Cycle Torque Wrench

[_Hoppers]

Just got my first carbon bike and I'm concious I need to correctly torque the bolts for my seat stem/head etc.

I've already ordered one of these, based on reviews of its quality and accuracy.

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/park-tool-adjustable-torq...

I'm wondering if I would have been better with something like this as the Top Peak tool might be a bit limiting?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pro-Bike-Tool-Torque-Wren...

I originally thought a tool which would accurately torque a bolt up would be better than a cheaper adjustable torque wrench which may be a bit off, but if I need to torque more than 6nm I'm stuck (the seat post states max 8nm for example)

Thoughts anyone, I don't really want to spend more than £60 or so?

[Justin S]

I have an earlier version of the top peak one and does do the job, but as to how well it is calibrated , I cant say. Most of tightening bolts is common sense, but by using this , gives me peace of mind I have torqued correctly.
I am sure the Park one is pretty good. they dont sell many pup tools.

[Tony1963]

Any torque wrench needs to be regularly calibrated, especially if the reason you’re buying a particular model is because of its accuracy. In my aviation company, our ‘torque testers” on the wall are calibrated by a UKAS agency every six months, and all torque wrenches in use are set up using them. Torque wrenches are fully calibrated every year.

Please bear in mind that there should always be a min and max torque value. Also make sure that you hold the torque wrench in the correct way! Obvious, but often overlooked.

[Justin S]

Tony1963 said:

Any torque wrench needs to be regularly calibrated, especially if the reason you’re buying a particular model is because of its accuracy. In my aviation company, our ‘torque testers” on the wall are calibrated by a UKAS agency every six months, and all torque wrenches in use are set up using them. Torque wrenches are fully calibrated every year.

Please bear in mind that there should always be a min and max torque value. Also make sure that you hold the torque wrench in the correct way! Obvious, but often overlooked.

Seeing how when I had a company van tyre changed at one of the 'kwik' outlets and seeing them lob torque wrenches across the floor and 'yanking until they click' stupidity , from a so called professional amazed me, to the point of emailing their head office and advising on mistreatment of calibrated tools and staff needing training to use them. They replied with a thanks and I bet nothing changed.
The wrenches for £40 are not at a tolerance required for aviation. Yes, cycling has some nice materials to be bolted together , but would be interesting to know how much a proper calibration certificate for your torque wrenches are ?
I was always told to use a wrench and then unscrew the tension to give a decent life expectancy and help tolerance for any of my home wrenches.

[S6PNJ]

I have the Ritchey 5Nm torque key (bought back in 2014 I think) and while looking for a picture of it, found this set of reviews from 2016 - might be of use?
https://www.bikeradar.com/features/the-best-cyclin...

My torque key:

[itsnotarace]

I have the BBB one for the bike, works fine and not had any cracked carbon as yet. As above I always wind back the torque setting to zero after using it

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/bbb-torquefix-kit-btl73/

[Tony1963]

Justin S said:

Seeing how when I had a company van tyre changed at one of the 'kwik' outlets and seeing them lob torque wrenches across the floor and 'yanking until they click' stupidity , from a so called professional amazed me, to the point of emailing their head office and advising on mistreatment of calibrated tools and staff needing training to use them. They replied with a thanks and I bet nothing changed.
The wrenches for £40 are not at a tolerance required for aviation. Yes, cycling has some nice materials to be bolted together , but would be interesting to know how much a proper calibration certificate for your torque wrenches are ?
I was always told to use a wrench and then unscrew the tension to give a decent life expectancy and help tolerance for any of my home wrenches.

Most of the time the tolerances are quite large, for example 280 to 320lbf.in. (Yep, American aircraft!).
I’ve no idea how much the calibration costs, but it won’t be excessive.

What I’d do, if I was concerned, is find a local engineering place that has a calibrated torque tester.

[_Hoppers]

Thanks for all you input chaps, all good suggestions and comments. The Park Tools wrench has just arrived and it seems to be good quality so I think I'll stick with it. In hindsight I'll probably only adjusting seat post/bars on an irregular basis so this tool should be me fine?

[millen]

I've had a BBB TorqueSet for 10 years now - was c. £30 and looks like older version of the BBB TorqueFix. It came with a certificate of calibration - never had it re-calibrated but it still 'feels' right and as above I always slacken it off after use.

I take one of those simple 5Nm TorqueKey socket drivers when travelling by air. Obviously you want to ensure the threads are free of grit and well greased. For multi-attachment things like stems, handlebars and brake discs it's best to tighten the bolts progressively and in sequence. Saddle mounting bolts are the only ones I find loosen over time. Pedal spindles I only ever do finger tight.

For cassettes requiring 40-45Nm you'll want a car torque wrench ideally but I guess many just do it by feel.

[Gareth79]

For doing a basic test on torque wrenches I put the end in a bench vice and then pull on the handle using a digital luggage scale. I can't remember if I've used this on my smaller one though. The "hang a known weight" method would probably work better for lighter weight wrenches.

[flight147z]

I use the basic torque wrench that came with my Canyon. I can't imagine something like this is worth more than £10 or so

It's been fine for me for the last three years. None of the bolts that I undo a lot need to be particularly tight (5Nm or so) and to be honest I reckon I could get the right level of torque just using common sense. You may be overthinking how accurate you need to be with this