A reliable and accurate torque wrench is a must-have tool for the home bike mechanic. There are many options on the market but few suitable for bikes have digital displays for the most accurate readings. Taiwanese tool and accessory brand Topeak make two different digital models, I've been testing the smaller, 1/4-inch drive option – the D-Torque Wrench. With an RRP higher than most conventional models, is this digital option worth the extra investment, and is it one of the best bike torque wrenches available?
Design and specification
The Topeak D-Torque Wrench comes in a zipped neoprene-like soft case with a hard foam insert and eight bits plus a 50mm bit holder. The wrench itself is 8.5 inches (21.6cm) long with a 1/4in drive and a reversible ratchet. Its torque range is 1 to 20Nm which is more than most wrenches of this size.
The handle has a non-slip section which is only long enough to be held with the forefingers and thumb – but it reduces the risk of over-torquing with a full caveman grip.
A 0.6 x 0.2 inch (16 x 6mm) LCD screen shows the level of torque you're currently using. Next to it are up and down buttons that allow you to preselect the torque setting you want – an audible beep lets you know when you hit it.
If you need to use other measurements of force besides Nm, another button on the D-Torque allows you to cycle between Nm, in/lb, ft/lb, kg/cm. Torque accuracy is a claimed +/- 3%, which is far more accurate than non-digital models.
As for its power source, the digital wrench requires an AAA battery which is included.
Performance
I've been putting the Topeak D-Torque Wrench to use for several months now and with its super accurate measurements and small wrench head, it is a very handy piece of kit.
The wrench feels solid and well-made, while the ratchet has a satisfying sound. There's no bit release button on the ratchet head, but the bits are firmly held in place magnetically.
Being able to see torque readings up to two decimal places on the LCD screen is really handy. The torque selection function works very well and you can be super precise, though the 'beep' when you hit your required Nm is not the loudest so you need to pay attention.
Another potential issue is that the LCD screen is pretty small and isn't backlit. I could read it fine in normal light conditions, but it is trickier in lower light. If you have eyesight problems, you may struggle.
The included bits cover the vast majority of MTB uses that you'd use a smaller wrench for – there's no 8mm bit for pedals for example, but pedals should be tightened to around 40Nm, which is beyond the capabilities of this and other small wrenches. Torx-wise, you only get a T25 bit with the wrench, so depending on the bikes you work on, you might need to shell out for other bits such as T10, T15, and T20.
Verdict
If you want a super accurate 1/4in torque wrench, the digital Topeak D-Torque is hard to beat. The warning beep when you hit your preset torque is fairly faint though and it's a shame the LCD screen isn't backlit to make it easier to read.
The price is many times higher than an analog wrench though, so whether it's worth the extra investment for a higher degree of accuracy is up to you.
Tech specs: Topeak D-Torque Wrench
- Price: $269.95 / £229.99 / €229.95
- Torque range: 1 to 20Nm
- Claimed accuracy: +/- 3%
- Selectable torque units: Nm, in/lb, ft/lb, kg/cm
- Included bits: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6mm Hex/Allen, T25 Torx, Phillips #2
- Wrench drive size: 1/4in
- LCD screen size: 0.6 x 0.2 inch (16 x 6mm)
- Overall size: 216 x 21 x 21mm / 8.5 x 0.8 x 0.8 inches
- Power source: 1x AAA battery
- Weight: 171g including battery
