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U.S. Built Custom Bicycles in Titanium and Titanium-Carbon Mix

Seven Torque Settings

Torque Setting By Product
Common Torque Setting FAQs
Resources For Understanding Torque Tools & Standards

Park Tool has a good resource everyone should read. They also have a fairly exhaustive list of component torque standards.

Should I use grease or anti-seize for titanium?

We recommend using anti-seize for any titanium to metal interfaces. Grease works well, too, if you service and re-grease threads and interfaces on a regular basis. Copper and nickel anti-seize both work well for titanium. Nickel anti-seize is designed for high temperature use, so it is overkill, but it works just fine.

Torque Accuracy Best Practices

Using proper torque on all of your bike's components and accessories is important. It's even more important when your bike has high performance, lightweight parts, often a lot of carbon — like your Seven probably does. .

Untortunately, using a torque wrench properly doesn't ensure that your bolts are applying the correct torque. It's all about eliminating friction. High friction in the form of poorly maintained components is one of the most common causes of long-term part failure.

There are a number of friction points for each bolt on your bike. Here are the most common factors that cause friction and incorrect torque wrench readings:

  • Dirty interfaces: Debris causes friction. Clean the bolt and the thread interface. Clean the bolt head, too. There are other reasons to start with a clean surface that go beyond just friction reduction.
  • Not enough grease: Don't worry about using too much grease; it's not really possible. But, too little grease will not minimize friction. Grease the bottom face of the bolt head and the washer, not just the full threads. If the bolt requires threadlock rather than grease, follow the manufacturer's installation instructions.
  • Washer issues: If there is a washer for the bolt, make sure it's in good condition. If it's scored or damaged, replace it. If there isn't a washer, maybe add one if you're having trouble with the part slipping. Brass washers typically have less friction than stainless washers.
  • Worn threads: Over time, as you loosen and tighten a bolt, the threads can wear. As the threads wear, they shed metal, and the threads shear to the mating part. These two issues dramatically increase friction. Thread wear is most common on the female part and that can be difficult to see but can also occur on the male part.

Common Frame Torque Settings

Frame Element Torque Setting, Nm Torque Setting, Inch/lbs Bolt or screw dimensions
Seat top binder clamp/collar on frame 6.8 - 9.0 Nm 60 - 80 inch/lbs M6x1, 25 mm length, 5 mm hex head cap screw, stainless steel
Rear wheel thru-axle, Robert Axle Project 12.0 Nm 97 inch/lbs 12 x 1.5 inch pitch
6 mm hex wrench
Dropout: Thru-axle low mount bolts that hold the brake mount to the dropout 6.0 - 8.0 Nm 55 - 70 inch/lbs M6x1
Dropout: Thru-axle bolts that hold the Thru-axle insert 1.0 Nm 9 Inch/lbs M3
Head tube badge bolts N/A, hand-tight with Loctite Stainless 1/8" x 4-40 button head bolt for a flathead screwdriver
Bottom bracket cable guide bolt N/A, hand-tight with Loctite M5x.8x10 mm
Bottom bracket cartridge Follow bottom bracket manufacturer's installation instructions* English thread or T47 thread

Suspension Frame Torque Settings ‐ Mobius and KellCat

Frame Element Torque Setting, Nm Torque Setting, Inch/lbs Bolt or screw dimensions
All rocker and shock bolts 7.0 Nm 62 inch/lbs Various

Specialty Frame Torque Settings

Frame Element Torque Setting, Nm Torque Setting, Inch/lbs Bolt or screw dimensions
Fender mounts Follow fender manufacturer's installation instructions*
Rack mounts Follow rack manufacturer's installation instructions*
Eccentric bottom bracket internals: Bushnell or Problem Solvers™ 8.5 to 10.0 Nm 75 - 89 inch/lbs 4 mm hex head
Belt drive frame splitter — Seven's proprietary design 3.0 to 4.0 Nm 25 - 35 inch/lbs Various
BTC S&S Couplers for travel bikes N/A, a fair amount of force Various

* These are torque specs provided by the component supplier, not Seven Cycles.

