A brief talk about torque
We get it: a term like “torque” can sound pretty technical and intimidating. But, it’s easier to understand than you might imagine. And, it’s important to know a little bit about how it works. That way, when you attach or adjust your bike’s parts, you’ll feel confident that they’re not too loose or too tight, but just right.
Torque is a measurement of the tightness of a threaded fastener such as a screw or bolt, and is determined by using a special tool called a torque wrench. Torque specifications help you determine the correct tightness of parts and their threaded fasteners.
Torque specifications should be used to make sure you do not over- or under-tighten a fastener. Over-tightening does not provide extra holding power and may actually lead to component damage or breakage. Under-tightening a part may also lead to problems, as a loose fastener can let the part come loose or can lead to fatigue failure. To prevent these problems, use a torque wrench to set the proper torque value.
Typically torque specs are printed right onto Trek components. Look for a number with Nm printed after, for example, “4 Nm max.” (For you curious folks out there, Nm stands for newton meters.) For more specific information, you can check trekbikes.com/manuals for bike manuals with the torque values for your specific bike model. You can also find detailed specs for components like brakes, bar ends, handlebars, seatposts, and racks.
An important torque to remember is 40-43 Nm. This is the tightness value for your pedals. If you can’t measure this yourself, please visit your bike shop for proper tightening.
For non-Trek components—including those made by SRAM, Shimano, Fox, RockShox, etc—we recommend you go directly to the manufacturer’s website to find exact product specifications.