Review: Lezyne Torque Drive vs Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza

The threaded fasteners used on today’s lightweight cycles require careful tightening to provide adequate clamping force and, importantly, to ensure the fastener is not over-tightened – with potentially dangerous consequences should it fail. The amount by which they should be done up is known as tightening torque, or twisting force, and on cycle parts is usually measured in Newton-metres.

Where a specific tightening torque is provided by the manufacturer, it can generally be found marked on the component part. While it is possible for a skilled and experienced operator to tighten small fasteners correctly, many mechanics prefer to use a torque wrench, which tells the user when the desired torque is reached.

The two tested here operate in different ways. Effetto Mariposa’s Giustaforza is the more sophisticated, and employs a classic ‘breakaway’ indicator to tell when the wrench reaches a preset limit.

A knurled wheel turns a threaded rod to compress an internal spring that pushes against a cam, which allows the head to move to the side with an audible click when sufficient torque is applied to overcome the force of the spring. Breakaway torque, from 1 to 8Nm, is indicated by a scale on the wrench’s barrel.

Lezyne’s Torque Drive is a much simpler device that relies on a high-tensile steel torsion rod housed inside its shaft. This twists by a known amount when subjected to a given amount of torque. One end of the rod is locked to the lever end of the shaft while the other sits within the tool-holding tip, which is free to move within the head of the shaft.

As torque – from 2-10Nm – is applied, the tip turns in the head, and the amount (and therefore degree of twist) is shown by the scale on the head. The operator must watch as the indicator moves and stop applying increasing force when the correct figure is reached. The tool may need to be repositioned so the scale can be seen as the fastener turns.

Both gave the same reading (within the limitations of their scales) when tightening a 5mm bolt to 5Nm. The Effetto is calibrated at the factory; the Lezyne’s precision-machined torsion rod may be expected to provide comparable accuracy.

Both tools accept standard ¼" drive tool bits and are supplied with a decent selection including hex and Torx bits in sizes suitable for their torque ranges of 1-8Nm and 2-10Nm respectively.

Verdict

Of the two, the dearer Effetto is the easier to use. The Lezyne’s low cost, however, puts accurate parts assembly within wider reach.

Lezyne Torque Drive £50

• Pro: affordable accuracy
• Con: some judgement required

Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza 1-8 Deluxe £130

• Pro: highly accurate, easy to use
• Con: premium price

Other options

Ritchey Torque Key £22

Non-adjustable wrench – in 4Nm or 5Nm models – with selection of bits: 3, 4 and 5mm Allen, T20 and T25 Torx, #1 Phillips. 

Topeak Nano Torqbar £27.99

Non-adjustable wrench that’s available in 4, 5, and 6Nm models. Includes 3, 4 and 5mm Allen keys and T20 and T25 Torx.