Ridley Orion - Torque Tightening Specs for the Carbon Frame

vpy

Hello, I recently bought a Ridley Orion frameset and want to build the bike myself with Shimano 105 components.
However, I cannot find the recommended torque for installing components on the carbon frameset. Unfortunately I could't find any resources on the web or on Ridley's website specifically.

Should I just go with the lowest end of the recommended torque tightening specifications? For example, if the Shimano 105 Bottom bracket recommends a tightening torque of 35-50Nm, should I just go with 35Nm?

Appreciate your advice. Thanks in advance.

mikenetic

Ridley will be able to advise if you contact them, but I've worked on a range of carbon frames and own a couple.

With carbon the thing you have to watch for is crushing forces. So, of particular importance are seatpost clamps, front derailleur clamping, and also clamping the stem to a carbon steerer.

With the BB you're fine within the 35-50nm range, as you'll be tightening into a metal insert within the frame, not the carbon itself.

Generally clamping the seat post you'll be safe at 5nm, provided it's a "standard" round seatpost. Same torque for the stem. Use Carbon Assembly paste on the seatpost, not grease.

It's regarded as general good practice to place a spacer above the stem if you're assembling a threadless headset system. That makes sure the entire steerer is being clamped evenly, and prevents accidental squashing of the steerer end, which can crack it in the worst case.

vpy

Thanks mikenetic, appreciate your response. With regard to the steerer, I only have the aluminum one. In that sense, do you reckon I still need to put a spacer above the stem?

How about the brake calipers, what torque do you think is appropriate?

Thanks again! Cheers.