Torque wrenches and frame protection

spadey

Ok two questions:

1, I am planning on stripping down my old bike after the winter to give it all a good clean (with the help of Zinn's book) and thinking about getting a torque wrench to put it all back together again and for doing the seat post on my new carbon frame. Are they essential or just another tool to buy? If they are a wirthwhile investment then can anyone recommend a decent buy?

2, Having not owned a carbon fiber frame before (Bianchi C2C 928) is there anything in particlular that I need to know? I'm assuming muc-off is safe to use and all the usual teflon sprays. What about the adhesive frame protectors (ie chainstay) are these a worthwhile investment or do they just peel off and ruin the frame?

Thanks for any advice

alfablue

For peace of mind I would get a torque wrench - tricky to find low range ones, but I got a Sealey one for £30 (plenty online if you google). Its an STW1012 and goes from 2 to 24nm. It is good quality and comes with a calibration certificate. I think I got mine from Classic Car World, they delivered next day.

I put "Biketape" on my carbon frame everywhere there cold be any cable rub, chain slap or other trauma (like on the fork crown if I leaned it carelessly on a wall). I got it from Biketart. It is easy to apply and it is virtually invisible once fitted. I would put it on all bikes regardless of frame material (apart from on my "naked" titanium bike).

Monty Dog

I'd keep cleaners like Muc Off away from your frame and save it for the oily bits - it's quite aggressive and degrades rubber (tyres) and paint finishes. I use a decent car wash/wax and hot water to clean my bike - lifts the muck and leaves it shiney too! In terms of the Bike Tape - it's a right royal pain to apply - I just did a complete frame and whilst I was patient and carefully cut out the right shapes, I'm disappointed by the finish - the frame has white panels, so the ends of the tape show up as dirty lines and I find it attracts dirt and is harder to clean than the bare paint.

alfablue

Oh bad luck, my frame is black so the Biketape remains invisible. I found it reasonably easy to apply, the hardest bit was peeling off the backing, which was fiddly!