Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Is there any disadvantage to using handlebar/stem shims?

For example 2 shims to use a threadless 1 1/8in, 26.0 stem with a 1in steerer and 25.4 bars

It's just a bunch of extra crap/ hokitude, and it may increase your chances of the bars slipping when you go off a curb. I wouldn't shim if I could help it, but if those are the parts you have and money is tight it probably won't hurt.

I just want the option of switching between my current 26.0 bullhorns, and some (not yet purchased) nitto b125's.
Also 1in threadless stems are hard to find.

Ritchey threadless stems all come with a shim for us old farts still using our obsolete 1 in. steerers. So, I'd say, no, there's no disadvantage.

I just want the option of switching between my current 26.0 bullhorns, and some (not yet purchased) nitto b125's.
Also 1in threadless stems are hard to find.

Yeah if there's actually a point to it I'd say go for it. You can make something out of a coke can and Nitto also makes a somewhat spendier 25.4->26 shim.

FYI, 1"->1 1/8" shims are not that hard to find. I have one that came with my Nitto UI 5GX stem.

I don't think there's any disadvantage to using a shim, other than a few grams of weight.

I'd run two different stems so swapping would be easier...actually I do. By using two stems it's easier for me...no bar angle crap. 1" stems are a dime a dozen on Ebay. Shims are fine but a PITA. Stay away in general just for that reason alone.

Ooh good point. A guy I know who alternates between bullhorns and drops says he prefers a shorter stem on the bullhorns.

I just want the option of switching between my current 26.0 bullhorns, and some (not yet purchased) nitto b125's.
Also 1in threadless stems are hard to find.

I recently switched from 021s to risers(25.4) without a shim and it's solid.The steerershim is no big deal either.I have a 1" on one bike and 1 1/8" with shim on another and there's no difference.

There is no difference between my shimmed 1 inch steerer and my non shimmed 1 1/8th. The stem doesn't see heavy side to side loads so I doubt shimming your steerer has much of an effect. I suppose you bars see heavy up and down loads sometimes so it is more likely to slip. I doubt it would slip if you kept the bolts tight though.

The only problem with shims is that everyone prefers to have matching size components.

I'm using an 1 1/8" stem with a 31.8 clamp diameter on a 1" steerer and 26.0 handlebar. No problems at all. Shim away.

i use shims for my bars in my thomson stem. nice to be able to run any bar i want in a single stem, and i dont find it to be a pain at all when changing bars. got thin and thick shims at my lbs for like 5 bucks.

1" Threadless is hard to come by? Cinelli Alter. What else could you want?

And they make B123's as 26.0 and 25.4

They don't for B125's?

I'd run two different stems so swapping would be easier...actually I do. By using two stems it's easier for me...no bar angle crap. 1" stems are a dime a dozen on Ebay. Shims are fine but a PITA. Stay away in general just for that reason alone.

Well, since he mentioned shimming 1 1/8" stem, I'd imagine that he's using a modern threadless pop-top stem. If not, then yeah, alternating bars between quill stems is just stupid, since you'll have to unroll the wrap or grips every time.

And they make B123's as 26.0 and 25.4

I don't think this is so.

And they make B123's as 26.0 and 25.4


Really?

I'll def look into that for 125's
side question, does anyone else make a similar bar to the 125 (shallow track drop)?

Ha! (http://iro.srcurran.com/parts/handlebars.php)

Ha! (http://iro.srcurran.com/parts/handlebars.php)

Well, for what it's worth, every other website I've ever seen, and every pair I've ever handled, has been 25.4. I think that Tony just put the wrong info up, or it's possible that Nitto started produced them in "modern" sizes (but then, why not making 31.8?).

Well, since he mentioned shimming 1 1/8" stem, I'd imagine that he's using a modern threadless pop-top stem. If not, then yeah, alternating bars between quill stems is just stupid, since you'll have to unroll the wrap or grips every time.

I'm actually looking to get a salsa. I got outbid on a few 1in ones on ebay, but I would prefer the pop-top which the older salsa's dont have.

Well, for what it's worth, every other website I've ever seen, and every pair I've ever handled, has been 25.4. I think that Tony just put the wrong info up, or it's possible that Nitto started produced them in "modern" sizes (but then, why not making 31.8?).

Ha wasn't nice. Sorry. The only other place I've found 26.0 is another IRO site (http://www.irofixedgear.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=31). So probably not a typo, but possibly a mistake.