This is kind of a mechanic question, but it's about a very specific model, so I thought I'd post it here so people with the same bike can take a look. It's my first fixie so pardon my noobness.

I just received my new IRO Angus. (Ignore the weird orientation of the drops) I've assembled most of the bike, but can't seem to get the quill stem into the head tube far enough. As you can see from the photos below, the stem makes it into the head tube about 2-3 inches and comes to an abrupt stop. This is not nearly deep enough to be hitting any butted section. When I try to hit down on it pretty hard the wedge gets stuck and I have a hard time getting it back out. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Did you loosen the allen bolt on top of your stem? Also, is that a Nitto Technomic?

The first thing I would check is to see that the stem bolt is loosened about as much as it will go. You want it to be loose enough that the wedge isn't expanded any.

With a head tube that short, you probably won't be able to get too much of that stem in it.

Yup its a Nitto Technomic (26.0).
I loosened the allen bolt pretty much all the way before inserting the stem. What happens then is the wedge hits whatever it's hitting and gets stuck even before I tighten the bolt again. Here's a photo of exactly how much the stem makes it in. Does that look like the right amount of insertion possible based on how long the head tube is? Should I just get a shorter stem?

Definitely get a shorter stem. Because the end of the steerer is butted at the bottom, the wedge could only grab onto the tiny weeny slanted part of the steerer.

You can always cut it shorter.....

I guess the guys at IRO sent me a stem that is too long then?

FYI, according to the spec sheet, the bike's Head Tube length is 10cm. The stem I received is 24cm (16cm above min insertion point).

oh man...i really hope you don't ride around with that long of a stem.

wtf, lol?!

that is one long stem...

That stem is meant to be that high, and you aren't going to be able to do anything about it. I would buy it from you if I had the spare change.

HAHA . Maybe I'll keep it around in case I get hired to be a circus clown. Anyway, the people at IRO are sending me a replacement so all is well.

I'm curious though. The last photo I posted shows the farthest the stem would go in. Does that look like right or should the stem be able to go in a bit further?

lol...that looks ridiculous. I've only seen a quill that long a few times.

It shouldn't be pushed into any further than that, steerers are butted and if you push it in too far, the wedge would not have enough space to grab onto anything.

A bit further? It should be able to go in MUCH further. You bought a long quill stem. If you want it to go in further, you need a different stem.

With your bars at that angle and the high stem in the first picture. It looks like your bike is trying to jump onto something. like "AHA! GOT YOU!"

Woah. I've never seen a stem that long (yeah, yeah, that's what she said). You need a shorter one.

HAHAHAHAHA jesus christ. I dont see how it is not painfully obvious for you. your head tube from what looks like a 52cm bike is trying to accept a stem for something like a 60cm frame.