torque wrench help?

[jifdave]

thinking of treating myself to a torque wrench, i only want a cheap one (less than £50).

anything i should look out for or avoid?

 

[fossala]

I have a m-parts one. It works and hasn't broken in the last year I have had it. Think I paid around 50 quid as well.

 

[slowmotion]

I never found one that would cope with all the torques needed to do everything on a bike. There wasn't one that seemed to have the complete range needed ( about 5-55Nm). I compromised on one that did about 5-25Nm because the lower range is the one where you are in most in danger of thread-stripping or damaging a component. Anyway, that's what I rightly or wrongly guessed. I got one of these for about £35 including postage....

http://www.pvrdirect.co.uk/products...icrometer-Style-1-4Sq-Drive-5-25Nm-44-221lbin

 

[fossyant]

Where do you need 55Nm.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Where do you need 55Nm.

I'm no expert on this, but doesn't tightening a cassette require something close to that torque? I've found that unless I tighten a new cassette until I can hear multiple clicks, then tighten it a bit more, it tends to slip a few times when I start pedaling under load, e.g. uphill. I've never measured a cassette tightening using a torque wrench, though. Also, opinions seem to vary about how tight a cassette should be.

 

[fossyant]

You dont need a torque wrench for a cassette and I wouldnt go anywhere near that tight. Blimey. Most stuff is less than 10 and thats where you need it. You need low end accuracy.

 

[slowmotion]

Where do you need 55Nm.

I'm mistaken. I just had another peep at Table E1 in Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance.

"Shimano loose-ball-bearing bottom bracket lockring min 69Nm max 79 Nm"

I've no idea if you can get a torque wrench on to it, but I would imagine that pro mechanics can.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

You dont need a torque wrench for a cassette and I wouldnt go anywhere near that tight. Blimey. Most stuff is less than 10 and thats where you need it. You need low end accuracy.

I guess I wasn't clear in my previous post. I never use a torque wrench for tightening a cassette. I just use a normal wrench and do it up nice and tight. I only mentioned cassettes in connection with torque wrenches because of your previous comment about what you might need to use 55Nm on.

 

[fossyant]

Ah great. Personally I think you are best to use those which have better lower end accuracy.

I don't actually use one myself.

 

[slowmotion]

I guess I wasn't clear in my previous post. I never use a torque wrench for tightening a cassette. I just use a normal wrench and do it up nice and tight. I only mentioned cassettes in connection with torque wrenches because of your previous comment about what you might need to use 55Nm on.

Not far out!

Table E1 again..

"Shimano cassette cog lock ring 30-50 Nm"

 

[djb1971]

The most I've gone to is 40nm on cassettes and the same on slk crank bolts. Anything over that I just swing on

 

[slowmotion]

The most I've gone to is 40nm on cassettes and the same on slk crank bolts. Anything over that I just swing on

I did my cassette lockring up using that splined socket thingy, an adjustable 10" spanner , and a spring balance. Precision engineering, 35 Nm.

EDIT: CAUTION If you want to try this method, please be careful! If the adjustable spanner slips off the spined socket thingy, the hook on the spring balance will probably come back towards your eyeballs at considerable speed and with alarming force. You might consider the LBS instead.......but where's the fun in that?

 

[youngoldbloke]

I would recommend the STW1012 from PVR - 3/8 drive. 2-24Nm. That range will cover most bicycle related jobs. I also bought an AK623, 3/8, 27.1-108.5 Nm, but that has had very little use. PVR also had a good range of hex sockets and converters. The whole lot - 2 wrenches, socket set and converter, cost me around £60 at the time, but you only really need the lower range wrench for most jobs. (from 2012 thread, 2010/11 ish prices, but PVR are still very competitive).

 

[smokeysmoo]

I bought a GIANT branded one when I had a cf framed bike. It was a simple case of that's what the LBS had when I had some cash on my pocket.

It's been great for me as I'm not particularly mechanically sympathetic

I still use it now on my alu bikes as I've just got used to doing and I can't see the point in having it and not using it.

I'd recommend it to anyone


[EDIT] You can also get the RITCHEY TORQUE KEY for a few quid which is preset at 5Nm

 

[endoman]

I got one of these for the low end stuff, been excellent,

http://www.primera-sports.com/products/torque-wrenchs-988/topeak-combo-torque-wrench-17550.aspx