Is it okay to tighten the top cap a bit more after you tighten the stem bolt?
#1
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Is it okay to tighten the top cap a bit more after you tighten the stem bolt?
I recently changed the stem on my bike. I followed every step I got from youtube. Tested the bike without a single problem. Headset bearings are just right. No binding and no play.
But there is one thing I'm missing in the youtube instructions, is it okay to increase tightness of the topcap bolt AFTER I have tightened the stem bolts?? It's a little bit lose in mine and only takes little pressure with the hex wrench to remove it.
But there is one thing I'm missing in the youtube instructions, is it okay to increase tightness of the topcap bolt AFTER I have tightened the stem bolts?? It's a little bit lose in mine and only takes little pressure with the hex wrench to remove it.
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If it's loose then snug it down a bit. If you go too far you'll start to pull the star nut or expander out of the steerer but that's it. This shouldn't be an issue though. When you adjust the headset the top cap should be 'snug', definitely not loose.
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Once you tighten the stem bolts, the top cap serves no purpose. You can't tighten the bearings by tightening it, and the bearings won't loosen if you loosen it. You could actually remove it without any problem. It doesn't matter if it's tight. Snug it up if it works a bit loose but no need to go overboard.
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It shouldn't make much difference. I tend to like to relieve tension a bit.
I don't know why one would tighten unless it was being used for an accessory mount, or was rattling.
I don't know why one would tighten unless it was being used for an accessory mount, or was rattling.
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Tightening the top cap with the stem bolts loose applies pre-load to the headset bearings. After you tighten the stem bolts, the top cap should be snug.
Since the top cap bolt is threaded onto the star nut (or expander), if you continue to tighten it, the stem isn’t going anywhere, but the star nut or expander can be pulled out if you just keep turning and tightening.
The first rule I was taught was to never try to tighten a threadless headset unless I made sure the stem bolts were loosened.
I once had a steel steerer tube that got wet and some surface rust formed on it that I didn’t see. I loosened the stem bolts to add more pre-load, but I just couldn’t set the pre-load. Eventually the star nut was at the top of the steerer tube. I should have realized the threads were going somewhere… lol!
John
Since the top cap bolt is threaded onto the star nut (or expander), if you continue to tighten it, the stem isn’t going anywhere, but the star nut or expander can be pulled out if you just keep turning and tightening.
The first rule I was taught was to never try to tighten a threadless headset unless I made sure the stem bolts were loosened.
I once had a steel steerer tube that got wet and some surface rust formed on it that I didn’t see. I loosened the stem bolts to add more pre-load, but I just couldn’t set the pre-load. Eventually the star nut was at the top of the steerer tube. I should have realized the threads were going somewhere… lol!
John
Last edited by 70sSanO; 03-14-22 at 09:54 PM.
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Ok! You do that!
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#8
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I recently changed the stem on my bike. I followed every step I got from youtube. Tested the bike without a single problem. Headset bearings are just right. No binding and no play.
But there is one thing I'm missing in the youtube instructions, is it okay to increase tightness of the topcap bolt AFTER I have tightened the stem bolts?? It's a little bit lose in mine and only takes little pressure with the hex wrench to remove it.
But there is one thing I'm missing in the youtube instructions, is it okay to increase tightness of the topcap bolt AFTER I have tightened the stem bolts?? It's a little bit lose in mine and only takes little pressure with the hex wrench to remove it.
So after tightening the headset and the stem you normally just snug the top cap down so that it doesn't rattle. I use mine to install a Garmin mount under the top cap. https://content.backcountry.com/image...KEG000A/BK.jpg
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Once you tighten the stem bolts, the top cap serves no purpose. You can't tighten the bearings by tightening it, and the bearings won't loosen if you loosen it. You could actually remove it without any problem. It doesn't matter if it's tight. Snug it up if it works a bit loose but no need to go overboard.
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