Originally Posted by
DaveSSS
There is no reason to use a torque wrench on a top-cap bolt. As for stems and other small M5 bolts, 5Nm is almost always safe. Only use more if there is a slippage problem.
Personally, I know what the necessary torques feels like by hand and never use a torque wrench for any M5 or M6 bolt. If you don't get a feel for this work by hand, how will you ever make an adjustment out on the road?
Use the small torque wrench to tighten some bolts to 5Nm, then see how tight that feels with a short handled hex wrench or 4-5-6 Y-style wrench.
Thanks for the reply. Today I managed to SNAP the screw in my Seven stem (handle bar clamp) and it looks like no ride for me today.
I think I'll toss the big Park tool torque wrench in the trash..
Now back to hand tightening. I'll just stop when it feels reasonably tight. The Torque wrench went way beyond what my hand could do with a short allen wrench. I don't trust the readings at all now. I was going for 12 NM as the park tool guide shows.
Side note: I carry tools on my rides for adjustments. I just thought a torque wrench would take all the "guess" work out of it.