Torque wrenches.

Darkglasses · 13-04-2013 12:28am #1

How many carbon framed bike owners here own/use a torque wrench?

I recently bought myself a full carbon bike, a 2012 Felt F5, and I have fallen deeply in love with it. However, at every fixture point on the bike, there is a specific Nm marked on the frame. When I bought the bike, the LBS owner did a very quick bike-fit for me. However, I would like to tinker with the fit slightly more. Do I really need a torque wrench to do so?

FYI, I'm a skinny wristed little guy. I find it hard to believe I could really tighten a bolt so much I could snap the carbon. I've ridden the bike on some really horrific roads, and the bike has flew over them easily, so I have no doubts about the quality of the bike's carbon weave.

If they are really necessary, could somebody recommend one that would be easily available?

Flandria · 13-04-2013 12:55am

I think a torque wrench is 'must have' kit. There are various options but x-tools do one at 2-24Nm which is reasonable http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11142

The tax man · 13-04-2013 12:57am

I use one of these for adjusting stems and handlebars.
Fixed rating but ideal for those parts.
For everything else I'll use a proper torque wrench.

Mechanic365 · 13-04-2013 1:02am

Get some class of torque wrench because you will say to yourself "yes thats nearly tight enough" then youve done the tighten til you loosen trick. Writing from expierience

Konkers · 13-04-2013 6:41am

Flandria wrote: »

I think a torque wrench is 'must have' kit. There are various options but x-tools do one at 2-24Nm which is reasonable http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11142

Have this one. No complaints. Easy to use. 30 quid for piece for mind when taking care of the one u have fallen deeply in love with.

I recalls a torque wrench thread a few weeks back. Definitely other recommendations there.

Donelson · 13-04-2013 8:56am

bolts will need a specific tension if they are to remain tight, typical 70%+ of yield.
you are much stronger than you think! you can easily rip the head of a m4 70 bolt which has a yield measured in 100s of kg's.
carbon isn't great with point loads so I'm not sure if you would feel it yield before you've damaged it.
just my 2c

mossym · 13-04-2013 11:39am

carbon bike, and have a torque wrench, bought within a couple days of getting the bike.

cdaly_ · 13-04-2013 12:31pm

Donelson wrote: »

bolts will need a specific tension if they are to remain tight, typical 70%+ of yield.
you are much stronger than you think! you can easily rip the head of a m4 70 bolt which has a yield measured in 100s of kg's.
carbon isn't great with point loads so I'm not sure if you would feel it yield before you've damaged it.
just my 2c

There's also the problem of uneven tightening. Tighten four stem bolts by hand and one of them will be tighter than the others creating a stress point in the carbon below.

bikermartin · 13-04-2013 12:38pm

Flandria wrote: »

I think a torque wrench is 'must have' kit. There are various options but x-tools do one at 2-24Nm which is reasonable http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11142[/QUOTE]

do you know where to get an adaptor for the 1/4 drive to 3/8 drive for the allen keys. i have the x tools tool kit but it has 3/8 drive keys :mad:

i was going to return the torque wrench but havent given up on the adaptor yet

or if you have a link to 1/4 allen key set

Flandria · 13-04-2013 12:59pm

bikermartin wrote: »

Flandria wrote: »

I think a torque wrench is 'must have' kit. There are various options but x-tools do one at 2-24Nm which is reasonable http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11142[/QUOTE]

do you know where to get an adaptor for the 1/4 drive to 3/8 drive for the allen keys. i have the x tools tool kit but it has 3/8 drive keys :mad:

i was going to return the torque wrench but havent given up on the adaptor yet

or if you have a link to 1/4 allen key set

Any decent tool supplier will have them. McQuillans, Fox Engineers, Reliance...

ashleey · 13-04-2013 1:04pm

I got an adaptor in halfords

funkyjebus · 13-04-2013 2:48pm

Flandria wrote: »

bikermartin wrote: »

Any decent tool supplier will have them. McQuillans, Fox Engineers, Reliance...

I have the Xtools one and McQuillans didn't have the adapter. I got it in a little shop called R.J. Gough & Co around the corner on Mary Street Little. Really helpful man.

bikermartin · 13-04-2013 7:13pm

tried Halfords......dont have it ......blah......blah.........blah...... woodies were even less helpful.

ordered it on e bay today for 12 usd delivered

so may get to use the tool i bought a few months ago

The Big Lebowsky · 13-04-2013 11:40pm

On a bicycle you should only be using a 1/4 inch torque wrench...
The very best torque wrenches are made by Norbar and Teng...

