Using one of the best bike torque wrenches will allow you to adhere to the manufacturer's recommended torque specifications for all the bolts on your bike, helping you work accurately and safely. I tested all of the torque wrenches included here on a range of different bikes, parts, and servicing jobs. I'm a qualified mechanic who ran a workshop for several years, using torque wrenches most days. Park Tool (which I’ve only just realised doesn’t have an ‘s’ at the end of Tool) is the tool manufacturer of choice if you want to mimic a pro cycling team mechanic, you like the colour blue and you have lots of money. An adjustable torque wrench release in exactly the same way, you just adjust the dial to match the torque setting on the bolt first. How do I know how much torque to use?

For the same reason, you also want to be sure to release the tension on the wrench before storing it. Leaving the wrench spring in tension during storage will cause it to move out of calibration over time. It only takes a moment to set the wrench to the lowest setting before storing it and it will make sure you get the most precision out of an expensive tool. Torque is the force needed to rotate an object, and it’s measured in three units: Newton Meters (Nm), Inch Pounds(in-lb), and Foot Pounds(ft-lb). Most fasteners have a number indicated near said hardware which tells you what torque they require for proper usage. Using your own feel when tightening bolts will get you pretty close (if said feel is decent), but we've seen plenty of heavy-handed riders strip delicate threads on parts, however. Some torque wrenches are electronic and some are mechanical. There's nothing that makes one inherently more accurate than the other but there are reasons you might choose one or the other. The main argument for mechanical is that they don't need batteries. You never run the risk of reaching for your wrench and finding it dead. Also, torque wrenches can last a very long time and LCD displays don't have the same staying power as a precision metal tool. Torque is the twisting force applied to an item. In the case of bike torque wrenches, that's the bolts and components that hold your bike together, but you'll also find torque numbers (much larger ones)mentioned in relation to the turning force delivered by the best e-bike motors.

It is always advisable to have a bike torque wrench when installing parts on your bike, and this is because the pressure of every single bolt will affect how well your bike works. A bike torque wrench works just like a regular wrench that you can find in your household. It has two main parts: the handle and the head. Most bike wrenches have a hexagonal shape at one end, so they can be easily fitted with various bike heads or nuts. In terms of use cases, this smaller torque wrench is for tightening the clamp on your seat post, fitting new stems and other handlebar based fun. European e-bike sales have grown more than tenfold annually since 2009 and investing in E-Bike Charging Stands is a smart way to future-proof your facilities. The TW-5.2 is a ‘small torque wrench’ with a range of 2-14Nm, adjustable in itsy bitsy 0.4Nm increments. It succeeds the TW-5, which had a slightly higher minimum torque setting of 3Nm (the brute!).

If you have been bike riding for a while now, you probably know that bike maintenance is as essential as bike safety. Plenty of riders take their bikes to professional bike shops to be fixed well and tuned up regularly. However, if this isn’t something you can afford or just don’t have the time to do, you can always use bike torque wrenches. What is a bike torque wrench? E-Bike Charging Stands are growing in popularity as the e-bike revolution continues to gain traction in Britain. But it did make me think that I had no idea how much I was tightening other bolts and fittings on the bike. Too loose or too tight? Anywhere near the manufacturer’s spec?

Torque on bikes is almost universally measured in Newton meters, abbreviated Nm, although there are other units like in/lb, ft/lb or kg/cm. Make sure that your torque wrench works in Nm to avoid having to convert values each time you use your tool. Is one torque wrench enough? Store your torque wrench indoors (or at least somewhere dry – avoid keeping outside in a damp shed as the moisture will damage it (makes sense); Both of my grandfathers boasted a certain proficiency with tools amongst their palmares. My paternal one was a joiner; my maternal grandad was a fitter in the Middlesbrough ship yards. The custom-cut foam inlay keeps the tools firmly in place, while the metal clasps on the carry case are robust and secure.

You can adjust to a range of torque settings to suit your desired level of tightness (as a penny-conscious Yorkshireman, my level of tightness is set very high indeed). Designed and built for e-bike cyclists, this stand offers riders an easily identifiable place to stop and securely charge their electric bikes. To achieve the correct torque, you’ll a specialist tool called, unsurprisingly enough, a torque wrench, and we’ve selected the best torque wrenches for mountain bikes we could find. For smaller jobs on your bike, you may be fine with a preset torque key rather than needing an adjustable torque wrench. Many small bike bolts specify a torque spec of around 5Nm, so a torque key preset to this value will really help you out. Some torque keys come with multiple fixed-value torque heads, so you'll be covered for other values too.

LifeLine Bike Tool Kit - 18 Piece

As personal transport continues to electrify, we recommend all projects include charging options for e-bikes to future-proof cycle storage provisions.

A decent T-handle set with a ball end on the long side is a good place to start – this allows you access to awkward bolts with reduced risk of rounding. Torque wrench On the other hand, a preset torque wrench is not adjustable and has been factory set at predetermined torques. This makes them perfect for the DIYer, but it also means they’re typically low cost with high accuracy! Torque Scale We spoke to professional mechanics in other automotive, aviation and the bike industry to get their take on working with torque wrenches and torque specs. And see how we could put it to use in the bike industry. The numbers on a torque wrench are small to avoid taking up too much space to avoid getting in the way. I recommend getting one with an easy-to-read scale. Because when you’re working under lights or navigating dark places at night, it’ll be hard enough without having anything distracting us! Suitable Size/Length

How to Install Bike Pedals

Torque wrenches are calibrated in Nm (Newton-metres, which is a unit of torque of momentum) but you’ll also see Ft/lb or In/lbs. One is metric and the other is imperial. Fasteners often have both values written next to them. Can I use it incorrectly?