How important is a torque wrench?
#26
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Not very for bottom brackets. I have never had a problem where you the issue is getting things, like BB cups, that need to be tight, tight enough. When the issue is making sure you don’t get things too tight (e.g. seat post and stem clamps around carbon posts and bars) a torque wrench is useful. But even then going by feel rarely causes a problem unless you get carried away.
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
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Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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#27
Scrubby duff
also, get a extended ball tip bits while at it, real handy.
#28
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Really important for carbon components. No so much for steel or alu ones.
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#29
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I suggest getting eventually a digital torque adapter, rather than a full wrench, e.g., Performance Tool M206.
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#30
Scrubby duff
But they end up buying the lb-in wrench which isnt for common automotive purpose. They wanted lb-ft
#31
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The one star reviews have nothing to do with what you are suggesting - they are about the quality and accuracy of the device. It does not replace a good mechanical wrench.
#32
Scrubby duff
I didn't say all, I said sometimes. There are bad wrenches and poor makes, I understand that fact.
*oh! You meant the 1 star for that specific item. I thought you meant generally speaking...
Last edited by jma1st3r; 06-13-20 at 04:44 PM.
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#34
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When you read these 1-star reviews carefully, you may notice that they refer to mechanical devices, not a digital one. Amazon offers a variety of torque instruments there and unfortunately lumps the reviews together. You can find an overview of the digital adapters that are currently available here. I own M206 and it gives readings consistent a mechanical and reputable torque wrench I have. However, the digital device is so much easier to use - I do not think I will be going ever back to the mechanical one in everyday life.
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The torque spec for bottom brackets and for crank arm fixing bolts is generally around 30 ft/lbs. Imaging a 30 pound weight hanging off the end of a foot long wrench.
30 ft/lbs is more than I would probably use if left to my own judgement but less than what I'm capable of. It's definitely more than I'd use if I were tightening a crank arm with a folding Allen key set.
30 ft/lbs is more than I would probably use if left to my own judgement but less than what I'm capable of. It's definitely more than I'd use if I were tightening a crank arm with a folding Allen key set.
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#37
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We routinely find people lifting things that are 40-50 pounds that they estimate to be below 25. Most people are really surprised how much something weighs when they actually put it on a scale. This is also why no fastener is installed without a torque spec and torque wrench or screwdriver.
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#39
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You would be surprised how much people misjudge weight. I work in a factory where the workers are not supposed to lift anything less than 25 pounds by themselves, and Anything over fifty pounds needs lifting devices (hoist, crane, etc.).
We routinely find people lifting things that are 40-50 pounds that they estimate to be below 25. Most people are really surprised how much something weighs when they actually put it on a scale.
We routinely find people lifting things that are 40-50 pounds that they estimate to be below 25. Most people are really surprised how much something weighs when they actually put it on a scale.
#40
Obviously it IS impossible to gauge, by hand, how much torque you apply, but you have to ask yourself its really important to know in the first place. - Not very close seem to be close enough. - I mean, sure, you're not likely to hit 5 Nm or 40 Nm on the nose by hand, but its also not like you cant safely mount a bar or seat post or cassette without a torque wrench, unless you are a true ham fist. Im betting its less than 1% of bike mechanics that own or use a torque tool, but its not like all those bikes, put together by basic hand tools assplodes or fall apart "just because".
As mentioned before I would recommend using torque with carbon parts, but then again I would also advice using caution when picking the parts in the first place. For instance many stems are inherently not suitable for carbon sterrers or bars because the clamping surfaces are reduced to the bare minimum, ensuring you will leave clamping marks in the soft carbon no matter what you do.
As mentioned before I would recommend using torque with carbon parts, but then again I would also advice using caution when picking the parts in the first place. For instance many stems are inherently not suitable for carbon sterrers or bars because the clamping surfaces are reduced to the bare minimum, ensuring you will leave clamping marks in the soft carbon no matter what you do.
#41
What kind of torque wrench would people recommend for most situations? I see there are some drivers set to 4, 5, or 6 nm, there is one driver that is adjustable, then there is a regular torque wrench and I guess you just change the heads on that and can make it a driver as well. They make those in 1/4, 1/2 etc.
What is the best choice?
What is the best choice?
#42
Junior Member
What kind of torque wrench would people recommend for most situations? I see there are some drivers set to 4, 5, or 6 nm, there is one driver that is adjustable, then there is a regular torque wrench and I guess you just change the heads on that and can make it a driver as well. They make those in 1/4, 1/2 etc.
What is the best choice?
What is the best choice?
My result: Most useful is 1/4" adjustable torque 2Nm-20Nm
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You can break a 1/4" drive by hand - it is like a relatively thin bolt. Considering that you might be interested in higher torques for larger bolts, I would go with a higher drive and use a coupler to go down. I also totally recommend a digital device. You can use it to answer various kind of questions, like how much torque can my fingers apply to a thumb screw, etc.
#44
When I was high school stupident taking auto shop class, I asked my shop teacher how much torque I should put some some particular fastener. His reply: "1/4 turn before snap." Words to live by.
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#47
#48
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Always torque.
But for bicycles you need 2 tourque wrenches. One for up to about 20 nm, and one for the larger ones, over 40 nm.
Note you need one that measures clock and counterclock wise for BB. Only the good tourque wrenches measure both ways. I have a bad one that only works one way and have to eyeball the other BB cup. Maybe time to buy a better one.....
But for bicycles you need 2 tourque wrenches. One for up to about 20 nm, and one for the larger ones, over 40 nm.
Note you need one that measures clock and counterclock wise for BB. Only the good tourque wrenches measure both ways. I have a bad one that only works one way and have to eyeball the other BB cup. Maybe time to buy a better one.....
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Just my fifteen cents. A torque wrench has a service-culture dimension to it. Using one is professional, clean and the proper way to go. But then, it is an investment. These things do not last forever I hear, and at least the type that I have needs to be unwound after each use, so the spring does not retain the stress. I use it for all sensitive spots where the bolts can be easily ruined: the seat-post collar and around the stem. Oh, and the Shimano pinch bolts! That one is critical. The BB and my GXP crank are just fine tightened to about as tight as I can go.
"I have always done without a torque wrench and I have never had any issues" is not going to help you, should you encounter an issue.
"I have always done without a torque wrench and I have never had any issues" is not going to help you, should you encounter an issue.
#50
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You can break a 1/4" drive by hand - it is like a relatively thin bolt. Considering that you might be interested in higher torques for larger bolts, I would go with a higher drive and use a coupler to go down. I also totally recommend a digital device. You can use it to answer various kind of questions, like how much torque can my fingers apply to a thumb screw, etc.