Looking to buy a torque wrench, what spec should I look for?

Darra8

Hi Guys,

I am doing more and more work on my own bikes now and always think I need a torque wrench to tighten everything up correctly. So What sort of spec should I be looking for? Don't want to spend too much either.

Cheers,

Steve

weeksy59

Wel in simplest terms you need it to do the correct settings, a BIG torque wrench won't start until 40Nm. However if you have a load of bolts requiring 15Nm, that's obviously sod all use to you

They come in different fitting 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 etc, so you need the appropriate sockets/items to fit onto it.

I believe mine is a Draper and has lasted me 5 years now without a single issue.

diy

Most decent cordless drills have a torque setting which will do a range of between 20-50NM, I'm not sure how accurate they are, but there is often a table of settings.

If you have one, it might be cheaper to just buy a socket set adapter.

Wooliferkins

The large range torque wrench is only required for your cassette and bottom bracket so one of the lower range ones covers all your bars stems brakes etc with the bolts you are likely to shear by over tightening. The BBB one covers all of these smaller torques and comes with a selection of bits

pdid

Ideally you need two wrenches, one for low settings ie 2-20nm for stem bolts etc. and one for higher torques ie 20-100nm for crank bolts and the like.

If you only get one get the low setting wrench, as it's easier to overtighten and cause faliure of parts such as carbon bars.

I believe sealey do some reasonable torque wrenches iirc model number is stw1012.

dunker

what he^ said

SEALEY TORQUE WRENCH 3/8SQ DRIVE 2-24NM/1.47-17.70LB.FT £30
http://www.toolshopdirect.co.uk/item.php/sn/STW1012
SEALEY TRX-STAR/SPLINE/HEX BIT & DRIVER SET 42PC £17
http://www.toolshopdirect.co.uk/item.php/sn/AK219

simmo3801

I have a BBB Torquefix one which is good and includes A T25 bit for disc rotor bolts. The only thing I find about it is the weight which results in me rounding off bolts more. I know this will sound strange as its not heavy but you do need to be careful with it. Sometimes the length of the bit and the weight of the handle can lead to the bit not beith straight in the hex head. Much easier with a hex key and then just use the torque wrench for a final tighten. Definitely recommend one for piece of mind when changing stem etc

S_J_P

I use the Sealey wrench too, great wrench for a good price

You can save cash on the bit-sets with a little work too. Screwfix sell a security-bit set with all the useful hex-key sizes (along with Torx bits) for under £5, couple that with a 3/8" square to hex-bit converter and you're sorted!

Darra8

Thanks guys,

I will get the sealey one i think.

Cheers,

Steve

captainfly

The laser 1/4" on screwfix/nextdaydiy is what I use (and really like for the cost) and a bgger draper one I already had.

Nickolarse74

We use these at work. Britool are fab :
http://www.britool.com/product.php?p=AVT300A

If too expensive, I had the bigger version of one of these for home personal use which was also great :
http://www.drapertools.com/b2c/b2citmds ... 570&ipadd=

Word of warning. I broke mine undoing bolts with the tension set too low as I was too lazy to go to the shed to get a proper breaker bar. So..... always loosen the spring when not in use and never use to undo bolts.