[. . . ] Caring for the Carbon Steer Tube on Your Fork IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION REGARDING THE HEADSET SPACERS AND STEM CONFIGURATION ON YOUR BIKE The steer tube is a tube that extends from the fork crown and is hidden as it passes through the headtube, headset, spacers, and stem. It effectively connects the fork legs with the stem and handlebars used to steer your bike. [. . . ] Alternately, do not place a spacer group that exceeds 40mm in height collectively underneath the stem. With a carbon steer tube, always place at least one 5mm spacer above the stem and below the top cap. DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN THE STEM BOLTS The steer tube clamp bolts of a stem are designed to keep the stem securely affixed to the steer tube through any riding condition. Although tightening them more may seem like a good precaution, over-tightening a stem's steer-clamp bolts can crush the steer tube. Crushing the steer tube can damage the headset, the frame, and can cause the steer tube to break. Always use a torque wrench when tightening clamp bolts securing a carbon fiber part, and follow the manufacturer's recommendations. With a Bontrager carbon steer tube, never tighten the stem's clamp bolts to more than 55 lb·in (6 Nm). When properly torquing a stem onto a steer tube, gradually tighten each steer tube clamp bolt, alternating back and forth in small increments, until both bolts are at the correct torque. Do not tighten one bolt all the way before tightening the other, and do not leave the bolts at unequal torque values. USE ONLY AN APPROVED BONTRAGER STEM Some stems utilize designs that are not compatible with carbon steer tubes. Installing an incompatible stem can create a load point that can damage a steer tube, which may lead to a steer tube failure. [. . . ] CHECK YOUR FORK BEFORE EVERY RIDE As explained in your owner's manual, you should check the fork's safety before every ride. Do not ride a fork that you suspect has been damaged; take the bike to your dealer for a thorough inspection. [. . . ]