Wayne77
05-13-2006, 10:49 AM
I recently switched from a 12cm stem to a 13.5 cm stem. The 12cm was an Oval Concepts with the two stem bolts opposing (each bolt "pulling" a different direction). I am looking for a silver -10 deg 13 cm stem and have yet to find one so I am temporarily using a polished 13.5 cm Ritchey stem that was stock on a 98 Specialized Stumpjumper M2 mtb. The stem is a little heavy but it actually looks pretty nice on my rig. I had no problem with the Oval but I needed a 13cm silver stem with a -10 deg rise. (If anyone knows of such a stem let me know)
Anyway, the Ritchey stem has the two stem bolts facing the same direction. Is there a problem with this design on carbon steerer tubes? I am using a Reynolds Ouzo Pro. The reason I ask is that, with this stem, it seems like I adjust the play in the headset (Chris King) via the nut in the top cap to its correct setting, then when I tighten the stem bolts it is loose again. It feels like I have to over-tighten the bolt in the cap and then tighten the stem bolts to get a final setting that is anywhere close to the proper setting once the stem is tightened. Am I missing something here?
Just want to amke sure I'm not going to pull a G. Hincapie going down Parley's Canyon...
Anyway, the Ritchey stem has the two stem bolts facing the same direction. Is there a problem with this design on carbon steerer tubes? I am using a Reynolds Ouzo Pro. The reason I ask is that, with this stem, it seems like I adjust the play in the headset (Chris King) via the nut in the top cap to its correct setting, then when I tighten the stem bolts it is loose again. It feels like I have to over-tighten the bolt in the cap and then tighten the stem bolts to get a final setting that is anywhere close to the proper setting once the stem is tightened. Am I missing something here?
Just want to amke sure I'm not going to pull a G. Hincapie going down Parley's Canyon...