Park Tool TW-5 Torque Wrench

Product Information

If you are tightening bolts where there are two or more in the same location, such as on the stem, make sure you tighten each bolt evenly rather than fully torque one and then the other. This tool offers everything we loved about the Park Tool PTD, but with further adjustment options. Accuracy is not quite as consistent as the preset options, but certainly close enough. Its American-made build quality is superb, but that does mean it’s heavy and priced relatively high. The struggle here is it can be hard to read the raised numbers, especially if you’re wrenching in a poorly lit hotel room, or adjusting a saddle bolt upside down. It’s comfortable to use, but the hollow plastic construction certainly feels cheap and can lead to clearance issues in rare cases.

However, estimating torque can be a risky business and if it goes wrong, you’ve not got much hope of a warranty swap. What types of torque wrench sets are available? With the parts slotted together, you can feel the join between them, given away by a movement that I feel wouldn’t be there if each part was more precisely sized to slot together more snuggly. It’s all too common for cycling-specific torque wrenches to be made to a price point, typically using plastic internals as a result. The ATD clearly ignores its existing competitors and offers incredibly durable and positive feeling metal internals. For all its good looks, high quality appearance and premium price tag, I was slightly disappointed with the wobbly feel when using the tool.

Repair & Service

A preset torque wrench looks much like a normal Allen key, with a handle. It will tighten the bolt to the ideal tension. These are light and easy to transport, as well as being highly accurate since they can’t be adjusted. NOTE: Torque wrenches are measuring instruments and are not intended for use as a general-purpose ratcheting driver. Do not exceed 14 Nm when using the TW-5.2. Repair & Service In fact, using many torque wrenches 'the wrong way' can damage their mechanism and stop them from accurately gauging the level or torque. If the tool you've got does not do reverse thread, don't try and use it for reverse thread (or for loosening bolts). Park Tool offers two styles of beam type torque wrenches. Both wrenches use 3/8″ square drive to accept standard 3/8″ bits. Measured torque not typically used. Common industry practice is resistance at lever half way through swing from open to fully closed. For more see Tire and Tube Removal and Installation.

The main reason to tighten a bot to the correct torque is for safety. If you over tighten a bolt, it can break or damage the part it’s attached to. Conversely if it’s not tight enough, it can work loose, which can accelerate wear or cause a failure. A loose bolt on a saddle clamp will only cause it to creak or move when you sit on it but there are situations where it can cause damage to the bolt. One of the most common bolts to come loose is the one holding your crank in place and if you keep on riding this can mangle the interface and mean costly replacement.

Keep your tools in working order

Effetto’s Mariposa Giustaforza II 2-16 Pro Deluxe torque wrench is a high-quality option. David Rome / Immediate Media Even with such praise, it’s priced at a premium and doesn’t offer a great deal over more generic Taiwanese options. It’s certainly one for those who appreciate both form and function. The TW-5.2 from Park Tool is a conventional ratcheting torque wrench designed for lower torque settings that you typically find on bike components. Finance is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. Performance Cycling Limited FRN: 720557 trading as Tredz are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are a credit broker not a lender – credit is subject to status and affordability and is provided by Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC. Terms & Conditions Apply. The TW-5.2 has a range of 2–14 Nm (18–124 inch-pounds). The TW-6.2 has a range of 10–60 Nm (88–530 inch-pounds).

A pre-set torque wrench is pretty easy if the value matches the bolt you’re attempting to tighten. You twist the tool until it breaks free, you’ll know this when you feel it. Don’t be tempted to give it another quarter because you can still over tighten bolts using a torque wrench because most don’t full give up the ghost if you push past the release point. Made in Italy, the Pro version from Effetto Mariposa is positioned as the premium cycling-specific torque wrench. Testing showed reliable accuracy and ease of use. Below is a table of torque equivalents and formulas for conversions follow the torque table. The table is also available as a PDF file. Knowing how to use a torque wrench is key, because it is still possible to under- or over-tighten bolts with one if you are not careful.The Lifeline’s box looks the part but I would wonder if the slightly cheap feeling plastic will survive the usual travails of being piled in with a load of other tools in a shed or workshop; the outer feeling a bit flimsy. Hey, that looks just like the LifeLine Professional or the Pedro’s Demi,” I hear you say. Yep, there’s a good reason for that – it’s the same. Sourced from Taiwan, this Shimano/PRO item is a rebadged tool, but there’s a good reason so many brands put their label on it – it does exactly what it should. The Lifeline Essential Torque Wrench set is a simple, yet effective, and very tactile torque tool that will do most (small) tasks that the average home bicycle mechanic is likely to take on. Despite its appearance and cost, the handle parts feel like they don’t quite fit perfectly together with some wobble rather than an assured fit The ‘Deluxe’ tool wrap and bits are great quality and it even includes a free calibration service (in Italy…). All wrapped up, it’s compact and doesn’t waste space in the toolbox.

It works like a beam-type torque wrench and so you stop tightening once the needle hits the desired number. A torque limiter uses a built-in clutch system designed to release when the resistance at the fastener exceeds the resistance of the clutch. Generally, torque limiters are used on lower-torque fasteners such as stems, bars, rotor bolts, cable pinch bolts, etc. In the end it might not affect the way the tool does its job, but it certainly gave a slightly cheap feel to the whole thing. Not using a torque wrench puts you at risk of a bolt snapping, or indeed a delicate, carbon component giving way or being crushed under too much pressure. In the case of a handlebar, this can be dangerous; and if it’s proven that you’d overtightened a bolt and caused the fracture then your chances of a warranty claim could be voided. The torque setting is set by twisting the bottom of the handle and watching the little red indicator move to the desired number. Those numbers are only even, so there’s an element of estimation for odd numbers – and many bolts require 5Nm.The other advantage with using a torque is you don’t have to guess how tight things should be. The old school way is hand tight and then another quarter turn but what does that actually mean? If a seat clam bolt has a torque setting of 5nm and you use a 5nm pre-set torque wrench, you’re never going to over or under tighten it, and also you won’t have to touch it again. Firstly, make sure you are holding the tool properly. If you are holding the tool by the head or in the middle, you are putting more torque through the bolt than you are intending. You should hold the torque wrench by the grip. Like everything Lezyne, it looks and feels well-made and robust. A good addition to a handlebar bag for when you need to get those adjustments just right while riding a long way from home.