Having a carbon fiber bicycle necessitates a bit more care than what is required on a steel or aluminum frame. Carbon is a strong material, but if components are tightened beyond the intended torque, damage can occur. This can, of course, be a serious hazard, one that should be avoided at all costs. A high quality torque wrench is what needs to be included in any home mechanic’s tool kit, and the Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza II 2-16 Pro is a top candidate. The Giustaforza II is a solidly built tool, and employs the click type mechanism for the desired torque. A simple knob at the end is turned to mark the desired setting, with a range of 2-16 Nm. This range covers most of the settings a home mechanic would need, i.e. the stem, seat post, and handlebars. There is a second model with a 10-60 Nm range for the serious mechanics. When using the Giustaforza wrench, the click you hear when achieving the desired torque is quite audible. It would be difficult not to hear the sound, but in addition, the click is also felt through the body of the tool. I’ve been in the process of swapping parts out on two carbon bicycles in the last week, and it is reassuring to know that everything is being torqued to manufacturer’s specifications. It is a pleasure using the Giustaforza II, and the bits included in the Pro edition have covered everything I’ve needed to do on the bicycle. I’ve looked long and hard for a cycling specific torque wrench, and the Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza II 2-16 Pro is my top choice. For those looking to purchase one in the US, they are available from Cantitoe Road.
