Get it - as many other reviewers have said.
But, maybe I can add something helpful.
I have never owned a carbon fiber bike before and I just got a Cannondale HiMod Synapse Dura Ace Di2 - quite an investment - for my 50th birthday. It was a huge sacrifice for the family, and the ONE thing I did not want to do was crack the seat tube on the frame or damage any other part of the frame or part. There would be no one that I could afford to replace it.
I have raced and road steel and aluminum frames for 35 years and it never occurred to me about the possibility of damaging a frame when working on it. Oh sure, you could strip threads on steel or aluminum, but in all my years that actually never happened.
So the journey to buy a torque wrench began - I poured over reviews on amazon for days/weeks before deciding to purchase the Park TW01 and 02.
When considering a torque wrench, calibration is really important - everyone knows that. So, I got freaked out by any comment by any user that mentioned fears about calibration errors on new torque wrenches and this included the Venzo. I put it in my cart, but I just could not pull the trigger - that nagging doubt really stuck.
So, I got the Park TW01 and 02 and started to use them on my bike build. I have used torque wrenches of this type before and didn't really like them - they are awkward in a LOT of circumstances, but I decided to just bite the bullet, better safe than sorry right?
Well, I really, really hated using them - especially on crank arm bolts. I just could not get in a position to see the scale very well and on the TW02 you also need to keep the handle balanced in the neutral position when using it. I found it almost impossible to do this because of the crank moving. As you tighten the bolts, you have to rotate the arms because you need to tighten each one incrementally. Any way, I thought it was a pain, I wasn't sure of the torque I had applied - so zero confidence.
Tightening the stem plate and the stem were easier and I had no problem doing that, BUT that issue with the crank bolts really bothered me. I just had zero confidence that the torque was correct. SO I returned the Park TW01 and 02 and bought the Venzo.
As soon as I took the wrench out of the case I saw a QC sticker - good... I say to myself I like that, but I still know that it could be wrong.
SO... I decided to tighten something simple at first. I have a small Ritchey torque tool that is just a straight 5Nm setting and I had used both the TW01 and this Ritchey tool on my stem bolts.
Ok Venzo, work please.
I went to the steering tube stem bolts, set the dial to 5Nm and turned - instant click (yessssss!) - next bolt - click. next - click and so on for the whole stem. Ok - good first test.
Let's hit the RD bolt - set to 8Nm and I have to turn slightly before the satisfying click - a little loose, but that is ok. Not fearful of damaging any thing here.
Now to the crank arm bolts (Shimano Ultegra 50-34 compact crank)
Let's see, 12 to 14Nm I believe, set the dial and begin. Hmmm.... got to turn this a little more, hey a lot more, about half a turn, is it going to turn too far?, then CLICK.
Move to other bolt, same thing. About 1/2 turn then CLICK!
I KNEW that I had not properly torqued those bolts with the TW02.... with the Venzo everything was SO much easier, less awkward, and I love the CLICK.
This is a good kit with really helpful sockets - the tool seems to be really well built. I would say buy with confidence - I am sure the hard core Park Tool guys will sniff at this but meh... I am tired of all that nonsense.
I can't say anything about this tools durability for shop use, but it is all I will ever need for my bike - BUT, there are a couple of things that I will need to get a heavier tool for - pedals, cassette, and BB, but that is ok. I am going to get a Kobalt at a local store. I have had one before and they are pretty good.
Hope this helps someone who is laboring to decide what to get. If not for those outlier reviews, I would have saved a LOT of time and stress. Reviews can really suck sometimes - I hope this one doesn't.
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| Color | Standard |
|---|---|
| Brand | Venzo |
| Item Length | 7.87 Inches |
| Item Weight | 0.5 Kilograms |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Head Style | Hex |
| Finish Type | Painted |
| Operation Mode | Mechanical |
| Manufacturer | Venzo |
| Part Number | VZ-F33-031 |
| Item Weight | 1.1 pounds |
| Country of Origin | Taiwan |
| Item model number | VZ-F33-031 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | Size |
| Style | Standard |
| Finish | Painted |
| Measurement System | metric, inch |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
