Torx

[Waldo]

I effing hate them. I have more than enough Allens in all sizes, including a 3.5 for Campy Deltas, but never the right dorx (sic)...

[oldpotatoe]

I effing hate them. I have more than enough Allens, but never the right dorx (sic)...

Really? Actually a good idea for the plethora of soft, aluminum bolts found these days on stuff that are entered into the 'WW' wars...

[FlashUNC]

I've got a couple sets if you need to borrow any.

[AngryScientist]

really?

which components are you checking out?

i find T25 is used a ton these days in bike kit, but rarely see any other torx sized widely in use??

[alancw3]

yeah i think torx is a useful tool. i think it was invented to provide a better alternative to a phillips head screwdriver. or maybe just another way manufacturers wanted to have a proprietary tool to force people to use a service person. there is now a third metric to this. it is a short face head phillips. i don't remember the name but will find out. it is like a short depth phillips head.

[Gummee]

Don't forget the security torx bolts that you need a tool with the middle hollowed out to unfasten

Not seen on too many bikes, but other places? sure

M

[cderalow]

really?

which components are you checking out?

i find T25 is used a ton these days in bike kit, but rarely see any other torx sized widely in use??


T25 and T10 and T30 are the three I always seem to see on bikes.

T25 being most things (stem bolts, 6-bolt rotors), T10 for hydraulic brakes and a t30 on some FSA crankset at some point.

I've got the park tws-3 and it covers the majority of times I've ever needed torx.

[kppolich]

Agreed on the 3 way park tool, works for almost everything although it is difficult to get into some places.

T25 has been a welcomed change IMO from 5mm/6mm hex heads that round out.

https://dbyvw4eroffpi.cloudfront.net/product-media/3QC/532/532/Park-Tool-TWS3-3-way-Torx-Wrench.jpg

[choke]

You're not alone, I hate them too. I have plenty of different size Torx so that's not the problem...I find that they're easier to strip than an allen. Often the bit feels like it's all the way in but it's not and as soon as you start to apply pressure the 'stars' start to bend.

I don't have much bike stuff with Torx and what little I do have I've replaced with allens whenever possible.

[Waldo]

Agreed on the 3 way park tool, works for almost everything although it is difficult to get into some places.

T25 has been a welcomed change IMO from 5mm/6mm hex heads that round out.

https://dbyvw4eroffpi.cloudfront.net/product-media/3QC/532/532/Park-Tool-TWS3-3-way-Torx-Wrench.jpg

I have a stem (!) that fits none of my Y-shapes torx key.

[Waldo]

Agreed on the 3 way park tool, works for almost everything although it is difficult to get into some places.

T25 has been a welcomed change IMO from 5mm/6mm hex heads that round out.

https://dbyvw4eroffpi.cloudfront.net/product-media/3QC/532/532/Park-Tool-TWS3-3-way-Torx-Wrench.jpg

I have a stem (!) whose bolts fit none of my Y-shaped torx keys.

[Gsinill]

You're not alone, I hate them too. I have plenty of different size Torx so that's not the problem...I find that they're easier to strip than an allen. Often the bit feels like it's all the way in but it's not and as soon as you start to apply pressure the 'stars' start to bend.

I don't have much bike stuff with Torx and what little I do have I've replaced with allens whenever possible.

Add another hater to the list.
I have 2 complete sets of them but in my opinion there is ZERO advantage over Allen (Hex).

[cderalow]

Agreed on the 3 way park tool, works for almost everything although it is difficult to get into some places.

T25 has been a welcomed change IMO from 5mm/6mm hex heads that round out.

https://dbyvw4eroffpi.cloudfront.net/product-media/3QC/532/532/Park-Tool-TWS3-3-way-Torx-Wrench.jpg

Funny... mine is green.

[cmg]

i hate them to but fortunately Harbor Freight carries a few cheap sets so you don't have to buy the more expensive bike specific ones.

[Lewis Moon]

I hate them too. I understand the whole soft aluminum bolt thingie, but I would rather they just use stainless and be done with it.

[Waldo]

This sucker better worx.....

[Ozz]

yeah i think torx is a useful tool. i think it was invented to provide a better alternative to a phillips head screwdriver. or maybe just another way manufacturers wanted to have a proprietary tool to force people to use a service person. there is now a third metric to this. it is a short face head phillips. i don't remember the name but will find out. it is like a short depth phillips head.

Invented as a solution for automated drivers:

First developed in 1967 by Camcar Textron and patented in 1971, the Torx bit was designed to complement a new wave of more accurate torque-limiting machinery. Prior to this, automatic screwdrivers relied on the sloping walls of Phillips screws to cam out when they reached their torque limit—a compromise that meant a little extra wear on the screw and driver to save both from breaking due to over-torquing.

