Help needed with fitting a new stem

Walrus said:

I just bought a new stem (Ritchey WCS 26) for my LOOK road bike. I have a alloy steerer tube and carbon handlebars. I want to know whether
a) it's a good idea for me to fit this myself
b) if so, what tools do I need.

My concern is that I might tighten the bolts too tight and crack the handlebar. Am I right in saying that a torque wrench lets you tighten something to a certain point that won't damage other components? Is this what I need?

I'm trying to learn more about maintaining my own bioke, but should I just take this to my LBS and get them to do it?

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You don't need a troque wrench if you know what you are doing. You can still bugger stuff with a torque wrench if you don't know what you are doing. You obviously know nothing about threadless HS either. Mindless fiddling with HS and stems can result in injury or death. Here is a link to the worlds best torque wrench: www.sheldonbrown.com/tork-grip good luck. The repair section at www.parktool.com has lots of good stuff...use it.

boudreaux said:

You don't need a troque wrench if you know what you are doing. You can still bugger stuff with a torque wrench if you don't know what you are doing. You obviously know nothing about threadless HS either. Mindless fiddling with HS and stems can result in injury or death. Here is a link to the worlds best torque wrench: www.sheldonbrown.com/tork-grip good luck.

So on one hand you advise that tampering with something I know nothing about could wreck it, then you provide a link to a DIY solution...interesting.

I think I'll get the LBS to do it and avoid death.

Thanks for the headsup. 😉

Walrus said:

So on one hand you advise that tampering with something I know nothing about could wreck it, then you provide a link to a DIY solution...interesting.

I think I'll get the LBS to do it and avoid death.

Thanks for the headsup. 😉

Believe boudreaux was giving you those excellent links so you would read the directions and decide for yourself if you felt up to the job before you started "tampering". If you decide you're not ready to trust your life to your mechanical ability, then by all means go to the LBS.