Update: I used to think a torque wrench was overkill for most bike work

Last week I was putting a carbon seatpost into a customer's gravel bike, a nice one from Santa Cruz. I've done it a hundred times, just snug it up by feel, right? The customer came back three days later with a crack in the post right at the clamp. I checked my work order and I'd written 'tight' with no number. The shop had to eat the cost of a new post, about $180. My boss didn't yell, he just handed me his own torque wrench and said 'use it or buy the parts yourself.' I felt like a total hack. Now I use it on every stem, every crank bolt, everything. It's slower, but I haven't had a single comeback for a crushed part or a loose bolt since. Anyone else have a specific part that made them switch from feel to numbers?

4 comments

4 Comments

pat_moore2mo ago

Read a story about a guy who stripped a carbon steerer tube the same way.

the_hayden2mo ago

Snapped a crank arm once. Never again.

hayden_craig951mo agoMost Upvoted

You really think snapping a crank is worse than stripping a carbon steerer? The crank snap is at least a clean break, you can see it coming sometimes. Stripped steerer means your whole front end is toast, instant crash, no warning.

jakewhite2mo agoMost Upvoted

Snapped a crank arm? That's a new one. I've seen pedals fall off and chains explode, but the actual arm breaking clean? What were you doing, trying to sprint up a wall? That must have been a real bad time, just pedaling along and suddenly your foot hits the pavement.