torque wrench article

[Lewis Moon]

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/best-torque-wrench-for-bicycle-grouptest-46517/

[aaron 1804]

Fun read....I did not realize there were so many options.

I have the Topeaks and love them. The little one needs reset every time the torque setting is reached but I don't mind taking my time with the pricey parts. They also come with some really nice bits and sockets.

I can't imagine drivetrain work without them now that I have used them. Funny thing is most of the time I am way under on the smaller fasteners. There have been a few times I wasn't sure if I should trust the tool....4 or 5 Nm on those little stem bolts feels like an awful lot through the longer handle of the torque wrench.

[cmbicycles]

Link says the article doesn't exist... Therefore torque wrenches aren't necessary just go by feel ;)

[mvrider]

I was disappointed that the CDI wrench was omitted:

http://www.protorquetools.com/DSN/wwwyourtoolprocom/Commerce/ProductImages/mn1_005547.jpg

http://www.bikeradar.com/us/mtb/gear/article/friday-five-a-side-this-weeks-best-new-gear-40964/

[drewellison]

In the old days, it was tighten until it starts to strip, then back off 1/4 turn. :crap:

[R3awak3n]

I was disappointed that the CDI wrench was omitted:

http://www.protorquetools.com/DSN/wwwyourtoolprocom/Commerce/ProductImages/mn1_005547.jpg

http://www.bikeradar.com/us/mtb/gear/article/friday-five-a-side-this-weeks-best-new-gear-40964/

same here. found it strange that the pre torque one was there but not the adjustable. It is also a great wrench, I love mine. There are some places however that are a bit hard to reach with it (like rear brake nut) so next time I would probably get a different one.

[Robbos]

I was disappointed that the CDI wrench was omitted:

http://www.protorquetools.com/DSN/wwwyourtoolprocom/Commerce/ProductImages/mn1_005547.jpg

http://www.bikeradar.com/us/mtb/gear/article/friday-five-a-side-this-weeks-best-new-gear-40964/

Have one. Love it.

[Mark McM]

This article confirms what I have been saying for a while: Bending beam torque wrenches (like the Park TW-1) often give the best performance for the money. They are accurate and repeatable (the TW-1 was among the most precise in this test), while also being low cost and low maintenance.

What is not mentioned in this test is that the ratcheting/breakaway type torque wrenches (most of the models in this test) can go out of calibration as they wear during use and require periodic recalibration (Whereas bending beam torque wrenches keep their calibration almost permanently). One of the main purposes of that fancy digital torque gauge used in the Bikerader article is for the periodic test and re-calibration of ratcheting/breakaway type torque wrenches. It would be interesting to see the results of repeat of this test after the torque wrenches had been in use for a year or two.

[weaponsgrade]

This article confirms what I have been saying for a while: Bending beam torque wrenches (like the Park TW-1) often give the best performance for the money. They are accurate and repeatable (the TW-1 was among the most precise in this test), while also being low cost and low maintenance.

What is not mentioned in this test is that the ratcheting/breakaway type torque wrenches (most of the models in this test) can go out of calibration as they wear during use and require periodic recalibration (Whereas bending beam torque wrenches keep their calibration almost permanently). One of the main purposes of that fancy digital torque gauge used in the Bikerader article is for the periodic test and re-calibration of ratcheting/breakaway type torque wrenches. It would be interesting to see the results of repeat of this test after the torque wrenches had been in use for a year or two.

When the ratcheting type torque wrenches do go out of calibration do you find that they're typically over-reporting or under-reporting the torque?

[Mark McM]

When the ratcheting type torque wrenches do go out of calibration do you find that they're typically over-reporting or under-reporting the torque?

It depends: If the moving surfaces wear or the springs fatigue, they under-report; if the lubrication is depleted, they over-report.

The break-away torque wrenches typically use some type of toggling mechanism, whose action depends on many variables including elastic force, geometry and friction. Like any other moving mechanism, they are subject to wear and friction, and their performance will change over time/use.

In comparison, a bending beam torque wrench has no moving parts, and so is not subject to wear or friction.

[weaponsgrade]

Got it. Thanks for the explanation. I've got a Park beam type wrench and a Ritchey Torque key. The torque key is more convenient to use, but I think I'll stick to the beam type.