for installing bits to the bike?
Admittedly always been the ham-fisted mechanic myself....
However, just got a Thomson elite and it has torque specs for it and don't want to foul it up, but don't have a wrench...
So what say you STW collective?
Bike Forum
do you use a torque wrench.....
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Posted 4 months ago #
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yes, on cassettes, cranks, forks and stems.
otherwise I tend to just nip stuff up.
Posted 4 months ago # -
what do you torque on a fork? or is that for rebuilding after service? (never quite trusted my ham-hands for that)
Posted 4 months ago # -
yes, for doing things back up after an oil or seal change.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Fork lowers and cranks are the only parts I will always use a torque wrench on. I've got a Thomson stem and I used to use the torque wrench but haven't the last few times, just nip it up until it's tight.
Posted 4 months ago # -
yes, on cassettes, cranks, forks and stems.
otherwise I tend to just nip stuff up.
Same here.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Yes.
Posted 4 months ago # -
No.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Thomson stems are easy to overtighten - I thought I was pretty competent at tightening things correctly but had to drill out a Thomson bolt. So I got a torque wrench. Sometime later I had repeated problems with a bolt braking on my carbon road bike, eventually got a replacement frame as that was the only solution to the problem, I only got this when the supplier checked that I was using a torque wrench then checked that it was accurate. I use a BBB one.
Posted 4 months ago # -
My mate says that in the back of his Zinn maintenance book it has a table of torque and effort, ie. 'two fingers-tight = x to y (approx range) amount of torque', anyone seen an online version of this? A quick look brings up nothing on Sheldon's site. Can't think of the right way to google search it either.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Generally i don't use a torque wrench. However having entered a EBB slipping and the subsequent over-tightening, slipping loop, I use a torque wrench on the EBB bolts - no slippage since
I've been hamfisted on front brake post mounts in the past as well - should/wished I'd used a torque wrench on those occasions
Posted 4 months ago # -
Where are you based bikeryder85, if you're local I have one you can use for cake.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I've been wondering about this recently too when I was installing new handlebars. Didn't want to crush the bar in the stem.
Does anyone know a good place to buy a suitable torque wrench for bike maintenance? Hopefully not too expensive...
Posted 4 months ago # -
I need one of these
cus of this
Posted 4 months ago # -
I've never used one. Most of my hamfistedness seems to come from cross threading rather than over tightening, not that I do it much.
Built several bikes without one and never saw the need.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I've got fully calibrated arms.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Built several bikes without one and never saw the need.
+1
Posted 4 months ago # -
So if you go replacing bars on a lightweight stem half a dozen times in its lifetime,without knowing what torque the bolts are upto, you dont mind hammering down a trail after gradually stressing the alloy threads each time you altered things up front? Maybe they were under torqued (fine if the bars never slipped) or maybe you are more heavy on the bolt tightening than you might think.
Enjoy the next ride ;O)
Posted 4 months ago # -
I`m sure some folk on here admit to doing things incorrectly just to start arguements.
I`m off out on the bike, i know how this thread will end up so enjoy the sunshine (through your window)
Posted 4 months ago # -
Yes. I got one back in the days of square tapered XT BB/Chainsets when if not torqued right, they squeaked like hell.
Many of the correct torques - especially around the bar/stem area, are a lot lower than you could easily otherwise apply with a basic allen key. With a torque wrench often costing less than a single wrecked component, it's not a lot for peace of mind really.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I bought one a couple of years ago as I treated myself to a new carbon road bike and didn't want to break anything. Started using it on the MTBs ever since, especially when there's carbon involved (less and less these days as budget tightens!). Mine is one of these:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/effetto-giustaforza-torque-wrench/
As above, expensive but cheaper than replacing broken parts.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Yes. More for not over tightening things. If I try without then check with the torque wrench it will 'click' straight away.
Bought it when I got some carbon bars, still managed to compress them.Posted 4 months ago # -
I've got fully calibrated arms.
I was going to say this!!!
Posted 4 months ago # -
I have multiple torque wrenches, but they rarely get used, common sense and experience win.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Been riding and maintaining my bikes for nearly 20 years and never thought much of it, nip the bolt tight, job done.
But now so many parts are carbon and I think a torque wrench is becoming more essential.
Also last year I crashed in the TP race and when I got to my feet and checked the bars, they were loose. I have no idea if they were the cause of the crash or result of the crash. Either way two broken ribs later I decided to buy a torque wrench.
There's a few decent ones around for about 50 quid but the best thing I bought was a ritchey torque key. I think there are others that let you swap the size of the bolt fitting but I think it's a fab little tool.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Wow! thanks for all the responses! to answer LeeW I'm in the U.S. but thanks alot for the offer! I figure I may get one of the pre-set ones if I can. tho I'm not sure if they have a 5.5nm (recomended), found a 5 and a 6 tho...just not sure I want to foul up my stem or bars (very partial to the bars)
Posted 4 months ago # -
what about the canyon torque tool? I have one in my toolbox for some reason (nicked off a mate), it looks extremely inaccurate?
Posted 4 months ago # -
Not at the minute but been thinking of getting one (if the cheap ones are worth it) as I have a tendency to overtighten stuff.
Posted 4 months ago # -
any recommendations for a cheap one then? or anyone who has one but doesn't use it want to sell it to me?
Posted 4 months ago # -
got a mini click one and a park cantilver for bigger jobs.
can't see why any mechanic wouldn't have one. when I was a boat mechanic it was considered professional, right, must do. So we did it.
In mountain biking somehow its considered wrong to need a torque wrench. By the same guys who wear gay helmets no less.
Go figure.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I am very competent mechanically and to a degree also have calibrated arms and fingers but I still use one if needed for something I consider critical. For the sake of a couple of seconds checking and knowing it is right why not?
I got the sealey 2-24Nm one along with some good quality bits that only get used for the torque wrench and not used out under the car to undo rusty bolts.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I had issues with BB creaking and also the stem creaking and was wary about over tightening the bolts so invested in one of these:
works a treat
Posted 4 months ago # -
Yes I use one.
http://www.ritcheylogic.com/dyn_prod.php?p=05-252-100&k=97993
Are good but I have heard there is one like this but you can change the allen bits.Posted 4 months ago # -
I own one but never got the allen key heads or adapter for my socket set so still go by good old "Thats about it"
Used one on a work course once got them all done up to near perfect without the torque wrench
Posted 4 months ago # -
yep use it all the time.
Posted 4 months ago #
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