Originally Posted by
Ball Bearing
It always amazes me that two people can read the same thing and each conclude opposite opinions. I thought that the discussion made a pretty good case for using a torque wrench - I must admit that I am a habitual torque wrench user and that I always lube threads and slightly under torque. Never stripped a thread or crushed any carbon. I remember the first time I used a torque wrench on a 5mm stem bolt and was surprised how much more tension the wrench applied before it clicked than I normally applied by feel with just an Allen wrench.
I didn't conclude that a torque wrench is no use, but that it is not as simple as I first thought. It certainly seems to me that the effects of nut/bolt condition (especially at the lower torques, and with used bikes) are as significant as the difference between hand tightening and using a torque wrench.