I noticed that my alu/carbon steerer has these markings from the stem and would like a second opinion. The markings are smooth to the touch (flush with the rest of the steerer), so no perceivable indent. I’ve been torquing my stem pinch bolts to the manufacturer’s spec of 5.5 Nm, and the steerer passed the coin tap test.
Am I just paranoid, or is there a reason for concern? Should I bring my 3-week-old TCR into my LBS?
Thanks
Gabeh765 on
This is armchair structural analysis but even if this was a problematically deep cut into the carbon, the location along the length of the steerer is so high up that it likely won’t incite failure due to bending/tension, especially due to the even clamping surrounding it. If you can’t even feel it then I personally wouldn’t stress, maybe it’s some sort of residue deposit or reference marking used by somebody for repeated alignment?
ao417 on
I think you should be okay. That could just be discoloration of the carbon since it’s in the stem gap. Since you don’t have a raised section or a lip I would feel safe on it
6 Comments
Hi,
I noticed that my alu/carbon steerer has these markings from the stem and would like a second opinion. The markings are smooth to the touch (flush with the rest of the steerer), so no perceivable indent. I’ve been torquing my stem pinch bolts to the manufacturer’s spec of 5.5 Nm, and the steerer passed the coin tap test.
Am I just paranoid, or is there a reason for concern? Should I bring my 3-week-old TCR into my LBS?
Thanks
This is armchair structural analysis but even if this was a problematically deep cut into the carbon, the location along the length of the steerer is so high up that it likely won’t incite failure due to bending/tension, especially due to the even clamping surrounding it. If you can’t even feel it then I personally wouldn’t stress, maybe it’s some sort of residue deposit or reference marking used by somebody for repeated alignment?
I think you should be okay. That could just be discoloration of the carbon since it’s in the stem gap. Since you don’t have a raised section or a lip I would feel safe on it
Send it!
It’s fine.
This has to be a troll lol you’re fine