Bike Stem Top Cap Torque

A torque wrench is a good idea at this point.

Bike stem top cap torque.

150 170 lb in 17 20 3 nm tandem stoker stem. 100 120 lb in 11 3 13 6 nm handlebar clamp. Never had anything close to an issue with the lower than max torque. Verify that the bars still turn freely with little resistance.

5 just seems like way to much. Torque wrenches available to general industrial work including bicycle work are typically accurate to plus or minus four percent. There are basically three types of torque wrenches the beam type the click type and the dial type. You can absolutely over tighten the bolts it is after all most likely lightweight aluminum you re working with.

100 lb in 11 3 nm steerer clamp. With carbon fiber handlebar. Do not overtighten it. If you feel play loosen the pinch bolts tighten the top cap another 1 8th turn re tighten the pinch bolts and check again.

The specs on alot of my parts like the carbon stem and seatpost clamp indicate a max torque of 5nm which was way more than i would have done if i was just hand tightening. In other words a torque wrench set for 100 in lbs might tighten to 96 in lbs or 104 in lbs. Do up the headset top cap until it is just tight at this point you should be unable to turn your stem spacers. This is precisely why almost all stems have torque values printed on the actual part.

100 120 lb in 11 3 13 6 nm handlebar clamp. The top cap bolt just snugs up the crown headset assembly the stem bolts do the actual job of holding the fork steerer tube. A typical torque spec is 4 6 nm. Continue until the play is gone.

150 180 lb in 17 20 3 nm handlebar clamp. Torque the pinch bolts.