Originally Posted by
qwaalodge
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.
The job of the cap bolt is to tighten the stem down so that there is no play in the headset. After you accomplish that and there is no for or aft play in the fork by putting the brakes on and wiggling the fork back and forth with no detectable play or sound, the stem is tightened, tested again and then the top cap becomes of no use,. it could pull out a little if the fork lock isn't installed properly but not if the stem has been properly tightened.
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.
http://content.backcountry.com/image...KEG000A/BK.jpg