Bike Torque Wrench Guide: What a 2-24 Nm Wrench Covers

A torque wrench stops you from guessing. Too loose and parts move or fall off. Too tight and you strip threads, crush carbon or crack a clamp. The catch is that one wrench does not cover every fastener on a bike.

Use the number on the part first

The correct torque is whatever is printed on the component or published by its maker. The ranges below are typical, not a specification. If a part is marked with a number, use that number.

What a 2 to 24 Nm wrench usually covers

The adjustable torque wrench set in our shop is listed at 2 to 24 Nm with a 1/4 inch drive. In that range you will typically find:

  • Stem and handlebar clamp bolts, commonly in the 4 to 8 Nm range
  • Seatpost clamps, commonly 5 to 8 Nm and often lower on carbon posts
  • Brake lever clamps and caliper mounting bolts, commonly 6 to 8 Nm
  • Small hardware such as cable pinch bolts, bottle cage bolts and many accessory mounts

Disc rotor bolts vary a lot between brands, so always read the spec for yours.

What usually needs more than 24 Nm

  • Cassette lockrings, often around 40 Nm
  • Some crank bolts, especially square taper types, which often need 35 Nm or more
  • Many pedal threads, often around 35 Nm
  • Electric motorcycle axle nuts and swingarm pivots, which are far higher still

For those you need a larger wrench with a higher range.

Using a click type wrench

  1. Set the value. On this model you pull down the locking ring and twist to the number you want.
  2. Pull smoothly in one direction and stop at the click. Do not keep pulling.
  3. Use it to tighten, not to loosen stuck bolts.
  4. Follow the maker's storage advice. Many click wrenches are stored at their lowest setting to unload the spring.

What the listing says about this wrench

The supplier lists a 72-tooth ratchet head, a thumb paddle to switch between clockwise and counterclockwise, a quick-release button for sockets, a laser-etched scale and a stated accuracy of plus or minus 3 percent. Those are supplier-stated figures, so treat them as the maker's claim.

Keep the kit together

If you carry tools to the trail or the shop, the Long Haul Tool Roll holds wrenches, pliers and screwdrivers in separate sleeves. See everything in Tools & Workshop.