Torque and carbon forks

[MattDB]

Apologies - one of several threads as I try to put a boxed bike together (wishing I'd opted for the assembled version!). I've had it 3 days but haven't ridden it yet

The bike came with the front brake calipers in a bag - I've put these on but have absolutely no idea how tight these should be (8-10Nm from the manual). I don't have a torque wrench, I'll (begrudgingly) buy one if this is really important but would probably only use it once. That said I don't want to damage my new forks.

Just wondered what other people have done? Do people guess based on things like a) hand tight b) quite tight c) really tight d) I'm gonna have to get my girlfriend to do this one up etc or does everyone have a torque wrench in their toolkit?

I'm sure there'll be different thoughts on this?

 

[Smokin Joe]

All the calipers I've fitted to carbon forks and stays have been done up with an Allen key exactly the same as on steel or aluminium - ie tight enough not to budge and nothing has ever broken. Believe me, 8-10 Nm is bloody tight.

 

[RebornBumbler]

I have mine set to exactly "pretty tight"
In real terms that means that if I grab the calipers and purposefully move them, I can - but not easily.
If in doubt, keep checking tightness after rides - if it's loosened-up, tighten some more.

Or buy a torque wrench...

 

[MattDB]

Cheers guys - much appreciated

 

[400bhp]

They need to be tight enough so there's no forward movement. So, if you've tightened them just enough for this then that's enough.