Originally Posted by dylandom
yea i actually got the 753. only because i don't tour and didn't want to deal with the relaxed geometry which generally means that i will be so uncomfortable. I haven't picked the bick up, but I'll let u all know how it goes. i might need some help with the removal of the stem if i decided to take it out. hopefully i won't have to. thanks for the great debate on the tubing.
Congrats on the Bob J! I'll tell you how I approach badly stuck stems: BEFORE you try any penetrating oil or spray, get the front wheel off, invert the bike and pour about a cup of pure household ammonia into the hole in the bottom of the fork. Let it work for a day. Pour it out and re-install the front wheel; clutch the wheel tight between your legs and grasp the handlebars giving the stem short, hard jerks side-to side...think "breaking action" cause you're trying to break a bond. If no luck, and I'm not trying to preserve a stem, I go to plan B: remove handlebars and front wheel, wedge forkblades against my 2x4 vertical workbench leg and whack that stem with a deadblow mallet...short, hard shocks. If ammonia doesn't get it, I go to plan C, spray or drip a good penetrant from below and above (NOT WD40, but something like Kroil--I used several brands I've had good results with, but the good ones aren't easy to find, Liquidwrench is OK but not great) GOOD LUCK, and don't give up-- eventually you WILL win. And you WILL need to get it out if you want to rebuild/repack/replace the headset--if the stem is rusty then the bottom headset bearings probably are too.