Carbon frame build - Torque level

Simmo72

To all those carbon owners out there.

I'm going to be building up from scratch my first carbon frame soon and I'm a little nervous about trashing the thing by over tightening the bolts

I am having the headset fitted professionally but everything else is down to me.
Tapered bb - I have torque wrench which goes from 10nm plus so I think around 40nm is about right but would like to hear if anyone else has another view.

Is 5nm enough for all of these. I've always gone by feel on Steel and alu and never had any damage or slippage but carbon freaks me out a bit
Band on front mech
rear mech
chain catcher
seat post clamp
brakes

Do I really need to blow £40 on a wrench that caters for -10nm or can I apply the same method that has served me well all these years?

Many thanks

rake

you dont want any excess torque. ritchey keys arent massively expensive. ive had no problems going by feel, i just use enogh to hold the part in place but then i dont go mad pulling the handlebars. use carbon paste for better grip.

Wirral_paul

As above - use carbon paste where needed and stick as far as possible to the torque ratings posted. Personally i think a low range torque wrench is a good investment and will last years if looked after.

£25 from B&Q etc?? http://www.diy.com/nav/build/motoring-workshop-tools/workshop-tools/handtools/-specificproducttype-ratchet___wrenches/Torq-1-4Inch-Torque-Wrench-11377946?ecamp=cse_go&tmcampid=4&tmad=c&CAWELAID=809736762

g00se

Wirral_Paul wrote:

As above - use carbon paste where needed and stick as far as possible to the torque ratings posted. Personally i think a low range torque wrench is a good investment and will last years if looked after.

£25 from B&Q etc?? http://www.diy.com/nav/build/motoring-workshop-tools/workshop-tools/handtools/-specificproducttype-ratchet___wrenches/Torq-1-4Inch-Torque-Wrench-11377946?ecamp=cse_go&tmcampid=4&tmad=c&CAWELAID=809736762

I bought that wrench last year for a build and I didn't trust it. At low torques (5,6 etc) it 'felt' to high and the click at those levels was indistinct,

I took it back and got one of these -which feels much higher quality and better aimed at lower torques (though it looks near identical):

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11142

Yu can get good value 1/4" socket/drivers sets to use with it in b&q though....

Coach H

Double post

Coach H

This one is for sale via the Cycling Weekly shop
http://cyclingweekly.ipcshop.co.uk/shop ... que-wrench
Don't know what it is like but worth a punt.

Your torque values should be in the component manuals with the bits you buy or can be sourced online.

If you are fitting Campag components I have done a chart (word Doc) of all the main torque settings for 10 and 11 speed, Ultra Torque and Power torque chainsets. If it would help drop me a PM with the details of your components and I'll send you the appropriate doc.

Can't help with Shimano or Sram though.

g00se

You could do worse then get a copy of the book: Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance. It has tips on carbon-specific builds and trebles of torque wrench settings for all manner of components and manufacturers.

Simmo72

Many thanks for all the advice and details on torque spanners.