Originally Posted by
robbyville
campag, do you always use a torque wrench? I was just looking at a simple set from Nashbar, price around $60 but was also thinking I could just be reasonable with clamps, etc.
Robby,
Not always but a lot of the time. The problem is...it is easy to be deceived how much torque is being applied. Since carbon has a smaller elastic zone prior to fracture...albeit with a high yield strength...I generally will use a torque wrench...pretty much always on the seat tube clamp in particular...the seat tube is something I just don't want to crack

And if undertorqued...seat tubes tend to slip...I weigh 190#. I have good luck at 55 in-lbs and what I use on all my bikes...including Ti.
I am a long time wrench head...built many high performance cars, motorcycles and build my own bikes like many here. I have a pretty calibrated hand...and yet when it comes to carbon fiber in particular, I will generally use a torque wrench. I don't use one on aluminum stem clamp bolts for example...even with carbon handlebar...carbon has great compressive strength...so it depends on the application.
My torque wrenchs of choice are Craftsman...have a few different sizes. Snap on are better if you like the best...go that route...or equivalent.