Need a Torque Wrench
 

Hey guys, i'm looking to purchase a torque wrench due to my new bike requiring exact torque specs for the carbon bits. Now i don't want to spend too much as its only gonna be for the seatpost and stem, i don't want to crack any part of the frame by hand tightening it. Any recommendation on something fairly cheap that will get the job done for these parts. I'm not looking for something to torque a bottom bracket with so something smaller would suffice. Thanks.

If your seatpost clamp uses a 4mm bolt, then look at the Ritchey Torque key. It is cheap, and it works.

If your seatpost clamp uses a 5mm bolt, take a look at the BBB TorqueFix.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...90000P?prdNo=3

Although this may not have fine enough modulation at the low end (<5 nm) for you.

+1. That's the one I use, and it does the job well.

The one I like and use the most is a Wiha 28554 TorqueVario-S Handle, Newton Meter Scale 2.0- 8.0Nm not cheap but worth every penny, you also want to get these 2 adapters for a full range of uses Wiha 28582 Square Drive Adapter For 1/4-Inch Sockets and Wiha 28581 Bit Holder Adapter For 1/4-Inch Drive Bits.

That said I also have a Nm clicking Torque wrench and a beam type all work great and for even bigger stuff I have a larger 1/4 and 1/2 clickers.

Wiha 28554 TorqueVario-S Handle, Newton Meter Scale 2.0- 8.0Nm (Best tool for small apps.)
http://www.jtgraphics.net/images/bik...wiha_28554.jpg

I've got the Park TW-1 and love it. The only problem is the range isn't quite high enough for some things I'd like, but otherwise I much prefer it to the click type wrenches. I almost broke some parts using a cheap Harbor Freight click torque wrench. I know, the problem was that it was cheap but I like the feedback and response given by the beam type wrenches. Plus it's fairly cheap. Been meaning to buy a TW-2.

http://www.parktool.com/uploads/thum...b0_430x390.jpg

Thanks for all the recommendations, browsing multiple websites i might just go ahead and get the tw-1 from park. Anyone know if the hex bit set from pedros will work with it? Heres the bit set i'm referring too.

http://www.amazon.com/Pedros-6460610...4793807&sr=8-1

Or even these
http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-1366-8-...795328&sr=8-29

That would be my first recommendation too. Beams are tough, cheap, give continuous readout, don't need to be set, and don't need to be "relaxed" when you're done. I have a Snap-On TQFR50 0-600in-lb split-beam clicker, a Precision Instruments 0-150in-lb dial-type, and an old Craftsman clicker, and they have their place, but the best bang for the buck is the beam style IMO.

edit: yeah, the Pedros bit set works. The TW-1 is natively 1/4"-drive and includes a step-up adapter for 3/8"-drive sockets too.

+1 for the Ritchey Torque Key if all you need it for is your stem. How much are those Wiha bad boys?

+1 Just bought it for my Christmas present to me

The Parks tw-1 works good for the smaller bolts the.
Get the one that fits your needs the hex bit set from pedro is the 1/4" so that will be ok with the TW-1

TW-1 is 1/4" drive. Includes two scales from 0-60 inch pounds and 0-7 Nm.
TW-2 is 3/8" drive. Includes two scales from 0-600 inch pounds and 0-70 Nm

My collection also includes the TW-2

http://www.jtgraphics.net/images/bik...ue_wrenchs.jpg

They can be found for around $75 and the adapters are about $7 each it sounds like a lot it is great for bikes! you adjust it by placing the adkuster handle down in side and twist it to the setting you want.
If interested in it try All-Specs were I picked up mine. Amazon dealers also have some the Nm versions are a little harder to find.

Sorry i'm a huge noob when it comes to tools, what would be the incentive to purchase the tw-1 if the tw-2 covers the same range and then some. The seatpost on the slc01 says to torque the two bolts at 5nm and the other at 7-8. If i went with the tw-1 would the 7nm max that it can torque at be sufficient or should i get the tw-2? Thanks for all the help. I'm trying to get everything on amazon if i can since i have a couple other things there that i need to purchase. Might just go with these hex bits since there shipped and sold from amazon instead of a 3rd party through amazon. There 3/8 drive but from my understanding they should work.

http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-1366-8-...795328&sr=8-29

Well with the TW-1 it will be maxed out at 7 Nm
The TW-2 covers that range +
If you are only worried about the smaller bolts then the TW-1 is fine.
If you fill you may want to use it on some other parts that may require more then get the TW-2 to cover it.
I have several because I work on much more than my bikes.

You may want to check this out on sale at Performance on sale Spin Doctor Torque Wrench Set
$69.99

The reason to get the TW-1 is due to precision. The TW-2 covers more range but it looks like the increments are in 5 N-m tick marks, and they're rather small. It will be hard to measure something like 7 N-m accurately. That's my only complaint with the TW-1, to really make it useful it should have gone to 10 N-m or 15 N-m. As it stands a lot of the smaller bolts call for a torque just above 7 N-m (10-15 N-m, for instance).

i use a snap on torque wrench its was big bucks, but i use it for other things that are not a bike

So is there a huge difference between 7nm and 8nm? Since the requirement for one of the seatpost bolts requires 7-8 nm i'd think torquing to 7 would be fine since it still falls under the required specs but if i need to do it at 8 i might have to get something else other than the tm-1 that i'm about to order.

Also consider the one in #16 Spin Doctor Torque Wrench Set

You need this:

http://www.pro-bikegear.com/publish/...g.bm.450.0.png

http://www.pro-bikegear.com/publish/...-PR100340.html

You'll be fine with 7 N-m. Plus that's another advantage of the beam type wrench, you can extend a little past the last measured value and just estimate about how far you've gone and extrapolate the scale accordingly.

I actually came across that one when i searched performances site, i'll give the few around here a call and see if they even have it in stock. There in store stock is terrible compared to online.