MOD VOICE: pointless after this

Darkglasses · 13-04-2013 11:54pm

Oh gee thanks. :rolleyes:

I love that bike, it took me a long time to save for it, and I don't appreciate that one bit.

check_six · 14-04-2013 1:03am

Got one of these fellas:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=60766

The lads in the shop were using one of these so that seems like a good enough recommendation. Bit pricey but I got it included in the purchase of the bike. I'd recommend getting a good quality tool for your own peace of mind. A lot of the tightening ratings are a good strong wrench, but when you're dealing with carbon, you want to be sure.

triggermortis · 14-04-2013 10:42am

Swiss Tools do a very good digital torque wrench. Bit pricey but I use the one from work (on my alu frame, as I don't have carbon yet)

AltAccount · 14-04-2013 11:07am

MOD VOICE: Quoting deleted post

dvntie · 14-04-2013 11:48am

Darkglasses wrote: »

Oh gee thanks. :rolleyes:

I love that bike, it took me a long time to save for it, and I don't appreciate that one bit.

+1

Darkglasses · 14-04-2013 1:53pm

Back to the thread, thanks everyone for the advice, I'll try to hunt down a good torque wrench this week! One with a low range I guess.

ednwireland · 16-04-2013 2:19pm

just got this in my email for those of you with access to parcel motel (think its uk only shipping

Sealey 3/8-inch sq 2-24nm/1.47-17.70lb.ft Torque Wrench Micrometer Style Drive

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000RO1ZCG/ref=pe_115941_35716501_email_1p_0_ti

MediaMan · 19-04-2013 1:17am

A slightly contrarian point re torque wrenches. There are several variables when it comes to tightening a bolt, and the applied torque is only one (although the most most important one). The condition of the threads on the bolt and the receiving end are also important.

So if the threads are dirty/rusty/damaged then you could hit the recommended torque and still not have the fitting tight enough. Conversely if you grease the threads on a bolt because it was hard to remove last time, and then tighten it without paying too much attention to what you are doing, (because you think the torque wrench will do the thinking), then you can strip the threads or damage the fitting before reaching the recommended torque setting.

I did the second one of those :mad:.

The moral of the story is to pay as much attention to what you are doing when using a torque wrench as when using regular allen keys. It's not a magic wand.

easygoing39 · 19-04-2013 1:37am

Have never used a torque wrench on a bike in my life,either steel,alloy or carbon framed.Not to mention bolts/components,which can be steel,stainless, alloy,Ti or nylon. Common sense should be enough for anyone.As long as your not a ham-fisted gorilla,a loose grip on the allen key/rachet and a gentle nip-up will do fine. Its a bike after all,not a tractor.

letape · 19-04-2013 8:04am

easygoing39 wrote: »

Have never used a torque wrench on a bike in my life,either steel,alloy or carbon framed.Not to mention bolts/components,which can be steel,stainless, alloy,Ti or nylon. Common sense should be enough for anyone.As long as your not a ham-fisted gorilla,a loose grip on the allen key/rachet and a gentle nip-up will do fine. Its a bike after all,not a tractor.

I don't agree with that. I read an feature on cycling news about 2 years ago where a number of very experienced mechanics who went on feel and were confident they didn't need to use torque wrenches were tested.

They fitted various components to what they felt was an appropriate tightness. The torques were subsequently measured and they varied massively, in most cases being way too tight, far exceeding the manufacturers recommendations.

ednwireland · 19-04-2013 8:12am

easygoing39 wrote: »

Have never used a torque wrench on a bike in my life,either steel,alloy or carbon framed.Not to mention bolts/components,which can be steel,stainless, alloy,Ti or nylon. Common sense should be enough for anyone.As long as your not a ham-fisted gorilla,a loose grip on the allen key/rachet and a gentle nip-up will do fine. Its a bike after all,not a tractor.

having popped the heads off some titanium bolts (ok i was using them in the wrong place) and mashed the heads on other ones i use a torque wrench now, also i find my hollowtech cranks creak less when torqued correctly.

cdaly_ · 19-04-2013 10:09am

Important to note, your torque wrench should be stored unloaded (ie set to 0 Nm) so that the mech is not under continuous compression.

codie · 19-04-2013 12:46pm

I purchased this one
http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=20794&categoryID=722

and here's a review
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/tools/wrenches/product/review-giant-tool-shed-torque-wrench-35229#user_reviews

Good bit of kit at that price,probably around the same go as the BBB one but little cheaper.

It recommends to store 2-6 nm

Torque wrenches.

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