Don t over tighten nuts bolts.
Mountain bike top cap torque.
Adjust the bearing preload with the top cap then retighten the stem to hold it firmly.
Yup the top cap is just used to preload the headset bearings before tightening it all up properly.
Test the headset adjustment by lifting the bike and pushing the bars back and forth the bars should turn freely with very little resistance.
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If the motion of the bars feels sticky or hesitant loosen the top cap 1 8th of a turn and test again.
Same is true for the end cap on a shimano hollowtech ii crankset.
When it s all back together you could actually take the top cap off and it ll have no effect other than letting the rain in.
It is non load bearing.
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You want the minimum torque to reduce play in the headset.
Snug the top cap down until there is slight resistance.
This is your inseam measurement.
Now measure the distance from the top edge of the spirit level down to the ground.
When tightening the headset top cap it must push down on the stem or the spacer above it and not the fork column itself the top cap pushes down on the headset which.
Mountain bike rider sept 2019.
Torque wrenches available to general industrial work including bicycle work are typically accurate to plus or minus four percent.
There are basically three types of torque wrenches the beam type the click type and the dial type.
Next straighten the handlebars.
The torque is your do it all gravity bike and excels at everything from freeride to enduro to downhill.
Tighten the top cap.
Once the stem is tightened in place is is purely cosmetic and covers the top of the steerer.
As others have said the top cap is pre load only.
Do it right use this torque guide.