Stiff(ish) 26.0 Bars? Or change expectations..

[Clean39T]

The ITM Pro 260 bars I picked up for my MXL have a lovely shape for their age and mated up well w the Ergos, but man do they feel flexy.

Have I just forgotten what older bars felt like? Or did I inadvertently elect a particularly wet noodle for steering duties?

Any other options to recommend? I'm not a big fan of "ergo" bars like the Ritchey Biomax, but I did buy a Cinelli Solida, just haven't tried that one yet.

It could also be the Ti 130mm stem I'm using too..

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170322/71ad9826be44fcc0004118b61d846fd8.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170322/7455ca74aa1feb9999c5d91950dca6ff.jpg


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[jtbadge]

Could be the Ti stem.

I was worried about cockpit stiffness when I got my MX Leader last summer. All of my prior bikes have had threadless. I landed on a TIG'ed steel ITM Eclypse stem (110mm) and Deda 215 shallow round bar and have not noticed any flex.

A steel stem would be worth trying, and would be a minimal investment.

http://www.pedalroom.com/p/eddy-merckx-mx-leader-29250_22.jpg

[Clean39T]

I like the curve on those bars - did you find NOS? I have a couple oversized alloy stems I could try too, otherwise there's a Cinelli Pinocchio that would look nice (Columbus steel).


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[cachagua]

I'll add another vote for the stem contributing a lot of flex. I have a 1" ti quill stem that I want to call Gummi Stem. I've relegated it to the fixie, where I'm not concerned with stiffness.

Look for an old welded-steel Salsa on eBay. Fairly cheap, looks kinda classy, and hard as a rock, comparatively.

[ojingoh]

Look for an old welded-steel Salsa on eBay. Fairly cheap, looks kinda classy, and hard as a rock, comparatively.

What he said. Some of the black and white logo ones failed, read: http://www.salsacromotostem.com/

[jtbadge]

I like the curve on those bars - did you find NOS?

No, they were used. Purchased from the classifieds on this forum.

[ColonelJLloyd]

I agree. Relatively, a threaded setup is simply not as stiff as threadless. The titanium stem likely exacerbates the sensation. Switching handlebars isn't likely to help much.

I installed an aluminum threadless converter with cr-mo threadless stem on a vintage road bike and the increased stiffness was immediately noticeable with the same handlebars.

[Clean39T]

I'll add another vote for the stem contributing a lot of flex. I have a 1" ti quill stem that I want to call Gummi Stem. I've relegated it to the fixie, where I'm not concerned with stiffness.



Look for an old welded-steel Salsa on eBay. Fairly cheap, looks kinda classy, and hard as a rock, comparatively.



I do have a couple other stems to try - Syncros and ControlTech, and an ITM coming - good thing that bartape is ok getting wrapped and rewrapped..


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[Clean39T]

I agree. Relatively, a threaded setup is simply not as stiff as threadless. The titanium stem likely exacerbates the sensation. Switching handlebars isn't likely to help much.



I installed an aluminum threadless converter with cr-mo threadless stem on a vintage road bike and the increased stiffness was immediately noticeable with the same handlebars.


I do have an adapter, I was just hoping a quill stem would get it done for aesthetics [emoji41]



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[bicycletricycle]

its the stem bro, ti quill stems are super rubber bands. also, nitto bars are heavy and thick so they are probably stiffer as well.

The ITM Pro 260 bars I picked up for my MXL have a lovely shape for their age and mated up well w the Ergos, but man do they feel flexy.

Have I just forgotten what older bars felt like? Or did I inadvertently elect a particularly wet noodle for steering duties?

Any other options to recommend? I'm not a big fan of "ergo" bars like the Ritchey Biomax, but I did buy a Cinelli Solida, just haven't tried that one yet.

It could also be the Ti 130mm stem I'm using too..

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170322/71ad9826be44fcc0004118b61d846fd8.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170322/7455ca74aa1feb9999c5d91950dca6ff.jpg


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[John H.]

I was just about to reply- "That stem ain't exactly stiff".

I would say change expectations- especially if you didn't own and ride this stuff when it was state of the art. Front ends can be way more solid with modern bars, stems, and forks.

[thirdgenbird]

I like the curve on those bars - did you find NOS? I have a couple oversized alloy stems I could try too, otherwise there's a Cinelli Pinocchio that would look nice (Columbus steel).


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Deda speciale 26 bars are the same bend and available new. Heavier than the 215, but still a great bar.

I agree that it is likely the stem and not your bars. I've had great luck with ITM eclypse and salsa steel stems. both were also 130-140mm long. I am guessing the Pinocchio would be very similar and it's also a great looking part.

[FlashUNC]

As others said, it ain't the bars. But I'll second the Deda Speciale recommendation.

