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Next, tighten up the top bolt until there is no play in
the steering. You shouldn’t have to tighten it hard – if
you do, something’s gone wrong.
Check that the steering moves freely if it feels stiff,
loosen off the top bolt slightly. Once you re happy with
the adjustment, check your stem is on straight.
Tighten up the stem bolts there will usually be two
bolts, so make sure you tighten them evenly. Don’t
tighten one all the way and then the other. Go back
and forth between them.
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Stems and steerer columns can be sensitive, especially
carbon, so make sure you use a calibrated torque
wrench to ensure it is tightened correctly. This means
it won’t come undone while riding and that you won’t
damage your components by overtightening.
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Now, enjoy the ride.
Outspoken Cycles work to encourage
people to use bicycles more, particularly as
an effective means of transport. They offer
leisure and professional bike maintenance
courses, as well as bike repairs and
traditional bike shop services. We organise
fun, dynamic and unique cycle-themed
events from smoothie bikes to pedal-
powered cinemas. Through these, we aim
to get people inspired about cycling. We
run courses and initiatives throughout the
country but our inspiration comes from
where we started – in Cambridge, the UK’s
city of cycling. We have a dedicated team
who make it their mission to show others
how much fun can be had on a bike.