Bicycle Mechanics - carbon forks + alu. stem + carbon handle bar?

is that safe? i'm not sure if this is safe to put a carbon fork with carbon steerer on a alum. stem. i mean if the fork has an alu. steerer, then i wouldn't mind. i'm just afraid of the alu. stem putting stress on the carbon steerer.

Follow the guidelines established by the manufaturers of your carbon componets check for burrs on the stem and enjoy. This combo is fine. What do you think they did before carbon stems?

thanks raiyn.. the frame is coming on thursday and now i'm trying to get some other parts... thanks!

Buy a torque wrench

and check the stem for burs or little edge things sticking out. THese have a tendency to stick right into the carbon weave if they exist

Most people use this combo. I'm using a carbon fork with carbon steerer and a carbon/alu stem plus carbon bars. The stem is carbon fiber wrapped aluminum. The ends (clamps) are bare aluminum. As suggested above, follow the torque guidelines set by the manufacturer and debur/soften all the edges. If you're using a shim for the steerer then remember to face the slot of the shim opposite the slot of the stem. Also remember to use an expander wedge and not the starfangled nut.

Old setup: ITM BigOne OpenAS aluminum stem, TTT Prima 199 aluminum handlebar, Aegis HotRod carbon fibre fork with full carbon fibre steerer
http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/albums/2001-aegis-aro_svelte/Aegis_007.jpg

A little less old setup: ITM BigOne OpenAS aluminum stem, Easton EC90 carbon fibre handlebar, Aegis HotRod carbon fibre fork with full carbon fibre steerer
http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/albums/2001-aegis-aro_svelte/PICT0016.jpg

Current setup: ITM Carbon Millenium carbon fibre wrapped aluminum stem, Easton EC90 carbon fibre handlebar, Aegis HotRod carbon fibre fork with full carbon fibre steerer
http://www.neebu.net/~khuon/albums/2001-aegis-aro_svelte/pict0008.jpg

sweet khuon.. i just hope that when i get the carbon forks.. they will include the torque settings..

I also use a carbon fork with carbon steerer, aluminum stem, and carbon bars. I noticed khuon's setup uses a stem with a two-bolt faceplate. Personally, I feel safer using a stem with a four-bolt faceplate to distribute the clamping force on the carbon bar. I also recommend a torque wrench when clamping anything to a carbon component. Note that many components have different recommended torques for clamping to carbon and non-carbon parts (for example, the recommended torque for my stem bolts is lower for carbon steerer or bar). I had one near-disaster before I realized that when I overtighted a front derailleur on a carbon frame.

I also use a carbon fork with carbon steerer, aluminum stem, and carbon bars. I noticed khuon's setup uses a stem with a two-bolt faceplate. Personally, I feel safer using a stem with a four-bolt faceplate to distribute the clamping force on the carbon bar. I also recommend a torque wrench when clamping anything to a carbon component.

There's been some debate over this. Easton actually is a proponent of two-bolt faceplates stating that they distribute clamping loads better on a carbon bar. Of course they may just be saying that to push their stem design which is two-bolt. One thing is for certain, while using a torque wrench is a very good idea on a two-bolt design, it is imperative on a four-bolt design as unequal torquing on such a faceplate can have more drastic consequences.

grrr... i have a torque wrench.. SNAP-ON... but gotta find places where they sell the hex wrench without the L... anyone one where? or i'll end up having to saw one off.. lol

grrr... i have a torque wrench.. SNAP-ON... but gotta find places where they sell the hex wrench without the L... anyone one where? or i'll end up having to saw one off.. lol

Wiha Tools has some nice hex bit-in-socket sets. Check this page and scroll down to "Hex Bit Socket Sets" :

http://www.wihatools.com/Socket_BitSets.htm

Hi you say "Also remember to use an expander wedge and not the starfangled nut" Is this true for all carbon steerer tuble forks?

thanks cascade... i'll check those out.

btw, when you buy a fork.. do they come preinstalled with star nut? if not, is that something you can buy and install urself?

Hi you say "Also remember to use an expander wedge and not the starfangled nut" Is this true for all carbon steerer tuble forks?

There's been some debate in the past but every manufacturer of carbon steerer forks that I've talked to says to use an expanding plug and not the starfangled nut.

btw, when you buy a fork.. do they come preinstalled with star nut? if not, is that something you can buy and install urself?

Usually the headset will come with a starfangled nut that you then have to install in the fork. Most fork manufacturers will ship an expander plug with their carbon steerer forks however because they don't want people to try using a starfangled nut.

thanks khuon.. what would i do without your help??

grrr... i have a torque wrench.. SNAP-ON... but gotta find places where they sell the hex wrench without the L... anyone one where? or i'll end up having to saw one off.. lol

Snap-On has those too.