Bike Top Cap Torque

Snug the top cap down until there is slight resistance.

Bike top cap torque.

There are basically three types of torque wrenches the beam type the click type and the dial type. A torque table for bicycles. A torque wrench is a good idea at this point. Once the stem is tightened in place is is purely cosmetic and covers the top of the steerer.

Standard hub endcaps are 21mm in diameter while the new torque upgrade converts the hub cap ends to 31mm. So what are torque caps and do you need them. In other words a torque wrench set for 100 in lbs might tighten to 96 in lbs or 104 in lbs. Do not overtighten it.

You want the minimum torque to reduce play in the headset. 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. Adjust the bearing preload with the top cap then retighten the stem to hold it firmly. It is non load bearing.

As others have said the top cap is pre load only. Do it right use this torque guide. As of march 2017 we offer torque upgrades on our nobl industry 9 torch and hope pro 4 evo wheelsets. Torque wrenches available to general industrial work including bicycle work are typically accurate to plus or minus four percent.

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. Next straighten the handlebars. Yup the top cap is just used to preload the headset bearings before tightening it all up properly.

Do up the headset top cap until it is just tight at this point you should be unable to turn your stem spacers. Test the headset adjustment by lifting the bike and pushing the bars back and forth the bars should turn freely with very little resistance. Don t over tighten nuts bolts.