Nightmare stem swap!
Where are my stabilisers?
Posts: 979
2 hours ago I had 2 bikes in tip top order - now, thanks to my superb mechanical skills, I have none :shock:
First issue stem compatability - I have a Hope headset and tried to fit a Straitline split steerer clamp stem. The Straitline stem came with it's own top cap, but the Hope headset bolt doesn't sit on it properly. See the picture below - apart from looking a little fugly, is it dangerous and do I need to take it off before I have an accident? I also had to rob a spacer off my other bike to make it fit, which is why my other bike is now out of action!
The second issue - After fitting this shorter stem, my gears were all over the place and I've gone and seriously messed up the front mech :oops: I have an XTR front mech with X0 shifters. The mech is currently over the smallest chain ring and rubbing against it. I've undone the clamp which keeps the cable in place so it is now loose. What position should the mech be in for me to tighten the cable? I've totally confussed myself, which lever clicker put's the mech on to the small cog - the little one or the big silver one? Because there's no numbers on the lever ( :roll: ), I can't remember! Think I'm gonna need a new cable too by the time I've finished! I've changed cables before on my other bike and it was simple (Deore) - I dunno what's gone so wrong .
I know I'm probably being thick but if anyone can explain how I get my gears working again, I'd be super happy!
Thanks
First issue stem compatability - I have a Hope headset and tried to fit a Straitline split steerer clamp stem. The Straitline stem came with it's own top cap, but the Hope headset bolt doesn't sit on it properly. See the picture below - apart from looking a little fugly, is it dangerous and do I need to take it off before I have an accident? I also had to rob a spacer off my other bike to make it fit, which is why my other bike is now out of action!
The second issue - After fitting this shorter stem, my gears were all over the place and I've gone and seriously messed up the front mech :oops: I have an XTR front mech with X0 shifters. The mech is currently over the smallest chain ring and rubbing against it. I've undone the clamp which keeps the cable in place so it is now loose. What position should the mech be in for me to tighten the cable? I've totally confussed myself, which lever clicker put's the mech on to the small cog - the little one or the big silver one? Because there's no numbers on the lever ( :roll: ), I can't remember! Think I'm gonna need a new cable too by the time I've finished! I've changed cables before on my other bike and it was simple (Deore) - I dunno what's gone so wrong .
I know I'm probably being thick but if anyone can explain how I get my gears working again, I'd be super happy!
Thanks
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/ ... lurLT2.jpg
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/ ... c611a8.jpg
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/ ... c611a8.jpg
0
Comments
-
Use the hope top cap and bolt, or the sunline top cap and bolt.
Is it preloaded correctly?0 -
The Hope cap doesn't seem to fit properly (different shape on the underside) and the Straitline stem didn't come with it's own bolt, so I had to use the Hope bolt. How do I know if it's preloaded correctly? I've tightened it a bit, there doesn't seem to be any play in the headset, but should I tighten it more to check? Sorry for being stoopid!http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/ ... lurLT2.jpg
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/ ... c611a8.jpg0 -
Have a look on park tools on how to adjust the headset.
I take it the top of the stem is above the top of the steerer by the required 3-5mm?
You may have to drill the top cap hole bigger.0 -
Yeah, that's why I demolished my other bike - I needed to rob a spacer to make sure it was above the steerer.
Not sure about drilling - Might just sell the stem and get a more normal one ! On my Kona, I changed the stem to a Raceface Atlas with no problems - Hmm, maybe I'll see if the stem bolt off the Kona fits better?? It doesn't have that big lumpy bit like the Hope bolt.http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/ ... lurLT2.jpg
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/ ... c611a8.jpg0 -
-
-
if your hope one does not fit then you need more spacers.
there should not be any issues with the gears as you have not changed anything.
make sure the cables are in the correct holes and clips."Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
Parktools :?:SheldonBrown0 -
I've just been fiddling again and have made the hope cap fit - Because of the shape of the Hope cap (like a mushroom), it was sitting loosly over the stem, but once you screw the bolt in, it stays in place - hope it's ok :shock:
I thought coz the stem is 40mm shorter, the cables would become looser coz everything is closer together? That's what it seemed like too - when I tested the bike with the new stem, the gears weren't changing as well as before. :oops:
Think I'll get a new cable and start over - it's getting pretty mashed up now with me trying to tighten it :roll: And get some nitrile gloves!http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/ ... lurLT2.jpg
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/ ... c611a8.jpg0 -
Sooooo - you adjusted the bearings ok then? that is what the top cap does. When adjusted, you tighten the stem bolts.0
-
Where are my stabilisers? wrote:I've just been fiddling again and have made the hope cap fit - Because of the shape of the Hope cap (like a mushroom), it was sitting loosly over the stem, but once you screw the bolt in, it stays in place - hope it's ok :shock:
I thought coz the stem is 40mm shorter, the cables would become looser coz everything is closer together? That's what it seemed like too - when I tested the bike with the new stem, the gears weren't changing as well as before. :oops:
Think I'll get a new cable and start over - it's getting pretty mashed up now with me trying to tighten it :roll: And get some nitrile gloves!
sounds like you need more spacers."Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
Parktools :?:SheldonBrown0 -
Here's what it looks like now - I did the cap up, not too tight, then did the two bolts up tight - is that right?sounds like you need more spacers
More? God, I really should get qualified people to do my pimping :roll: I get it all wrong!http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/ ... lurLT2.jpg
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/ ... c611a8.jpg0 -
Soooo ;-)
How much does the stem clear the steerer by?0 -
-
Am I getting closer now?? - A few mm, probably 3, maybe 4, def not as much as 5mm though. Am gonna purchase some Hope spacers though, coz robbed one off my other bike to get clearance - when I slotted the stem on first, the steerer was poking over the top!http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/ ... lurLT2.jpg
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/ ... c611a8.jpg0 -
3-5 is ideal. And the steerer not lower than the top stem bolt.
You tighten the top bolt until the play is takeb out of the headset bearings. Turn it too much and you compress the bearings too much - the steering will stiffen. You need to judge what is correct.
Then when done, tighten the stem bolts.0 -
Oh do your self a favour and move some spacers above the stem.
and then play about untill you get the right feel.
then get the steerer cut down to the correct length."Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
Parktools :?:SheldonBrown0 -
Yeah, I remember I did it too tight when I changed the stem on my other bike, that didn't happen this time thankfully! I'm getting there I think - the whole thing will have to come off again when I get the new spacers anyway, so I'll be double checking everything before I ride it again!
I really should ask the questions BEFORE I start messinghttp://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/ ... lurLT2.jpg
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/ ... c611a8.jpg0 -
Er, you mean it looks a bit too much like this?
Agreed, I thought that when I got the bike, tube is pretty long - one thing's for sure, I'm not getting my saw out, that's one for the pro's!http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/ ... lurLT2.jpg
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/ ... c611a8.jpg0 -
the gears shouldnt have been affected at all, ok youve got a shorter stem on but the outers are all still the same length theyll just be as bit baggier on the bike, there should be no change in the tension of the cables whatsoeverwho cares?0
-
the gears shouldnt have been affected at all, ok youve got a shorter stem on but the outers are all still the same length theyll just be as bit baggier on the bike, there should be no change in the tension of the cables whatsoever
:shock: See, show's what I know!
Haven't had a chance to look at it since yesterday coz been working today, hopefully I'll get the big mess I've created sorted out tomorrow!http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/ ... lurLT2.jpg
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/ ... c611a8.jpg0