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Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza 1-8 Deluxe torque wrench

8
£130.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Neatly designed torque wrench that's simple to use and accurate
Weight: 
320g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza 1-8 Deluxe torque wrench is a beautifully made and accurate means of ensuring that bike component bolts are tightened to the correct force. Treated well, it'll last an age.

  • Pros: Well made, simple to use, accurate
  • Cons: Torque range is limited

The Giustaforza 1-8 is a lot like the Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza torque wrench 2-16Nm that we reviewed years ago, but the range it covers is 1-8Nm (the clue's in the name!).

> Find your nearest dealer here

The Giustaforza 1-8 is simple to use. You set the required torque by screwing the wrench end knob into the knurled aluminium body until it reaches the relevant line on the scale. Then you add the appropriate bit and tighten whatever it is you need to tighten, the head clicking when you get to the right torque. It could hardly be easier.

The laser-etched scale that shows the torque setting is small – about 1.5cm long – and the same is true of the digits on there, so you might need to put your glasses on for this one. The markings on the left side of the scale show whole numbers and 0.5Nm, the markings on the right side show 0.25 and 0.75Nm. That's the sort of thing you'll need to remember because it's not immediately obvious.

Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza 1-8 Deluxe torque wrench - close up.jpg

The Giustaforza 1-8 has a solid feel to it and the hard anodised finish is going to last. The whole thing measures 145mm with the wrench end knob backed right off (as it should be when not in use).

You get the bits that are most commonly used on bikes: a mixture of hex bits, Torq bits and screwdriver bits (complete list below). You can fit these either directly into the head or via a 100mm extension.

Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza 1-8 Deluxe torque wrench - inside.jpg

All of the bits are made from S2 steel with a very high surface hardness. If they do ever wear out, you lose one, or you need something that's not included, the Giustaforza 1-8 is compatible with standard 1/4in bits.

Unlike some torque wrenches, there's no ratchet with this design. The lack of a ratchet allows the use of a small head that can be useful for areas where there's not much space.

The 1-8Nm range covers components like front derailleur and seatpost clamps (check the manufacturer's instructions for the exact torque required), Shimano dual control levers, cleat bolts and so on, but there's plenty that's outside its scope: pedals, cranks, and lots more. Check what's required for the components on your bike that you're likely to adjust and decide from there whether this tool will work for you. It might be that you're better off with the 2-16Nm version.

The Giustaforza 1-8 weighs just 134g (not including any of the bits or the tool roll). Effetto Mariposa says that the low weight "is paramount to getting the right feedback at low torque values, without mistaking the effort of holding the tool with the applied torque".

Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza 1-8 Deluxe torque wrench - un wrapped.jpg

Effetto Mariposa gives a tolerance for the Giustaforza 1-8 of +/-4%, which is typical. In other words, set it to 5Nm and it might tighten to 4.8Nm or 5.2Nm.

We checked the accuracy out of the box and after several weeks of use and it was well within that tolerance across the 1-8Nm range (you can check using a vice, weights, string and a ruler; oh, and a little bit of simple maths).

Effetto Mariposa guarantees that +/-4% tolerance for 5,000 clicks (the number of times you can use the wrench to reach chosen torques). That's a lot of clicks! For the vast majority of home users that's going to cover the full lifetime of the product. If you do get through your quota, you can pay a fee and wing the wrench back to Effetto Mariposa, and it'll re-calibrate it for you.

> Buyer's Guide: 6 of the best torque wrenches

There are certainly cheaper torque wrenches out there. The BBB TorqueSet that we reviewed six years ago is now priced at £74.99, for example. That one is still going strong, by the way.

We like the Pro 3-15 Nm torque wrench set too, although it is now priced at £109.99 – £20 less than the Giustaforza 1-8.

We also rate the Silca T-Ratchet Kit + Ti-Torque Kit highly, with 2-8Nm torque measurement. That's £100.

Overall, the Giustaforza 1-8 is very good piece of kit. It's easy to use, accurate and comes with all the bits you're likely to need. It's also beautifully made and has a real air of quality about it that helps justify the price.

Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza 1-8 Deluxe torque wrench - wrap.jpg

Verdict

Neatly designed torque wrench that's simple to use and accurate

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza 1-8 Deluxe torque wrench

Size tested: 1-8Nm

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

This is a torque wrench that comes with various bits suitable for bike components.

Effetto Mariposa says, "The ideal tool for both professional mechanics and cycling enthusiasts, Giustaforza 1-8 torque wrench has a very small head, to operate in tight spaces. The Deluxe version is completed with cycling-specific bits in a practical wrap package.

Effetto Mariposa lists these features:

* specifically designed for bicycle applications

* very easy to use

* extreme constructive quality for maximum reliability and durability

* very small, 'non-ratcheting' head, to operate in tight spaces

* no batteries to replace

* no plastic parts

The 1-8 in the name refers to the fact that this wrench can measure torque from 1-8 N m.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

These are the bits included:

10 x 25mm (HEX2, HEX2.5, HEX3, HEX6, T10, T15, T20, T30, -3/16, +PH1)

3 x 100mm (HEX4, HEX5, T25)

1 x 100mm extension (which accepts all other bits).

The head will accept standard 1/4in bits.

Effetto Mariposa says, "The +-4% tolerance is guaranteed for 5000 cycles (5000 'clicks'), then the wrench should be re-calibrated. Calibration is a service we offer in our laboratory in Lugano (Switzerland) at the cost of 50 CHF plus shipping expenses (may vary depending on the countries: check terms & conditions with the national distributor). With every calibration, the tolerance of +-4% over nominal value will extend for 5000 cycles."

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

The body is hard anodised aluminium. It's very tough and shrugs off knocks.

Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
9/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
8/10

Your hand won't slip on the knurled aluminium body.

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

You can certainly buy cheaper but the overall quality easily justifies the price.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It's simple to use and accurate.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The build quality.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

A ratchet would be useful (although it would add weight).

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

The BBB TorqueSet that we reviewed ages ago is now priced £74.99. That one is still going strong. We like the Pro 3-15Nm torque wrench set, although it is now priced at £109.99. We also rate the Silca T-Ratchet Kit + Ti-Torque Kit highly, with 2-8Nm torque measurement. That's priced at £100.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

The quality of construction, the performance and the durability are all very high. It's an easy 8.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 48  Height: 190cm  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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2 comments

Avatar
KiwiMike | 4 years ago
0 likes

If you like the look of this, the about-to-be-published Feedback Sports Range is £30 cheaper, does 2-10Nm, is 49g lighter (tool itself), includes a ratchet mechanism and can be used to undo stuff, as well as go all the way to 60Nm of cranking stuff without the torque measurement.

Avatar
tom_w | 4 years ago
0 likes

I picked up an 'X-Tools Pro Mini Torque Wrench w 4-5-6Nm Sleeves' set recently to supplement my larger torque wrench.  I've been really impressed with it, it's very well made, the magnets are really strong and a mini ratchet wrench really speeds up installation/removal of bolts. It's a lot cheaper at around £35.   I can't vouch for the accuracy though, I've not had it calibrated.

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