Torque Wrench?
 

After doing service on my own bike for some time, I have decided to do it right :) with the torque wrench.

Found this one on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/VENZO-Bicycle-...im_sbs_sg_cy_1

is it any better/worse than park tool?

Any other options that are better or cheaper?

You can do it right without spending so much. I use a ~$20 beam-type torque wrench. :thumb:

There are a few tools that are well worth spending good money on. From my auto and motorcycle wrenching, I believe in getting a good torque wrench. I've found that SK, GearWrench, KD and Craftsman are accurate and repeatable. The charm of the clicker, vs the beam type, is with a clicker you can focus on the wrench and socket and keeping it all lined up on the fastener and a good firm grip on everything then just listen/feel for the click. Some bike fasteners are very thin and do not do well when the wrench is a little out of line. Pisser when the wrench slips while your bearing down on it.

I've also been in a situation several times with my beam wrench that in order to keep everything under control I then cannot lean over to see the scale. BBs are a good example. i don't use the beam wrench any more. A decent clicker, well taken care of will hold its calibration for years and years and will be very reliable. The only advantage of a beam wrench I can think of is that it will check torque for left handed threads. I've held onto mine for that reason but have had no cases of that. The VENZO looks OK but I've never heard of it from any of the other wrenches I know. Cannot help.

Just a woodworkers opinion though.

You will need a second 3/8" or 1/2" drive wrench for bottom brackets, cassette lockrings and the like due to the higher torques required. I have had good luck with the Harbor Freight click type; I have checked the calibration at work and the ones I have are well within the 4% spec. Just be certain that the one you choose clicks in both directions for left-hand BB and pedal threads, some only work clockwise. This is not an issue with the beam types or most higher-end wrenches.

Couple years ago, I splurged and picked up a Topeak d-torq for $100 used on amazon. This is the electronic transducer-type as opposed to the dial/clicker or beam types.

Pro: Doesn't need to be zeroed out when not in use (dial/clicker types should). Beeps when set torque is reached and beeps again if set torque is exceeded. I find this much better in practice then feeling for a click or reading a needle off a beam type.

Con: Not cheap.

My Mariposa torque wrench cost a few bills... it is worth it for high precision low torque fasteners on carbon fibre and fits in my shop apron.

A decent clicker for larger fasteners does not have to cost a great deal... you might want something better than what you get at Harbour freight if precision is an issue.

Thanks everyone for the input!
I did not think about clicking two-ways, now I do.

I was thinking only about 1/4 wrench only, but if I need 3/8 or 1/2 -- maybe I need to get larger one and use adapters?

I would not recommend the Harbor Freight torque wrench. Sometimes it clicks and sometimes it doesn't, causing you to overtighten the fastener. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that I won't trust any tools that come from Harbor Freight.
If you don't want to spend the money on a good quality click-type, then get the beam-type wrench. With those you can see exactly how much torque you are applying and you don't have to worry about overtightening.
Make sure that any torque wrench you buy is designed to handle the range of torques you need.

Nothing wrong with torque wrenches from harbor freight, and can be had very cheaply on sale, like 12 bucks right now. Guaranteed forever. If it does not work correctly, take it back. You will really only need the 1/4 inch size.

The Venzo is fine for smaller fasteners- mine has worked fine. I have a 1/2 drive beam type for bigger fasteners.