00:09 What to Buy 00:25 Component and Bolt Prep
00:34 Torque Specs
01:10 How to Torque and Prevent Over Torquing
02:11 When a Component is Attached by Multiple Bolts
03:25 Torque Wrench Storage When Not In Use
03:58 Beam Torque Wrench
04:18 Importance of Torque Specs
A torque wrench is essential for bike maintenance for road bicycle, mountain bike and especially a torque wrench carbon fiber bike.
1. Buy a quality torque wrench, one with a calibration of 1-4%. A click style 1-24 Nm will serve most of your needs. It may cost more but it's critical, especially for carbon fiber bikes.
2. Make sure you use the proper preparation on the bolt being tightened (see the reference in the upper right of the screen). Often parts of the bike will be marked with the torque required. If only the maximum is shown, use about 20% less since this is a maximum only. If there is a range, I use the mid-range. If necessary, consult the manufacture's specifications for the part on the internet.
3. We show you how to use and set the torque. Listen for a click as you tighten bolts. You'll only hear it once. When you tighten a component with multiple bolts, on the stem, tighten one bolt slightly, then the other, going back and forth till your hear the torque wrench click. One a handlebar clamp bolt with 4 bolts, first make sure that the gaps above and below are even. Move crosswise, tightening slightly thee upper right -lower left, the upper left, lower right until you hear the torque wench click at the 4 points.
4. A torque wrench in regular use doesn’t need to be wound back. If you expect to store a torque wrench for more than a few weeks, always wind it down to the lowest scale setting (never to zero). Storing a fully loaded torque wrench can weakening the spring over time. But if you completely offload the spring to the zero setting, other components within the wrench may move a little. And in the world of torque, a little is a lot. Reference:
5. Never use a torque wrench to remove a bolt. If the bolt will not free within the maximum torque of the wrench, another tool should be used instead. By exceeding the maximum torque limit during a bolt loosening you can affect the wrench accuracy, causing problems for future use. If in any doubt, use another tool for loosening bolts.
6. Occasionally you will come across a long arm torque wrench that measures torque wrench foot pounds. These are used where high torque is required such as the bottom bracket bolt on some bicycles.
7. To repeat: Pay attention to the manufacture's torque specs. How to find the torque specs? Check the bike component for torque markings, the internet or your local bicycle mechanic. Over tightening can lead to damage of bolt, bike part or frame. The most common carbon components requiring torque are the mounting bolts for carbon handlebars and seat post. I also suggest torquing any mounting bolt that goes into a carbon frame.
General References (with all bike parts, especially carbon fiber, always consult the manufacturers specification that came with the part, online, or with your local bicycle mechanic):
Bikeride, common torque specs:
Dedham Bike, including some carbon fiber:
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