Do I Need a Torque Wrench for My MTB?

Do I need a torque wrench for working on my mountain bike? 

Unless you’re a master bike mechanic or intuitively know how to apply precise force measurements, you should USE a torque wrench to tighten nuts and bolts to specific bicycle manufacture specifications.

• Also, most bicycle manufacturer's warranties can be voided unless a torque wrench was used.

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What is torque?

Torque is a measure of the tightness of a screw or bolt. This is the simple answer.

The term torque describes the amount of effort exerted to turn something. A specific unit of weight/force is applied to a lever, and the resulting leverage is called torque.

How does torque work & your mtb

When you apply a wrench to a nut and turn it, the force rotates the bolt. As the bolt is tightened, tension stress actually stretches the bolt. If the bolt is optimally tightened then the bolt becomes spring-like and allows for the correct amount of clamping pressure.

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Tightening a handlebar stem with a torque wrench.

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Torque wrench = gauge tool

“torque specs are there for a reason ”

— Dave the Master Mechanic

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Some mechanics and manufacturers describe a torque wrench as a gauge tool and can be compared to any other tools of measure, such as a tape measure, as it allows you to torque fasteners to specification.

Many bike mechanics initially start out using a torque wrench until they can intuitively tighten fasteners to specification. These master bike mechanics have hundreds of hours behind the wrench and can tighten nuts and bolts to spec by feel.

Park Tool in their book, the Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair, which is basically the Bible for bike mechanics says:

“With experience, a person may learn the amount of force to apply to a wrench when tightening a fastener. It may require both overtightening and then undertightening fasteners in order to learn acceptable torques.” ---(emphasis mine)

This is akin to a bartender starting out using a shot glass to measure out drinks before they can intuitively pour a perfect shot by feel.

• Unless you have built up this feel, you will want to use a calibrated torque wrench to adjust and replace fasteners on your bike.

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Mountain biking in Pucón - Pedal Chile

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Carbon fiber & clamping force

Carbon fiber is significantly stronger than steel under certain types of load. However, carbon fiber doesn’t handle clamping force as well as other frame materials. All carbon fiber components should be tightened with a torque wrench to manufacture recommended specifications. 

Even many experienced bike mechanics use a torque wrench when working with carbon components since over-tightening is the biggest cause of carbon component failure.

over/under-tightening & mechanical issues

Various problems arise when fasteners are not torqued to specification: 

• Cause damage to bike components 

• Component failure can lead to safety issues while riding 

More bike damage is caused by over-tightening than under-tightening, however, problems can arise from bolts that are too loose:

• Too much torque/over-tighten - Can stretch, deform, and/or break the bolt/component that the bolt attaches to. Stripping threads are common among overly torqued fasteners 

  • Example - Over-tightening the bottom bracket will cause the bearings to drag and wear

• Too little torque/under-tighten - Allows the part to move, which can lead to component fatigue, and eventual part failure

  • More potential safety issues than mechanical failures from under-torqued bolts

why use a torque wrench

My riding buddy and friend from Crested Butte put this brand new Trek together…..without a torque wrench

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Mountain bikes are using more carbon fiber and alloy materials to make components lighter:

• These parts often become prone to damage/failure when over-tightened.

• When you use a torque wrench, you will be assured that the bolt is at the exact manufacture’s specification.

Also…..you need to think about the warranty.

warranty claims & torque wrench

As every bicycle owner’s manual requires the use of a torque wrench, the bicycle manufacture can reject your warranty claim unless you can show that a torque wrench was used.

If you want to tinker on your bike and do your own bike maintenance, then you should get a torque wrench……. and put the receipt someplace safe.

optimally tight nuts & bolts

Bicycle owner’s manual recommenced regular checks of critical fasteners by using a calibrated torque wrench. Nuts and Bolts become loose from riding and should be re-set to their specific torque specification. 

What are critical fasteners?

Chilean Lake District

Giant Bicycles says “although all fasteners on a bicycle are important, pay special attention to applying the correct torque to the following critical fasteners”: 

• Wheels

• Pedals

• Seat post clamp

• Saddle clamp

• Steerer clamp 

• Handlebar clamp 

• Control level clamps

Keeping the nuts and bolts optimally tight plays a vital role in ensuring the structural integrity of your bike parts and components.

