torque wrench

I do not agree with the previous post recommending under tensioning bolts. The quote from www.lifetime-reliability.com about bolt tension explains why.

"Bolts are normally tightened by applying torque to the head or nut, which causes bolt to stretch. The stretching results in bolt tension, known as preload, which is the force that holds a joint together. Torque meter can be used to measure bolt tension.

High preload tension helps to keep bolts tight, increases the strength of a joint, and generates friction between parts to resist shear and improves the fatigue resistance of bolted connections

."

Of course, I defer to the experts on carbon but it is definitely a no-no to under tension bolts. Imagine doing that to connecting rod bolts in a car engine. Bike bolts undergo all sorts of cyclic stress so lets give them a fighting chance eh?

More reading here: http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=metal%...

I use the Pro one as well, and it actually provides 0.4-20Nm if you use the scale on the adjuster carefully.

I also agree with the post above - I usually go to the somewhere between the middle and the maximum recommended torque. Example, if it says 7-9Nm for the brake caliper bolts I'll go 8-9Nm So long as you don't exceed the max you're OK.

Undertensioning leaves you prone to things coming loose at the worst possible moment, and can result in early fatigue failure. The only exception I wold grant would be brake and shifter clamp bolts on the bars, where I tighten them up just enough to resist in-use movement, but loose enough so that they'll move in a bingle as opposed to snapping off.

I purchased a Park Tool TW-1 which I've found really good. However, the value of the 'Pro' along with the attachments it comes with looks like good value. It also has a wider range.

I've only had to use my larger Kinchrome torque wrench once when double checking the installation of the BB & XTR cranks.

Yes fatboy - they will appear tighter but that's due to the imperfect mention of measuring bolt torque.
When you are using a torque wrench to tension a bolt (notice the two different terms torque and tension) you are trying to stretch the bolt a pre-determined amount calculated by the amount of torque applied. This is a bit of a guessing game as the lubrication on the threads, bolt head etc can make a huge difference in the resultant bolt tension for a given amount of torque. When you come back an re-check a bolt torque, you have to overcome this intial friction which needs a larger amount of torque to overcome. You are now over torquing the fastener assuming it was correct to begin with and the joint has not moved in the meantime. For accurate bolt tension measurement you have to use something like this:-

http://www.checkline.com/product.php?id=125935&l...

This is good reading too.

http://www.boltscience.com/pages/tighten.htm

I agree with you to a point hathill. Your on the money with steal and aluminium bolts and components.

BUT when you are clamping carbon parts with a steal bolt the bolt will not come close to reaching the point at which it stretches.

Check out Torpedo7 - Good deal until tomorrow

Use a Birzman 1/4" drive set that comes with the 'standard' bits - it is a 3-15Nm and bit sockets of 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm and T25. Made for bicycles

You could always get a 3/8 adapter. I purchased a Kinchrome set years ago for general car / garage use. Expensive, but it'll last forever.

http://www.justtools.com.au/prod5514.htm

(You can find it a lot cheaper than this... I also don't think this kit contains the adapter you need!)

http://www.kincrome.com.au/web/catalogue/search/...

Good for 2 - 24Nm. I have the next size up which I can vouch for. Bunnings sell em for around $80. I thought this came with a 3/8 adapter, but the website doesn't say so. Great value for money considering the quality. I'm very happy with the quality of the next size up. (mainly used for cars... or BB)

No, I don't work for them, just a happy customer. Sidchrome was too expensive... but quality is a must.

If you're not wanting to spend a ton, I'm using a very good sub-$100 wrench by Giant. (I've seen it as a 'BBB' also.) Gets a 4.5 star rating from bikeradar; http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/tools/wre....

It comes with a certificate of calibration, so someone believes in it's accuracy and quality.

It has both Hex 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10mm driver bits, and a T25 torx bit (rotor bolts). The wrench is calibrated in Newton Metres and is marked at each 2NMs, from 2 to 24.

A quick google shows it at http://www.moruyabicycles.com.au/contents/en-uk/...

Hey DiscoDan I think you've nailed this one...looks good!
Thanks everyone on your contributions, flipping fantastico!!

I was alone broken down in the outback 70 km north of Laverton and I needed a torque wrench, badly, to get me out of the jam i was in. I hadn’t eaten for 6 days, my water was rationed and i was sun burnt and delirious. I was seeing MR Bear Grylls out of the corner of my eye.

I began to think like Bear, feel like a Bear and armed only with a stick and some water began to fashion a Bear Grylls torque wrench. I called out to Bear and carved the following into the sand:

"torque = force times the radius"

I could measure a radius for god sake! I wasnt going to die from a lack of a radius. I measured a metre length out on a stick (a decent stick). Bear and I began to feel better.

Now I needed force. Bear and I held the stick togethere and carved the following into the sand:
"force = mass times acceleration"

WHATS that BEAR? WE all have acceleration? here, there, all around, yes gravity! (9.8 m/sec2.

"Well, said Bear "allow me my dear Jimmy Sprocket to present to you some mass, not just any mass, waterery mass, made of water, and with a density of one."

"I Think you get it now. Dont you Jimmy". And with that Bear was gone.

YES i DID. At one end of a metre stick I hung a 1/2 litre bottle of water , at the other end i attached a bike spanner (with spinifex and sap) and let gravity push the lever down until it would not spin the nut anymore (5 nm = ~1/2 litre leverage at 1 metre).

so if youre stuck on a bike somwhere like I was, a Bear may find you.

Just got a very timely email. Superstar Componants have just released their own torque wrench. I'd buy this one.
http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?...