Originally Posted by
mpetry912
I was not aware that there was ever a "manufacturer's torque spec" published by ... Stronglight ? or Campagnolo ?
/markp
Never was aware of any required torque specs while working for Campagnolo in the 80’s. A torque wrench was not included in any Campy tool set or our personal tools. The Campy wrenches are sized to provide adequate torque for each application.
Having seen some top wrenches from various countries do their thing at World Championships, Olympics and big stage races during that time, none used a torque wrench in the heat of battle. Time was short. Fiddling with a torque wrench could be costly.
In one case, at the LA Olympics, a coach for the US team brings in a pursuit bike and says the bottom bracket bearings are shot. Sure enough, they are rough. He then says he has to get it to the start line in fifteen minutes for Harvey Nitz and that is loose ball with oil.
Three of us jumped on it immediately. Campy “peanut butter” wrench used for removal and tightening of cranks. Crank bolts were spun off and back in by holding the wrench close to the bolt and turning the cranks. Tightening was a good pull on crank arm and wrench like using bolt cutters.
Loose ball with oil meant I had to use a magnet to hold the balls in each cup until they could be placed on the spindle. A PITA no matter how much time you have.
We got it together in about ten or eleven minutes and sent the coach on his way. He got to the start in time for Harvey to win the Bronze Medal in the Individual Pursuit.
Torque wrench?! . . . . . We don’t need no bleeping torque wrench!!