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.
Bike top cap torque.
As others have said the top cap is pre load only.
Same is true for the end cap on a shimano hollowtech ii crankset.
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Once the stem is tightened in place is is purely cosmetic and covers the top of the steerer.
Do up the headset top cap until it is just tight at this point you should be unable to turn your stem spacers.
It all comes down to end cap width.
Don t over tighten nuts bolts.
Yup the top cap is just used to preload the headset bearings before tightening it all up properly.
Standard hub endcaps are 21mm in diameter while the new torque upgrade converts the hub cap ends to 31mm.
Snug the top cap down until there is slight resistance.
A torque wrench is a good idea at this point.
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.
Test the headset adjustment by lifting the bike and pushing the bars back and forth the bars should turn freely with very little resistance.
So what are torque caps and do you need them.
Next straighten the handlebars.
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.
Do not overtighten it.
Do it right use this torque guide.
Adjust the bearing preload with the top cap then retighten the stem to hold it firmly.
A torque table for bicycles.
If the motion of the bars feels sticky or hesitant loosen the top cap 1 8th of a turn and test again.