Ritchey Torque Key?

Kenny said:

I bought one but I'm not quite sure how it works. Is it suppose to
produce a click sound when I reach the set torque value? I've just
used it and I didn't hear any click sound and am afraid to go any
further with it out of fear.

Most torque wrenches that I've seen (never used one -- I'm with Sheldon on
that) do indeed produce a distinct "click" when the desired tightness is
reached. And yes, it can be scary when it seems like you're already really
close and it still hasn't burped. (My friend installing my silly Zero
Gravity brakes comes to mind -- yike$!)

Make sure the setting is correct, and go for it. (Maybe try it on something
else first just to make sure the TW works?)

Bill "tighten until the 'CRACK!' and then back off" S.

Kenny said:

I bought one but I'm not quite sure how it works. Is it suppose to
produce a click sound when I reach the set torque value? I've just
used it and I didn't hear any click sound and am afraid to go any
further with it out of fear.

Set the square end in a bench vise and click it at various values to
understand how it works and how a click feels/sounds.

_Then_ go torque your fasteners.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

This is why a beam type is the way to go for the home bike mechanic.
Cheaper, accurate and for 90% of the population (the other 10% should
continue to use a bike shop) all you need

"Kenny" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I bought one but I'm not quite sure how it works. Is it suppose to
produce a click sound when I reach the set torque value? I've just
used it and I didn't hear any click sound and am afraid to go any
further with it out of fear.

Kenny said:

I bought one but I'm not quite sure how it works. Is it suppose to
produce a click sound when I reach the set torque value? I've just
used it and I didn't hear any click sound and am afraid to go any
further with it out of fear.

I had the same problem at first, but it was mostly just fear, because
with a short reach key like this, you need to provide a goodly amount
of torque with your hands to get to 5nm. A torque wrench with it's
long handle will apply far more force with less effort. I figured it
out by sticking the thing in the binder bolt of an old steel bike with
a basically indestructable seatpost and had at it. The torque key
releases nicely probably just beyond the point where you get worried.
It's not just an audible click, but the entire head of the key jumping
ahead 1/4 to 1/2 an inch as the 4mm allen key stays put. Essentially
the same function as a "break-away" torque wrench.

By the way, if your carbon seatpost is slipping down into your carbon
fiber frame (as happened with my Scott) and you are worried about over-
torquing in an attempt to stop this; I found that another Ritchey
product--liquid torque--cleared that right up. You don't even need a
full 5nm of tightening and the seatpost stays put.
I think Tacx makes a similar product.

A Muzi said:

Kenny said:

I bought one but I'm not quite sure how it works. Is it suppose to
produce a click sound when I reach the set torque value? I've just
used it and I didn't hear any click sound and am afraid to go any
further with it out of fear.

Set the square end in a bench vise and click it at various values to
understand how it works and how a click feels/sounds.

_Then_ go torque your fasteners.

Not sure this applies for the Ritchey one. I believe it's a 5
newton-meter (er, or inch pound... I forget) allen key, specifically
for tightening stem bolts and the like.