Hey,

Just bought a shorter stem and received it today.
I have an 1 1/4 diameter and the stem has that diameter.

The only thing is that it came with an "adapter" that seems to reduce to the diameter to 1 1/8 (still at work, so only made rough measurements).

So my guess would be to remove it to mount it on my fork. As I said, I haven't tried with any tools yet, but just loosening the bolts did not allow me to remove it by hand (and it did not even move a bit), so what are my options?

Weird thing is also that this "adapter" does not go all the way down the stem, just half of it as you can see on the picture.
Almost makes me think someone at the store tried to force an half-adapter in the stem and gave up for the second half.



As I said, I haven't tried applying some real force yet, so I might just as well extract it easily, but not sure,...

Whadayathink?

I'd loosen the stem clamp bolts completely and wedge something into the gap to spread the opening slightly. That should loosen the adapter. Even then you may have to use a punch (brass, plastic or aluminum are better than steel) around the adapter edges to drive it out.

I'd guess it's not actually a shim, rather someone was using a couple of 20mm spacers as shims.

Shouldn't be too hard to remove. Back out the bolts all the way and try to push it out. If needed gently pry the slot apart to see if it'll drop out of there.

Got it. Thanks for the help.

Removed the bolts all the way out and put a big fat knife in the opening and spread the thing to remove the ring...

Was not easy though.

Anyway. Thanks!

Yeah, I guess I shouldn't have said it would be easy, necessarily. Spacers are considerably thicker than shims, so I bet it was in there pretty good!

Drop a quarter (or correct diameter disc) into the stem to close the top of the sleeve. Find something to use as a punch and tap it out in your hand. If it doesn't move, you can usually get better action by holding the punch in while you turn it upside down and slam it against a solid surface.

I would have gone out to the garage, removed the pinch bolts completely, found a socket that is close to the inside diameter of the stem, dropped it into the stem with an extension attached, and tapped on the end of the extension to drive the adapter out.

Good advice but a little too late. She has the problem solved!

might want to include putting the stem in a well protected bench vise, or maybe C-clamped to bench with some scrap wood for protection.



Still good technique for other people who might have spacers stuck in their stems.

In most cases you can tap these out in your hands. Hold stem in left hand pocketing the insert over the pal. Light hammer in right, tap, tap, tap and you've palmed the insert and are ready to move on. (Lefties and Australians do it the opposite way).