The one torque wrench to rule them?

[FastforaSlowGuy]

I've been using a beam style torque wrench, but it's a little clunky and I'd like to upgrade to something a little more precise. Seems the click style tend to be either high torque (for BBs and such) or low torque (for bars, stems, etc.). Is there one to rule them all, without spending Snap-On money?

[FlashUNC]

Got a beam style for the big stuff, a click Park Tool one for the small stuff. Works great.

Not sure given the arm lengths needed for certain torques there is one to rule them all.

[bikinchris]

Beam wrenches are actually more accurate, but harder to use. You want to buy a click style wrench in the middle of the range you are targeting. So, I use 7 wrenches in my truck. Several low preset wrenches, a middle range adjustable and one for crankarms.

[weaponsgrade]

I went with the Effetto Mariposa 2 to 16NM

[mac.]

I wouldn't consider myself a seasoned mechanic. But I've been doing basic bike repair for myself and friends for a while now and never run into any problems not using a torque wrench. Is it generally considered a necessity or just something to give you peace of mind?

[-dustin]

These days I consider them a necessity. And an insurance policy.

[cachagua]

Been doing basic bike repair for a while now and never run into any problems not using a torque wrench. Is it generally considered a necessity or just something to give you peace of mind?

Not using a torque wrench is the way to find out which parts are too pansyass to be on your bike, is the way I look at it. If you can't give a bolt or fitting a good firm twist, installing it at its "recommended" torque only makes you ride a longer time afraid of it, before, in the end, it explodes. A robust part that you can slap around a little is a part that won't let you down.

That's what peace of mind looks like in my world.

[FlashUNC]

Originally Posted by cachagua

Not using a torque wrench is the way to find out which parts are too pansyass to be on your bike, is the way I look at it. If you can't give a bolt or fitting a good firm twist, installing it at its "recommended" torque only makes you ride a longer time afraid of it, before, in the end, it explodes. A robust part that you can slap around a little is a part that won't let you down.

That's what peace of mind looks like in my world.

Cuz who knows better, the engineers who designed the part, or your right arm, am I right?

[wgp]

Originally Posted by weaponsgrade

I went with the Effetto Mariposa 2 to 16NM

Agreed! Beautiful and substantial tool -

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by mjones0014

I wouldn't consider myself a seasoned mechanic. But I've been doing basic bike repair for myself and friends for a while now and never run into any problems not using a torque wrench. Is it generally considered a necessity or just something to give you peace of mind?

With the rather fragile nature of 'carpet fiber' everywhere on bikes these days, a torque wrench is a good idea. Not expensive, far cheaper than that $bigbuck$ stem, seatpst or fork.
I use a beam one for things like crank bolts, a Mariposa one for stems, shimano crank arm pinch bolts, etc..

[oldguy00]

Some of the youtube vids Ive watched for mechanic stuff, they sometimes use a large torque wrench with a big round dial on it. Anyone know what those are??

Can't find exact vid, but something like these? Any good?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMylslXE7AY

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by oldguy00

Some of the youtube vids Ive watched for mechanic stuff, they sometimes use a large torque wrench with a big round dial on it. Anyone know what those are??

Can't find exact vid, but something like these? Any good?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMylslXE7AY

A beam type with a dial instead of arm is all. Usually for big jobs..

[oldguy00]

Ah thanks.

For smaller stuff, I've been using one of these, so far so good. Always remember to turn the dial back to zero after using...

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5038-4...Nm-Torque-Tool

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by oldguy00

Ah thanks.

For smaller stuff, I've been using one of these, so far so good. Always remember to turn the dial back to zero after using...

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5038-4...Nm-Torque-Tool

As a guy who's hands get tired, I'm a big fan of a tool that tells me the info..like a spoke tension meter..any torque wrench is better than none, IMHO...

[BikeNY]

Originally Posted by oldguy00

Ah thanks.

For smaller stuff, I've been using one of these, so far so good. Always remember to turn the dial back to zero after using...

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5038-4...Nm-Torque-Tool

That's the one I use as well for the small stuff. Goes from 2 to 8 NM. I bought it on Amazon, it's a bit cheaper there. For big stuff like bottom brackets I don't use a torque wrench, but then again, none of my frames are carbon. I've never heard of turning the dial back to 0 (or 2 in this case), what's the reasoning?