Ditch your Torx bolts?

[Milzy]

Anybody particular Campag uses swapped out their torques fittings for normal hex versions?
I’ve never liked torques, even with good tools I’ve seen them round easily.
I might just do the common ones like the rim brakes.

 

[presta]

I find it hard to imagine Torx rounding easier than hex sockets, I thought the whole point of them was that they don't. I've never tried them though.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

There's a load of mounting bolts all over my GT ebike, but it threw me when I discovered they were all Torx head, which my current ancient multi-tool doesn't have.

 

[Dadam]

even with good tools I’ve seen them round easily.

I'm finding that hard to believe. I've never ever had a torx head or bit round off but a fair few hex heads.
You are using the right size?

 

[fossyant]

Hmm, you were using the right size Torx bit ?

 

[Milzy]

I know what you’re saying but the guy changed all the bolts to titanium. I love Ti but it’s soft for bolt heads.
I need to know these lengths.

 

[Milzy]

I'm finding that hard to believe. I've never ever had a torx head or bit round off but a fair few hex heads.
You are using the right size?

They are T25 on Campag Rim brakes I think.

 

[C R]

Torx are difficult to round even with the wrong size driver. The design is such that on the smaller sizes a size n driver will work reasonably well with a size n+1 fastener without causing damage.

 

[T4tomo]

One thing I find difficult is to fathom the @Milzy logic🤣

 

[ianrauk]

Hamfistedness right there.
Have had Ti bolts on my bike over a dozen years with no problems.

 

[silva]

The reason for Torx choice for this application was probably to reduce the heads dimensions, Light Weight Religion, cost cutting, whatever.
Torx should be, for a same dimensioned head (important), LESS (about 2 times more material resisting the tool) prone to rounding (=damage), due to the much bigger angle the tool surfaces contact the bolts surfaces = more material resisting.

So if you found them easier to round/damage, it must have had another reason than the tools insertion design difference Torx versus Hex.
Softer material, more play due to tool, bolt head specs smaller than required, already damaged before...

Ofcouse, a sufficient protruding hex head has the benefit of bolt and tool abundancy=cheap and the in case rounded, solution of an also abundant vice/whatever grips on the external, which is why I replaced the original rather shallow and rounded torx bolts of my rear cog with default sized allen head bolts, since steel bolt stuck in alu thread is hard to get out without damaging the alu (here the expensive hub and all related work)

 

[oxoman]

Over the years ive used 1000s of torx fasteners when working in automotive manufacturing l, they're used as they give a more positive location on the bit in order to get higher torque values. Some cheaper torx screws are made of cheese and will round off and damage easily, especially if the bit isn't located fully in the screw or the bit is worn. The bits themselves can wear very easily at the ends because they dont get fully inserted into the screw. You also get the same issue with torx bits as the screws, some are made of cheese.

 

[fossyant]

Silva is back talking bollix !

 

[fossyant]

Over the years ive used 1000s of torx fasteners when working in automotive manufacturing l, they're used as they give a more positive location on the bit in order to get higher torque values. Some cheaper torx screws are made of cheese and will round off and damage easily, especially if the bit isn't located fully in the screw or the bit is worn. The bits themselves can wear very easily at the ends because they dont get fully inserted into the screw. You also get the same issue with torx bits as the screws, some are made of cheese.

Same issue with any bolts, and tools - some are poor quality. It's also very easy with Torx, to use the wrong size tool if you aren't careful as an undersized tool will appear to fit. Always go bigger !

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Over the years ive used 1000s of torx fasteners when working in automotive manufacturing l, they're used as they give a more positive location on the bit in order to get higher torque values. Some cheaper torx screws are made of cheese and will round off and damage easily, especially if the bit isn't located fully in the screw or the bit is worn. The bits themselves can wear very easily at the ends because they dont get fully inserted into the screw. You also get the same issue with torx bits as the screws, some are made of cheese.

On any torx or allen head screw it's best practice to tap the bit into the head to make sure it is fully home, particularly on the smaller sizes.