A stripped bolt on a Santa Cruz in Moab made me change my mind about carrying a torque wrench

I was out on the Slickrock trail last fall, and a customer's rear brake caliper bolt just spun free. I always thought a torque wrench was shop-only gear, too bulky for a trail kit. I had to ride back to the truck, drive into town, and buy a cheap one from the hardware store to fix it right. What's the smallest decent torque wrench you guys actually carry on big rides?

3 comments

3 Comments

emma45518d ago

Man, that "shop-only gear" line used to be me 100%. I carried a multi-tool and figured good and tight was good enough. A loose crank arm on a long climb totally changed my tune. I keep a Topeak Nano TorqBar in my pack now, it's basically just a small L-shaped wrench with a clicker. It's saved my ride more than once and doesn't take up much room at all.

max_cooper2117d ago

Seriously, is a torque wrench really needed for a simple crank arm?

charles_baker2817d ago

Look, I get the push for more tools, but come on. A crank arm bolt just needs to be tight, not perfect. I've done dozens with a regular hex key and a good arm, never had one come loose. It feels like making a simple job way too complicated for no real reason. Why carry another single-use tool when you already have what works?