MassLiberal

Does anyone have any experience constructing shims to make a 25.4 handlebar fit a 26 stem? Without a shim, the handlebar works pretty well, but I worry that it's going to slip unless I wedge something in there to take up some of the extra space. I was thinking a sliver of coke can might do the trick...

clayface

I put a coke can shim in my son's bike to take the extra space between seatpost and seat tube and it's still working there. No problem. I remember using that kind of remedy as a temporary measure to adapt a Shimano crankset to a Campy BB spindle.

LWaB

Nitto make a shim specifically for this, Rivendell and others sell it.

Matthew A Brown

I have this shim on my track bike, actually. It *will* move if I'm really pulling, but we're talking track bike so it's pretty much the most force I'd ever put the gitup through. It'd be fine for touring.


I also use some of a Welch's Grape Soda can in another bike, to slightly lesser success.

MassLiberal

I know that nitto makes a shim, but I would rather avoid paying the $11 plus shipping to receive one, and would also like to avoid changing all of my cables/removing the handlebar in order to install one. Aluminum cans seem to fit the bill perfectly.

The combination of diet coke and a whole foods apple spritzer can has, so far, been succesful. Plus, with the low calorie punch of these two sodas, my bike feels that much lighter.

Matthew A Brown

The shim comes in two halves, and does not require removing anything, unless your bartape goes right up to the stem.

The alum can is also going to disintegrate eventually, possibly when you'd most need it, depending on use. Could be years, could be a couple months, just don't expect it to be a permanent solution. Etc.

I'd also mention for all you viewers at home to watch thy fingers--it can be pretty easy to get a good ol' alum can gash in the good ol' digits, 'specially trying to sneak the leaves into the gap.


But biking is partly about bending metal to will, if you're having fun and riding safe.... = )