Originally Posted by dddd

Thanks for another data point.

I should have clarified, I did have to sand the Cinelli going into the Gitane, but it was more like 3Speed described, just a couple of minutes and a couple of test-fits to get it down to racing height.

And no, it wasn't one of the 22.0-sized Cinelli stems (which were clearly marked and which had 26.4mm bar clamp dia.).


OrangeHorse wrote:

"Do you have any that have a 25.4 clamp rather than the typical French 25.0 clamp?"

That's a problem with most French-sized stems, having to search out a 25.0 handlebar.
Some later-70's bikes did come with good, solid bars in a decently-wide width for average-plus sized American riders, but these are not that easy to find and many of these French-made bars turn out to be 25.4mm clamp dia.
The Cinelli stems with 22.0mm quill are scarce enough that I find it more prectical to sand down a normal Cinelli stem. These seem to need more sanding near the bottom, but little to none higher up where you might not want to sand the anodizing off. It helps to first massage the steerer entry (including the locknut) with a half-round file, but any chrome plating on the nut will tend to ruin the file for future use.


The metallurgy and dimensions of AVA stems make them unsuitable for wide handlebars and certain riding styles (primarily the twisting action that some riders apply through the bars). That said, lighter, calmer riders with AVA stems that have never been abused (by over-raising the quill, fitting to a 22.2mm steerer, fitting a too-wide handlebar, over-tightening the bolts or by doing an arm-workout on the climbs and sprints) have relatively little to worry about.
Of course, it's almost impossible to know what sort of abuse MAY have been done to the used parts that show up today, making Sheldon's advice worth keeping in mind, especially for bigger and harder-riding cyclists.