Torque wrench for home maintanence -

[MaMc]

Hi Bikehubbers,

I'm looking to try and be a bit more self sufficient when it comes to all thing bikes instead of running to the bike shop at the first signs of trouble. Looking to get a torque wrench to add to the toolbox but unsure when it comes to the torque requirements for certain parts of bike currently.

The one I'm looking at has a range of 2-14NM so obviously doesn't cover the full spectrum of torque specs needed for different bike parts. What parts/jobs would not fall in this range?

[117]

A dub crank at 54nm and your cassette locking ring at 30nm (or is it 40?) 

 

[Schnavel]

Unfortunately, you will need 2x torque wrenches to cover all components on the bike.

As 117 already mentions, the crank and cassette lockring require much higher torques, meaning a different torque wrench is required. Over the years, I used to tighten these by hand, as hard as I could, and now that I have a proper torque wrench, I wasn't that far out.

In my opinion, the more critical requirement is for the torque of small bolts etc, as these are easy to snap if overtightened. A small torque wrench, as you mention, will be sufficient for all of the best bolts. Try and get a torque wrench set which includes all of the allen key sockets required (3mm up to 10mm).

[TheoG]

I got one of these:

https://solomonscycles.co.za/products/axis-torque-wrench-set/

Cover most of what I need.  As mentioned the crank & cassette is the only place where you would need more.  I normally do those two on "feeling".

[MaMc]

Thanks everyone!

[ChrisF]

Have a look at a Giant dealer for this 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.liv-cycling.com/us/tool-shed-torqkey-torque-wrench-6nm&ved=2ahUKEwiSpd7IlNr3AhVhnVwKHd5vDQQQFnoECDMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1aPIlUdMz7okYGsyxJ2Ui9

 

 

It is probably THEE most used tool in my kit

[Alouette3]

I bought a Teng Tools 5-25nm 1/4in torque wrench, covers most things, including frame pivots etc.

I've got a big, cheaper auto 1/2in wrench that I only use on cassettes and cranks.

Then a Ryder fixed 5nm that is often handy just on stems etc

[guidodg]

5-25Nm is not very useful ...rather a 2-12 or so which will be more accurate when set a 4, 5, 6Nm which is where most of the use will be..

[madmarc]

I'm fortunate to have Torque wrenches from my trade days - But for bike maintenance they are the most important tools to have in your tool arsenal. As others have posted a 2 - 12 Nm is required and then one that can do 30 - 100 Nm for the BB/Cranks & rear cassette which is normally 40 - 45 Nm. the problem is these bigger ones can cost anything from 2.5 - 6K

Many will say the cheaper the Torque Wrench the less accurate it is and i'm not sure how in-accurate these cheapies are.

I've used a Beam Type Torque Wrench before and found it to be pretty accurate for torque at 30Nm and above  and they are cheap when compared to others. 

 

[mazambaan]

I could end up with three torque wrenches if I don't trust my calibrated wrist as I should have. I have a 3/8" drive up to 25Nm and a 1/2" drive 20Nm to more than 100.  I learnt the hard way that the top or bottom end of the ranges is not accurate (who supplies timeserts?).

Need say 15 or 20Nm to 40 or 50Nm; 3/8" drive.

[The Ouzo]

but how much tolerance is built into the torque values prescribed by the parts manufacturers and how in-accurate are these torque wrenches ?

[Schnavel]

17 hours ago, TheoG said:

I got one of these:

https://solomonscycles.co.za/products/axis-torque-wrench-set/

Cover most of what I need.  As mentioned the crank & cassette is the only place where you would need more.  I normally do those two on "feeling".

Perfect set - will cover all of the critical components on your bike.

[TheoG]

Just now, Schnavel said:

Perfect set - will cover all of the critical components on your bike.

My thoughts exactly .... .  For the crank and cassette, they need to be very tight, so as someone else said, "my calibrated wrist" is good enough for that.

[dave303e]

1 hour ago, guidodg said:

5-25Nm is not very useful ...rather a 2-12 or so which will be more accurate when set a 4, 5, 6Nm which is where most of the use will be..

this^^^

17 hours ago, TheoG said:

I got one of these:

https://solomonscycles.co.za/products/axis-torque-wrench-set/

Cover most of what I need.  As mentioned the crank & cassette is the only place where you would need more.  I normally do those two on "feeling".

good option, I have a nice 1/4" drive one makes life easier, for above that it is better to get a 1/2 or 3/4" drive set rather to match your full size socket set. 

14 minutes ago, TheoG said:

My thoughts exactly .... .  For the crank and cassette, they need to be very tight, so as someone else said, "my calibrated wrist" is good enough for that.

remember a 10% error in 4nm is 0.4nm. but a 10% error at 40nm is 4nm, so the bigger the torque setting the easier it is to get to close enough

[The Ouzo]

18 minutes ago, dave303e said:

remember a 10% error in 4nm is 0.4nm. but a 10% error at 40nm is 4nm, so the bigger the torque setting the easier it is to get to close enough

exactly my point. Most components will give you a range (i.e. 5-6nm), so if you aim for the middle of that range and your wrench has a 10% error you are still going to be within the range specified. And I'm pretty certain that the range specified will also be in the "safe" zone leaving some room for error either side of it.

Thats not to say you must ignore the range and/or use grossly rubbish tools though.

[TheoG]

31 minutes ago, ouzo said:

exactly my point. Most components will give you a range (i.e. 5-6nm), so if you aim for the middle of that range and your wrench has a 10% error you are still going to be within the range specified. And I'm pretty certain that the range specified will also be in the "safe" zone leaving some room for error either side of it.

Thats not to say you must ignore the range and/or use grossly rubbish tools though.

At 5 -6 Nm I'm pretty confident that my Axis is accurate enough for my purposes.  For something like 2 Nm I would not trust it much, however there is nothing on my bike that require that low torque.