second opinion on stem
 

I just bought a profile BOA stem for the singlespeed:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The description says the handlebar clamp diameter is 25.4mm, which matches my handlebars. The directions that came with the stem say they are for a "H2O threadless stem" which doesn't seem to match the product I bought??

The thing that threw me most was this statement in the directions "Do not use mountain bike handlebars with a diameter of 25.4mm as they will NOT fit properly in this stem." I'm using 25.4mm road handlebars, and installed them into the stem, with no apparent issues (they're just not torqued down yet). A check of the same product on profile's website says the clamp diameter is 25.4mm:


Profile Design :: BOA Stem

Seems like they just sent the wrong directions, no? Any possible concerns here?

Dave

Looks like the specs are misstated--e.g.,

But, 25.4 mm is a 1" stem. They seem to be talking about the steerer tube in the ad, not the handlebars. If you've got 1-1/8" handlebars you're probably good to go. Otherwise, you'd need a shim.

1-1/8 is the steering tube diameter. That fits perfectly. The handlebar clamp is 25.4mm and seems fine in the stem too. I bought the stem to fix a minimum insertion issue with the threaded to threadless adapter. Hoping this stem doesn't create another issue.

Dave

You are fine. Their literature is just wonked out. Not uncommon when translations are involved.

Next time avoid Jeff Bezos. Just go into your local shop and they can make sure things are going to work plus you are helping folks who enjoy cycling and want to keep it alive. Jeff Bezos and Amazon just want your money and could give two poopies about cycling or about you.

That's one of the ugliest stems I've ever seen.

The clamping area at the handlebars is quite narrow. I wonder if mountain HBs are made expecting a considerably wider clamping area to better support the HB. This stem might tend to cause those bars to fail at the edge of the step. If this is the case, the warning is appropriate even though the diameter is right.

I do not know this. Just an engineer speculating.

Ben

The picture doesn't do it justice. I'll have to post a pic of it installed on the bike. The color is actually black. It was also one of the only choices I could find with a 25.4mm clamp too lol. That saved me from buying another set of handlebars.

Dave

I've seen it in person. To reiterate, it's one of the ugliest stems I've ever seen.

There are other options out there having a 25.4mm clamp.

I'm always shocked at how heavy Profile Design stuff is.

I'm always shocked at how ugly it is.

For future reference, Dimension makes 25.4 clamp diameter stems. They are forged, hardware and finish are excellent. Inexpensive.

http://dimensionbikeproducts.com/fil...e_stem25.4.png

I'd be surprised if Nitto didn't make something.
The dimension stem above is nice though, and squid nerdcycle approved. :thumb:


-Tim-

To be fair here, Amazon has now contracted with many LBS' here in Seattle (and I think the US in general) to pay for professional assembly of all complete bikes purchased online. Yeah, Amazon may be murdering a certain segment of the cycling industry, but my shop here gets paid the full rate for assembly of bikes ordered via Amazon. That's a pretty good policy for a multi-national corporation.


All that being said, seriously go to your LBS next time. They will make this process take all of 30 seconds with a pair of calipers.

I'm new to the area, so still trying to figure out what shops I can trust to figure that kind of stuff out. I tend to get frustrated with bike shops finding / measuring parts. For instance, I went to a shop last week for a BB, and the guy in the shop insisted that the BB spindle was the crank.. not part of the crank, it was the crank :twitchy: Then when the BB came in, they told me there were mounting bolts inside the box for sure, and I opened the box, and there weren't any in there. That kind of stuff drives me crazy.

As far as buying from Amazon, what people forget is that it is a distributor of finished goods. Distributors have suppliers, and guess who the suppliers are? Bike shops ! Like Nashbar for instance. I guess you could argue that Nashbar isn't a bike shop, but for me, 2 of my bikes are on the older side, so invariably bike shops want to order me a part because it doesn't fit modern bikes. I could keep going, but that's probably enough of my whining lol. The techie/manufacturing side of me likes to look at specs and figure things out anyways :D Just my rambling 2 cents.

Profile called today and confirmed their product shipped with the wrong directions, and that the BOA is good for a 25.4mm stem. The Dimension stem does look nice too (i'll admit nicer than the profile even lol). I tend to go with brands that I know more. Thanks for the 2 cents everyone.

Dave

Uh... your bottom bracket has mounting bolts? :foo:

It's like this:

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/$(KGrHqNHJF!FDH)DQHu1BQ4I1MkhuQ~~60_35.JPG

That's what the shop had laying around.

Dave

He means crank arm bolts.

Many bottom brackets do not include them.

Yeah man, I don't see anything wrong with Amazon and Ebay. Most of the stuff I buy on there is from Bells Bike Shop one of my local shops here in Philly with a bunch of super cool dudes. It's nice sometimes using their Amazon/Ebay shop so I don't have to take a 30 minute trip down there and the shipping takes like 2 days. I have a shop that's like 3 miles away but I don't like the guys there, I'd rather wait 2 days to get something from Bells even if it's just a chain or tube.

The situation is pretty dismal given the number of shops in Atlanta.

Haven't been to Roswell Bikes in ages.

All3Sports is a candy store. I have not used them for repairs but they have been very helpful ordering things like gear bags and bib shorts. Their mechanics work on super high-end bikes and their workshop is like a lab. It is worth a visit just to see the machines.

Performance is hit and miss but one of the mechanics at the Town Center store is my go to guy. Forgot his name, Cory maybe, but he has a full beard. He is excellent - soft spoken, no drama, very experienced.

Don't forget REI either. Some of their mechanics are Shimano certified. The guy near me is Di2 certified and was a great help when I built my gravel bike.

Michel at Free Flite in Buckhead is an old school frame builder and very willing to discuss a problem and help with keeping old bikes on the road. I will order something through his store whenever he helps.

Richard at ProWheelBuilder.com services my wheels. He is all the way in Cumming but I drop the wheels off in a box and he ships the box back for $12.

There are a lot of arrogant mechanics in this town, young guys who think they know everything and very impatient if you want to discuss a repair or ask a question. I realize that they don't have all day to stand around and talk but it seems as if they don't want anything to do with a repair other than a new chain and cassette or something that can be bolted on to a new bike quickly.


-Tim-

You realize they make less profit when you do that, right? Amazon and eBay seller fees aren't cheap.

It's kinda like you're supporting your lbs, but not really.

Thanks for the ATL bike shop rundown :) I do like supporting local shops and businesses. For instance, Home Depot and Coca Cola are based in ATL, so they get my money instead of Lowes and Pepsi (though I slightly prefer them).

There's a shop nearby that I like called Cycleworks. I will probably give them more business since they helped me pick out a mtb chain and some more complicated stuff. They talk to my 1 and 4 year old about their favorite show paw patrol. They even opened the door for me a few times while carrying my kids. Might have to stick with that shop. That's above and beyond to me.

I get that the profit margins are a factor too. One of my friends at my old job had a friend with a bike shop. Apparently the biggest margins aren't the bikes, but the things like bike accessories and parts. They got me for $8 for a shifter cable and a foot or two of housing. To me they're doing pretty well.

Dave

Lowes has all those drawers full of specialty fasteners. What red blooded male can resist that?

I've heard good things about Cycleworks and Michel at Free Flite recommended one of their mechanics to me. Apparently they know each other as framebuilders.

That's true, I admit to buying some of those :) They have stuff you can't find at HD like fender washers.

Dave