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One of these days I am going to upgrade to a Ritchey WCS Road stem (my old one didn't quite fit me; got a nice deal from a German internet retailer). Having read that this is sensitive equipment, I wonder what is the proper way to go about, given that I do not have a torque wrench (to apply the specified force). Any suggestions, warnings that I need to take into account?
My fork is a Reynolds Ouzo (full carbon); my handlebar is a Ritchey Pro (aluminium).
urbanking
07-25-03, 08:58 AM
Ok, here goes. I've done it many times, but i may have problems describing it. It's easy though, i never thought of it to be sensative, except for the adjuster bolt, dont go crazy with that...
Step 1) i'm assuming you have a treadless headset (nice fork by the way) so start will removing bars. Don't worry about levers and stuff coming off, if you can, just take it right off.
Step 2) Theres a hex bolt on top of the stem, its used to adjust the headset pressure around the bearings. Remove it.
Step 3) Lossen the hex bolts on the actual stem, until it comes off. Keep the bearings and all that stuff in place ONLY remove the stem. Your half way done.
Step 4) Get the new stem on, to test fit it. The reason for this is it may not be the same size, so if its smaller you need ot get spacers because the steertube on you rfork has ot rest below the top of your stem or spacer, a little bit anyway. If the stem is bigger, it shouldnt be a problem, unless its way too big, then i dont think i can help.
Step 5) Put the stem on the same way you took it off, except put that top bolt on first. DON"T OVER TIGHTEN! But dont leave it so loose that the fork will wiggle. My easiest technique is have the front wheel on the ground, put on the brakes, and fors the bike forward. (You should have the bars on the stem to make this easier.) everyting fals in plce this way. Then tighetn the bolt until u can move the fork sideways easily, but also have no play.
Step 5) Tighten the stem onto the steertube. Dont tighten like mad, but TIGHT enough.
Any problems just ask.
Many thanks, urbanking! Your instructions will prove to be most helpful for the do-it-myself wrenching.
I don't think that there will be a problem with the stem size: the current one is a Ritchey Pro. It should have the same steerer clamp size as the WCS. (If that is not the case, I probably will need to get back to this beautiful forum...)
Have a nice week-end, you all; enjoy the TdF final.