pirate.

any ideas on how i could shim 26.0 bars to fit in a 31.8 stem?

barba

That is too much to shim. Either get a new stem or new bars.

conor

here. i'm sure you can get them other places, too. i just don't feel like looking.

lyledriver

not too much shim.
otherwise why would they make such an item?

jet sanchEz

Dental plan.

barba

I am not a fan of big shims. Perhaps it is needless superstition on my part, but am not into taking many chances with the handlebars.

Philatio

I think you absolutely wouldn't want to do this with a beer can, but a purpose built shim might be good enough. I'd buy a new stem/bars.

crushkilldstroy

You'd need at least 30 beer cans to make a shim that big. On the bright side, even if it didn't work, at least you'd be wicked drunk from drinking 30 beers.

tradtimbo

from a mechanical point of view, adding a a shim between the stem and handlebars shouldn't effect the strength of the connection as long as the shim maintains full surface contact to the stem and handle bars and is long enough to overlap where the stem bears down on the bars. in fact, adding more material to a connection point will add strength if anything. If the shim is longer than the stem connection to the handlebar, it will add stiffness to the handlebar.

The shim seems like a perfect solution. buying a set of oversized bars is more expensive than a typical set of bars, and the only reason you'd buy oversized bars is to have a stiffer connection point at the stem. the right shim will provide this stiffness.

you will however lose out on a few grams.....big deal.