool for a good six months now.
The only real trouble lies in who this tool is for. Even Topeak’s cheaper torque wrenches offer a near identical level of functionality, and they’re smaller – they’re just marginally harder to read. They don’t require batteries to work either, so they can be thrown into the back of a car or a toolbox and forgotten about. The only appeal I can think of is for those who are hard of sight or want something easy to read.
Another fun drawback I found was that my toolkit came with four 4mm Allen keys, instead of four and five-millimetre Allen keys. However, an e-mail to Topeak’s UK distributor quickly fixed this.
Topeak E-Torqbar torque wrench – Verdict
There’s not much on the market like the Topeak E-Torqbar torque wrench. There are either full-on workshop-style digital torque wrenches, such as Pro’s £250 Team Digital Torque Wrench or Unior’s £170 Digital Torque Wrench, but Topeak’s E-Torqbar represents excellent value in comparison.
Compared to other portable torque wrenches, nearly all of which aren’t digital, it doesn’t look so good. Topeak’s own Ratchet Rocket Lite NTX+ is a much better option for those who don’t have that kind of money to spend but want the peace of mind during pre-ride fettles. It’s £77, can read from two to six Newton metres – plenty for cockpit tweaks and comes with a similar range of bits.
Lezyne’s Pocket Torque Drive is another good contender at £65. It reads from two to six Newton metres, adjustable via an included tool, and clicks, so there’s no chance of over-tightening. Its range of bits is a little smaller, however, and of course, it’s not digital.
If you’re set on a portable torque wrench that’s easy to use and read, the Topeak E-Torqbar is a good option. It’s well built, ergonomic and equipped with a comprehensive range of bits. It’s just tough to recommend over much cheaper non-digital rivals.
You might also like:
- Granite Design Stash RT Ratchet multitool review
- IceToolz Essence tool kit
- First look – Park Tool DT-5.2 Disc Facing Tool
Product purpose:
Build extra:
Torx® bits – T10 / T15 / T20 / T25
#2 Phillips bit
Digital Torque wrench
Speed Sleeve bit holder (70mm)
Torque range1 – 10Nm
MaterialBody: Aluminum
Tool: Chrome vanadium steel
Bag : 420D / 1000D
Bits : S2 hardened steel
BatteryAAA x 1 (included)
Size23 x 15.5 x 2.7 cm (open)
7 x 15.5 x 3 cm (closed)
Weight253 g (Tools+Bag)
79 g (Torque wrench)
Product construction
Product construction extra:
Product performance
Product performance extra:
product value
All the deals displayed on our review pages are pulled from a constantly updating database feed of the best affiliate deals available. The criteria for deciding on what are the best deals is who is offering the lowest, delivered price. In most cases we will be showing the very best deal available online, but sometimes you may be able to find an item cheaper. If you can please feel free to post a link in the comments box below. To find out more about affiliate links on road.cc click here.
