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I'm a carbon bar first timer and having read the fitting intruction am a bit concerned with overtightening, putting light fittings in the wrong place and generally doing something to cause them to explode. Are these instructions just covering the manufacturer and a bit of scare mongering or do i need a torque wrench and alcohol wipes! easton haven bars incidentally.
I do use a torque wrench on carbon stuff. Ritchey do a pre-set thing that's right for most and doesn't cost a lot.
Some people will swear blind that they have torque calibrated fingertips and don;t need to use anything but an Allen key but I prefer to 'know' it's right.
Yes.
(the second one).
+1 for the Ritchey Torque Key.
I use a torque wrench on [u]all[/u] the bolts on my bikes.
Bike components aren't cheap and I'd rather not risk damaging something.
No.
I've only died once.
Use Carbon paste too , the little silicone balls in the paste help it grip at a much lower torque rating
Yes and I use carbon assembly paste. I also make sure the bolts are in good condition with clean/undamaged threads.
Yes
Never have. My oldest/most used bars must be at least 4 years old. The bolts only have to be tight enough to stop the bars and controls rotating - it's not rocket science.
no and what druidh said 4 sets nothing has ever happened
Ritchey tool looks a reasonable buy and if they had it in the LBS I would probably buy it on a whim
never use a torque wrench tbh unless i am bolting up the head on a car
no, do the bolts a little tighter than the loosest tightness that stops the bars rotating,
It is too easy to fool yourself that a torque wrench will help, unless you use your head and make sure the wrench is calibrated then IMO you are more likely to break things.
I've never used one on a bike, although I keep thinking I ought to as I regularly use them at work.
Any opinions on [url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11142 ]this one[/url], it's a bit cheaper than most others.
I can get it calibrated every 6 months at work if that makes a difference as there's no mention of it coming with a certificate.
I use the Ritchey tool on my carbon bars, it's surprising how little the torque setting is.
I heard a horror story of a from a bike shop workshop not a million miles from here who over torqued and cracked a set of carbon bars whilst building a customers ( and shop team rider) new and very expensive CX bike. The workshop knew the bars were cracked but conspired not to tell the rider. A junior mechanic had a crisis of confidence and told the rider of the crack and understandably went ape.
Bloody help MM, that's appalling!
Nope, but then I do have calibrated fingertips and try not to overtighten stuff.
As far as I can tell, I am (thus far) still alive