Changing Stems?

canada16

Hey

I bought a Ritchey wet black stem, But I was wondering do I have to release the headset,
or do I just unscrew the stem and remove and clamp back on?

Also does anyone know were I can get a ritchey Carbon Headset Plate only, to fit the stem?

As want it to match the bars I bought.

Thanks

Dan67

unscrew the top cap. Undo stem. Put new stem on. do up top cap them stem. Bobs your uncle

johnsav

dont over tighten the top bolt when putting it back together though. just enough to load the bearings and eliminate play

dunker

you'll have to remove the top cap as that pushes down on the stem and spacers, which pulls up the star fangled nut inside the fork steerer, which compresses the headset bearings, err i think that's how it works.

undo the stem bolts
take off top cap
swap stems
top cap back on - but not too tight
tighten stem bolts ^
check for headset bearing play/binding
undo stem bolts
tighten or loosen top cap
tighten stem bolts
check for play
repeat till perfect.

and get yourself over to the parktools website where they give a much better explanation than i can heh http://www.parktool.com/repair/

dunker

for bling sakes,

carbon top cap http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=6278

Ti headset bolt http://oscommerce.tibolts.co.uk/product ... cts_id=155

alert alert credit card warning
http://www.poshbikes.com/product.php?id=267
it's so light they recommend only using it after you've loaded the bearings with a standard top cap and bolt and tightened the stem, why not just take it off completly and put some tape over it, would be even lighter.

canada16

Thanks guys.

Meant to say do I tighten up the stem first or headset, sorry.

That last one on posh bike looks cheap and naff, and looks like a drill went over the top of it.

Is that me or does anyone else notice that.

Would love to get a ritchey one, but cant find them anywere.

dunker

you tighten the headset topcap bolt first as that loads the bearings, don't over tighten it though just enough to remove any play, then you tighten up the stem bolts and they hold the fork steerer in place properly. if you tighten up the topcap bolt too much you might hear a grinding noise when moving the bars back n forth or have stiffer steering. there's a bikeradar video you should watch, on the main site in the video section "preload an aheadset"

canada16

Ahh thanks guys.

Cant wait to get by ritchey carbon set-up.

johnsav

where did you get it from in the end ? im still on the hunt for one. Not paying 100 quid though.

canada16

Hey

I searched and searched, and could not find one below 90.00 on the 90mm and thought way to much for me.

So I bought the Wet black stem, really light about 115g and got 10% off e-bay coupon 45.00 inc. delivery.

Snot too bad, and should match the shine of the fibre, well close enough anyway.

God will this bike pimping ever stop, its like I am on crack just got to keep going and going.

Oh well, its cheaper than a Car, I always say to the girlfriend.

Even though I drive, figure that one out eh!

nicklouse

you will also most likly need some more spacers to take up the slack or remove some spacers.

canada16

Thanks for the hint.

How am I supposed to know if I need spacers or not, is it the end of the stem that might be shorter than my current stem?

If I do I assume they just slide on.

Thanks again guys.

Oh ps, are they the same size and thickness.

Thanks again

ratty2k

Spacers are same diameter (1 1/8") but come in different thicknesses to allow finer adjustment of the height of the bars. I'd just nip to the LBS and get some for what they cost...

canada16

Would love some carbon ones if I need them.

God Im so anal.

God never knew changing something so simple could turn into a major job.

Do the spacer just come in a pack with different sizes or have you got to buy 1 at a time

ratty2k

Depends, some come singly and some in pack of various lengths.

canada16

Thanks mate, they got some carbon ones on ebay that look ok and cheap as well and they come in a pack, other than that might go for the hope blue ones but not sure if that will look dumb with a wet black stem and carbon bars.

Stem on its way, so will messure up when it arrives, and hope I dont need anything.

Thanks again

canada16

Hey

Just thought I would say, I got my stem and it looks so sweet, got it from zepnat I think and they have great service.

It looks so sweet on the carbon bar and 115gr as stated.

I measured against my current stem and it looks bigger so wont need to buy spacers, thank god, not more buying.

Anyway thanks for your help.

Oh thought I would ask as well, can the spacer ring be put at the top of the stem as well as below, maybe one at top and two on the bottom?

supersonic

Yep! As long as the total height is 3-5mm above the top of the steerer then all is well.