Mechanical Question: Stem and Fork

Triathlon Forum
1 
  1.   When you put a stem on a fork, do you tighten the stem to the fork first and then the little cap on top of the stem or vice versa? 

  2.    How tight does the cap have to be?  

  3.   And what is the purpose of that little cap?

Thanks.

2

First make sure that the fork length is cut correctly. The top cap should not bottom out on the fork when tightened. Next assemble everything loosely. Snug down the cap such that the fork turns freely but with no free play. It should not take much force on the top cap bolt. Now tighten the stem bolts, tight but crushing tight. Alternate tightening the bolts a couple of times if your stem has to until they fell like they are even in tightness.

The top cap takes the play out of the headset and the stem holds everything together.

Styrrell