fishboat

I need to replace this stem as it's much too long. From a quick measurement it looks to be 110-115mm (center to center on horizontal plane), with about (I'm guessing) a -6 degree angle (11 degree rise).

The vast majority of stems I'm seeing have a 31.8mm "clamp" size (handlebar it seems). My handlebars are 25.4mm. Is it typical for many stems to be sold as a 31.8mm and then they include a shim to reduce to 25.4mm, or should I be buying specifically a 25.4mm "clamp" size?

I'm not finding much in the way of a -6mm (10 or 11 degree rise) 1 1/8th threadless stems in a 25.4mm handlebar. From riding yesterday(first time on this bike), I'm thinking I'll need a 90mm or 80mm stem.

tarwheel 

Google is your friend. Do a search for "25.4 threadless stem" and you will find stems to your heart's delight. Or eBay.

blakcloud

A shim isn't the end of the world but if you can find a 25.4 stem that would be best. I have used the shim from 31.8 to 25.4 and it worked fine, it just looked ugly.

fishboat

I've tried about every other angle on the search, but not that one specifically..I figured the 25.4 would pop up easily as road bikes are more common than MTB..maybe not..as nearly everything I've found so far is posted exclusively as MTB.. Thx..I'll try that angle..so to speak..

blak..if the shim-use is ugly..I don't want to invest in ugly.. thx..

andr0id

You're about 8 years late to the stem party. You used to be able to get 1-1/8" stems with variety of HB sizes. But mfgs have mostly standardized on the 31.8 bars now, so there are a lot less available unless you go eBay or internet.

I would suggest finding new 31.8 bars along with a new stem. Aluminum bars aren't that expensive and changing over will give you a lot more options going forward.

fietsbob

A 1/8" shim sleeve will do fine ... 31.8 is the metric translation of 1.25", 25.4 is 1"

shim's thicknesses are a radius ... diameter difference is 1/4".

Marcus_Ti

You need the right steerer size, and preferably the right bar-clamp size. Sure you could shim it...

Also going to a stem that is a full-inch (or more) shorter....I'm wondering how well your bike is sized to you, or if you have fit/flexibility issues. Especially as you have a full stack of headset spacers and a flipped up stem (all of which make for shorter reach). You will probably also end up with cable housing too long with this setup change BTW.

fishboat

I can believe that, as 31.8 seems to be everywhere. I ride two different C&V bikes that were fitted to me long..long ago and I haven't worried about stems in an equally long time. Standardization makes sense..it reduces inventory, tooling, and drives new sales in converting, as you suggested. None of this is good for the consumer..so it goes..

fishboat

It's a used bike. The frame size is fine for me, but the OEM stem, or at least the stem that was installed when whomever bought the bike new, is l-o-n-g. I'm guessing a 90mm will be good for my fit.

fietsbob

I'm about to get a stem for my ITM trekking Bars, offered in both 1" and 1.25 but the new width is too much for the 1"
due to center yoke joining the 2 pieces Dshaped that make up the bars

The shim Sleeve can be cut down ad then the larger stem clamo will grip it ..




All else you can Hire frame-builders to make steel stems.. to precisely suit your needs ..

dr_lha

Road bikes with 25.4mm handlebars usually have quill stems, so the type of stem you want is much rarer.

That said, how about this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Fyxation-Rodeo...4mm+clamp+stem

EDIT: More descriptive link: Fyxation Rodeo Stem 25.4 | Fyxation

fishboat

There you go..that would work, they have a 90mm..but only gloss finish..looking for matte. ..picky..I know, but the bars are matte..I'll look for the same brand to see if they have a matte black finish..thx..

dr_lha

Beggars can't be choosers. Wire wool will matte up that finish.

fietsbob

If shopping Online is a handicap in selection, have you asked at your LBS?

fishboat

..I haven't reach beggar stage..yet.. I may have found one..Cannondale, no logo, black matte, -5 degrees, 90mm. This (my bike..Volpe) is a touring-type bike so a large seat to stem(or HB with a rise stem) drop isn't desired..as much.

rmfnla

1,350 listed here; gotta be at least one that will work for you:

bike stem 25.4 | eBay

fishboat

That would be the list I'm working on now.

dsbrantjr

Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 2X 12 oz. Flat Matte Clear General Purpose Spray Paint-249087 - The Home Depot

Ronsonic 

Are you really sure that your bars are 25.4?

Most drop bars are 26mm. Or, were before the 31.8 thing caught on. Some old, old bars were 26.4, but you don't have those.

Seriously, measure. The good news is 26 is a lot easier to find in road-ish styles.

Bezalel

IIRC the original stem on my Trek 7.1FX was 90mm 10 degree 1-1/8 steerer 25.4 handlebar. If you're interested send me a PM and I'll try to dig through my parts box for it.

oldbobcat

26.0, along with 26.4 (Cinelli) both went out of fashion with quill stems, about 15 years ago. 25.4 was always there, although it's been losing ground to 31.8 steadily.

fishboat

Stems(bars) really are a zoo. Seems like the standardization to 31.8 was a long time in coming. The supply chain for for all these sizes must have been a real mess to deal with.

Thanks for the heads-up. I just measured the bars with a mic..26.1mm. So I guess that makes it 26mm. The search begins anew..

Looigi

In case it hasn't been mentioned yet, stem length is measured center to center along the center line of the stem, and is almost always a whole number in cm. i.e. 60, 70,... 100, 110... mm.

flanso 

I found this link very helpful when I changed stems:
Stem Comparison Tool | yojimg.net

well biked

By the time threadless steerers became the mainstream, after quill stems but before 31.8 (a period of several years and is what the OP has), 26.0 had pretty much become the standard clamp size for drop bars, 25.4 for mtb's, despite the fact that 26.0 was originally just the "Italian standard" for road bars (during the quill stem era). Bottom line: jillions of 26.0mm clamp-size in theadless stems.