Andrew Deane
Speeding Up
- Aug 17, 2007
- 121
- 0
Torque Wrenches
I recently became the proud new owner of a Specialized Roubaix Expert Ulegra Compact, my very first carbon-framed bike (plug: Super-comfortable no matter what the road surface dishes up!). After all the excitement died down, I learned that carbon frames are not so forgiving of a rough hand, and that certain bolts must be tightened to specific torque specifications (NM Newton meters or inch-pounds). Failure to comply could result in damage to the frame cosmetics, tube compaction, bolt shearing, and a rash of other potentially catastrophic failures.
Before I dare tell my my wife I'll be spending more money on a new torque wrench (they are expensive little babies), I have a few questions that I hope you can help me with:
How seriously should these precise torque recommendations be taken?
How many of you own and use a torque wrench?
If you own & use one, what is the make and model, and what is its range? (I noticed several styles and several ranges on the web).
If I were to shell out a lot of cash for one, what range is the most universal / most useful? (e.g. Pedro's runs 2.3 - 22.6 Nm, Park Tool has two - 0 - 6.8 Nm and 0 - 67.8 Nm).
What is the typical range on a typical carbon-framed bike?
I'd appreciate any help in tightening down the answers.
Andrew
I recently became the proud new owner of a Specialized Roubaix Expert Ulegra Compact, my very first carbon-framed bike (plug: Super-comfortable no matter what the road surface dishes up!). After all the excitement died down, I learned that carbon frames are not so forgiving of a rough hand, and that certain bolts must be tightened to specific torque specifications (NM Newton meters or inch-pounds). Failure to comply could result in damage to the frame cosmetics, tube compaction, bolt shearing, and a rash of other potentially catastrophic failures.
Before I dare tell my my wife I'll be spending more money on a new torque wrench (they are expensive little babies), I have a few questions that I hope you can help me with:
How seriously should these precise torque recommendations be taken?
How many of you own and use a torque wrench?
If you own & use one, what is the make and model, and what is its range? (I noticed several styles and several ranges on the web).
If I were to shell out a lot of cash for one, what range is the most universal / most useful? (e.g. Pedro's runs 2.3 - 22.6 Nm, Park Tool has two - 0 - 6.8 Nm and 0 - 67.8 Nm).
What is the typical range on a typical carbon-framed bike?
I'd appreciate any help in tightening down the answers.
Andrew