Nitto stem sizing question
 

I have a Fuji Berkeley that came stock with 25.4 clamp diameter handlebars. I switched them for a set of aluminum bullhorn bars that were 25.4. But I discovered that aluminum bars can snap suddenly and without warning.

So I decided that I wanted steel/cromoly bullhorns. The problem is that the only ones that I could find are 26.0 clamp diameter. So I thought that I would need a new stem.

BUT...I did see that Nitto made stems that were 25.4 / 26.0 clamp...which meant that they would accommodate both size handlebars.

I am not sure if my stem is one of those. So I am posting photos to see if anyone can identify the size and specs of this Fuji Berkeley stock Nitto stem without me having to disassemble anything. I don't know anything technical about bikes and I don't really work on them. I prefer to take my bike to the shop and let them do their job. I don't know if I'm being lazy or not... but I would appreciate if anyone could give me the specs on this particular stem. Including the metal that it is made out of & the general strength of these type Nitto stems.

Here are photos below: And I have no idea how to rotate them. On my computer they are in the correct position, but when I upload them here they are not.


http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=483121http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=483122http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=483123http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=483124http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=483125

I think you're mistaken. I would like to see your original reference, but I bet it means there's one stem available with either a 25.4mm clamp or a 26.0mm clamp. I've never seen a stem that does both.

Not all aluminum bars are fragile. You should be able to find something nice for the price of a new stem and new bars.

Now and then you will see stems sold that include shims to fit more than one size bar. But that would mean you are using the shim on your 25.4 bars. If not, this stem will not fit a 26mm. If you broke Nitto bars without crashing on them, I would be surprised.

Cheap things have issues Quality parts wont.

OK. That makes more sense. I think I was mistaken in interpreting what I read.

Now the Fuji Berkeley I have is a bike that came with 27" standard tires and a larger frame. Based on the photos and specs that I have given, I want to know if anyone can tell me if the SOMA Quill 26.0 stem that I need will swap out completely with the Nitto 25.4 that I have..... with no further components. I am not sure if I will need some kind of extension to make it fit my bike. And I am unsure of the exact specs of the stem that I have.

Here is a photo of what I want to buy from the SOMA site.

http://www.somafab.com/wp-content/up...te-370x300.jpg
- Cold forged aluminum
- Polished finish in silver or black
- 80 or 100mm extensions
- 180mm tall quill gives you a little extra height over the standard 140mm
- Bar Clamp: 25.4mm or 26.0mm
- Weight: 320g

If the quill extension (long part that goes into the steerer tube) is the same (probably 22.2mm), then yes, they are interchangeable.

Ditto. There are several dimensions that you need t be aware of:
Diameter of the quill (the piece that fits in the fork). On your bike it's 22.2mm (7/8"). This is the most common.
Inside diameter of the handlebar clamp. 25.4mm and 26.0mm were common, with 26.0mm generally a pointer to "better" handlebars and stems. There were many other variations, but for your bike these are the most likely.
Extension and length sound like the same thing, but they mean different things on a handlebar stem. This should help:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7.../QuillStem.jpg

Stop right there...
 

Ride your bike with the new aluminum bars. Don't think about snapping - it's very unlikely to happen without first having suffered a crash.

Thanks.