> means greater than, not leads to. i read it the way photons intended.

nitto makes handlebar shims for putting 25.4 bars in a 26.0 stem. super thin, i think you might be able to find it.

of course, for the amount of money you payed for the frame, i would also find a proper seat post for it. trade or sell yours and buy a new seat post in the right size, njs approved if you MUST have that.