However, with the advent of more precise machinery, this camming wasn’t required—and a bit with more solid contact could be used. As the Torx name suggests, the absence of tapered side walls and a much larger contact surface on the Torx bit allowed machines to torque fasteners up to their mechanical limits without slipping or camming out.

[Waldo]

The times I've used torx for Campy shifters and various stems I didn't find it any better than Allens. That and my "driver" is far from automated, adding to frustration.

Invented as a solution for automated drivers:

First developed in 1967 by Camcar Textron and patented in 1971, the Torx bit was designed to complement a new wave of more accurate torque-limiting machinery. Prior to this, automatic screwdrivers relied on the sloping walls of Phillips screws to cam out when they reached their torque limit—a compromise that meant a little extra wear on the screw and driver to save both from breaking due to over-torquing.

However, with the advent of more precise machinery, this camming wasn’t required—and a bit with more solid contact could be used. As the Torx name suggests, the absence of tapered side walls and a much larger contact surface on the Torx bit allowed machines to torque fasteners up to their mechanical limits without slipping or camming out.

[seahuston]

With Torx on all the fancy light aluminum bolts these days you MUST get a high quality torx set. One thing I've found with Torx is that the cheaper drivers don't fit nearly as tightly or evenly as they should which just rounds things out. With a high quality set, I don't have this problem and have come to like torx.

I'm a Wiha fan myself and love their bit selector sets:
https://www.wihatools.com/torxr-bit-selector-set-with-universal-magnetic-bit-holder
https://media.wihatools.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/1200x1000/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/7/9/79242.jpg

Related: get a really nice allen set as well. There aren't a ton of tools necessary for working on a bike, it's worth it to get stuff that won't cause any damage.

[Waldo]

^^^ That looks like an awesome excuse for tool shopping

[zzy]

I've had more torx screws strip out on me than allen bolts.

Death to Alu and Ti bolts. SS forever.

[Waldo]

So, the green multi-tool torx key worked, but the key-bolt engagement felt loose, again leaving me to wonder why the eff a stem would need these.

[unterhausen]

I have noticed a lot of construction screws are coming with torx heads now. It works. The alternatives aren't that great, and I suppose torx would be less annoying if I had 10 sets of high quality drivers distributed among my tool boxes like I do with phillips and hex.

[BdaGhisallo]

I have noticed a lot of construction screws are coming with torx heads now. It works. The alternatives aren't that great, and I suppose torx would be less annoying if I had 10 sets of high quality drivers distributed among my tool boxes like I do with phillips and hex.

I think overall: hex > torx > pozidrive > phillips.

[unterhausen]

I can't really disagree with that ranking, hex seems to work really well if the fastener supplier can get their act together.

I just went down the rabbit hole of looking at Wera and Wiha torx drivers and added about $300 worth of tools to my wish list at amazon

[BdaGhisallo]

I can't really disagree with that ranking, hex seems to work really well if the fastener supplier can get their act together.

I just went down the rabbit hole of looking at Wera and Wiha torx drivers and added about $300 worth of tools to my wish list at amazon

Wera makes some great tools. I just updated my hex tool selection with Wera Hex Plus T handles and a bunch of Hex Plus 1/4" bits and ratchets. Great stuff and the Hex Plus interface is a great improvement over normal everyday hex drivers.

Check out KC Tool for an awesome selection of both brands and others.

[Ozz]

...I just went down the rabbit hole of looking at Wera and Wiha torx drivers and added about $300 worth of tools to my wish list at amazon
There was a pretty cool set of Wiha torque drivers that I added to my list!:beer:

[unterhausen]

my favorite t-handles are Wiha. For everything else, I like Wera better. Just noticed Wiha has the same "dual drive" style in torx https://www.amazon.com/Wiha-36497-T-Handle-Cushioned-Driver/dp/B002S0O8BM/ref=pd_sbs_469_6?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B002S0O8BM&pd_rd_r=bc8c349e-da1a-11e8-ab2d-810914121f6a&pd_rd_w=RGf9i&pd_rd_wg=QSuOK&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=7d5d9c3c-5e01-44ac-97fd-261afd40b865&pf_rd_r=HRM7AEA11ZJK1V872R8J&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=HRM7AEA11ZJK1V872R8J

[gemship]

If you think torx suck on bicycles then hows about torx fasteners for brake calipers attached to their respective carriers regarding a certain 2002 gmc sierra truck? Oh man talk about a good way to throw good money at bad. Probably nice if the truck lives in a dry arid climate but when parts become rust welded not so much.