[sheepherder]

Yesterday I decided to lower my stem by putting a few spacers on top. So today riding to work I noticed something wrong when going over bumps, didn't feel right. I checked the bike when I got to work and the spacers below the stem are lose.

How do I tighten it and what did I do wrong? Is it safe to ride or should I tighten it before I leave work?

Bike is a jamis Ventura sport if it matters and I still have 2 spacers on the bottom. While riding the fork felt lose going over bumps

 

[ewitz]

Did you adjust the topbolt going into the starnut before tightening the stem?

 

[Randy99CL]

Yes, you need to tighten it.
Loosen the stem bolts and snug up the center bolt in the top cap, then tighten the stem bolts again.
Go to the Park Tool website for directions and torque settings.

 

[DrSmile]

I hate it when I lose spacers... they roll all over the place!

 

[sheepherder]

I tightened the stem first then I put back the top and screwed it in.

 

[sheepherder]

Oh okay I see what I did wrong. So tighten the top first and then tighten the stem. Simple enough.

And the lose spacers wernt the concern. It was that the ride felt different

 

[GEARHEAD_ENG]

I tightened the stem first then I put back the top and screwed it in.

You did it backwards. Keep the stem loose, torque the top cap bolt to tighten the headset properly, then snug the stem bolts.

 

[sheepherder]

Thanks everyone, very simple fix. I tightened too much and its a little stiff but I'll adjust it again. I should of read the full instructions before I did it but its simple enough. Thanks