Torque Wrench
 

For occasional home bike repairs/adjustments, is the Park TW-1 recommended or is it better to go with something else? I've read the old threads. I'm just wondering if it's worth the cost to buy a Precision Instruments Dial Torque Wrench or even the Spin Doctor clickey wrench set.

Michael

Beam type torque wrenches like the Park are less expensive and won't go out of calibration without it being obvious. Clickers are much more convenient if used in locations where you can't see the pointer but that's not the case for almost any bike application.

The beam type torque wrench also has the advantage to work in both directions (for right-handed threads and also for left-handed threads). Some torque wrenches only work in one direction.

The TW-1 will work for most everything on the bike with the exception of cassette lock rings and bottom brackets.

I didn't know cassette lock ring had a torque setting. Is it similar for all cassettes? If so, what's the value and what tool is needed for the job?

On newer bikes it's printed on the lockring, it's usually 40-50 Nm. As for tools you would need a cassette lock ring tool specific to the maker of your cassette, as most cassettes are either SRAM or Shimano, a SRAM/Shimano lockring tool works. As far as a torque wrench goes, you'd need one like Park's TW-2 that goes from 0-70Nm. However, I wouldn't use the TW-2 to torque stuff below 10-15Nm, it's just not as accurate for small torque values as one that is calibrated for 0-25Nm.

In reality, you really need two torque wrenches, but for starters I'd get the TW-1 or the clicker type that Nashbar makes.

I really like my beam-type torque wrench. :thumb:

I use a Park TW-2 because all my sockets and various other tools seem to be 3/8". There are other torque wrenches which are of a MUCH higher quality but the cost doesn't make sense for bicycle applications.

A 1/4" square drive torque wrench (or ratchet for that matter) can be fitted with a 1/4"F-3/8"M adapter and used with any 3/8" square drive socket, hex bit or whatever attachment. These adapters are available in any hardware or home store.

Yes. I remove my cassette all of the time, but have never used a torque wrench for tightening. I'll buy the TW-1 for the small stuff, but it also looks like I need the TW-2 too. Is there a wrench that covers the whole range accurately?

No.

True but all my sockets are 3/8" so I figure why bother with an adapter.

Because for lower torque applications, you should be using a 1/4" torque wrench instead of 3/8".

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