Mountain Bike Top Cap Torque

Do it right use this torque guide.

Mountain bike top cap torque.

There are basically three types of torque wrenches the beam type the click type and the dial type. Once the stem is tightened in place is is purely cosmetic and covers the top of the steerer. Don t over tighten nuts bolts. The torque is your do it all gravity bike and excels at everything from freeride to enduro to downhill.

Torque wrenches available to general industrial work including bicycle work are typically accurate to plus or minus four percent. Adjust the bearing preload with the top cap then retighten the stem to hold it firmly. A torque table for bicycles. You want the minimum torque to reduce play in the headset.

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. As others have said the top cap is pre load only. Mountain bike rider sept 2019.

Now measure the distance from the top edge of the spirit level down to the ground. Yup the top cap is just used to preload the headset bearings before tightening it all up properly. 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. Tighten the top cap.

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. Snug the top cap down until there is slight resistance. It is non load bearing. This is your inseam measurement.

Mountain bike levers avid built in clamp 4 5 6 8 nm 40 60 in lbs avid strap type 3 2 4 1 nm 28 36 in lbs cane creek 6 9 nm 53 80 in lbs shimano 6 7 8 nm 53 69 in lbs sram 3 4 nm 30 in lbs upright bar levers campagnolo 10 nm 89 in lbs shimano 6 8 nm 53 69 in lbs. In other words a torque wrench set for 100 in lbs might tighten to 96 in lbs or 104 in lbs. Next straighten the handlebars. Test the headset adjustment by lifting the bike and pushing the bars back and forth the bars should turn freely with very little resistance.