Review: Park Tool Torque Wrench 6.2
(2023) What more could be said about the Park Tool Torque Wrench, one of the most present tools in bike shops around the world, except that it should have a place in the home service course. Pined after out of necessity, more and more components are accompanied by torque settings. Naturally the Park Tool TW 6.2 will be employed more and more to snug up those components for tasks once reserved for the mechanic at the LBS.
There are few items in a tool kit more satisfying than the one-and-a-half click of a torque wrench. Park Tool offers two varieties: the TW 5.2 and TW 6.2. While the 5.2 is designed for lesser Newton meters (Nm), the 6.2 is for the larger tasks. Once in possession of this hefty piece, you’ll wonder how you made it this far without it. The 6.2 is built to tackle projects starting at 10 Nm and maxing out at 60 Nm.
The question of just how many items on a road bike require a torque wrench of this caliber? In the past, freehub bodies had been gnarled by cassettes whose lockrings were under torqued. Because of the fear of overtorque, the cassette rotated ever so slightly. Armed with the 6.2, lockrings that require the 40 Nm setting are clamped on with confidence. Other drivetrain parts such as bottom brackets (to avoid creaking) and crank bolts are handled with ease by the Park Tool TW 6.2.
The tool comes in a heavy duty plastic snap case. The torque wrench itself is hefty with a simple to read Nm window. The settings start at 10 Nm. On the bottom is the knot to add torque in 0.25 Nm increments. Always remember to return the wrench back to zero. The 3/8 “ drive is compatible with all Park Tool sockets which are sold separately. Park Tool stands behind their torque wrench settings by offering recalibration services for periodic resetting. The wrench is right- and left-hand thread compatible.
Added to the service course at the creakybottombracket.com office, we fully expect the wrench to see regular service. When tools, especially quality tools, are available, it’s no mistake part-time wrenchers feel inspired to tackle a little more. For those who are capable of fixing flats and want to move on to more technical jobs such as swapping cassettes on a wheel or smart trainer, the Park Tool Torque Wrench 6.2 will deliver every time. That satisfying click letting you know everything is snug definitely beats those who suggest tightening things until it feels right, then back it off a smidge.