Pro Bike Tool Adjustable Torque Wrench 4/5/6Nm

There's no better insurance against breaking fragile bike components during fitting and servicing than a quality torque wrench. The Pro Bike Tool Adjustable Torque Wrench is a beginner-friendly device that should give years of good service.

• Pros: Well made, reliable and simple to use
• Cons: You need a 6mm hex lying around to set the torque, and a 3Nm setting would be nice

There's no more gut-clenching sound than that of an expensive carbon fibre component going 'crack' as you add just that little extra twist of the wrench to make sure it's properly done up. A quality torque wrench removes the anxiety. As a mechanic with about a thousand bike services under my belt, I still use a torque wrench on any component that's sensitive to being over-tightened, even if I know by feel when something is done up properly. I owe it to my customers and my own nerves.

The trouble is, I've had more than one infinitely adjustable wrench go wrong – tightening up and waiting for the click that never comes. You only find out the tool has failed when it's too late. Those kinds of wrenches aren't cheap, either, and if you're not a regular user they may be a bit of a mystery to set the correct torque.

> Buyer's Guide: 6 of the best torque wrenches

A torque wrench like this from Pro Bike Tool certainly makes matters simple. Set the dial to 4, 5 or 6Nm (err on the side of caution if recommended torques fall between these settings), insert the appropriate bit and tighten. When you get to the right tension there's a mighty 'snap', the tool 'lets go' and (unless you're wilfully stupid) you can't overtighten.

The Pro Bike Tool torque wrench is supplied with four bits: 3, 4 and 5mm hex wrenches and a T-25 Torx. One is always kept in the business end of the tool while the other three live inside the handle end-cap in a neatly made holder. That twists in and out very quickly.

Personally, I would find a 6mm hex useful too in the workshop, since some 6mm Allen bolts need doing up to 6Nm too. Most higher-end bikes these days don't have any 6mm bolts, but if your bike does or you have other shapes and sizes of fastenings you want to torque there's nothing to stop you fitting bits from another tool kit.

I'd also like a 3Nm torque setting, for some of those little fastenings that are easy to overtighten but often come with a 3mm or 4mm hex bolt, such as bottle cage mounts.

With the range of settings supplied, this tool is most useful for quick adjustments to seatposts, stems and handlebars, and in truth these are areas where you find lots of easily damaged carbon fibre.

You do need a spare 6mm hex tool lying around to change the settings on the tool, but that's not likely to be a problem for anyone who owns a bike.

Value is very good too, compared with the Park Tool ATD-1.2 - Adjustable Torque Driver Tool, which is functionally very similar. You probably wouldn't need to pay the full £75 retail price for one of those, but even against a discount the Pro Bike Tool wrench looks good value.

It's solid and well put together, with a comfortable handle, and fits easily in a pocket. I don't think I'd carry it around on a ride but it's a good one to have in the workshop or car for pre-ride adjustments.

Verdict

Solid and well-made torque wrench that's easy to use, if a little limited in settings