What is this under the stem?
03-27-10, 09:24 PM
#1
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What is this under the stem?
A buddy just got a new Felt Tri Bike. Came with this thing installed beneath stem clamp above spacers. The gold thing is a hex bolt that, I assume, adjusts the whatevereitis. What the heck is it?
stem thingy.jpg
stem thingy.jpg
03-27-10, 09:29 PM
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Can't really tell from the photo, but there seem to be two of the "ears". Could they be cable guides or fulcrums (housing stops)?
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
03-27-10, 09:41 PM
#3
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That's the antenna for the GPS transmitter that is required on every new bike so the government can track you. I use a piece of wire to hook them together and short them out. I also line my helmet with aluminum foil so the NSA can't read my brainwaves. They'll never know where I am, or what I'm thinking. HA!
03-27-10, 10:07 PM
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That's the preloader for the headset, and it's not installed correctly either. Where most bikes would have a top cap that preloads the stem and headset before tightening the stem down, this setup is intended to expand in the space between the already-fastened stem and the headset, preloading it from within the "stack."
For it to do that, the bolt head will need to be in that vacant ear. As the bolt is turned, the upper and lower sections use those ramp-shaped parts to make the assembly thicker, providing the preload.
Given that this isn't rookie-level stuff, I'd suggest taking it back to the shop for them to get it set up correctly. Hope that helps.
For it to do that, the bolt head will need to be in that vacant ear. As the bolt is turned, the upper and lower sections use those ramp-shaped parts to make the assembly thicker, providing the preload.
Given that this isn't rookie-level stuff, I'd suggest taking it back to the shop for them to get it set up correctly. Hope that helps.
03-27-10, 10:08 PM
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The very small screw is the adjustment part that makes it expand (rise up) and help keep the headset tight. Imagine thinking that a screw with a 3 mm head would keep a headset tight. It is a VERY CRAPPY Easton expander system to keep your headset tight. Throw it away as fast as you can. Replace it with something like a FSA compressor. The Easton piece REALLY SUCKS. You may not have a Easton fork but this VERY CRAPPY Easton product is sold with their fork and there is a decorative cap (with a E) that fits on top of the fork. If you paid for this product you will be sorry. It will not keep the headset tight. The headset will be getting loose after each ride or at best after a few rides.
If I haven't make it clear yet -- THROW THAT PART AWAY ---- NOW.
If I haven't make it clear yet -- THROW THAT PART AWAY ---- NOW.
03-27-10, 10:16 PM
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Seems like you'd either have proper preload or a skew-iff stem with that system...
