Handlebar Shims
10-26-09, 05:14 AM
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Handlebar Shims
What have people found works best for shimming handlebars when they're too small to fit the stem? According to the Sheldon Brown article, aluminium bar stock can work, but what else have people tried?
10-26-09, 06:20 AM
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Why are you opposed to using aluminum?
10-26-09, 06:25 AM
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One of those kid's slap bracelets (plastic sleeve with aluminum innner) worked well for me once.
I have also used soda can shims, but you have to be careful not to cut yourself. Finding the right amount of metal takes time usually too.
I would avoid shims if you can -- just search for a different stem or bar.
I have also used soda can shims, but you have to be careful not to cut yourself. Finding the right amount of metal takes time usually too.
I would avoid shims if you can -- just search for a different stem or bar.
10-26-09, 07:41 AM
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Didn't Greg LeMond use aluminum from a can of Budweiser to shim out his aero-bars in that time trial in which he trumped The Professor?
10-26-09, 08:39 AM
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10-26-09, 09:06 AM
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local hardware store has shim stock. convert the difference in mm to decimal inches. divide by 2.
round down to the nearest thickness shim stock. enough material in a sheet of shim stock to
make 10+ hb shims
round down to the nearest thickness shim stock. enough material in a sheet of shim stock to
make 10+ hb shims
10-26-09, 10:41 AM
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personally I have never ben big on shimming anything. but if you have to buy something that is made for the job.
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10-26-09, 12:11 PM
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I used a piece of titanium foil to shim my wife's hadlebars. 
.
10-26-09, 12:35 PM
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Whatever you do don't use Plastic shims. My LBS provided them free which was great till the handlebar slipped over every single bump no matter how well torqued the bolts were...
10-26-09, 12:50 PM
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Let's ask exactly how much we're shimming before we make recommendations (if it's not an outrageous difference). Nitto has some nice pre-made shims but only for certain diameters -> diameters.
10-26-09, 01:04 PM
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10-26-09, 01:28 PM
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10-26-09, 01:33 PM
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I say this in the best possible way - they're ****ing idiots and literally walking into a lawsuit.
10-26-09, 01:42 PM
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I cut shims out of thicker alu or brass sheet metal. Do the calculation for thickness as roberth33tiger mentioned. You may use a bit more, but not less. Shims out of alu cans are plain horrible: As the foil is too thin, you need to use several layers, which increases the likelihood of slipping. In addition, the foil deforms and may be cut through. Overtightening, likely for shims out of a can, can kill an alu handlebar.
10-26-09, 02:54 PM
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That said PZ Racing (makers of cheap handlebar sets) includes Plastic shims with many of their setups as well. As i said.... cheap.
