Torque wrench

jonnycon
jonnycon Posts: 116
edited October 2009 in Workshop
Can anyone recommend a good all round torque wrench ? new bike build imminent, Cheers.

Comments

  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Sealey STW1012.

    Excellent, cheap, individually calibrated with certificate. The range covers most things you need it for on a bike.
  • jonnycon
    jonnycon Posts: 116
    thanks,looks a good buy, will invest.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    It is very good - you will need some hex bits, I made do with a 3/8 to 1/4 adapter and the bits from a screwdriver set, but they were not great quality so I bought Halfords Professional Hex Bit Socket Set 8 Piece 3/8 for £15.99. I know its halfords, but their Pro' tools are actually fantastic quality, and have a lifetime warranty. I did see various sets online for around £10 but it is worth buying bits you can trust not to bu**er up your nuts! :shock: :wink: (or, more correctly, your bolts).
  • Slow Downcp
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    A little pricier, but includes bits:

    http://www.parker-international.co.uk/7 ... rench.html

    You may get cheaper if you shop around - price seems to have jumped by £10 recently.
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • pete.whelan
    pete.whelan Posts: 788
    Does the Sealey one do left hand threads - e.g. BB.
    Recipe: shave legs sparingly, rub in embrocation and drizzle with freshly squeezed baby oil.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    yes

    but what torque does a bb need?
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Cartridge BBs need approx 25-30 ft-lbs of force.

    Thats when a different torque wrench for the 'bigger' stuff comes into effect. You need another one which covers bottom bracket, cranks, etc .....
  • mostly harmless
    mostly harmless Posts: 162
    giant mancp wrote:
    Thats when a different torque wrench for the 'bigger' stuff comes into effect. You need another one which covers bottom bracket, cranks, etc .....

    Need is probably stretching it. The bigger stuff (cranks, lockrings bbs etc) needs doing up tight (in my case "firmly" with a 12" adjustable is about right) . I only use a torque wench for Hollowtech II crank bolts and stem bolts on a carbon steerer. The rest gets done "snug" with a normal allen key and this seems to be sufficent.
  • juggler
    juggler Posts: 262
    must say i'm not convinced on the need for one, but maybe that's because i haven't had any problems. I invested in a Ritchey 5mm Torque wrench because it was cheap and does the stem and bars on my bike.... using this i tighten more than i would without using one...
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    I personally wouldn't put a bike together without one, but that's probably just me ....
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    For the lower torque bits, such as stem bolts on a carbon steerer, HT2 bolts and bearing tensioner etc, I think it is essential (for me, anyway), I have overdone things in the past! :oops:

    High torque bits (like cassette lock ring) I am happier with (although I also have a high range wrench) as premature loosening is more likely than damage.
  • Jajacp
    Jajacp Posts: 79
    I always thought you shouldn't do up a cassette ring particularly tight because they tend to self tighten.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Jajacp wrote:
    I always thought you shouldn't do up a cassette ring particularly tight because they tend to self tighten.
    Mine have 40nm on the lock ring, and I have had one on an XT cassette repeatedly come loose even when properly torqued, had to use threadlock plus torque wrench to stop it.

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