Torque spanner necessary?
 

Do you use torque spanners, for example for wheel changes? I've heard different opinions and I'm not sure whether it's worth buying some (decent ones don't come cheap). Also it's additional weight to carry around...

I have never bothered to use a Torque wrench for wheel nuts etc, but always use one for any engine work, it's not always been the case tho. 'It used to be, tighten by force until the thread strips then back it off half a turn!' learnt better now.

No real need to carry the wrench on trips, as any serious work would be carried out in a workshop that has one...or should have. If you do have to do work without one just be careful.

To torque or not to torque
 

I go with Daves' reply, other than I do use one on the wheel nuts, basically because I have the tool to do that, so it may as well be used, + it is a long shaft tool that gets the nut off in the first place (although, strictly speaking, torque wrenches should not be used for removing nuts according to some advice I have seen).

I could not be bothered to carry one with the bike though. However, I make sure that tools I am carrying can deal with slackening nuts and bolts that have been tightened by other tools - garages using, say, air tools, may tighten bolts so much that you can't get them undone again.

It is my impression, and only that, that the use of Torque wrenches has increased massively, over the years, by manufacturers etc, and I would guess this is because of changing workshop practices; perhaps driven by liability laws?

For the sort of jobs you're likely to encounter on the road then you don't really need one. It's definately not worth carrying one just to torque up your axle nuts.
If you're doing more involved engine work then you definately need one. Things like cylinder head bolts and camshaft bridges need to be done properly to prevent damage to the engine.
I think they're used more often now because the aluminium components on modern machines are a lot less forgiving of overtightening than steel.

Slightly off topic.
Another good way to help prevent stripped threads is to use those short stubby spanners:thumbup1: or hold a normal spanner further down its shaft.

Trophymick

Alternatively you could use one of these

TORK-GRIP, The Ultimate Torque Wrench For The Bicyclist

fits anything

Very handy tool
 

So useful I may buy 2!! :rofl:

(You've been in "that bar" tonight).