The price you pay for the Pro mini torque wrench is really paying for three torque limited sockets you can use with the included handle or any tool you want. The whole kit won't match the user experience of a more expensive torque wrench but it does the job and it's packable.
Pros
+
4, 5, and 6 Nm sockets work just as well with any tool
+
Included handle is compact and comfortable
+
Magnetised to keep bits from falling out
Cons
-
Limited to three set torque settings
-
Handle lacks storage for more than one torque limiter
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There's a lot of advice online saying you don't need a torque wrench for bikes. Look in any community of cyclists and you'll see it, the guys who say they've worked on bikes forever and never needed a torque wrench. They've got calibrated forearms and haven't ever broken anything. Please ignore this advice, there is no downside to using a torque wrench. That doesn't mean you need the fanciest torque wrench from our list of the best bike torque wrenches, but pick up something.
One good option if you don't expect to need a torque wrench often is the PRO mini torque wrench. It won't cover everything but it's perfect for stems, handlebars, seat posts, and saddles. It's something we've carried on every ride since it came out and now, we are ready to discuss the details. If you are looking for a lightweight, reasonably priced, torque wrench, keep reading to see if this option from PRO is the right option for you.
Just what you need for taking care of a specific bolt at a specific torque setting. (Image credit: Josh Ross)
Design and aesthetics
The Shimano PRO mini torque wrench is a black and grey study of hand ergonomics. The exterior is glassfiber reinforced nylon roughly 7cm long with an angled exterior that houses a socket sized for a quarter inch hex shank. Saying it a bit simpler, it's a plastic exterior with a place to hold a standard hex bit. It also happens to be exactly the right size to fit inside your hand. There's not a lot of extra space at the end and just enough space to fit your forefinger in front of the bit with two fingers wrapped around the tool aft of the bit.
At the end of the 111 gram tool is a grey end cap that hides an interior compartment. Pry the end cap off and out slides a carrier with a selection of bits. On the side of each bit is stamped the size but there's a 3, 4, 5, and 6mm hex bit as well a T25 torx bit and finally a slotted screwdriver bit. The bits all fit into a series of three slots with an opening in the middle. You can actually just push them in but the channels do, loosely, hold the bits and the missing section gives room for your fingers.
On the back of the bit carrier is a much bigger slot. This is the spot where a chosen torque limiter fits. There are three options covering 4, 5, and 6Nm and each signified by a different colour but only space for one at a time in the carrier. Choose what you want to bring with and slot it in. When it's time to use the wrench, you'll slide out your torque limiter and slot it into the bit holder then put a bit into the end of the torque limiter. Slide everything back together and you've got a compact wrench that fits in the palm of your hand.
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Three torque options are included.(Image credit: Josh Ross)
A small collection of bits fits inside the handle.(Image credit: Josh Ross)
There's only room for a single torque limiter in the handle.(Image credit: Josh Ross)
Performance
The design and aesthetics section of this review is necessarily short and sweet. The reality is that there's very little to cover. The handle and bits aren't what you pay for, although they do work well. In particular the handle is a plastic that's exceptionally hard but also light and malleable enough that drops are not going to bother it. The real strength of its design is how well it fits your hand. The angles and facets allow you to perfectly palm it and it feels on par with the level of control you might find in a bigger wrench. It's also compact enough that you can fit it in a saddle bag.
If you do use the handle that comes with the system it comfortable in hand and gives good control. (Image credit: Josh Ross)
Despite the quality of that piece, that's not where your money goes. Instead of those pieces, what you are investing your money in is three torque limiters. They aren't adjustable but they do match up with the three most common specs you'll find on saddles, seat posts, and stems. If I'm being honest, I have rarely used these with the included handle. The handle doesn't have storage for all three and, given how small they are, I'd rather not choose only a single option.
Instead of the included handle I tend to use them with a Fix-it-sticks ratcheting T wrench and that's what I like about the whole system. When it's time to actually use the torque limiters they are rather abrupt when reaching the limit. It feels almost like you've slipped and you are starting to round off a bolt but, of course, that's actually the opposite of what's happening. It's this feeling, along with the non-adjustable nature of the limiters, that has the system labelled for occasional use in the buyers guide. Still, when you only need them occasionally, you can get a ton of use out of them by attaching them to whatever tool works best for you.
There are only a few included bits and the space for one limiter but the whole kit is less expensive than the competition. From there add whatever your favourite mini ratchet might be and you'll have a super customizable road-side repair kit. You can add, remove, or replace inexpensive hex bits depending on your experience and your bike. At home you can attach the same torque limiters, and bits, to a full-size ratchet.
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The PRO mini torque wrench fits into saddle bags or a Rapha essentials case.(Image credit: Josh Ross)
Nothing says you have to use the included handle. The torque limiters work great on whatever kind of handle you want to use them with at home or on the go.(Image credit: Josh Ross)
Verdict
My review of the PRO mini torque wrench is perhaps an odd one. I've made the case that the best way to use it is to take the most important parts and pair it with other tools. It's not that there’s anything wrong with the included handle. In fact, it's the opposite and it's well designed and comfortable to use. It's not a bad place to start at all and the price is less than the competition. At the same time, a mini-ratchet is a better overall experience except it lacks the ability to limit torque. Combine the two and you will find yourself right around the same price as a ratchet kit with torque limiters included. You might even pay just a little more with this approach.
That pricing challenge is always there anytime you look at a ready-made vs a piecemeal approach. The difference is that if you do it yourself, you'll have exactly what you need. The final kit will perfectly cater to your needs and wishes. As needs change over time, you can make adjustments and you can also use those pieces in different settings such as at home and on the trail. If that's the kind of person you are, it might make a lot of sense to start with a small selection of pieces at a good price and expand over time. The PRO mini-torque wrench is a perfect place to start that journey.
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Testing scorecard and notes
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Build Quality
It’s plastic but it’s exceptionally well made and should last for a long time.
10/10
Accuracy
We don’t have a laboratory but it’s claimed at +/-2% and checks against other torque wrenches.
10/10
Hand feel
Shaped well but the feeling of hitting torque isn’t great.
5/10
Included accessories
Included bits feel quality but there’s not a wide range.
7/10
Value
The strength of this package is that it’s cheaper than the competition. That said, it’s right on the line and not a clear win.
Josh hails from the Pacific Northwest of the United States but would prefer riding through the desert than the rain. He will happily talk for hours about the minutiae of cycling tech but also has an understanding that most people just want things to work. He is a road cyclist at heart and doesn't care much if those roads are paved, dirt, or digital. Although he rarely races, if you ask him to ride from sunrise to sunset the answer will be yes.
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 140 lb.
Rides: Salsa Warbird, Cannondale CAAD9, Enve Melee, Look 795 Blade RS, Priority Continuum Onyx
