Need a torque wrench

[brett]

Doesn't look like I'll be getting a torque wrench before the weekend. Anyone near Carmel Valley have one I can borrow to tighten my carbon bars?

[OffRoadie]

Is this Carmel Valley, CA (near Monterey, CA), or Carmel Valley, the community of San Diego that is east of Del Mar, CA?

[bighit8]

What are the torque specs? you can do it without with some long learned techniques as a mechanic.Pretty accurate.

[brett]

Originally Posted by OffRoadie

Is this Carmel Valley, CA (near Monterey, CA), or Carmel Valley, the community of San Diego that is east of Del Mar, CA?

San Diego.

Originally Posted by bighit8

What are the torque specs? you can do it without with some long learned techniques as a mechanic.Pretty accurate.

Well, I was going to use Thomson's specs which is 35 in/lbs for the stem to bar but not sure about the lock-on grips and gripshifters. What techniques do you suggest?

[Rockinthecasbah]

i put mine on tight but not too freakin tight,, if you hear a crack you went to far lol you can feel it if yor careful and get them tight enough without killing the bars

[92se-r]

My elbow goes click click. Actually, the noise comes from my mouth. That's my torque wrench for a lot of things. You wrench long enough on cars, you know what certain torque specs feel like. Something like handlebars and stems, I wouldn't worry too much about using a torque wrench. I'd just worry about overtightening.

BTW, I do have a torque wrench, but I only use it for important stuff, like installing cams, or assembling a bottom end. You know, stuff that goes 7500 rpms.

[brett]

Originally Posted by 92se-r

I'd just worry about overtightening.

This is the problem. 35 in/lbs feels like...

[bighit8]

Originally Posted by bmmh

San Diego.



Well, I was going to use Thomson's specs which is 35 in/lbs for the stem to bar but not sure about the lock-on grips and gripshifters. What techniques do you suggest?

Use a 3/8 speed wrench . Use the tightening hand as a pistol. Pretend you're hand is like pointing a gun on the wrench if that make sense.If you do not have a speed wrench, just use a 1/4 inch ratchet with the same technique, just hold back a little.Use only the index finger for pressure.Make sure you snug them up first and then use a cross pattern. Top left to bottom right, bottom left to top right.Hop this helps. Also 35 inch pounds is just under 3 foot pounds, so just go easy.

[bighit8]

Originally Posted by 92se-r

My elbow goes click click. Actually, the noise comes from my mouth. That's my torque wrench for a lot of things. You wrench long enough on cars, you know what certain torque specs feel like. Something like handlebars and stems, I wouldn't worry too much about using a torque wrench. I'd just worry about overtightening.

BTW, I do have a torque wrench, but I only use it for important stuff, like installing cams, or assembling a bottom end. You know, stuff that goes 7500 rpms.

Like you said, I only break out the TQ for Main bearings,Rod bearings ( anything that needs Plasti-Gauge) cams,head Gasket ect... Rest is by feel.

[brett]

Originally Posted by bighit8

Use a 3/8 speed wrench . Use the tightening hand as a pistol. Pretend you're hand is like pointing a gun on the wrench if that make sense.

I can't get a mentally picture on that. Are you saying put the ratchet in the palm of my hand and then tighten with my index finger pushing along the handle?

How about this: I was thinking that I'd snug everything up and then go with 1/8th turn increments until I'm pretty sure it won't move under riding conditions. I'm guessing probably no more than 1/4 turn passed snug will do it?

[OffRoadie]

Originally Posted by bmmh

This is the problem. 35 in/lbs feels like...

Really light.

[Rockinthecasbah]

basucally yeah hes saying use only your index for the final torque, there isnt a neighbor or bike shop what has a wrench available for you if your this worried? seriously though for bars just get them nice and snug hop off some curbs and double check they dont move and your good to go its not rocket science these new fangled bicyle thingys arent that tricky, just becareful not to kill them and youll be ok

[bighit8]

Originally Posted by bmmh

I can't get a mentally picture on that. Are you saying put the ratchet in the palm of my hand and then tighten with my index finger pushing along the handle?

How about this: I was thinking that I'd snug everything up and then go with 1/8th turn increments until I'm pretty sure it won't move under riding conditions. I'm guessing probably no more than 1/4 turn passed snug will do it?

Yes and yes.Use the index finger but stick out the thumb, dont wrap it around the ratchet.Really hard to over tighten that way.1/4 past snug will do also.

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by bmmh

San Diego.



Well, I was going to use Thomson's specs which is 35 in/lbs for the stem to bar but not sure about the lock-on grips and gripshifters. What techniques do you suggest?

Ummmm......I don't think you are supposed to be using lockon grips on carbon bars?

[brett]

Originally Posted by bighit8

Yes and yes.Use the index finger but stick out the thumb, dont wrap it around the ratchet.Really hard to over tighten that way.1/4 past snug will do also.

Thanks, I'll give that a shot.

Originally Posted by mtnbikej

Ummmm......I don't think you are supposed to be using lockon grips on carbon bars?

Dunno. What would be the difference between lockons and gripshift on a carbon bar? I'm pretty sure a lot of people use gripshifts and carbon without incident.

[bighit8]

Originally Posted by mtnbikej

Ummmm......I don't think you are supposed to be using lockon grips on carbon bars?

That I did not know my friend, I was thinking for the stem.

[92se-r]

35in/lbs feels like absolutely NOTHING. That is like 3 ft/lbs. You can use your allen wrench and flip it around, using the short end to torque it down. Use your left hand to hold it inside the allen bolt, and use your forefinger and thumb to tighten. No way you will be able to overtighten this way.

Originally Posted by bmmh

This is the problem. 35 in/lbs feels like...

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by bmmh

Thanks, I'll give that a shot.



Dunno. What would be the difference between lockons and gripshift on a carbon bar? I'm pretty sure a lot of people use gripshifts and carbon without incident.

You do not tighten down your gripshift at the end of the bar like you do with lockon grips.......similar to why you don't run bar-ends on carbon bars.

[bighit8]

I had answer hyperlites with bar ends, first crash and the bars were destroyed.

[Waldo]

Originally Posted by mtnbikej

You do not tighten down your gripshift at the end of the bar like you do with lockon grips.......similar to why you don't run bar-ends on carbon bars.

Never heard that before, but it seems sensible.
Umm...don't look too closely at my bike, OK?