What does Park Tool say?

From the 3rd edition of the Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair (BBB-3), written by Park Tool Director of Education, Calvin Jones:

“To prevent overtightening and undertightening, many manufacturers provide specific torque values, best achieved by using a torque wrench. Torque wrenches are simply a type of measuring tool, like a tape measure or a ruler. Torque wrenches measure the amount of turning effort applied to the bolt or nut. A torque wrench should be part of the bicycle tool kit, but it is possible to work without one at some risk.” (emphasis mine)

Should I carry a torque wrench on the trail?

No. Just tighten to feel, and once back at the garage, check the bolt to make sure it’s within its specified range. 

newton-Meters, Inch-Pounds or foot-pound

Measured torque may be given in Newton-meter, inch-pound, or foot-pound units. These units of measure are referring to the force at the end of a lever.  

• Since the 1970s, Newton-meter is the metric base unit or SI unit. One Newton-meter is a force of one Newton on a one-meter long lever/wrench.

• English units of torque are:

  • Pound-inches - Equal to the force of one-pound acting at the end of a lever/wrench that is one-inch long

  • Pound-feet

Tell me more

Bicycle manufactures & torque wrenches

Every mountain bike owner’s manual strongly urges you to use a properly calibrated torque wrench for tightening any fastener. Below, I provided torque wrench highlights from the most popular mtb manufactures.

Owner’s Manual & Torque Wrenches

Gary Fisher

“Incorrect torque can cause damage or break a part. Use a torque wrench to correctly tighten a part”

“A torque wrench is the only reliable method of determining correct tightness. If you do not have a torque wrench, you cannot properly inspect for tightness and should consult your bike shop.”

Trek

“Torque wrench - tighten critical components to the specified value”

“A torque wrench is the only reliable method of determining correct tightness. If you do not have a torque wrench, you cannot properly inspect for tightness and should consult your bike shop.”

Giant

“You must use a torque wrench and the correct tightening torque specifications from the bicycle or component manufacturer or from your dealer.”

Yeti Bicycles

“Yeti strongly recommends using a torque wrench when assembling your frame.”

Salsa Bicycles

“If you choose to work on your own bicycle, you must use a torque wrench and the correct tightening torque specifications from the bicycle or component manufacturer or from your dealer.”

Specialized

“The correct tightening force or torque cannot be generalized” and “Always tighten fasteners to the correct torque. Bolts that are too tight can stretch and deform. Bolts that are too loose can move and fatigue. Either mistake can lead to a sudden failure of the bolt, causing you to lose control and fall”

Kona

“To correctly torque a fastener, a torque wrench must be used.”

Santa Cruz

Adhere to all torque and sizing specifications for press fits and thread fits. Over-tightening can damage threads or cause parts to fail.”

Lemond

“The torque specifications should be used to make sure you do not over-tighten the fasteners. Applying more than the recommended torque to a fastener does not provide extra holding power, and may actually lead to damage or failure of a part.”

GT Bikes

“Correctly tightening a fastener requires a calibrated torque wrench.”

Canyon Bicycles

“We regard the use of a torque wrench as essential so as to ensure the two parts can be fixed together securely and safely.”

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Final Thought

It really depends on the bike. Are we talking about a high-end MTB or a beater commuter you ride to pick up a six-pack of craft? If you want to follow your owner’s manual and keep your warranty valid, you’ll need a torque wrench.

Today, as the materials used in bicycles have gotten more lightweight, advanced, and expensive, securing bolts with the proper amount of torque is essential. Unless you're a professional bike mechanic, I’d recommend using a torque wrench…. excepting our beater commuter.

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Jesse is Director of Pedal Chile and lives in Chile’s Patagonia (most of the year). Jesse has a Master of Science in Health and Human Performance and enjoys riding single-track down the active volcano near Pucón. I’m also an avid reader and blogger for Pedal Chile.

