Originally Posted by
bobdell
You need some calipers to measure the bars and the stem, they may be different sizes. If the size is correct, use a flat blade screwdriver to wedge the opening a bit larger. If you need to spread it more than a small amount, it's wrong.
The stem is definitely 25.4 mm, as the bars I had before were that size, and fitted perfectly. The Marys are only made in 25.4 and 31.8, and they're certainly not 31.8. I'll borrow some calipers on monday and measure anyway. The problem isn't with the clamp area on the bars, it's with trying to get the curved section of the bars through the stem.
As for what stem it is, it's just a cheap Kalin one, and it hasn't got cutouts. I've got a very similar-looking stem with drop bars in it on another bike, but I didn't fit them, so I don't know how the heck they went in. Looks like I may need a new stem...