Questions tagged [stem]
The stem is the part of the bicycle that secures the handlebars to the fork.
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Slipping handle bar, how to torque safely
I ride a bow shaped handlebar mounted in quill stem. I am riding this with a somewhat sporty setup, which means I do have weight on my hands and thus handlebar grips.
Originally I torqued this to 8Nm....
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Are they called handlebar "upsweep" and "backsweep" because only one quadrant is usable?
The title says it all. Are the two rotations of MTB flat bars (question updated in italics) called
"upsweep" and "backsweep" because only one quadrant is usable?
Is there never a ...
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Is it unsafe to put a stoker stem on the front?
This year my wife and I bought a used tandem and have been having fun. We like long rides on our singles, but the tandem cockpit is uncomfortable for me. I'd like to put an extra-long stem on the ...
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Tightening steerer expander/compressor and spacer positions with a carbon fork
I had ugly clicking noises coming from the headset before and after a warranty exchange of a fork (the reason for the exchange was on the other end). I have identified the clicking as coming from the ...
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Can I add headset spacers below an adjustable stem?
Can I add headset spacers below an adjustable stem, specifically the Promax A-headset stem on the Cannondale Adventure 1? I want to change the stock handlebar to something with more sweep, but most ...
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Which Blendr Duo Base is compatible with the stem of the 2023 Trek Roscoe 8
I own 2023 Trek Roscoe 8 https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/mountain-bikes/trail-mountain-bikes/roscoe/roscoe-8/p/35117/
Its stem is listed as:
Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 ...
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Unable to inflate tire
In the picture, the valve stem seems loose and I am able to pull it. The air pump hose does not stay attached to the valve stem when I try to inflate it. In fact, pumping air seems very easy so air is ...
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Will a New Horizontal Stem Riser Support a Front Child Seat
I recently bought a Lectric XPedition. My goal was for it to transport my 3 kids, 2 in back and the youngest with a front child seat.
When I received the ebike, the collapsible handlebars made that ...
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How do you interpret "minimum insertion" of a quill stem?
I have a 1" threaded fork here, longer than usual. The headset nuts have been separated by a significant number of spacers. So many, that if the quill stem is inserted to the minimum, almost none ...
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How can I know if a new stem will result in a more upright riding position?
I recently got a new hybrid bike for commuting and recreation. I like it but the riding position is a little bit too aggressive. This is fine for the short term but I am thinking of customizing it so ...
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Does it really matter if my stem doesn’t block the hub?
6’3” tall
Bianchi via nirone c2c Alu carb 2010 bike.
I got hit by a car and am just rebuilding this bike so I can ride (the other one was totaled). The 120mm stem on it made the steering very skittish....
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How do I remove a stem cap with no visible bolt?
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 ...
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What is causing leaks where metal meets rubber on stem?
What causes a bicycle tube to leak where the metal meets the rubber on a Schrader valve stem? I've had three tubes fail the same way over the past year. I make sure the stems are perpendicular to the ...
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Creaking sound, stem extender/steerer tube assembly
In the last few weeks a creaking sound has developed somewhere in the stem/stem extender/ steerer tube assembly. I noticed it when going over bumps, but only when my hands are on the handlebar. ...
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Are stem height extenders safe to use?
I was trying to determine the longest length I can safely cut my steer tube, then I learned about stem extenders. I have to wonder, if you cut your steer tube to the maximum recommended length for ...
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What kind of damage is to be expected from a threadless headset with too tight adjustment?
Recently I had to refit the stem on my full carbon fork as I tried different stem heights. When adjusting the headset I initially tightened the top cap way too much because the fork was still pretty ...
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Scratch around carbon steerer from aluminium stem. Is this to be expected?
I wanted to lower the stem on my one month old road bike and noticed that the stem already left a noticable mark in the carbon steerer. Seems that the lower edge scraped into the material. Stem was ...
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About to cut my steerer tube, can I just measure the spacers and mark at that distance?
I have a chimney of 3 spacers which I would like to remove (cosmetic reasons mostly). I am not sure about marking at 2-3mm under the stem's top and cutting there. A bit too much of eyeballing. I feel ...
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Steerer tube flush with top of stem
I bought a secondhand suspension fork online and the steerer tube has been cut to 170mm which I thought was plenty from what I calculated, turns out not so much.
After doing a quick test install, the ...
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Giant contend 3 stem adjustments possible?
Looking to buy a Giant Contend 3 2022, would like to make the bike less aggressive for commuting purposes. I went to the shop and sales person said stem height is not adjustable on this but can be ...
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Stem top bolt wouldn't screw in after transport
I transported my bike via plane in a canyon shuttle 2. It was well secured and safe. To pack it up I had to unscrew the top stem bolt and unhinge the stem along with the handlebars.
Once I attempted ...
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Threadless handlbar stem bolts - grease, threadlock, anti-seize, or dry?
I'm reinstalling a threadless stem after cleaning and degreasing.
There are two sets of bolts: the faceplate bolts that attach the handlebars to the stem and the pinch bolts that clamp the stem to the ...
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What brand is this handlebar stem?
I just purchased a used bike recently and I am curious to the make of my handlebar stem.
Would anyone be able to identify the brand logo?
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How to adjust the handlebar alignment with front wheel?
I have the follwing stem
My handlebar is a bit too much right and I am not sure what screw(s) I have to loosen the one on top (in the headset) or the two left on the picture above or maybe all of ...
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Replacing stem bolts
Rather than replace the stem on every rusty bike I come across, I want to replace some stem bolts which are rusted, cheap original ones. I know they can differ in size a bit so I would get some that ...
