Carbon Bike Stem Adjustments

First, loosen the bolts that hold the stem tight to the steering column. These will be at the side or the back of the stem. Then loosen and remove the top bolt and cap, the stem should then lift off.

You can then put spacers below the stem raising it on the column, be careful not to put too many spacers underneath as there won’t be enough columns for the stem to hold onto.

Put the stem back on top of the extra spacers and replace the top cap and its retaining bolt, don’t tighten the stem bolts yet. Now by tightening or loosening the top, you have to adjust the tension on the bearing in the headset.

Pull the front brake on and feel if there is movement in the headset if there is then tighten the top bolt. Then lift the front of the bike and turn the bars from one side to the other, making sure that the bars and wheels turn smoothly. If not, you need to loosen the top bolt.