chaning stem - quick (stupid) query

pab01

Afternoon all, I recently got a new bike and has stem changed from 120 to 100 as it seemed to be the right fit. After riding for a while I have realised that the 120 actually fits better. Luckily I had a spare one lying about. The 100 has a guideline to tighten screws to 5nm with the 120 saying 10nm. As steerer is carbon and 100 stem is from bike manufacturer as well do you think its ok to tighten stem to 10nm without damaging steerer. I can't find anything in manufacturers stuff for maximum force that steerer can handle before its in danger of breaking.

Cheers

Raam

Tighten until it is tight enough to stop you moving it easily. I've never paid much attention to torque ratings on the parts. 5nm is quite tight anyway.

ZiabR

Raam wrote: »

Tighten until it is tight enough to stop you moving it easily. I've never paid much attention to torque ratings on the parts. 5nm is quite tight anyway.

Agreed here. I have been taking bikes apart for ages and never used a Torque wrench. You will know by feel. Just don't go hanging off the Allen key. If it is secure and you cannot move the bars, you are good to go.

SMacX

The general rule of thumb for the carbon steerer is to have a max torque of 5nm.

Make sure that both bolts are set to the same torque.

If you have any carbon grease, I'd use it as well to improve gripiness.

Uneven torque, i.e. too little on one, too much on another could cause that grinding/cracking noise that can be hard to track down, as the handlebars move when you are cycling.

Also be careful in using a different stem than the one provided. The height of the stem on the steerer could be slightly different and you may need to remove or add spacers to ensure that you get the correct binding of the top cap.