OK, so my stem, etc have max Torque #'s on them…have never paid much attention to this in the past…but now that I have a carbon fork w/ carbon steerer tube and carbon h’bars (this is on my road bike) I’m quite a bit more concerned about “over-torquing” and doing something that would lead to a mid-ride disaster.
So, what do I need to make sure I don’t overtighten?
Buy a Park torque wrench.Its easy to use and you will crank down on your carbon parts if you dont use it…You will be surprise how little it takes compaired to guessing by hand,you will over tighten by hand.I got one when I got my full carbon bike,Iused it for the stem,seat post ,front derailluer,etc.I also use medium lock tight that will do it.
As simple as something like this:
http://www.sears.com/...gdcefecemldffidfmg.0
and a set of these:
http://www.sears.com/...l=TOOL&ihtoken=1
You can buy Park and others sets that are specifics to bikes…but they tend to run a bit more. Just make sure the torque range hits the torque #'s you need. (Stems, bars, seatpost, chainrings, etc - will require a lower range…Cassette’s, BB’s etc. will require a higher torque.)
Remember the larger the torque “range” - the less the accuracy.