steel handlebars with aluminum stem: bad idea?
12-15-04, 04:02 AM
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steel handlebars with aluminum stem: bad idea?
i just scored a sweet deal on some Nitto 36 cm track handlebars (only distributed in japan!). anyway, i'm looking to upgrade my stem as well but the matching steel NJ pro drop stems are 165 bones! id much rather spend the $66 for the aluminum version, but will i be running into a problem with the obvious weight difference? i can just imagine myself riding along and suddenly the handlebars fall out of the stem...ouch! am i crazy?
12-15-04, 04:05 AM
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shouldn't be a prob at all. i have a steel nitto bar and an aluminum nitto stem. Plus i've used it other aluminum ahead stems.
12-15-04, 04:15 AM
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Originally Posted by takeshi117
i just scored a sweet deal on some Nitto 36 cm track handlebars (only distributed in japan!). anyway, i'm looking to upgrade my stem as well but the matching steel NJ pro drop stems are 165 bones! id much rather spend the $66 for the aluminum version, but will i be running into a problem with the obvious weight difference? i can just imagine myself riding along and suddenly the handlebars fall out of the stem...ouch! am i crazy?
No Problem at all.
Enjoy your new gear!
S/F,
CEYA!
12-15-04, 07:50 AM
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The Nitto aluminun stems are quite burly & stiff and aren't what one would consider a light weight part...you'll have no prob at all assuming you weigh less than 300 lbs...
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12-15-04, 09:00 AM
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The aluminum/steel interface may be susceptible to galvanic corrosion, eating away at the aluminum.
Can anyone confirm that this isn't a problem (and explain why), not just anectdotally, but on the chemistry?
Can anyone confirm that this isn't a problem (and explain why), not just anectdotally, but on the chemistry?
12-15-04, 09:18 AM
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bmxers have been using steel bars with aluminum stems since the 70's with no ill effects. i would be more worried about the stem cracking than any corrosion issues.
12-15-04, 12:12 PM
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Originally Posted by bostontrevor
The aluminum/steel interface may be susceptible to galvanic corrosion, eating away at the aluminum.
Can anyone confirm that this isn't a problem (and explain why), not just anectdotally, but on the chemistry?
Can anyone confirm that this isn't a problem (and explain why), not just anectdotally, but on the chemistry?
Anyway, in practice, this obviously isn't too serious of an issue, because how many of you actually use steel seatposts in your steel frames? Not I.
The handlebars will be fine. If you are really worried about anything chemical going on, one could always spray a strip of primer on the bars the width of the stem clamp.
12-15-04, 06:26 PM
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Originally Posted by na975
over time.weather,etc-aluminum+ steel can fuse together. the aluminum starts to pit,ues some anti seize compond!
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12-15-04, 07:56 PM
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WhY IS THIS STILL IN THIS FORUM? SHOULDN'T THIS BE IN MECHANICS? SOME MOD HAS THE POWER FOR THIS.
12-15-04, 09:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Erik
What about the other way around? I have a steel stem with aluminium bars. Could this be dangerous?
12-15-04, 09:52 PM
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Originally Posted by HereNT
WhY IS THIS STILL IN THIS FORUM? SHOULDN'T THIS BE IN MECHANICS? SOME MOD HAS THE POWER FOR THIS.
12-15-04, 10:27 PM
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Galvanic corrosion happens when two dissimilar metals are in contact w/ one another in the presence of an electrolyte (such as salt water). There's no need to apply an external charge.
It's true that millions use alu posts in steel frames. That's good. It's also true that they will seize if you're inattentive (I recently had to use an old MTB handlebar as a pry bar to get one free in fact). That's bad.
Ah well, give it a shot. See if the stem corrodes away or fuses to your bars. Then you'll have your answer. We'll expect a full report.
It's true that millions use alu posts in steel frames. That's good. It's also true that they will seize if you're inattentive (I recently had to use an old MTB handlebar as a pry bar to get one free in fact). That's bad.
Ah well, give it a shot. See if the stem corrodes away or fuses to your bars. Then you'll have your answer. We'll expect a full report.