Seven Forks

Fork Specification Torque Setting, Nm Torque Setting, Inch/lbs Bolt or screw dimensions
Fork thru-axle, Robert Axle Project 8.0 Nm 97 inch/lbs 12 x 1.5 inch pitch
6 mm hex wrench
Stem to fork steerer bolts* Torque to manufacturer's specification. Do on exceed 4.5 Nm Do not exceed 40 inch/lbs M5x.8, 16 mm length, 4 mm hex head cap screw
Fork expander plug for Seven carbon steerer 5.5 - 6.5 Nm 48 - 58 inch/lbs M6x1
Headset top cap* Torque to manufacturer's specification. Do on exceed 2.2 Nm Do not exceed 19 inch/lbs M5x.8, 16 mm length, 4 mm hex head cap screw

Seven Components

Component Torque Setting, Nm Torque Setting, Inch/lbs Bolt or screw dimensions
Titanium seat post to saddle clamp. Seven's current design with an aluminum bonded top. 9 - 10 Nm
Printed on the aluminum top.		 80 - 88 inch/lbs M6x1, 30 mm length, 5 mm hex head cap screw, stainless steel
Stem to handlebar clamp 3.8 - 5.1 Nm 34 - 45 inch/lbs M5x.8, 16 mm length, 4 mm hex head cap screw
Stem to fork steerer bolts* 3.6 - 4.5 Nm 32 - 40 inch/lbs M5x.8, 16 mm length, 4 mm hex head cap screw

Common Component Interfaces

Always follow the setting provided by the part supplier. Unfortunately, this information can be difficult to find, so here are some of the more common torque's you'll want to know.

Component Torque Setting, Nm Torque Setting, Inch/lbs
Front derailleur clamp Shimano 4.6 - 6.8 Nm Shimano 41 - 60 inch/lbs
SRAM 4.6 - 6.8 Nm SRAM 41 - 60 inch/lbs
Campagnolo 6.8 Nm Campagnolo 60 inch/lbs
Rear derailleur mounting bolt Shimano 7.9 - 9.6 Nm Shimano 70 - 86 inch/lbs
SRAM 7.9 - 9.6 Nm SRAM 70 - 86 inch/lbs
Campagnolo 14.8 Nm Campagnolo 131 inch/lbs

* These are torque specs provided by the component supplier, not Seven Cycles.

Slipping Seat Post Solutions

If your seat post is slipping in your Seven frame, here are the ways to eliminate the issue:

  1. Follow our best practices for getting accurate torque readings.
  2. Clean the seat top bolt and internal threads. Clean the seat post and seat post sleeve in the frame. Make sure there is no debris or grease present.
  3. Make sure there is grease on the bolt thread of the seat top binder. Just because it looks like there's grease on the threads doesn't mean there is enough grease. Debris often looks like grease. Often there is some grease but it's mostly debris. The grease that we put on the bolt can wash out from repeatedly riding in the rain and from cleaning the bike. Make sure you've put grease on the underside of the bolt head, too, where it interfaces the brass washer. Any good quality grease will work well. Anti-seize grease is typically our favorite choice.
  4. Use the proper torque setting. If you don't use a torque wrench, all bets are off. Apply a thin layer of grease to the post. The purpose of this is to prevent galvanic corrosion of the post and to help keep water from getting into the bottom bracket thorugh the seat post interface.

That's all you will typically need to do. However, every seat post manufacturer works to different tolerances, so if the above steps don't work, escalate to these:

  1. Remove the grease from the post and sleeve. Replace the grease with carbon paste. The carbon paste will help keep the post from sliding while also helping eliminate the possibility of galvanic corrosion. The paste will also keep water from getting into your bottom bracket through the seat post interface.
  2. If none of the above keeps the post from slipping, either:
    1. use a different post because there is a sizing issue, or
    2. increase the torque spec up to 15% above Seven's recommendation.