As others have said the top cap is pre load only.
Mountain bike top cap torque.
Adjust the bearing preload with the top cap then retighten the stem to hold it firmly.
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Yup the top cap is just used to preload the headset bearings before tightening it all up properly.
The torque is your do it all gravity bike and excels at everything from freeride to enduro to downhill.
If the motion of the bars feels sticky or hesitant loosen the top cap 1 8th of a turn and test again.
Tighten the top cap.
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.
Test the headset adjustment by lifting the bike and pushing the bars back and forth the bars should turn freely with very little resistance.
Snug the top cap down until there is slight resistance.
Mountain bike rider sept 2019.
Next straighten the handlebars.
Do it right use this torque guide.
There are basically three types of torque wrenches the beam type the click type and the dial type.
Don t over tighten nuts bolts.
Suggestions appear below back to top.
In other words a torque wrench set for 100 in lbs might tighten to 96 in lbs or 104 in lbs.
You want the minimum torque to reduce play in the headset.
This is your inseam measurement.
Once the stem is tightened in place is is purely cosmetic and covers the top of the steerer.
Same is true for the end cap on a shimano hollowtech ii crankset.
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.
A torque table for bicycles.
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