Hey all,
I'm trying to install a quill stem, expander and not wedge-type- I think it's a 3TTT. It's a beautiful stem and I'd like to keep it, but I'm having a problem: I can't get it to tighten enough to hold the stem in place. No matter how hard I torque the bolt, the stem will still turn in the steerer tube when I brace the front wheel and twist it. To make matters worse, when I tighten it enough it starts somehow interfering with the headset and the steering becomes very very stiff. Is there some special voodoo to installing quill stems with expanders instead of wedges? I've used one before and, while I did have some trouble, I didn't have this much trouble! Why are high-quality stems (3TTT, Cinelli) made with this baffling technology?
Please help! I don't want to replace this stem but I will have to soon because this is not working.