Once the stem bolts are then tightened the top cap torque is irrelevant.
Road bike top cap torque.
Tightening your headset is one of the most simple pieces of bike maintenance but it s also very important.
There are basically three types of torque wrenches the beam type the click type and the dial type.
Here s how to do it.
Test the headset adjustment by lifting the bike and pushing the bars back and forth the bars should turn freely with very little resistance.
As others have said the top cap is pre load only.
Torque wrenches available to general industrial work including bicycle work are typically accurate to plus or minus four percent.
Do it right use this torque guide.
A torque table for bicycles.
Gazelle trading 1 1 8 inch bicycle al alloy headset top cap bolt mountain bike stem top cap cover headset screws for mtb road xc fr bike stems 3 8 out of 5 stars 10 10 98 10.
If the motion of the bars feels sticky or hesitant loosen the top cap 1 8th of a turn and test again.
Don t over tighten nuts bolts.
The correct torque is the amount needed to correctly ensure there is no play in the headset and no more.
The bung shouldn t creep up the steerer if is installed properly using carbon paste.
Fsa megaexo crank adjusting cap 0 4 0 7 nm 32 53 in lbs fsa megaexo crank bolt pinch screws 9 8 11 2 nm 87 100 in lbs campagnolo 3 piece 32 38 nm 282 336 in lbs campagnolo ultra torque 42 nm 371 in lbs race face 54 nm 480 in lbs shimano 34 44 nm 305 391 in lbs shimano octalink xtr crank arm bolt 40 3 49 nm 357 435 in lbs.
In other words a torque wrench set for 100 in lbs might tighten to 96 in lbs or 104 in lbs.
Next straighten the handlebars.
Snug the top cap down until there is slight resistance.
It is non load bearing.