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More articles from Pedal Chile

• What does “MTB” actually mean?

• Is it saddle or seat?

• How much water should you drink during your ride?

Sources & References

• Andrews, G., 2013. Complete Road Bike Maintenance. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.

• Jones, C., 2013. Big Blue Book Of Bicycle Repair.

• Milson, F., 2011. Complete Bike Maintenance For Road, Mountain, & Commuter Bicycles. Minneapolis: MVP Books.

• Peter Ballin., 2017. Mountain Bike Maintenance. Crowood.

Covid-19 timeline explained in 19 cocktail

Here are some fun classic cocktails to help you get through the COVID-19 quarantine.

Chinese cocktail

• 1 1/2 ounces Jamaican dark rum

• 1 teaspoon triple sec

• 1 teaspoon maraschino liqueur

• 1 tablespoon grenadine

• 1 dash bitters

1. Shake in an iced cocktail shaker, and strain into a cocktail glass

In late December 2019, a cluster of cases of viral pneumonia was linked to a seafood market in Wuhan, China and in the first 6 weeks the COIVID-19 spread to more than 140 countries around the world.

satan’s whiskers cocktail

• 1/2 ounce gin

• 1/2 ounce dry vermouth

• 1/2 ounce sweet vermouth

• 1/2 ounce orange juice

• 2 teaspoons orange curacao

• 1 teaspoon orange bitters

1. Shake in an iced cocktail shaker, and strain into a cocktail glass

2. Garnish with an orange twist

Six weeks later the coronavirus has spread to another 50 countries with over 300,000 people infected.

royal fuck

• 1 ounce Crown Royal

• 1/2 ounce peach Schnapps

• 1/4 ounce cranberry juice

• 1/4 ounce pineapple juice

1. Shake in an iced cocktail shaker, and pour into a cocktail glass with ice

“The rapid contagion and severity of the new disease has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to update its statement, from classifying the outbreak as a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” on January 30 to a “Pandemic” on March 11, 2020.”- from the Singapore Medical Journal

Doctor’s orders

• 1 ounce of Campari

• 1 ounce of Fernet Blanca

• 1/2 ounce gin

• 1/2 ounce sweet vermouth

• 1/2 ounce dry vermouth

• 2 dashes bitters

• 1 orange slice (for garnish)

1. Shake in an iced cocktail shaker, and strain into a cocktail glass

2. Orange slice for garnish

To slow down the spread of COVID-19 - to flatten the curve- health and political organizations around the world introduced rules and recommendations that would limit the amount of physical contact between people.

the income tax cocktail

• 1 1/2 ounces gin

• 3/4 ounce dry vermouth

• 3/4 ounce sweet vermouth

• Juice of 1/4 orange (squeezed right into the shaker)

• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

1. Shake in an iced cocktail shaker, and strain into a cocktail glass

2. Garnish with an orange wheel

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed on March 27, 2020. This is the largest economic stimulus bill in modern history and is more than double the stimulus act that was passed during the 2009 Financial Crisis.

the coffee cocktail

• 1 ounce brandy

• 1 egg

• 2 to 3 ounces ruby port

• 1 teaspoon sugar

1. Pour brandy into an iced cocktail shaker

2. Add the egg

3. Pour in the port and sugar

4. Shake and strain into a small goblet

5. Grate or shake some nutmeg on top

As people are working from home or laid off from work, many have decided the best way to start their day is no longer with Folgers, but instead with a drink called a coffee cocktail, which has no actual coffee.

The coffee cocktail was first published in the 1887 edition of the Bar-Tenders’ Guide. This drink contains no coffee or even bitters for that matter. However, when this drink is properly prepared it looks very much like coffee.

