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I want to replace my bike's stem cap, but it seems to have a cover over the bolt that I can't figure out how to remove. I've tried loosening the bolts that are underneath it, but that didn't seem to make a difference. It's in there fairly tightly, I don't think I can lever it out without doing damage.

Any ideas?enter image description here

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  • What do you expect to gain by replacing the stem cap? An integrated gopro/computer mount would be common reasons.
    – Criggie ♦
    Jul 30 at 5:46
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    That’s what I’m hoping to replace it with.
    – Nimmy
    Jul 30 at 10:10
  • I mean the computer Mount.
    – Nimmy
    Jul 30 at 13:29

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There is absolutely a large bolt that runs down the center of your steerer tube and interfaces with a star nut or similar. This is required to set the preload on your headset bearings.

I am unfamiliar with this exact top-cap but there must be a way to access that bolt. If you examine your replacement stem cap, it should be a metal disk with a hole in the middle for the bolt.

I suspect the black disk with the FDKOBE wording is a clip-on cap, either clipped around the edge or perhaps in the middle. That bulge in the middle will be where the bolt's head is, probably a 6mm hex though other sizes may be used.

Try and lever it off around the outside seam.

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    Is the central bolt cover plastic? You’ll be able to tell by tapping it with a screwdriver and listening. If plastic then use a blade to get under the edge and lever it out as it’s just a friction fit. Once you extract it by a small amount you can use blunter tools to finish. You might visually damage the cover or even break it but it’s only a cosmetic feature.
    – Warren Burton
    Jul 30 at 7:05
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    It’s not plastic, definitely metal. I tried using a blade to lever it out, but I couldn’t get anything wedged in there. It’s very tightly in there.
    – Nimmy
    Jul 30 at 10:08
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    @Nimmy Criggie has to be correct that there should be a bolt to set the preload. Had you tried rotating your top cap by hand? Little torque is required for preload. If the top cap has a bolt built in, I wonder if you could just rotate it off. Now, why would someone design a top cap + integrated bolt without a hex or torx broach to rotate it, I don't know; here's an example of what I'm thinking of omniracer.com/product-page/…
    – Weiwen Ng
    Jul 30 at 11:28
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    Ah, I see. I haven’t tried that. Not sure how I would get a grip on the lip given it’s so thin. Imll take another look in the morning.
    – Nimmy
    Jul 30 at 13:01
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    I got it! Had to remove all the bolts along the semen, which loosened the original top cap enough that it would spin and I could jiggle it a bit, which I turn loosened the rubber cap that was very firmly stopped in the centre, and I could finally access the bolt! Thanks for the help and advice, my little bike computer now has a home ☺️
    – Nimmy
    Jul 31 at 4:08

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