What to torque?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,268
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 118 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 50 Times
in
25 Posts
What to torque?
O.K., I got a good deal on an inch/pound torque wrench. In my future wrenching adventures, what stuff do I ned to find the torque spec for. Cassettes and BB's I know, but what else? bk
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,487
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 140 Post(s)
Liked 162 Times
in
89 Posts
Originally Posted by bkaapcke
O.K., I got a good deal on an inch/pound torque wrench. In my future wrenching adventures, what stuff do I ned to find the torque spec for. Cassettes and BB's I know, but what else? bk
#3
(Grouchy)
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,643
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
cassettes and BBs you don't really need a torque wrench for. most cartridge BBs are labelled to be torqued to around 40Nm, which by most people's standards is just known as really F#%@ing tight. i use it for crank bolts on the newer shimano cranks with the pinch bolts, and the aluminum FSA cranks that have the 4mm allen bolt that holds the left crank arm onto the spindle, as well as the pinch bolts on those.
they're good to have around for any carbon fiber part, provided that the manufacturer of said part provides a torque spec for said part. *cough*FSA K-Wings*cough*
they're good to have around for any carbon fiber part, provided that the manufacturer of said part provides a torque spec for said part. *cough*FSA K-Wings*cough*
#4
Gone, but not forgotten
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Newtonville, Massachusetts
Posts: 2,301
Bikes: See: https://sheldonbrown.org/bicycles
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
Originally Posted by well biked
I've got a mountain bike with a carbon fiber handlebar. When tightening the stem bolts to secure that bar, that's the thing that I've wished I had a torque wrench for-
The handlebar manufacturer knows nothing about your stem; not the thread pitch of the bolts, nor the materials, materials, nor the smoothness of the interior finish where it grips the bar, the length of engagement along the bar, nor even how many bolts there are!
If anybody tells you a torque "spec" for a handlebar, they're blowing smoke.
You should tighten your stem sufficiently that the handlebars don't move, and that's enough.
Torque wrenches are automotive tools, not bicycle tools.
Sheldon "Bicycle Mechanic" Brown
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Laramie Wyoming
Posts: 2,970
Bikes: Merlin Extralight Topolino Wheels Campy Record
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Sheldon has been wrenching for a very long time and no doubt knows when things are just right through years of experience. If I had his experience I might not own a torque wrench. I resepctfully suggest, however, that for folks who are not as experienced, a torque wrench might come in handy especially on parts provided by one manufacturer. For example alloy chain ring bolts from FSA and used in their cranksets are pretty darn easy to damage. The Ritchey stem that I have has torque specs provided with it so that over eager mechs (like one who paid no attention to the specs and ruined my first one) don't strip the threads in the stem (holding the face plate) by over tightening the bolts. Obviously Ritchey supplies both the bolts and the stem. Likewise, CF top caps supplied with a CF fork (like the Look that I have) might be an area where a torque wrench comes in handy. Finally I bought a Bold Precision seat post and Albert Bold did give me torque specs; he manufactured the Ti seat post and provided the Ti bolts. There have been many discussions in this forum on the subject of torque wrenches. This is just my opinion but it seems to work for me.
Last edited by RockyMtnMerlin; 12-14-06 at 11:05 PM.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,487
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 140 Post(s)
Liked 162 Times
in
89 Posts
I don't disagree with Sheldon, but my point was, in the case of the carbon fiber handlebar, that it's really the only thing I own that I feel a little uneasy about when I'm tightening the bolts down by "feel." The truth is, in tightening bolts against carbon fiber, I'd probably feel uneasy with a torque wrench, too, even if I had applicable torque specs.........I hadn't thought of the different variables regarding torque that Sheldon points out in the case of a stem/handlebar, they're very good points. FWIW, I don't even know if the Easton EC70 handlebar I was referring to came with recommended torque specs or not-
Last edited by well biked; 12-15-06 at 06:12 AM.
#7
Elitist Troglodyte
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Dallas
Posts: 6,925
Bikes: 03 Raleigh Professional (steel)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by Sheldon Brown
If anybody tells you a torque "spec" for a handlebar, they're blowing smoke.
You should tighten your stem sufficiently that the handlebars don't move, and that's enough.
You should tighten your stem sufficiently that the handlebars don't move, and that's enough.
__________________
Stupidity got us into this mess - why can't it get us out?
- Will Rogers
Stupidity got us into this mess - why can't it get us out?
- Will Rogers
Last edited by DMF; 12-16-06 at 03:45 PM.
#8
Elitist Troglodyte
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Dallas
Posts: 6,925
Bikes: 03 Raleigh Professional (steel)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by bkaapcke
O.K., I got a good deal on an inch/pound torque wrench.
__________________
Stupidity got us into this mess - why can't it get us out?
- Will Rogers
Stupidity got us into this mess - why can't it get us out?
- Will Rogers
#9
Klaatu barada nikto
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Southern NH
Posts: 1,453
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by Sheldon Brown
If anybody tells you a torque "spec" for a handlebar, they're blowing smoke.
You should tighten your stem sufficiently that the handlebars don't move, and that's enough.
You should tighten your stem sufficiently that the handlebars don't move, and that's enough.
You've got to tighten the begeezus out of those bolts or the bar will easily rotate when you get out of the saddle and lean on the grips. BMX upright bars also need brutally tight stem bolts to keep the bar from rotating - and this is despite the fact that the stem front plates usually have four bolts.