CF Handlebars - How tight?

[wonduhboy]

How tight can you tighten the stem around CF handlebars? How can you measure this?

[TNT1]

Surely the torque settings are stamped on the bar, or in the literature that came with it? Measure with torque wrench...

[Thug]

Do yours not indicate to what NM they should be tightened to ?

 

My Ritchey's say 5NM if it helps.

[wonduhboy]

Hmmm, haven't checked for that.

Torque wrench? Is this a normal hardware store tool, or a bike specific one?

[AndreZA]

Go all the way until you hear a cracking noise and then give it half a turn back. 

Thank you, I'll be here till the end of the week.

 

 

[Velouria]

A mate told me a simple trick if you don't have a torque wrench (he races bikes locally, and builds bikes when not racing them). Use soft fingers on the bike tool - tighten until you can't anymore without stiffening up your fingers.

 

It is surprisingly accurate.

 

[TNT1]

 

Do yours not indicate to what NM they should be tightened to ? 

 

Yes, NM as in Newton Meters... of torque....

 

And yes, you can get a wrench suitable for this at most hardware stores, it will for sure be cheaper than getting one at a bike shop...

 

[AndreZA]

And yes' date=' you can get a wrench suitable for this at most hardware stores, it will for sure be cheaper than getting one at a bike shop...
[/quote']

 

Yes but some of those does not go as low as 5nm. Some only start at 20.

 

 

 

[TNT1]

 

 

And yes' date=' you can get a wrench suitable for this at most hardware stores, it will for sure be cheaper than getting one at a bike shop...

[/quote']

 

Yes but some of those does not go as low as 5nm. Some only start at 20.

 

 

 

 

Well, yes, but I figured the guy would check before buying that the tool will do the job...

 

[wonduhboy]

And yes' date=' you can get a wrench suitable for this at most hardware stores, it will for sure be cheaper than getting one at a bike shop...
[/quote']

 

Yes but some of those does not go as low as 5nm. Some only start at 20.

 

 

 

Well, yes, but I figured the guy would check before buying that the tool will do the job...

 

So if I cant find said measurements - what should I use as an estimation? Or is this asking for trouble?

[Thug]

Just don't follow Mampara's suggestion !! 

[Dr. Seuss]

 

take it to your LBS - you would actually be rather surprised to find out that a lot of them do not even use torque wrenches.

 

i do all my carbon to carbon 5.5 NM.

 

actually went out and bought a torque wrench after cracking my first carbon seat post and use the thing at least once a week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[wonduhboy]

Doc I assume that you use it on your seatpost as well?

[AndreZA]

take it to your LBS - you would actually be rather surprised to find out that a lot of them do not even use torque wrenches.

i do all my carbon to carbon 5.5 NM.

actually went out and bought a torque wrench after cracking my first carbon seat post and use the thing at least once a week!

 

That is why Probike must get their arses in gear and start stocking these from BBB.

 

http://www.bbbparts.com/products/accessories/tools/images/torquefix.jpg

 

 

[Jokerman]

Yip 5 Nm is the norm, that is what ITM stipulates as well...........

 

And here is the big trick....you need to buy a special small torque wrench to get this as the normal industrial ones don't go that low....

 

Price ?? About R4k

 

[Dr. Seuss]

 

Doc I assume that you use it on your seatpost as well?

 

yep - i torque everything - even the alu to alu stuff.

 

washed my bike once and the rear deraileur came off the bike in my hand - suspect it was not tightened  properly and the road vibrations just loosened the  nuts over time.