Boozy Shakerato

• 1 1/2 freshly made espresso (cooled down to warm to the touch)

• 2 ounces dark rum

• 1 1/2 ounces heavy cream

• 1/2 ounce simple syrup

• Pinch of salt

1. Shake in an iced cocktail shaker, and strain into an old-fashioned glass

For the people that need that jolt of caffeine in the morning…….welcome in the boozy shakerato. This drink is taken from a hugely popular Italian ice-coffee drink that is also a major COVID-19 hotspot

Hanky panky

• 1 1/2 ounces gin

• 1 1/2 ounces sweet vermouth

• 2 dashes Fernet Blanca

1. Stir well with ice in a mixing glass

2. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass

3. Twist a small swathe of orange peel over the surface of the drink

Stay home, stay safe orders = #baby-Boomers-Part2. Expect a lot of babies come December.

palm beach special

• 2 1/2 ounces gin

• 3/4 ounce grapefruit juice

• 1/2 sweet vermouth

1. Shake in an iced cocktail shaker, and strain into a cocktail glass

After stay home, stay safe orders were issued, or shelter in place “fun in the sun parties” turned our college kids into walking coranavores.

don the beachcomber’s zombie

• 1 teaspoon brown sugar

• 1 ounce fresh lemon juice

• 1 ounce gold rum

• 1 ounce 151

• 1 ounce white rum

• 1 ounce unsweetened pineapple juice

• 1 ounce fresh lime juice

• 1 ounce passion fruit syrup

• 1 dash Angostura Bitter

1. Dissolve the brown sugar in the lemon juice

2. Combine it with everything else in a cocktail shaker with crushed ice

3. Shake well, and pour into collins glass

4. Garnish with a sprig of mint

When prohibition ended in 1933, Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt opened a tiki bar in Hollywood called Don’s Beachcomber. As the bar grew in popularity, Earnest changed his name to Don Beach, most likely to avoid old bootlegging charges, since he operated a speakeasy called Ernie's Place during prohibition.

Don’s own bartenders didn’t know the exact recipe of this drink, since they poured ingredients from bottles labeled with numbers or letters, and only knew the order and the amount.

After Florida Spring Break 2020 university students from around the southeast tested positive for COVID-19. 

3 mile limit

• 1 ounce white rum

• 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice

• 1/2 ounce grenadine

• 1/2 ounce Cognac

1. Shake in an iced cocktail shaker, and strain into a cocktail glass

2. Garnish with a lemon twist

Prohibition created a boom in the cruise ship industry, as many Americans boarded cruise ships to exotic places to enjoy cocktail time. Once the ships passed the U.S. coastline territorial boundaries, which was a “3-mile limit” alcoholic beverages were allowed to be served.

As the popularity of the “booze cruise” grew, so did the boundary, which also gave us another Prohibition drink, the 12-mile limit.

With almost every state in the nation having social distancing and travel restrictions in place, the 3-mile limit sounds pretty generous.

the scofflaw

• 1 1/2 ounces rye whisky

• 1 ounce dry vermouth

• 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice

• 3/4 ounce grenadine

1. Shake in an iced cocktail shaker, and strain into a cocktail glass

2. Garnish with a lemon twist

The term scofflaw was originally used for the “lawless drinker” and frequenter of speakeasies, as these people were flouting the National Prohibition Act. Today, according to the Oxford Dictionary, scofflaw is a “person who flouts the law, especially by failing to comply with a law that is difficult to enforce effectively.” 

Less than two weeks after the term scofflaw was coined, this cocktail was created in 1924 at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris.

During Prohibition, a scofflaw’s flouted onerous drinking laws…today our scofflaw flout safety measures for both you and me. 

caribbean cruise

• 1 ounce vodka

• 1/4 light rum

• 1/4 ounce coconut-flavored rum

• 1 splash of grenadine

• 4 ounces of pineapple juice

1. Shake first four ingredients with ice

2. Then pour into ice-filled glass

3. Top off with pineapple juice 

4. Cherry garnish 

For some future Darwin award winners, these folks decided to get on a tight germ-infested vessel, also known as a cruise ship. Numerous passengers are currently stuck out at sea and quarantined to their closet-sized cabin as major ports have closed to the pandemic.

Doctor cocktail

• 2 ounces Jamaica rum (or any rum)

• 1 ounce Swedish Punsch

• 1 ounce fresh lime juice

1. Shake in an iced cocktail shaker, and strain into a cocktail glass

2. Garnish with a lime twist

Chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, along with “mega” doses of Vitamin C have all “proved” to shut down the COVID.  