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Is it possible to use a 26mm clamp diameter stem with a 24mm handlebar?
I am considering getting a stem, which is meant for a 26mm grip area diameter. However, the handlebar I want to use it with is 24mm diameter (this diameter is uniform, so 24mm both at the grip and at ...
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Some spacers on top of stem or all under?
Is there a big difference between having like a few spacers on top of the stem and then a few on the bottom compared to placing all of them at the bottom?
Or is this just personal preference.
Asking ...
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Easily misaligned handlebars when using stem raiser
I use a Delta Stem Raiser (maybe also called a stem extender, handlebar riser, steerer tube extender) to make my handlebars "taller" (higher up than they could typically go) on my bike's ...
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How do I install a quill stem extender?
I don’t understand how to install a quill stem extender. Photo included. I have my stem, the long screw and the wedge. The stem extender on the right has a stem, a long screw, and a wedge. The screws ...
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Dunlop valve stem problem
I got new Dunlop valves (modern) to replace the damaged Dunlop valves for both the front and rear tires. The valve replacement was easy for the front tire. But for some reason when it comes to rear ...
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What kind of load should I put on in simulation if I were to design a stem in CAD?
I am planning to build a steel bike myself and want to pair it with a custom stem. I came across someone selling 3d printed stems in my area. So I decided to design myself a stem that is compatible ...
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How does this stem/headset work?
I have a bicycle (Göricke, circa. 2012) with an unusual stem. It appears to have a quick-release nut which can rotate through a quarter turn.
Here is a picture, with the dust cap removed:
I would ...
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Do bicycle stems have certified usage ratings (road/XC/Enduro/DH)?
Clamping dimensions aside, are all stems rated for all the cycling disciplines, especially in the MTB domain?
In other words, are stem manufacturers liable to guarantee their products to be safe to ...
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How many spacers can I place above the stem on an alloy steerer tube?
I installed a new stem with different height to the previous one and now would have to place two spacers above it to make it adjustable. As the stem is clamping full height to the steerer tube I think ...
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What makes a stem a "mountain bike stem" and why might it not be suitable for (or clamp properly on) a road bike?
I am about to purchase a stem labeled "Mountain Stem" with the two diameters:
1-1/8" steerer
31.8mm bar clamp
to install on a road bike. There is stock of "road bike stems", ...
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Do you move compresser plug when you lower the stem position
When steerer tube hadn't been cut and put spacers above the stem but compresser plug would stay the same position.
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What is caad13 compression plug torque?
I tried to find it online but I couldn't. I'd like to know recommended top cap torque too.
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Is this damage on this stem faceplate screw threads a safety issue?
I had to adjust a handle bar of an older road bike I want to start using again. When unscrewing the handle bar to stem bolts I noticed that the washers had grinded into the aluminium already. As I had ...
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Question about stem play
I screwed the top cap screw clockwise to remove play in the stem but I wonder if the stem has to be never moving or theres a point the headset is softly moving like rubber I assume bearing is still ...
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Where do I locate/install the compression plug for my stem in my carbon steer tube?
I have Cannondale Si compression plug with flat top cap and I am using a Bontragar Blender Pro stem on my CADD 13. I wondered how I should locate my compression plug within the carbon steerer tube of ...
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Cutting a slot in a quil stem
Just curious to know, is it possible and safe to cut this slotted part of the stem and make a new slot slot on top?
I need a shorter stem for another project.
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Handlebar slips in quill stem clamp when going over bumps
I bought this new Kalloy quill stem, with Sakae 25.4mm handlebars as pictured below. The handlebars were purchased at an eBay auction.
Here's the setup from the side
I've tightened the handlebar ...
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The stem connects the handlebars to the...?
If this is a stem... ... what's this?
I'm asking because I need to buy a taller one so I don't have to bend over as far. It's not convenient to buy a new bike, and I already have an adjustable stem ...
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Why the small difference between common sizes of handlebars (31.8mm) and MTB seatposts (31.6mm)?
Many handlebars have a 31.8mm clamp section, and a common MTB seatpost size is 31.6mm.
I know these are both around 1 1/4 inches. Why the 0.2mm difference though?
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Will it be effective to use hot water and cold canned air to unjam a quill stem?
I have a bike frame that has been left outside for years, I tried to remove the stem by hitting the bolt with a hammer, using rust dissolver. I achieved nothing.
We use a torch and water where I work ...
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Why are thorn resistant tubes prone to valve stem failures?
I would welcome knowledgeable answers rather than opinions please. I have been cycling 50+ years and now work in an LBS.
I have seen numerous examples of so-called “thorn-proof” TP tubes, of different ...
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How do I center a basket attachment that's sitting between the stem and head tube
I messed up while building my daughter's bike and started turning this basket attachment around, until I realized I am looking at it from the wrong side. Now it's sitting at an angle.
What tool ...
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Is reversing the stem (pointing it backwards) a safe way to reduce reach length?
Assuming a steerer/fork/brake/cable setup that does not rely on the stem facing forward: is it safe to point a stem backwards as a way to reduce seat-to-bar reach (i.e. as a way to 'fit' a too-large ...
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How do I remove the stem/fork on this style of vintage bike?
Picked up a cheap vintage bike, and I'm getting it ready for a family member to ride. I want to put a different stem/handlebars; but I'm unable to back out the quill to remove the stem. In checking ...
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Ways to increase handlebar height?
Recently got my first bike with drop handlebars.
After riding around for a while, I noticed some neck/trap/shoulder strain.
I have tried adjusting the seat height, but I think the next best solution ...
- 121k