1. ↔ × → Measured Force: One of the problems on modern racing bikes is the components are all engineered to be as light and thin as possible. The bolts and fasteners that hold these parts together and on the bike are made of lightweight titanium, aluminum or even magnesium. The tolerances are so tight that it is quite easy to over tighten, and snap a screw trying to install a part. As a consequence, that exotic magnesium handlebar stem becomes a very expensive paperweight. The tools you see here are called torque wrenches. They are used to measure how hard the mechanic is tightening the bolts. The lower, beam style is for smaller forces, and the upper for higher torque values. Most modern bike parts now provide torque specs with the instructions and warn the warranty will be voided if excessive force is used when installing. My wife bought me these torque wrenches for my birthday one year after hearing about a close call I had on a ride. I had recently purchased a fancy new carbon fibre handlebar, and was afraid to over tighten when I installed it on my bike. All was fine until I descended a nearby hill and had to apply the brakes when I reached the bottom. The handlebars slipped and rotated halfway around, nearly causing me to crash heavily. These wrenches now allow me to maintain my bikes with the knowledge I am tightening the parts as tight as possible, but without damaging them. This is something to take note of when you take your bike to the shop for repairs. If the mechanic is NOT using a torque wrench to install those fancy new titanium spindled Look Keo pedals to your hollow arm carbon fibre crankset, I suggest you take your bike to a different shop! No self respecting bike shop would be without these tools nowadays!

    Measured Force: One of the problems on modern racing bikes is the components are all engineered to be as light and thin as possible. The bolts and fasteners that hold these parts together and on the bike are made of lightweight titanium, aluminum or even magnesium. The tolerances are so tight that it is quite easy to over tighten, and snap a screw trying to install a part. As a consequence, that exotic magnesium handlebar stem becomes a very expensive paperweight. The tools you see here are called torque wrenches. They are used to measure how hard the mechanic is tightening the bolts. The lower, beam style is for smaller forces, and the upper for higher torque values. Most modern bike parts now provide torque specs with the instructions and warn the warranty will be voided if excessive force is used when installing. My wife bought me these torque wrenches for my birthday one year after hearing about a close call I had on a ride. I had recently purchased a fancy new carbon fibre handlebar, and was afraid to over tighten when I installed it on my bike. All was fine until I descended a nearby hill and had to apply the brakes when I reached the bottom. The handlebars slipped and rotated halfway around, nearly causing me to crash heavily. These wrenches now allow me to maintain my bikes with the knowledge I am tightening the parts as tight as possible, but without damaging them. This is something to take note of when you take your bike to the shop for repairs. If the mechanic is NOT using a torque wrench to install those fancy new titanium spindled Look Keo pedals to your hollow arm carbon fibre crankset, I suggest you take your bike to a different shop! No self respecting bike shop would be without these tools nowadays!