Headset question
10-02-19, 09:51 PM
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Headset question
is it bad to fully tighten the top cap once the stem is adjusted and the bolts are tight? It wouldn't be pressing down on the headset so why not?
10-02-19, 10:26 PM
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If you have a lock ring in between the 2 nuts there shouldn't be a problem as loons you use one wrench to hold the bottom cup so it does not move while tightening the top nut....all should be fine. Yes, you need to lock the headset.
edit
If threadless what others have said.
Ben
edit
If threadless what others have said.
Ben
Last edited by xiaoman1; 10-05-19 at 07:26 AM.
10-02-19, 10:27 PM
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I assume this is the top cap on a threadless headset you are inquiring about. Once the stem bolts have been tightened after preloading the headset bearing tension, the top cap tension is no longer in play, and can even be removed if you want. Why would you want to excessively tighten the cap bolt, however?
10-03-19, 08:58 AM
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As others have said, it's not something to worry about once the threadless headset is adjusted. That said, you can damage the top cap if you put too much torque on it. I've seen people pull the bolt out of the middle of the top cap while trying to adjust the headset with the stem still tight on the steer tube. On the positive side, top caps are cheap but breaking one is embarrassing.
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10-03-19, 10:07 AM
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The compression plug that the top cap bolt screws into is held in pace by friction. Torquing the top cap bolt too much will pull out the compression plug.
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10-03-19, 11:41 AM
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That's kind of bass ackwards. You tighten the top cap to get the right preload, then tighten (using a torque wrench) the stem bolts. I'd leave the cap setting as is. Removing it exposes the threads to the elements and leaves the possibly rough edge of the fork tube exposed.
There is no advantage in tightening the cap once the stem bolts are in place.
There are minimal advantages and some significant disadvantages to removing the cap.
But aggiegrads asked the right question: what do you hope to accomplish by tightening the cap screw?
There is no advantage in tightening the cap once the stem bolts are in place.
There are minimal advantages and some significant disadvantages to removing the cap.
But aggiegrads asked the right question: what do you hope to accomplish by tightening the cap screw?
10-04-19, 11:25 PM
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Ok, I thought the top cap also provided some security for the stem because it's pressing down on it. Apparently it doesn't matter if it's completely removed.
Last edited by Ride_Fast; 10-04-19 at 11:34 PM.
10-05-19, 09:06 AM
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But, as with a star fangled nut, once the stem is tightened, the compression plug and top cap serves no purpose.
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Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
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Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
10-05-19, 04:41 PM
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An annoyance that is completely avoidable by using the compression plug the way it was intended.
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