Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/131975
advertorial Bike torque Radical Torque Solutions offers insights into caring for your bicycle. Why is torque important? Put simply, if a bolt is not tightened correctly the varying loads that it will experience in its working environment will lead to major problems or eventual failure. If a bolt is done up too tight it may fail prematurely during the tensioning process; likewise, if it is too loose the bolt could easily come undone, causing the joint to fall apart. Therefore it is imperative that manufacturers' specifications for torque are accurately adhered to, no matter what the environment. Torque and bicycles In the world of cycling the correct application of torque is a critical requirement that is often overlooked. Not only is the rider's safety at risk if one of the critical fasteners fails while the bicycle is in motion, but with modern materials such as carbon fibre and titanium being used, the failure or breakage of these components can be extremely costly. Why torque bicycles? How your bolts are tensioned will have a big effect on your performance and, more importantly, that of your bicycle. Saying 'too tight is better than not tight enough' is not true. Too tight can create stress risers in a component (especially the handlebars), which can lead to catastrophic failure down the road. Too tight on a square taper crank set (specifically the fixing bolt) can cause deformation of the taper fit and eventual loosening of the crank. Speaking with numerous cyclists and their clubs, Radical Torque Solutions (RTS) found many bolts to be tensioned incorrectly. "We found end users spending thousands of dollars on carbon fibre bikes, only to neglect the manufacturers' torque recommendations when assembling or servicing, which often led to big repair bills as these errors were not covered by warranty," says Joe Bradford from RTS. With this in mind, the company developed the RTS Cycle Kit to provide the answer to these unnecessary repair bills and some much-needed peace of mind. The tool has a range of 3–15Nm covering every fastener on your bicycle and an innovative 20-degree breaking action to reduce the chance of overtightening, thus protecting your valuable components. It is supplied in a kit with interchangeable drive bits to suit almost every bike application and is packaged in a carry case that's ideal for use on the move. For more information visit www.radicaltorque.com.au. 43