Cracked stem mounting plate?
06-23-19 | 09:20 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,799
Likes: 491
Cracked stem mounting plate?
I have a quick question. I apologize ahead of time for the less than perfect photo quality. Hope that you can all see enough detail to answer my question.
The first photo shows the Deda Zero Nero stem om my C64.
Each of the mounting brackets shows what can be best described as a “white spot.” I just noticed the “spots” on today’s ride. The bolts have always been torqued to the right spec.
The stem is carbon but the mounting plate is aluminum.
Is this a sign of impending failure of the mounting plate?
By contrast, the second photo shows the same mounting plate on my C59. The two stems are identical, everything is the same.
I will have my mechanic check it out next week; I just wanted to get your thoughts on this ahead of my visit to the LBS.
Thank you for your time.
The first photo shows the Deda Zero Nero stem om my C64.
Each of the mounting brackets shows what can be best described as a “white spot.” I just noticed the “spots” on today’s ride. The bolts have always been torqued to the right spec.
The stem is carbon but the mounting plate is aluminum.
Is this a sign of impending failure of the mounting plate?
By contrast, the second photo shows the same mounting plate on my C59. The two stems are identical, everything is the same.
I will have my mechanic check it out next week; I just wanted to get your thoughts on this ahead of my visit to the LBS.
Thank you for your time.
06-24-19 | 08:55 AM
#5
I thought about scuffed paint from turning the bike upside down. But it's usually supported by the hoods and the stem is off the ground.
Yeah! how close are the cables to the bottom of the stem plate? (But I'd expect one side to have wear, not both. The cables won't be perfectly symmetrical.)
The more serious question is:
WHAT ARE THESE CRACKS?
Yeah! how close are the cables to the bottom of the stem plate? (But I'd expect one side to have wear, not both. The cables won't be perfectly symmetrical.)
The more serious question is:
WHAT ARE THESE CRACKS?
Last edited by rm -rf; 06-24-19 at 08:59 AM.
06-24-19 | 09:36 AM
#8
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,799
Likes: 491
I thought about scuffed paint from turning the bike upside down. But it's usually supported by the hoods and the stem is off the ground.
Yeah! how close are the cables to the bottom of the stem plate? (But I'd expect one side to have wear, not both. The cables won't be perfectly symmetrical.)
The more serious question is:
WHAT ARE THESE CRACKS?
Yeah! how close are the cables to the bottom of the stem plate? (But I'd expect one side to have wear, not both. The cables won't be perfectly symmetrical.)
The more serious question is:
WHAT ARE THESE CRACKS?
But Just to be safe, I have ordered a new stem. They don't make the Deda Zero Nero anymore, so I will get another model.
No need for the entire stem assembly coming apart while bombing it down a hill.
06-24-19 | 02:32 PM
#12
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 14,779
Likes: 743
From: Northwest Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Send me that gorgeous stem for a comprehensive 50,000 mile stress test please.
I'll let you know.
-Tim-
I'll let you know.
-Tim-
06-24-19 | 02:59 PM
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 14,192
Likes: 5,328
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
The worn spots in the first photo wlouldn't phase me at all. But those paint cracks? Time for a new stem. Life's too short to be spending it wondering each ride if this is the one. (Says a poster who didn't do that wondering when he was young and paid big-time.)
My policy, simple - replace stems and handlebars before they break. You are doing that. Good work.
Edit: Apparently that is not Timothy H's policy.
Ben
My policy, simple - replace stems and handlebars before they break. You are doing that. Good work.
Edit: Apparently that is not Timothy H's policy.
Ben
06-25-19 | 06:33 AM
#14
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,799
Likes: 491
The worn spots in the first photo wlouldn't phase me at all. But those paint cracks? Time for a new stem. Life's too short to be spending it wondering each ride if this is the one. (Says a poster who didn't do that wondering when he was young and paid big-time.)
My policy, simple - replace stems and handlebars before they break. You are doing that. Good work.
Edit: Apparently that is not Timothy H's policy.
Ben
My policy, simple - replace stems and handlebars before they break. You are doing that. Good work.
Edit: Apparently that is not Timothy H's policy.
Ben
06-30-19 | 07:14 PM
#15
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,799
Likes: 491
UPDATE:
I replaced the Deda Zero Nero carbon stem with a Deda Zero2 stem.
Interestingly enough, the aluminum Zero2 is slightly lighter than the carbon stem.
BTW, thanks to eagled eyed [MENTION=46547]rm -rf[/MENTION] for noticing the second crack. There was an annoying creak that I couldn’t identify. After replacing the old stem, the creak is gone. I hate to think what would happen if the stem broke off during a descent.
I also bought a Zero2 to replace the Zero Nero in the C59. Better safe than sorry.
I replaced the Deda Zero Nero carbon stem with a Deda Zero2 stem.
Interestingly enough, the aluminum Zero2 is slightly lighter than the carbon stem.
BTW, thanks to eagled eyed [MENTION=46547]rm -rf[/MENTION] for noticing the second crack. There was an annoying creak that I couldn’t identify. After replacing the old stem, the creak is gone. I hate to think what would happen if the stem broke off during a descent.
I also bought a Zero2 to replace the Zero Nero in the C59. Better safe than sorry.
06-30-19 | 08:25 PM
#17
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,799
Likes: 491
When I am feeling wimpy on the road...the stem cap reminds why I am riding.
I get them from these folks:
https://www.purelycustom.com/headset-caps/
https://www.bikelangelo.com/
I get them from these folks:
https://www.purelycustom.com/headset-caps/
https://www.bikelangelo.com/
Last edited by eja_ bottecchia; 06-30-19 at 08:33 PM.
