Notices
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational) This has to be the most physically intense sport ever invented. It's high speed bicycle racing on a short off road course or riding the off pavement rides on gravel like : "Unbound Gravel". We also have a dedicated Racing forum for the Cyclocross Hard Core Racers.

Stem cap came off…

Old 09-13-22, 07:47 AM
  #1  
mcgeggy
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Howell, NJ
Posts: 90

Bikes: 2017 Cannondale Synapse (105)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Stem cap came off…

I was on a ride (Cannondale Topstone Sora 2019) and noticed my stem cap was missing, somehow popped off and was lost mid ride. I ordered a new one. It’s the kind that screws on over the expander plug, not held in place with the little bolt. Can I just screw the new cap on? Or is there something about preload that I need to worry about? The plug is still tight inside…
mcgeggy is offline  
Old 09-13-22, 02:41 PM
  #2  
pdlamb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,842

Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2575 Post(s)
Liked 1,900 Times in 1,192 Posts
The stem should hold whatever preload in on the fork. I'd worry, though, that if the stem cap unscrewed and fell out then the preload is likely suspect. It's probably worth a trip to the LBS to get a new one and make sure it's installed correctly.
pdlamb is offline  
Likes For pdlamb:
Old 09-13-22, 06:57 PM
  #3  
mcgeggy
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Howell, NJ
Posts: 90

Bikes: 2017 Cannondale Synapse (105)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by pdlamb
The stem should hold whatever preload in on the fork. I'd worry, though, that if the stem cap unscrewed and fell out then the preload is likely suspect. It's probably worth a trip to the LBS to get a new one and make sure it's installed correctly.
It was strange that it just vanished the way it did. But I’ve been riding without it and no issues. I wonder it it was over tightened the last time I had a full tuneup done, and maybe the threaded tube part cracked, and that’s why it loosened so easily and vibrated off.

If I was replacing the entire thing (cap + plug), my understanding is I would use the cap to expand the plug inside the stem, and the torque it to spec using the bolt. But if the cap worked it’s way loose however that happened, and the bolt stayed torqued in the plug, then I would just need to screw the cap back into place. No?
mcgeggy is offline  
Old 09-14-22, 08:23 PM
  #4  
katsup
Senior Member
 
katsup's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,775

Bikes: 1995 ParkPre Pro 825 2021 Soma Fog Cutter v2 and 2021 Cotic SolarisMax

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 606 Post(s)
Liked 557 Times in 317 Posts
What pdlamb said is correct, technically the stem should hold the preload and all you need to do is add the cap.

However, there may be something wrong for the cap to fall off which is why he is suggesting redoing the preload when you get the new cap.
katsup is offline  
Likes For katsup:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.