pinetreeforest1

I think they are called hex screws, at any rate, I'm referring to the screws that tighten the handlebars to the stem with the 5 mm hex tool. My question is... I read that with carbon handlebars, you shouldn't over tighten the handlebar between the clamp. I believe it was a 200 lb. torque max. How do I know how tight I am tightening it? It's hard to gauge when I'm using my hand to do this. Is there a tool? Do I need a tool? I don't want to ruin the carbon handlebars. Thanks so much.

xzelia

200 torque is alot of torque, car tires only want 100 max. just take your alan key and tighten it until it's tight, you'll know if your over tightening it, go just past snug and see if you can move the bar, if so add an extra 3/4 of a turn try again, you shouldn't over tighten anything on a bike as if it needs to move and can't move it's potentially dangerous to yourself and will damage that part more in most cases. Just use reason when tightening your bar, another reason is you do not want to strip it... unless you want to re-tap it DO NOT over tighten to the point of stripping it

twobikes

Automobiles use torque specs. in foot pounds. Bicycles have smaller bolts and use inch pounds. On my bike the bar to stem bolts require about 50 inch pounds. There is a chart of torque specs. on the Park Tool website. Numerous threads on this forum discuss whether a torque wrench is really necessary, or what kind to get. I, personally, use a home made torque wrench made from a dial indicator fisherman's scale and a steel bar ten inches long. A five pound pull is 50 inch pounds.

Bobby Lex

#1> find out for sure what the manufacturer's torque recommendations are. "I believe it was a 200 lb. torque" sounds like a WAG.

#2> buy or borrow a torque wrench and torque the bolts accordingly. In the alternative your local LBS could do this for you.

If you don't, then not only are you risking ruining your carbon handlebars, but you are also risking serious injury if the bars fail.

Bob