Torque Talk: The Essential Tool You Might Be Misusing

A torque wrench is a pretty critical part of your bike maintenance kit, especially if you have carbon fiber components. It allows you to tighten bolts to the manufacturer’s specifications and avoid damage from over-tightening, but many people don’t know the do’s and don’ts of proper use and storage.

There’s a wide range of torque wrenches available, from around 20 euro to several hundred. The lowest-priced ones typically have preset torque settings, usually around 5Nm. These can be convenient, especially on the road. However, I also recommend investing a little more in an adjustable wrench for home use, so you can dial in different settings for all your components.

Torque settings vary based on the specific parts and their manufacturers, so I won’t be giving specific numbers or recommendations on that. Instead, here’s a list of tips to help ensure you’re using your torque wrench correctly and keeping your gear safe:

• Read the instructions. Different wrenches may have unique instructions.

• Hold the wrench properly. Holding a click-style wrench in the wrong place can result in inaccurate torque readings.

• Store your wrench at its lowest setting (but not below the minimum on the scale) to help maintain calibration.

• Never use a torque wrench to loosen or break bolts free.

• Tighten bolts in a smooth, controlled motion for accurate results.

• If checking the torque on an already installed bolt, loosen it slightly first (with a different wrench!), then measure while re-tightening.

• Be careful with unit conversions. Foot-pounds and inch-pounds are very different.

• Remember: a torque wrench is a precision tool. Handle and store it with care.

Having a decent torque wrench that’s used and stored properly can save you a ton of time and money. Cracked steerer tubes, seat posts, or handlebars are not something you want... so make the investment and keep your bike in one solid, non-cracked, piece.