Looped out twice today and had to let go of the bike and sent that thing FLYING.🥲
Both times the stem completely shifted and I had to loosen pinchbolts and the fork topcap to get it straight again.
I also shifted the stem few rides back because I slammed my knee into the bars, slipping on a oppo feeble.
Now I worry that my stem might be getting to old..
Do older stems start to twist? Is mine just slowly at the end of its life?
Bolts all are tight
Fork goes up to the top pinch bolt
Did not have grease between fork and stem (still will check and clean tho)
It had a tight fit, there was no way that I fixed it with force
I would hate to replace the stem..its one of my favorit parts and not made anymore..(animal jump off remix)
by Scr4tismrocker1
10 Comments
That’s dangerous at this point. Time for something new. Put that one on a shelf and display it.
I would take the steerer tube bolts out, grind away where the stem is touching, and paint it
It kind of goes without saying but my brother on wheels, don’t fucking ride that thing.
You also may have crushed your fork steerer because this thing is yanked my dude
That stem should have a gap. The fact you have tightened it that far makes me concerned for your fork!! It might be mashed and no longer the correct shape (round) that allows stem to tighten down the normal amount.
Either get a new one or file down that edge that’s pressing together so the stem can actually clamp. Should be a little gap in there when it’s fully snugged down.
That may reach into compromised territory though so getting a new solid one is your safest bet imo. Also might be totally fine. I made so many little mods like this to my bikes over the years and never had much issue.
You’ve fatigued the metal beyond its safe parameters. You need a new stem and check your steerer tube is not oval. DO NOT FILE DOWN THE MATING FACES TO CREATE A GAP. All this will do is allow you to fatigue the material further, and then you are very likely to snap the stem off with a hard hit. If you value your life, replace it.
That stem is cooked. You’ve been way over-tightening it for the cutout to be touching like that. Time for a new stem (and maybe a torque wrench).
Is there a fucking hole in the bar on the right side ?
I’ve had the original animal stem on my bike for almost 20 years now since 2006 ugh I’m getting old but it’s been perfectly fine. Stems typically don’t wear out unless you strip the threads on them. As others pointed out you should be concerned about the back of the stem touching. It should never be that way and you should buy a replacement fork or stem or both.