Small torque wrench recommendation

[kgreene10]

I just got a Tarmac frameset and need a torque wrench that will fit into the small space allotted for tightening the seat post expander bolt. Neither my regular torque wrench nor the Ritchey or Bontrager torque keys will work. The wrench bodies are too large.

The bit is 4mm and the torque spec is 6.2nm but a preset remotely close will suffice.

What’s the least expensive solution? I’m sure the Silca system will fit but I’ve no interest in spending $100 for this one issue.

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by kgreene10

I just got a Tarmac frameset and need a torque wrench that will fit into the small space allotted for tightening the seat post expander bolt. Neither my regular torque wrench nor the Ritchey or Bontrager torque keys will work. The wrench bodies are too large.

The bit is 4mm and the torque spec is 6.2nm but a preset remotely close will suffice.

What’s the least expensive solution? I’m sure the Silca system will fit but I’ve no interest in spending $100 for this one issue.

Can you get a longer bit to fit?

[eddief]

I finally figured out a DIY solution. I took one of my extra 4mm hex keys and ground off the short side. That left me with a straight 4mm hex thingy. That 4mm hex thingy fits just fine into the 4mm socket that came with my torque wrench. It was then long enough to reach into the headset cap on the Roubaix. You might need to wrap it with some tape to get it to stay in the socket while you are torquing.

Something like this looks like it will work but the ones from Harbor Freight, for instance, had a 4mm where the head was the right size but the shaft widens out and prevented the head from going into the slot on the Roubaix. Not sure about the spot on your Trek.

https://www.harborfreight.com/7-pc-3...set-67890.html

Via google, others in your situation face the same problem. Consensus is just use a normal allen key and estimate or maybe a torques wrench bit with a ball end could get good purchase on an angle.

[nublar]

This wrench is like 4" long:
https://www.amazon.com/Venzo-2-10NM-...0D7HHEW8KGCG7R

[wildboar]

Would an IceToolz Ocarina fit?

[kppolich]

Park Tool TW5.2 works just fine on my 2019 tarmac.

[fmradio516]

Your best bet is one of the pre-set (6nm) ones that are about the size of (slightly smaller than) your palm. I have one that I dont use anymore but its 5nm.. sorry.

[mktng]

id look into a silca t-ratchet.
yes yes. expensive.
but its nice to have something you can trust.

i have an x tools torque wrench. ive gotten used to it. but i dont really trust it.
however. its still better than guessing.

[charliedid]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dave]

The cheap solution is a standard short handle hex wrench. I've been wrenching on carbon fiber components for 25 years and never found the need for a tiny torque wrench.

With a short handle, you have to try really hard to exceed 6 Nm.

[mulp]

I'm not convinced small torque wrenches are that reliable. I had a beam style small torque wrench which are supposed to be really accurate and when i was tightening small screws, like for the rd hanger, it would oftentimes strip the screw. The tolerance window for small torque settings are so tight that even with a good torque wrench I was many times over tightening and needing to buy a new part. Just my 2c.

[Tickdoc]

Silca?

[kgreene10]

Thanks guys. I think I’ll go with carbon paste and a regular hex wrench to feel for now and try a hack to extend my existing torque wrenches after that.

[nicrump]

Originally Posted by kgreene10

Thanks guys. I think I’ll go with carbon paste and a regular hex wrench to feel for now and try a hack to extend my existing torque wrenches after that.

Use your regular torque wrench on an equal bolt spec into similar thread depth and feel the result with your standard wrench. Do it a few times. Educate your hand to the correct feel.

It will feel about like the weight of 1 gallon of water resting on the end of a 6" allen key.

[kppolich]

Originally Posted by kgreene10

Thanks guys. I think I’ll go with carbon paste and a regular hex wrench to feel for now and try a hack to extend my existing torque wrenches after that.

If you have the D-shaped seatpost it specially says don't use carbon paste on it.