Whether you’re building bikes from the frame up or just need to adjust your saddle position you should own a torque wrench. Torque wrenches ensure that the bolts on your bike are properly secured so that you don’t have a critical component come loose mid ride or ruin an expensive component by snapping a bolt. In this review we’ll be looking at one of Topeak’s latest offerings, the Topeak Torq Stick Pro 4-20 Nm set. Retailing for $199.99, this is a complete tool set that includes a click style Torq Stick torque wrench, 18 bits, a reversible ratchet tool, extender as well as a finger bit holder. The Torq Stick Pro itself has a premium black and bronze finish and easy to read torque setting that can be adjusted from 4 Nm up to 20 Nm to tackle a majority of smaller adjustments on a bicycle. Staying organized is easy as the 9 Torx bits (T6-T30) and 9 allen bits (1.4-10mm) fit in swiveling and magnetic bit holders inside the case.
The Topeak Torq Stick Pro is a premium torque wrench that includes a well designed case, 18 bits and multiple hand tools to tackle nearly any job.
| Rating | 9.0/10 |
| Retail Price | $199.99 |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 632 |
| Likes | + Sleek case keeps everything organized + Included reversible ratchet is precise and versatile + Includes full Torx and Allen bit set |
| Dislikes | – Premium price – Bit holders are not detachable from case – 0.1 Nm increments could be better labeled |
| Where to Buy (US) | Todson |
UNBOXING
The Topeak Torq Stick Pro comes with a simple cardboard sleeve that slides over the case and lists all the features and specifications. Inside the carrying box you’ll find:
- Torq Stick torque wrench
- Reversible ratchet
- Finger bit holder
- Speed Sleeve bit holder (i.e. a 2” extender)
- 9 Torx bits: T6 / T7 / T8 / T9 / T10 / T15 / T20 / T25 / T30
- 9 Allen bits: 1.5 / 2 / 2.5 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 8 / 10mm
- Installation manual / calibration certificate
Everything is well organized and labeled inside the case which makes it easy to keep track of all the accessories.
FIT & FINISH
The Topeak Torq Stick Pro is a full torque wrench set that combines Topeak’s premium Torq Stick with a full set of bits, additional tools and a carrying case. Starting with the case, it’s a durable black plastic with a variety of textures cut into it to make it easier to handle. At 632 grams it’s light enough to carry around but feels substantial. There are two plastic latches on each side of the case which snap into place with a satisfying click. Given the premium price point of the Torq Stick Pro, we would have preferred metal clasps like those found on the Pro Bike Tool Torque wrench sets. Otherwise the case does have well designed metal hinges that allow the case to be fully opened and laid flat.
Once you have the case open you’ll find the tools on the bottom section and the Torx and Allen bits on the upper half. The bits are organized into groups of 9 Torx on the left side and 9 Allen bits on the right side. Labels are printed in white on the holder as well as engravings on the bits themselves. Although you cannot remove the bit holder from the case, it can be rotated up 90 degrees for easy access. Topeak has color coded the commonly used Allen 4, 5 and 6mm bits to allow them to be quickly visually identified. The bits are held in place using magnets inside the base which prevents them from coming loose inside the case.
The torque wrench itself is essentially a larger version of the Topeak Torq Stick but with a wider 4-20 Nm range and more premium touches. Topeak has added a bronze colored reverse switch on the tip of the torque wrench that is similar to the Topeak JoeBlow pumps and looks great in person. The handle of the torque wrench has a wide knurled section that is comfortable and ergonomic to hold. What sets the Torq Stick Pro apart from other torque wrenches are the additional accessories: a finger bit holder and the reversible ratchet. The finger bit is a quarter-sized cylinder with knurling that can be used to hand tighten bolts where space is limited. There is an additional small reversible ratchet which is our favorite feature as it makes tightening and removing bolts quick and easy.
To adjust the torque setting you simply pull back on the knurled base of the torque wrench and rotate it clockwise or counter clockwise then push it back to lock it in place. The current torque value in Newton-meters (Nm) is indicated with an easy to see yellow horizontal line on the face of the torque wrench. It’s not that obvious at first glance, but the Torq Stick also supports 0.1 Nm increments by pushing the handle back in place at the 1/10 Nm notches. Only the 0.5 Nm increment is labeled on the rear of the torque wrench. Topeak could have also marked the other locations with white lines to make it more clear as the current design requires manually counting to find the other positions.
USABILITY
It’s hard to put into words how satisfying a high quality tool is compared to a cheaper alternative. The combination of tighter tolerances and knurling on the Torq Stick Pro provide excellent tactile feel and confidence when loosening or tightening bolts. The 4-20 Nm torque range covers most common adjustments such as stem and seatpost bolts. Even at the 4-5 Nm range, the Torq Stick Pro provides a strong “click” response that you can hear and feel when the torque setting has been reached. We found the torque wrench to be easy to adjust and comfortable to use with its long body and knurled handle.
In our opinion, the best part of the Torq Stick Pro set is the small reversible ratchet. It’s an invaluable tool that makes small jobs like removing water bottle cages quick and easy. Unlike an Allen wrenches which has to be inserted, removed, rotated and re-inserted in hard to reach areas, the ratchet lets you quickly loosen or tighten a bolts in a fraction of the time. The base of the ratchet can also be combined with the extender or an actual Allen wrench to extend the body and provide more leverage to loosen tight bolts. With all the combinations of Finger Bit, ratchet, extender and torque wrench the Torq Stick Pro set can tackle most jobs on its own.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Topeak Torq Stick Pro torque wrench set to be well designed and versatile. The combination of the torque wrench, bits, reversible wrench, finger bit and extender means you can tackle most small jobs on a bike without the need for additional tools. Although it is an expensive torque wrench set, it has the tight tolerances and satisfying build quality that match the price point. The 9 Torx and 9 Allen bits also have functional features such as knurled bases and engraved size indicators. We were impressed with the knurling on the torque wrench and bronze accent colors as it sets the torque wrench apart from other torque wrenches on the market. As with most products it isn’t perfect, we would have liked to see metal clasps on the case and 0.1 Nm markings on the torque wrench. That said, if you’re looking for a premium torque wrench with tight tolerances and multiple accessories then the Topeak Torq Stick Pro is a great option.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Topeak. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.