This cocktail first appeared in 1917 in Hugo Ensslin Recipes for Mixed Drinks. Throughout history, alcoholic concoctions have been thought to confer medicinal properties. This drink ushered in the popularity of Swedish Punsch, but went out of style after Prohibition, only a few years later.  

We all hope the coronavirus goes the way of the Swedish Punsch, out of style….like today.

The soother

• 1 ounce cognac

• 1 ounce Jamaican rum (or any rum)

• 1/2 ounce orange curacao

• Juice from 1/2 a fresh lemon

• 1 teaspoon apple juice 

• 1/2 teaspoon simple syrup 

1. Shake in an iced cocktail shaker, and strain into a goblet

2. Garnish with a lemon twist 

The Soother was first published in 1931 by Albert Crockett in his book Old Waldorf Bar Days. This drink tastes equally well hot or cold, as it soothes your tummy on a lonely night alone during the quarantine.

death in the afternoon

• 1 1/2 ounces Absinthe

• 4 1/2 ounces Champagne chilled (or other sparkling wine)

1. Pour Absinthe into Champagne flute then top with sparkling wine

Death in the Afternoon is more famously called the Hemingway Champagne, as this cocktail shares a name with the famous Hemingway book Death in the Afternoon. This 1932 non-fiction book is about the ceremony and traditions of Spanish bullfighting, which Hemingway became acquainted with, in 1923. 

Ernest Hemingway, who volunteered in World War I, saw the reality of death. This reality allowed him to see the temporality of life and gave him the freedom to live life more fully, as many people are shackled by the fear of death. 

In our present situation, we have many people that don’t contemplate their own mortality, nor the mortality of those around them. 

the corpse reviver #2

• 1 ounce gin

• 1 ounce Cointreau

• 1 ounce Lillet Blanc (Cocchi Americano as a substitute)

• 1 ounce fresh lemon juice

• 1 to 3 drops (no dashes) absinthe or pastis 

1. Shake in an iced cocktail shaker, and strain into a cocktail glass

2. Drop a stemless cherry into the bottom of the glass

The corpse reviver series of drinks are collectively known as “hair of the dog” or hangover cure beverages. This hangover cure might not be strong enough to cure the corona, but it might assist you with your current alcohol-induced headache of boredom.

Golden dawn

• 3/4 ounce Calvados (apple brandy)

• 3/4 ounce dry gin

• 3/4 ounce apricot brandy

• 3/4 orange juice

• Grenadine

1. Combine all the ingredients except the grenadine and shake like crazy in an iced cocktail shaker 

2. Strain into a cocktail glass

3. Cherry garnish 

4. Dribble grenadine through the drink

5. Do NOT stir

This cocktail was named after the 1927 Rodgers and Hammerstein operetta and in 1930 was judged as the World’s Finest Cocktail in a United Kingdom Bartenders’ Guild contest.

My hope is for a Golden Dawn and quick end to this pandemic.

The unemployment

• 1/5 bottle Popov vodka 

1. Serve neat in its own plastic bottle container 

This cocktail was created by Josh Austin, Certified Specialist of Spirits. Josh crafted this specialty cocktail for people looking to save money during quarantine, or for those out of work. Josh recommends leaving the bottle in the freezer for a nice chilled version and he says it pairs well with beef flavored Ramen noodles.

Jesse is Director of Pedal Chile, which is an all-inclusive mountain bike tour company in “The Patagonia” of Chile. We are currently not running tours, since we only operate tours from mid-November to the end of March, which is summer in Patagonia. 

Related article from Pedal Chile:

• What are the healthiest beers? And yes….beers can be healthy

Sources:

Haigh, T. (2009). Vintage spirits and forgotten cocktails : from the alamagoozlum to the zombie and beyond : 100 rediscovered recipes and the stories behind them. Beverly, Mass.: Quarry Books.

Lum, L. and Tambyah, P. (2020). Outbreak of COVID-19 – an urgent need for good science to silence our fears? Singapore Medical Journal, 61(2), pp.55–57.