What era is this stem from? AVA. Death Stem?
01-19-11, 04:01 PM
#1
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What era is this stem from? AVA. Death Stem?
https://cgi.ebay.com/AVA-Stem-Classic...item41561cf415
considering this for a build (68/69 LeJeune), but not sure if it would be somewhat period correct.
22mm base? to fit a french headset/fork.
is this a "death stem" model, with 2 slots?
alex
considering this for a build (68/69 LeJeune), but not sure if it would be somewhat period correct.
22mm base? to fit a french headset/fork.
is this a "death stem" model, with 2 slots?
alex
01-19-11, 04:06 PM
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22.0mm is correct for a French stem, but I thought they all had a 25.0mm clamp area, but I could be wrong......
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01-19-11, 04:19 PM
#3
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shnibop,
I have a very similar AVA stem that NLerner traded me. He told me it was not a "death stem". I trust him. The clamp bolt design is just like the one to which you linked. I did not measure that stem's clamp area, but it has a Japanese randonneur bar in it as we speak. I can only assume that that bar has a 25.4mm diameter. I have seen more modern French stems with 25.4mm clamps and, of course, Cinelli sold stems with 22.0 diameters that accepted a 26.4mm handlebar.
I have a very similar AVA stem that NLerner traded me. He told me it was not a "death stem". I trust him. The clamp bolt design is just like the one to which you linked. I did not measure that stem's clamp area, but it has a Japanese randonneur bar in it as we speak. I can only assume that that bar has a 25.4mm diameter. I have seen more modern French stems with 25.4mm clamps and, of course, Cinelli sold stems with 22.0 diameters that accepted a 26.4mm handlebar.
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Last edited by ColonelJLloyd; 01-19-11 at 04:24 PM.
01-19-11, 04:21 PM
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You trusted me?! Bwahahahahahahah!
The AVA death stem has an open back and lots of hollowness. From Sheldon Brown:
Neal
The AVA death stem has an open back and lots of hollowness. From Sheldon Brown:
Neal
01-19-11, 04:32 PM
#5
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So the original stem from my '72 Jeunet "has a reputation for failure and should be replaced immediately"? But I polished it and everything. It has an opening in the back showing it's hollowness. I think it's an Atax, though. It has a little star on it.
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01-19-11, 04:39 PM
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Yes, send it to me immediately for proper disposal. In fact, don't even remove it from the bike--just send the whole thing.
Neal
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01-19-11, 04:55 PM
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All variants of AVA stems w/single expander cutouts and no relief holes are destined to fail at the quill. This includes the 1980's variants that have a revised clamp design.
Late 1970's and 1980's ATAX (Cinelli 1A-copy) stems often have voids and are prone to cracks.
-Kurt
Late 1970's and 1980's ATAX (Cinelli 1A-copy) stems often have voids and are prone to cracks.
-Kurt
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01-19-11, 05:01 PM
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01-19-11, 05:42 PM
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Sheldon Brown said that all of the AVA stuff has a reputation for breaking and should be replaced. That includes AVA bars. He didn't restrict it to the particular style in the picture. I also saw in an old thread where he said that all French stems should be replaced. I'm not willing to go that far.
01-19-11, 06:08 PM
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I took the picture that is on velobase of a cracked death stem. At least I think its still up.
Sheldons reference has been previously disregaurded as a safty sentiment only. - if you don't know if its dangerous, you should replace it just to be careful.
Aside from this, I have only seen failure in the 2-slot versions. I use (and occasionaly inspect) an AVA stem with 25.4 clamp and one slot. Also I have never heard of the later "open-face" AVA stem having any issue.
Sheldons reference has been previously disregaurded as a safty sentiment only. - if you don't know if its dangerous, you should replace it just to be careful.
Aside from this, I have only seen failure in the 2-slot versions. I use (and occasionaly inspect) an AVA stem with 25.4 clamp and one slot. Also I have never heard of the later "open-face" AVA stem having any issue.
01-19-11, 06:10 PM
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Here's a link to GitaneUSA about French death stems. No photos of the AVA but some good info.
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01-19-11, 06:11 PM
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Cool. I"ve been reading about it and I just happen to have a quill 22.2 stem that I can sand down. But I want it to have the original look. I probably won't be hammering on the bike anytime soon.
That's good to know though.
That's good to know though.
01-19-11, 06:32 PM
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01-19-11, 06:42 PM
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01-19-11, 06:55 PM
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Agreed - just provided as input. It's more prudent to periodically check the stems to make sure issues aren't developing.
I would agree with you that I wouldn't go as far as Sheldon did with his opinion either.
I would agree with you that I wouldn't go as far as Sheldon did with his opinion either.
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01-19-11, 06:58 PM
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Sheldon Brown said that all of the AVA stuff has a reputation for breaking and should be replaced. That includes AVA bars. He didn't restrict it to the particular style in the picture. I also saw in an old thread where he said that all French stems should be replaced. I'm not willing to go that far.
01-19-11, 07:14 PM
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I have seen a number of cracked and broken stems of various brands.There is always a lot of talk about the so called Ava death stems. Considering the frequency that these supposedly fail you would think there would be a lot of pictures,but i seldom see any,so I tend to be a bit skeptical. As a matter of fact there seems to be little agreement on which models are the death stems.However here are a few pics of an Ava stem that has a scary looking crack.This style which has the vertical bolt is the style which i tend to be wary of.I do not know if this style is the supposed death stem.
01-19-11, 07:36 PM
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My death stem has not cracked in 40 years. That could change tomorrow, but a lot of other things could happen too.
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01-19-11, 07:50 PM
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I used one of these on my wife's Bottecchia mixte build. Now you guys got me all worried. I even polished it all up.
01-19-11, 07:53 PM
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It only takes a few people saying "Death stems", "Death fork", "Death Frame"....."Death bike", then all of the sudden it's taken as fact by everyone and their kittens! I suspect that they might have cracked as shown but most likely most of them did not crack any further than that for most people.
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Last edited by Chombi; 01-20-11 at 02:12 AM.
01-19-11, 07:57 PM
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COMING TO A BICYCLE SHOP NEAR YOU:
The all NEW Titan Teledyne with Viscount Aerospace Pro aluminum fork. Fitted with AVA stem and bars, Simplex Prestige front and rear derailers, non-stress-relieved Record crankarms, drillium seatpost, and no warranty.
Please bring a valid $1,000,000 life insurance policy with you when you make your purchase.
-Kurt
The all NEW Titan Teledyne with Viscount Aerospace Pro aluminum fork. Fitted with AVA stem and bars, Simplex Prestige front and rear derailers, non-stress-relieved Record crankarms, drillium seatpost, and no warranty.
Please bring a valid $1,000,000 life insurance policy with you when you make your purchase.
-Kurt
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01-19-11, 08:09 PM
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Here's the same stem mounted to my '62 Continental. Still smiling after 49 years. 
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