Torque Wrench

pprendeville

If I'm to get a torque wrench what would be the most affordable one to get (preferably under the €50 mark) that would cover me for tightening all bolts for a bike build?

kumate_champ07

Cyclo tools 2-20 Nm, cant remember but I think it was around 60. Im happy with it anyway

bikenut

Also in the market for one of these for a bike build

I was in cyclesuperstore last w/e and I think they recommended this
http://www.bbbparts.com/tools_btl52.php for €69.

Is this the same thing only more expensive - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=37251

Presume the 1/4" refers to the socket on the wrench that the allen key small piece fits onto?

kona

You need up to 45nM for the crank arms.

Lidl did them awhile back for e20, I find them great, even went far enough to torque the crank nut that preloads the Flywheel onto the crank on my car.

1/2" and 1/4" refers to the drive, 1/4" is sufficient for bikes, wouldnt be sufficient for anything over 60 or 70 Nm.

check_six

I got a BBB Torqueset recently and it does the job. It's probably a bit over your budget, but I think it's worth getting as good a torque wrench as you can afford. You don't want to make any mistakes with expensive carbon components. Use the torque wrench for checking torque on your bolts only, and don't use it for general socket wrench work. Also you must remember to zero the wrench after each use.

bikenut

check_six wrote: »

I got a BBB Torqueset recently and it does the job.

Was it the BTL52 I linked to above - around €70ish?

kona

bikenut wrote: »

Was it the BTL52 I linked to above - around €70ish?

:eek: you would prob get snap on for that.

triggermortis

kona wrote: »

:eek: you would prob get snap on for that.

I doubt that!!

kona

triggermortis wrote: »

I doubt that!!

Maybe second hand but if I was prepared to spend that much I wouldn't be buying a BBB one!

ouch and its just the body!

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=8740&group_ID=972&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Although Ive a set of snap on sockets and spanners I got on the cheap secondhand, they are great, much better than other "pro" tools Ive used. You defo get what you pay for, they will last you longer than your working life id reckon, so a good investment.

Peterx

chakattack probably still has one out in Whitehall too for €20. Between did dat and udder I haven't managed to pick it up yet.
Maybe one of these days..

TinyExplosions

Simple, beam style for €62.61
The one I have, comes without bits, so factor those in: €46.37
Complete with bits and all you need really, €56.39

check_six

bikenut wrote: »

Was it the BTL52 I linked to above - around €70ish?

This is the one I got:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=60766

BBB Torquefix BTL73.

For adjusting saddle posts, headsets, etc. it does the job, although kona does point out that you need a bigger torque wrench for the cranks (he mentions 45NM, the BBB device only goes up to 20NM). This torque wrench business is kind of expensive!

ednwireland

anyone got this one

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11142

TinyExplosions

ednwireland wrote: »

anyone got this one

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11142

Actually, that's the one I have I think, rather than the one I claimed to have in my last post.... tis a grand little yoke

C3PO

I think you will probably need 2 torque wrenches if you want to cover the complete range of "torque values" on your bike! The screws on my mtb grips are rated at 2Nm and the cranks at 45Nm - I don't think one torque wrench will cover this range?

Lemag

Where did you get your bits Tiny? I bought a torque wrench body a while back and bought the bits in TKMaxx. They didn't fit though

TinyExplosions

Lemag wrote: »

Where did you get your bits Tiny? I bought a torque wrench body a while back and bought the bits in TKMaxx. They didn't fit though

From CRC -ordered em at the same time as the wrench (4/11/09 according to my email!)

kona

RPL1 wrote: »

I think you will probably need 2 torque wrenches if you want to cover the complete range of "torque values" on your bike! The screws on my mtb grips are rated at 2Nm and the cranks at 45Nm - I don't think one torque wrench will cover this range?

Most workshops will have two wrenchs, a small one and a big one. TBH Id just buy the big one, for the home mechanic theres no need to get down to torquing up grips, obviously if you have no feel for mechanics and overtighten everything then it may be a good idea, but generally you will be okay.

cdaly_

check_six wrote: »

For adjusting saddle posts, headsets, etc. it does the job, although kona does point out that you need a bigger torque wrench for the cranks (he mentions 45NM, the BBB device only goes up to 20NM). This torque wrench business is kind of expensive!

TBH, I wouldn't bother with the bigger wrench. You need to not exceed the relatively low torque values for carbon components but with things like cranks you'll get away with just doing them up tight*.


*Unless of course there is bearing preload sort of stuff to worry about.

cdaly_

kona wrote: »

TBH Id just buy the big one

cdaly_ wrote: »

TBH, I wouldn't bother with the bigger wrench.

Heh. Anti-snap...

kona

cdaly_ wrote: »

Heh. Anti-snap...

Well, If Id a carbon machine, I can see where you wouldnt wanna **** up. TBH, the way high end bikes are going, they dont need much torque. In some peoples toolbox, I can see where the smaller wrench would be more useful.

My toolbox only has the bigger wrench, , but then again its not only bikes I do be using it on.

Lemag

TinyExplosions wrote: »

From CRC -ordered em at the same time as the wrench (4/11/09 according to my email!)

Thanks Tiny. I'm still busy picking a bone with that crowd though

TinyExplosions

Lemag wrote: »

Thanks Tiny. I'm still busy picking a bone with that crowd though

I know, I was just linking to what I'd purchased - the other usual suspects may have the same though

pprendeville

looks like a good deal

http://www.starbike.com/php/product_info.php?lang=en&pid=11044

C3PO

That looks exactly the same as the BBB one I bought from the CSS!

pprendeville

RPL1 wrote: »

That looks exactly the same as the BBB one I bought from the CSS!

how much was yours?

ednwireland

pprendeville wrote: »

looks like a good deal

http://www.starbike.com/php/product_info.php?lang=en&pid=11044

15 euro shipping though

got the x-tools one from crc myself, seems to work fine

C3PO

pprendeville wrote: »

how much was yours?

I think €50 but it's a couple of years ago!