Torque wrench for bikes
nasha48
Posts: 231
Hi all. Just wondering if anyone got a bit of advice on a decent (but not too pricey!) torque wrench set that covers a large range of necessary torque settings for an MTB? Even a bit of guidance on the range needed would be helpful.
Cheers
Cheers
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Comments
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MkI hand and some mechanical sympathy, never used a torque wrench with all the work I've done on bikes.Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.0
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You should be able to get away with a 1/4" torque wrench and adaptor. For the bigger bits you may want to up to a 3/8".
Bit wise I have a set of hex and torx to fit and some extensions from my days as a mechanic but they shouldnt be too expensive. Decent brands should last a lifetime on bike repair to be honest.0 -
There's no point in having a cheap torque wrench, 'cos you won't trust it.
So the choice is don't have one and teach yourself to go by 'feel', which is perfectly good, or if like me, you just want a torque wrench, get a good one.
Personally I favour Norbar, the TTi20 with a 1-20 Nm range would suit most bike applications, comes with a cal cert and Toolstop have them for £66.Viscount Grand Touring - in bits
Trek ZX6500 - semi-retired
HP Velotechnik Spirit
Brompton M6
Specialized Camber Comp0 -
Bought this a few months ago and am well pleased with it so far.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/BBB-2-977-457-301-Torque-Spanner-BTL-73/dp/B004P8ITCO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434529640&sr=8-1&keywords=bbb+torque+wrench
OK it doesnt go up enough for the 40N required on the rear gear cassette but for the rest, especially the lower ranges where its very easy to damage and break the bolt its fine.Every time I go out, I think I'm being checked out, faceless people watching on a TV screen.....0 -
Does a cassette really need to go that high?? I don't do them very tight and have never had one come undone.0
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MkI hand and some mechanical sympathy, never used a torque wrench with all the work I've done on bikes.
Same here other than on cars/engines. Mechanical sympathy took me some years to hone though. I learned the hard way.0 -
I've seen plenty of people wreck stuff by blindly believing their torque wrench.I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
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Parktools0 -
I just use one on the crank arm bolts as you don't want them coming undone otherwise I just tighten the bolts as if you do checks on your bike regulary you will get an idea of how tight to have the bolts where they wont loosen.
I paid about 50 quid for the torque wrench I have.
They are more important on carbon frame bikes I believe?0 -
No, what do you actually do up on a carbon frame? Bottle holder bolts? BBs tend to be pressies.0
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I've seen plenty of people wreck stuff by blindly believing their torque wrench.
And nobody ever wrecked anything by thinking they can do it by feel?All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=129946070 -
Of course they have.
But once you hone your feel it pretty much never happens.0 -
In assessments of experienced spanner wielders they get far better results than torque wrenches.
The parameter that actually matters is the tensile strain on the bolt, nominal torques are used to try and achieve that, but crud in the thread (or a cleaned lubed one) mean very different tensile strains for the same torque applied, which is why many critical bolts use a low level torque setting followed by angles, and that is how most bolts on a modern car engine are run up in manufacture regardless of the fact the service manual has to use torque.
An experienced spanner wielder can tell when the bolt is into its elastic deformation region that the torque setting strives to achieve and 'jobs a good'un'.Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.0 -
Of course they have. But when someone says it felt crazy tight but the torque wrench said...I've seen plenty of people wreck stuff by blindly believing their torque wrench.
And nobody ever wrecked anything by thinking they can do it by feel?I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools0 -
In assessments of experienced spanner wielders they get far better results than torque wrenches.
An experienced spanner wielder can tell when the bolt is into its elastic deformation region that the torque setting strives to achieve and 'jobs a good'un'.
When you say "experienced spanner wielder" you mean people who do it for a living and hone their skill on a daily basis as opposed to guys who work in offices and fix their bikes on weekends? Yes?All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=129946070 -
No, you don't have to do it daily, I work in an office, I only wield them at the weekend and can manage just fine.Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.0
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Chunkers1980 wrote:Does a cassette really need to go that high?? I don't do them very tight and have never had one come undone.
Look at the picture, its a very common fitting, of course you can take it or leave it, in my youf i've completely rebuild a VW engine without using one, but on more delicate machinery I tend to believe the value is there for a reason.
http://www.probikeshop.fr/sram-cassette-9v-x9-pg980/502.html
I just reackon that with many of the more expensive fittings on brakes , gear levers, matchmakers, stems etc its probably a worthwhile investment, shearing bolts in these components will at very least make you somewhat angry and stop you riding or at worst make a big hole in your pocket !Every time I go out, I think I'm being checked out, faceless people watching on a TV screen.....0 -
It's just a bicycle. Some of us have been destroying them for many decades.In assessments of experienced spanner wielders they get far better results than torque wrenches.
An experienced spanner wielder can tell when the bolt is into its elastic deformation region that the torque setting strives to achieve and 'jobs a good'un'.
When you say "experienced spanner wielder" you mean people who do it for a living and hone their skill on a daily basis as opposed to guys who work in offices and fix their bikes on weekends? Yes?I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools0 -
For the sake of a few quid I can't think of any good reason not to. Besides, they're proper man tools, so you get extra points on your Man Card.All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=129946070 -
Thanks to all of you, all makes for interesting reading. Truth is, it's my mate who has asked me for one for his birthday - he's got a carbon bike (posy git) and is a bit of a worrier. Personally, I've always gone on feel myself and not had any major issues, but he wants to try a bit more DIY on his bike and reckons there's a good chance he'll crack something if he doesn't use a torque wrench.
Thanks PXR5 for the link - that looks the sort of package.0 -
Proper men use their fingers or teeth, or at a push a tool, but never a torque wrench unless absolutely necessary!Besides, they're proper man tools, so you get extra points on your Man Card.Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.0 -
# he's got a carbon bike (posy git) and is a bit of a worrier.
Tell him to go easy on those bottle cage bolts.0 -
The only proper man tool is a hammer.
Proper men use their fingers or teeth, or at a push a tool, but never a torque wrench unless absolutely necessary!Besides, they're proper man tools, so you get extra points on your Man Card.
A big one.I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools0 -
I was thinking a big petrol driven angle grinder, not many uses on a carbon bike though. Can you get a petrol driven hammer?
The only proper man tool is a hammer.
Proper men use their fingers or teeth, or at a push a tool, but never a torque wrench unless absolutely necessary!Besides, they're proper man tools, so you get extra points on your Man Card.
A big one.0 -
Petrol is for girls. Real men use steam.
I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools0