[stephenmarklay]

I have found Nitto pearl (now called NP) is stiffer than some older I have tried.

[Ken Robb]

Ital Manubri stems are stiff steel.

[Peter P.]

It's DEFINITELY the titanium stem.

In a comparable diameter, titanium will flex more than steel. That's why titanium frame tubes are larger than steel tubes, and why welded aluminum stems are larger in diameter than solid cast aluminum stems of yore.

Go back to an older Cinelli 1/A or TTT stem, or if you really want stiff, get a welded steel stem such as an older Salsa or perhaps a custom threadless stem such as made by Soulcraft (http://soulcraftbikes.com/stems/), and use an adapter.

Remember, the pros of yesteryear had no problems with quill stems and 26.0mm bars and they were faster than you!

[yashcha]

It's DEFINITELY the titanium stem.

In a comparable diameter, titanium will flex more than steel. That's why titanium frame tubes are larger than steel tubes, and why welded aluminum stems are larger in diameter than solid cast aluminum stems of yore.

Go back to an older Cinelli 1/A or TTT stem, or if you really want stiff, get a welded steel stem such as an older Salsa or perhaps a custom threadless stem such as made by Soulcraft (http://soulcraftbikes.com/stems/), and use an adapter.

Remember, the pros of yesteryear had no problems with quill stems and 26.0mm bars and they were faster than you!

Reading this thread reminds me that I need to pick up a nice stem for my Ritchey Road Logic 20th anniversary repaint/rebuild. Considering 3ttt Status, Cinelli Pinocchio, Cinelli XA, or Nitto Pearl. Headed to some vintage bike shops in Tokyo for some variety. Very curious to see how different this setup will be compared to the modern oversized head tube/Bars/stem setup on the Zank Alu.

[Clean39T]

Remember, the pros of yesteryear had no problems with quill stems and 26.0mm bars and they were faster than you!

You got that right! I rode quills in the 90's of course like everyone else on my road and mtb rigs - just forgot what it felt like after a few years away.

I ran out of time to do the stem swap tonight, but I should get to it tomorrow - will report.

[Clean39T]

Could be the Ti stem.

I was worried about cockpit stiffness when I got my MX Leader last summer. All of my prior bikes have had threadless. I landed on a TIG'ed steel ITM Eclypse stem (110mm) and Deda 215 shallow round bar and have not noticed any flex.

A steel stem would be worth trying, and would be a minimal investment.

http://www.pedalroom.com/p/eddy-merckx-mx-leader-29250_22.jpg

BTW - that's a gorgeous MXL you got there - looks like the same graphics with different colors as what I'm working on? How do you like the ride overall and how long have you had it? Is it a permanent stable fixture, or passing through?

[Pastashop]

A steel stem can help, but keep in mind that a lot of the flex is from the quill-steerer interface. A threadless steerer-stem combo, even in 1" diameter will be considerably stiffer. If you are at all contemplating a custom stem, you may as well get a fork / steerer replaced, adding a commercial stem. (A Ritchey WCS or Syntace or an X2 will look reasonably slim, in good proportion to the frame tubes.)
Nice bike, BTW!

[Clean39T]

This Syncros feels much better - may not be the final choice, but it's a good improvement.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170324/5c5f526f26ba85b6eb25a1c8f1f818a9.jpg

I still haven't taken it for a proper long ride; some short punchy efforts felt good though and it liked being mashed up some climbs. The Campy stuff is in great shape, better than I thought at first, and the shifting is super crisp. Love me a Regal(e) saddle too.


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[stephenmarklay]

Dig the paint.

Today I did a gravel ride. Huge pot holes, washboards with lots of bunny hops and lifting the front end to get over bumps. Never once did it occur to me my quill stem was flexing.

[thirdgenbird]

That actually looks better than I thought. It matches the post and wheels nicely.

[velomateo]

I like it.

[FlashUNC]

I've found my Winter stem is plenty stiff.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2862/9533924862_fe56469fd9_b.jpg

[Clean39T]

I've found my Winter stem is plenty stiff.



https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2862/9533924862_fe56469fd9_b.jpg



That's one hawt stem [emoji106]


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[jtbadge]

BTW - that's a gorgeous MXL you got there - looks like the same graphics with different colors as what I'm working on? How do you like the ride overall and how long have you had it? Is it a permanent stable fixture, or passing through?

It's my favorite bike that I own, by far. I built it up last June or July with a 6800 group. Over the winter, I upgraded a few parts to 9000 and brought over those T11 > CX-Ray > Archetype wheels from another build, which really cemented its place atop my collection.

It's as much a keeper as any bike could be for someone who likes to try out all kinds of different stuff.

[John H.]

Keep an eye on that Syncros stem- those tended to break.