Topeak Nano TorqBar DX Review: A neat and compact pre set torque instrument

There is a big quantity of alternative in terms of instruments you may carry with you out on the bike. I’ll be wanting on the Nano TorqBar DX torque instrument from Topeak right here which is a compact pre-set torque instrument equipment. It’s a great tool that’s sufficiently small to hold with you on rides, journey with or use at house. It additionally options in our greatest bike torque wrenches patrons information. 

The full instrument itself includes a small plastic case housing instrument bits and three of Topeak’s pre-set torque TorqBits. The TorqBar itself can then be loaded with these bits and used as a daily instrument to work in your bike, or with the TorqBits to create a pre-set torque wrench so you may work to the proper specs to your bike. 

The instrument retails for £74.99 with all three pre-set TorqBits however you may choose it up with simply the precise bit you want for much less cash. It may also be discovered at cheaper costs on-line typically. 

 Design and Aesthetics  

The Nano TorqBar is a tidy piece of equipment, and the plastic case is especially neat and tidy when absolutely stocked with bits. 

The design might be cut up into two halves. The TorqBar itself and the bit holder case as talked about. The Torqbar itself is a clean aluminium cylinder with a round cutout drilled into one finish. A smaller diameter plastic insert then slides into this cylinder (photos under). The plastic insert has house to deal with two of the equipped metal instrument bits that are held in place by magnets to allow them to’t fall out. A spring-loaded button locks into the drilled cutout on the TorqBar physique to lock the insert in place and at last there’s a six-sided magnetic slot to load your chosen pre-set TorqBit. The Torqbar by itself weighs a scant 32 grams and is 11cm in size. 

The plastic case housing the instrument bits themselves is sturdy and its two hinged plastic ‘doorways’ each open up for straightforward entry. Neatly slotted inside are 3, 4, 5mm Hex bits and T20 and T25 Torx bits. You might after all exchange these with bits of your alternative, however they’re just about the principle contenders for engaged on bikes nowadays. 

There are then three pre-set TorqBits subsequent to the bits that may deal with 4, 5 and 6Nm torque rankings. So it is a set designed to deal with jobs like seatposts and handlebar and stem changes given its dimension and torque rankings. These TorqBits match into the tip of the Torqbar after which then settle for no matter bit you have to use to work in your bike. 

Topeak does stress you undo bolts and fasteners with a bit solely and never with a Torqbit fitted, and that the instrument is nice to undo bolts with as much as a 20Nm score. It is not an enormous, burly instrument so a little bit of widespread sense is required right here. It’s not the instrument to undo one thing actually tight or huge with. 

Performance 

The Nano TorqBar DX proves to be a great tool that is fairly versatile. It works properly by itself when I’ve been simply typically engaged on bikes. I swapped handlebars on my cyclocross bike not too long ago utilizing the Torqbar and insert with the 4 and five-mm hex bits. Its size makes it simple to work with and I actually like the way in which you may load a bit on the finish of the bar too which is helpful when initially threading issues like headset topcap bolts or disc rotor bolts house, this implies you need to use it like a screwdriver to get issues going. 

When you’re able to torque a bolt to spec, simply load the TorqBit and bit you want and also you’re able to torque. There is not a loud ‘click on’ to listen to from the instrument however it does make a faint click on because the preset torque is hit and the tactile suggestions is offered. It is not tremendous loud so that you do want to concentrate, particularly on extra delicate elements.

The compact nature of the Torqbar means becoming it right into a saddlebag or your jersey pockets is definitely executed. You can load and carry a most of 4 bits and one pre-set TorqBit into the TorqBar, although carrying two contained in the instrument does make issues neater once more, once more take a look on the photos for reference right here. You can after all carry the case too, however it’s another factor to fret about. 

On the topic of the case, I would love a method to connect the bar to the case to maintain them collectively. You might do that by discovering a rubber band or strap to suit, however it might be good to get one from the off and that is in all probability my solely gripe. 

One level to recollect relating to pre-set torque wrenches and models is that they do have one thing of a lifespan and infrequently cannot be calibrated. In easy phrases, they could attain a degree when they’re not correct. Topeak cites the accuracy for the instrument of +/- 6% tolerance is assured for 5000 cycles, which is loads of use. 

In phrases of bit high quality, I examined the equipped hex and torx bits towards one of the best ones in my possession, some high-quality PB Swiss bits. The Topeak bits have been a barely slacker slot in T25 and 4mm fasteners, however general not dangerous. 

The situation of the bolt you are tightening and your individual approach may also have an effect on issues right here. I additionally in contrast the TorqBits to a Wera A5  torque wrench which is calibrated to a stringent 2017 ISO normal they usually have been just about the identical, so I really feel fairly assured they’re in spec and hopefully can be for an excellent size of time. 

Verdict 

If you are working away all day on daily basis or doing a lot of spannering then this instrument is not as related, it is in all probability extra of an addition to your toolbox or journey equipment reasonably than a mainstay workhorse.

You can, nonetheless, do lots with the TorqBar, my latest bar swap utilizing it was a breeze. Its size is a energy right here I feel. It’s in regards to the size of my palm which implies it is simple to work with once you simply have a bit loaded for a spread of jobs. Then once you’re able to torque one thing you may – a bonus over a daily multi-tool.

It’s in all probability finest suited to travelling or carrying with you on rides to get you out of hassle. If you arrive someplace and have to get your bike collectively will probably be actually helpful and it is only a good factor to make use of, which can also be a motivation with purchases like this. 

It’s a intelligent design, however I’m wondering if it is a bit of on the expensive facet. There are cheaper methods to do the identical jobs. We’re spoilt for alternative nowadays, and this instrument is one other good possibility.