First things first: the value printed on the part or in its manual always wins. This chart collects the torque specs manufacturers publish, compiled by Park Tool and cross-checked against Husqvarna’s guide and SRAM’s brake manual (checked in October 2026), but each model can call for something different. On carbon parts (handlebar, stem, seatpost, steerer) use carbon assembly paste and a torque wrench: with paste, less torque keeps the part from slipping, and too much can break it without warning.
Torque is the twisting force used to tighten a bolt. Bike parts are specified in newton meters (N·m); many US torque wrenches read in inch-pounds (in-lb), and 1 N·m = 8.85 in-lb. Many manufacturers give a range; stay in the lower half if it’s carbon.
Torque specs by part
| Part | Torque (N·m) | Torque (in-lb) | Brand or system | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stem: steerer clamp bolts | 5-8.8 | 44-78 | Thomson 5.4; Race Face 6.2; Deda 8; FSA carbon 8.8 | Husqvarna gives 6-8 as a general guide |
| Stem: handlebar faceplate (4 bolts) | 5-8.8 | 44-78 | Thomson 5.4; Time 6; Race Face 6.2; Deda 8; FSA 8.8 | Tighten in a cross pattern and leave an even gap top and bottom |
| Seatpost clamp | 4-6.8 | 35-60 | Campagnolo 4-6.8 | Husqvarna gives 5-6 |
| Saddle to seatpost, 2 bolts | 5-7.1 | 44-63 | Syncros 5 per bolt; Truvativ M6 6-7.1 | — |
| Saddle to seatpost, 1 bolt | 20-34 | 177-301 | Campagnolo 22; Truvativ M8 22-24; Shimano 20-30 | Older single-bolt seatposts |
| Hollowtech II cranks: pinch bolts | 9.9-14.9 | 88-132 | Shimano | The two bolts on the left arm, alternating |
| Cranks: spindle bolt | 32-54 | 283-478 | Shimano 34-44; Campagnolo 32-38; Race Face 54 | Depends on the system; SRAM DUB is in its manual |
| Pedals | 31-40 | 274-354 | Truvativ 31.2-33.9; Ritchey 34.7; Shimano 35 minimum; Campagnolo 40 | Husqvarna gives 30-35 |
| Disc brake caliper | 5.7-10.2 | 50-90 | Shimano 6-8; Tektro 6-8; Magura 5.7; SRAM 9.5 (Post Mount); Avid 9-10.2 | Husqvarna: SRAM 9-10, Magura 6, Tektro 6-8 |
| 6-bolt rotor | 2-6.2 | 18-55 | Shimano 2-4; Magura 3.8; Hayes 5.6; SRAM and Avid 6.2 | M5 bolts, in a star pattern |
| Center Lock rotor: lockring | 40 | 354 | Shimano and SRAM | External lockring: 44 mm, 16-notch bottom bracket tool (SRAM) |
| Cassette: lockring | 29.4-50 | 260-443 | Shimano 29.4-49; SRAM 40; Campagnolo 50 | — |
| Hollowtech II bottom bracket (cups) | 34.5-49.1 | 305-435 | Shimano | BSA thread: drive side is left-hand |
| Threaded bottom bracket, other brands | 33.9-49 | 300-434 | Truvativ 33.9-40.7; Campagnolo Ultra-Torque 35; Race Face 47.5; FSA 39.2-49 | — |
| Rear derailleur to hanger | 8-10 | 71-89 | Shimano and SRAM 8-10; Campagnolo 15 | Husqvarna: Shimano 8-10, SRAM 11 |
| Front derailleur (clamp) | 4.5-7 | 40-62 | Shimano 5-7; SRAM 4.5 or 5-7; Campagnolo 5 or 7 | — |
| Chainring bolts | 5-14 | 44-124 | Shimano aluminum 5-10 and steel 7.9-10.7; Campagnolo 8; Truvativ steel 12.1-14 | — |
| Rear thru-axle | 12-15 | 106-133 | Husqvarna general guide | Many axles have the torque printed on them; Park Tool gives no general value |
The brand values in the fourth column are in N·m; multiply by 8.85 for in-lb.
How to use this chart
- Look for the number on the part first. Stems, handlebars, seatposts, clamps and hangers usually have it printed (“5 Nm max”). If it’s there, it overrides this chart.
- If it isn’t, find the model’s manual. Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo publish torque specs for every part in their technical manuals, and they change between generations: the ranges in this chart tell you whether a value is reasonable, they don’t replace it.
- Carbon: assembly paste and the low half of the range. The paste contains grit that increases grip, so the bar or post won’t slip at lower torque.
- Clean, greased threads, unless the manufacturer calls for threadlocker on a particular bolt. A dirty bolt reaches its torque value without clamping as hard as it should.
- Recheck after your first ride the stem, seatpost and caliper bolts: that’s when parts settle in.
If you’re installing new parts, also make sure they’re the right standard with our charts of bottom brackets, axles and disc brake rotors. The printable workshop sheet is handy for noting your bike’s torque specs, and the bike maintenance schedule by mileage tells you when to check each part. The names of every component in six languages are in the components glossary.
Frequently asked questions
How tight should stem bolts be?
Nearly all modern four-bolt stems take 5 to 8 N·m (44-78 in-lb), on both the faceplate and the steerer clamp. Thomson calls for 5.4 N·m, Race Face 6.2 and FSA 8.8: check the number printed on your stem.
How tight should bike pedals be?
Shimano calls for at least 35 N·m (310 in-lb) and Campagnolo 40 N·m (354 in-lb). Without a torque wrench, tighten firmly with a long-handled 15 mm pedal wrench; the left pedal is reverse-threaded (it tightens counterclockwise).
What happens if I overtighten a carbon handlebar?
Carbon gives no warning: too much torque can crush the fibers and cause a failure later on, with no visible deformation beforehand. Use a torque wrench and carbon assembly paste, and never exceed the printed value.
Do I really need a torque wrench for my bike?
For the stem, handlebar, seatpost and carbon parts, yes: they take 4-8 N·m (35-71 in-lb), and it's very easy to overdo it by hand. A 2 to 15 N·m wrench covers almost everything; for the bottom bracket, cassette and Center Lock (35-50 N·m) you need a bigger one.