Trek 3500 d 2013

Scottd123

I have a trek 3500 d and I need gear shifters left and right 8x3 good shifters anyone know good shifters at a reasonable price and I am going to do it my self being a novice.
I also want bigger bars in width which the bars and stem right now are 25.8mm if I want bigger bars do I need a bigger stem in "mm" and if I got a bigger stem would it fit into the frame because it is originally 25.8mm
Thank you

I ALSO ALREADY HAVE HYDROLIC BRAKES AS THE OLD BRAKE USED TO BE ATTACHED TO THE GEAR SHIFTER SO THE BRAKE HAD TO BE CUT OF FOR THE HYDROLIC BRAKE TO BE PLACED IN!
THIS IS WHY I WANT NEW GEAR SHIFTERS BECAUSE I HAVE NOT ALOT OF ROOM TO REACH BRAKES

supersonic

Bars and stems come in two diameters - 25.4 and 31.8 - you have the former, but you can get wider bars for that size. They are, however, more common in 31.8 which would mean a matching stem.

They will fit onto your fork. Though isn't the bike seven speed?

Scottd123

Yes sorry it is a seven speed so if I get 31.8 stem and bars they would fit into the forks which was originally 25.8mm?
And what gear shifters do you recommend at a reasonable price thank you.

supersonic

25.8mm is not a measurement for a fork. Not sure what you mean. The fork steerer is 28.6mm, which all threadless stems are except the 1.5 standard. 25.4mm is the clamping diameter for the bar, unrelated to the fork.

Look for Altus or Acera 7 speed shifters.

Scottd123

Ok cheers so I can get a 31.8 stem and will fit into the forks

francis666

I think to stop yourself getting confused, spend a little time on Youtube watching instructional videos like " how t fit bicycle threadless handlebar" this is very good:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LTCthtmjD0

make it a lot clearer!

cooldad

Or better still spend an evening on Parktools below.

ps SHOUTING is rude.

supersonic

I'll do the moderating, thank you ;-).

Scottd123

I watched the first phew mins and it made sense so theirs a steerer tube and when you buy a 31.8 stem you can tighten it onto the steerer tube?

supersonic

The 31.8 has nothing to do with the forks - this is where the bar fits! The other end of the stem fits to the fork.

Scottd123

Confused now you attach the stem to the steerer don't you

supersonic

Yes. But you attach to the bars to the stem too! 31.8 is the diameter of the BARS, so the bit if the stem that clamps it needs to be 31.8.

You have a 1 1/8th inch threadless steerer, so the bit of the stem that clamps to this has to match too. 99% of stems are this way.

Scottd123

Right starting to make sense so if I wanted a 31.8 stem would it fit my steerer even know the old stem was 25.4

supersonic

yes, almost all will. The steerer on this bike is the standard type.

Scottd123

Oh so most steerers are 1 1/8th so what should I look out for if buying a stem which doesn't fit a 1 1/8th steerer

cooldad

supersonic wrote:

I'll do the moderating, thank you ;-).

Aye aye colonel.

I hate smilies.

francis666

Oh this is becoming painful, watch the video!

Basics:
the forks have a tube that goes through the frame. This tube is called a "Steerer" 90% of all modern bikes have this tube a standard size of 1, 1/8 inches or in metric 28.6mm.
This steerer tube has a "stem" bolted to it (the bridge that connects the steerer/fork part to the handlebars).
At one end, the Stem will have the same standard size as the steerer (1 1/8 inches and its really hard to buy a differrent size for this part).
The other end will have a choice of two sizes depending on which size handlebars you have.
The end that connects to the handlebar, must obviously be the same size as the handlebar!
As previously mentioned, handlebars diameters/thickness come in two sizes: 25.4 and 31.8mm, (use a ruler if you need to) The handlebar end usually has for bolts.
Being brutally honest, if you cant work this bit out for yourself by looking at the bike, you have no hope of indexing the bike after (?) fitting the cables.

Do yourself a favor and take the bike to a shop or mate!
I feel bad now, if your in surrey I'll do it for you on a weekend!

Scottd123

Ok thanks for help from liverpool thanks anyway I understand it now, I've ordered left and right Shimano Altus M310 7 Speed Trigger Shifter which I am going to try fit myself what's the point of taking it to a bike shop if they do it for you I want to learn how to do it.