Unlucky or stupid - another broken stem face plate
04-24-12, 07:01 AM
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Unlucky or stupid - another broken stem face plate
A few months ago (well, almost a year) I had a broken face plate on my stem.
Old thread - https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...eak?highlight=
Today I'm taking the bike down the LBS for a major overhaul (everything off to bare frame) and I notice a small crack on the replacement face plate near one of the bolts. Hasn't gone, but would break in the same manner as the old one.
I've got a torque wrench, I don't bash into things. Am I just unlucky or am I doing something wrong?
Complete new stem will be applied this time - going with 3T.
Bike should ride like new after the overhaul (and a new large chain ring, chain, Gore cable set, etc etc).
Old thread - https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...eak?highlight=
Today I'm taking the bike down the LBS for a major overhaul (everything off to bare frame) and I notice a small crack on the replacement face plate near one of the bolts. Hasn't gone, but would break in the same manner as the old one.
I've got a torque wrench, I don't bash into things. Am I just unlucky or am I doing something wrong?
Complete new stem will be applied this time - going with 3T.
Bike should ride like new after the overhaul (and a new large chain ring, chain, Gore cable set, etc etc).
04-24-12, 07:25 AM
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Just a theory, but my guess would be that one of the bolt holes in the stem is slightly misaligned and is placing a torsion on the face plate when you tighten the bolts. Any sign of that? In any case you're right to ditch the stem.
04-24-12, 07:37 AM
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Stems are cheap compared to a catastrophic failure while riding. I'd change it in a heartbeat!
04-24-12, 07:54 AM
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04-24-12, 08:25 AM
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A few months ago (well, almost a year) I had a broken face plate on my stem.
Old thread - https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...eak?highlight=
Today I'm taking the bike down the LBS for a major overhaul (everything off to bare frame) and I notice a small crack on the replacement face plate near one of the bolts. Hasn't gone, but would break in the same manner as the old one.
I've got a torque wrench, I don't bash into things. Am I just unlucky or am I doing something wrong?
Complete new stem will be applied this time - going with 3T.
Bike should ride like new after the overhaul (and a new large chain ring, chain, Gore cable set, etc etc).
Old thread - https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...eak?highlight=
Today I'm taking the bike down the LBS for a major overhaul (everything off to bare frame) and I notice a small crack on the replacement face plate near one of the bolts. Hasn't gone, but would break in the same manner as the old one.
I've got a torque wrench, I don't bash into things. Am I just unlucky or am I doing something wrong?
Complete new stem will be applied this time - going with 3T.
Bike should ride like new after the overhaul (and a new large chain ring, chain, Gore cable set, etc etc).
Also note that at least some 3T stems specify a MAXIMUM torque, so that's not where you want to set your torque wrench.
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04-24-12, 09:08 AM
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While tightening the stem bolts, did you apply the diagonal / 'star' pattern sequence?
BTW Riding in HONG KONG?! You must be both AWESOME and FREAKING CRAZY!
I spent my entire childhood there and then moved to Boston, MA. I've since logged 10000+ miles on Boston streets. But no matter how much experience I get, I'll NEVER have the guts to ride on Hong Kong Streets...
BTW Riding in HONG KONG?! You must be both AWESOME and FREAKING CRAZY!
I spent my entire childhood there and then moved to Boston, MA. I've since logged 10000+ miles on Boston streets. But no matter how much experience I get, I'll NEVER have the guts to ride on Hong Kong Streets...
04-24-12, 03:15 PM
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don't buy the 3T stems with titanium bolts... you'll transition from a faceplate cracking issue to a bolt snapping issue. 
04-24-12, 03:28 PM
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You should try the Ritchy C260 stem. It'll be lighter, and the faceplate could fall completely off the stem and you wouldn't necessarily crash.
04-24-12, 03:38 PM
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I would support the 3T Ergonova as I have one. Save money and get the less expensive non Ti bolt model. Other choices would be a Thompson and I use a Syncros Factory stem with four bolt cap on one of my road bikes. Super strong design.
04-24-12, 07:23 PM
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Yes, I know how to tighten a stem face plate with the right pattern! I even aim for an even gap top and bottom when tight (ie the distance between the face and the main part of the stem).
The failed stem (Deda) did have the Ti bolts, but they look fine. It's the face plate that has the problem.
The failed stem (Deda) did have the Ti bolts, but they look fine. It's the face plate that has the problem.
04-24-12, 07:25 PM
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While tightening the stem bolts, did you apply the diagonal / 'star' pattern sequence?
BTW Riding in HONG KONG?! You must be both AWESOME and FREAKING CRAZY!
I spent my entire childhood there and then moved to Boston, MA. I've since logged 10000+ miles on Boston streets. But no matter how much experience I get, I'll NEVER have the guts to ride on Hong Kong Streets...
BTW Riding in HONG KONG?! You must be both AWESOME and FREAKING CRAZY!
I spent my entire childhood there and then moved to Boston, MA. I've since logged 10000+ miles on Boston streets. But no matter how much experience I get, I'll NEVER have the guts to ride on Hong Kong Streets...
Riding here isn't that bad. Traffic is slower and my (and your) 'western' driving experience puts you way ahead of the curve - I can tell what some cab driver is going to do before he's even thought of it himself.
04-24-12, 09:48 PM
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The first one I'm prepared to write off to the heavy impact on the paving (see old thread), but the second one?
Waiting to hear the 'butcher's bill' from the LBS after they've had a chance to take everything off and give it a good look (and to hear the long wait for new parts since the agents in HK don't stock a lot of stuff in bigger sizes...a 44cm handlebar isn't on the Chinese cyclist wish list).
