[arrover]

Mountain Bike Action has an article in their April 2011 issue that addresses shedding bike weight wisely. What I thought was strange was a picture of a top cap/stem/bars and this caption: "Start at the top: You'd be surprised how much weight can be saved by switching to a lightweight top cap. It is a safe place to save weight.".

I want to be clear that I'm not bashing weight weenies. I like what is done in this forum and know that you have to shave grams wherever possible to achieve a truly ultralight bike. Having said that, how much weight can you actually save on a top cap???? The FSA top cap and bolt that came on my relatively budget priced Rocky Mountain hardtail weighs 16g. The top cap and bolt that came on my Specialized weighs 8g. It just seems strange that MBA would recommend that the average rider try to save such a small amount of weight. Are there some true boat anchor top caps out there like in the 45g range? I'm honestly confused.

 

[facelessfools]

that doesnt make any sense either...
you should always try and reduce rotational mass first. the wheels make such a huge amount of the bikes weight and there weight is more critical then dead weight.

 

[sasquatch rides a SS]

I think the magazine was just trying to appeal to the majority of riders without getting too in-depth. The experienced riders already know how to save weight, but the new riders are probably like "no way, that's such a good idea. It saves weight and looks sweet" or something similar. I read the article too. Not sure if what I just said makes sense or not. Now if you really want to save weight, don't run a top cap :thumbsup: after you adjust your headset bearings, the top cap really serves no purpose. Back when I rode bmx, we never used them. If you keep your stem bolts tight you won't have an issue. Not only do you save weight on the top cap, but you won't have a bolt either. Massive weight savings, great success! (Borat? Anyone?)

 

[Seriously_tho]

Drill a bunch of lightening holes in the cap. From 8g down to 6g in only an hour.

 

[sasquatch rides a SS]

How many holes did you drill?!? I can go out to my garage and drill 5 holes and still be back in 5 minutes :lol: I'd drill mine but it's a nice shiny Origin8 one in ano-green. Still too nice for me to destroy :thumbsup: plus I think my singlespeed rig weighs around 25 pounds (22" frame and down from 32 pounds) so weight doesn't bother me

 

[Seriously_tho]

About (50) 1/64's holes...

Actually I drilled 1 hole that's 1.125". That really cut some weight. But I still have this heavy bolt.


(you know I'm kidding about this, right?)

 

[sasquatch rides a SS]

About (50) 1/64's holes...

Actually I drilled 1 hole that's 1.125". That really cut some weight.

(you know I'm kidding about this, right?)

I'd go for the revolver look if I drill mine, with like 6-10 larger holes evenly spaced around the cap, then sanded it to reveal the aluminum finish and smooth out the holes.

 

[Eville140]

After I tighten the stem, I take the cap off and pull the star nut.

 

[Nels]

Ummm... I haven't seen the issue yet, but if anything, MBA does has a sense of humor,

and it is the APRIL issue

 

[dhbomber]

Mountain Bike Action guys like SARCASM!
Been reading it since I was a kid...IMO trying to save weight with a steerer top cap is not so smart...

 

[the mayor]

I had a bike years back....I want to say it was a 04ish Spec FSR 120....that came with a top cap,expander and bolt that was around 160grams combines. Talk about over kill. I think they were made out of dark matter.

 

[lapinGTI]

If you are relly religious about weight saving, why don't you just remove top cap once the stem install. The top cap utility is realy just to preload the headset bearing, once the stem is bolt you could just remove it with the star nut! Just fill the holl with light carbon plug so you don't hurt yourself. How much weight a star nut, bolt and cap? in the best case maybe 30g.


But a real weight weenie doesn't care about crash our injury. Otherwise they would use efficient parts rather than extra light parts...

 

[sasquatch rides a SS]

If you are relly religious about weight saving, why don't you just remove top cap once the stem install. The top cap utility is realy just to preload the headset bearing, once the stem is bolt you could just remove it with the star nut! Just fill the holl with light carbon plug so you don't hurt yourself. How much weight a star nut, bolt and cap? in the best case maybe 30g.

But a real weight weenie doesn't care about crash our injury. Otherwise they would use efficient parts rather than extra light parts...

Already been suggested dude. . .

 

[MHinvest]

Alloy 1 1/8" Headset Top Cap Star Nut & Bolt 11grams claimed weight for $13 shipped. Anyone using these? Ebay link http://cgi.ebay.com/Alloy-1-1-8-Hea...Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2561e26506

 

[JmZ]

Alloy 1 1/8" Headset Top Cap Star Nut & Bolt 11grams claimed weight for $13 shipped. Anyone using these? Ebay link http://cgi.ebay.com/Alloy-1-1-8-Hea...Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2561e26506

http://www.purelycustom.com/p-30-18539-ultra-lite-threadless-headset-cap.aspx

And I can vouch for the weight, within 1g.

JmZ

 

[agu]

it's probably an April Fool's joke

 

[culturesponge]

it's probably an April Fool's joke

the jokes on mba then - after i read their April issue with that "article" + the classic expiry date of components & when to replace them "article" - lol! ...i cancelled my subscription

 

[myfun]

After reading the experation date on components article I've also decided not to renew my subscription. I don't get it. Who would aprove stuff like this to be printed their mag.

 

[sasquatch rides a SS]

Wasn't the projected life of a stem like 1 or 2 years? That's absolutely nutty

 

[wyatt79m]

It's a really silly issue.