Stem slipping, what am I missing?

[daker13]

I'm trying to mount a Cinelli Sesamo stem on a threadless fork and it will NOT tighten up. Today I shimmed it with piece of can, still slipping. There must be something stupid I'm missing--any ideas?

[shortwaveradio]

What's the steerer tube diameter? If you're putting a shim on and it's still not tight that sounds like you're trying to put a 1.125" stem on a 1" steerer tube.

[daker13]

It's definitely not 1 1/8, but maybe just really poor manufacturing tolerances..

[Peter P.]

If the stem and steerer match in diameter, try adding carbon paste to the interface.

I'm not too crazy about the stem design and wonder whether it's a contributor to your problem.

[shortwaveradio]

If the stem and steerer match in diameter, try adding carbon paste to the interface.

I'm not too crazy about the stem design and wonder whether it's a contributor to your problem.

Careful. I think if you need carbon paste on a vintage/NOS aluminum stem to get it to not move on a steerer tube you're playing with fire a bit. Carbon paste might be fine for stem face plates and inside seat tubes but it shouldn't be making up for what a shim can't do.

[CiclistiCliff]

Start measuring and check if things are actually round.

[osbk67]

1697968295

1697968296

I installed a Sesamo stem between a steel 1" steerer and 26.0mm Nitto B176 bars. Even with Finish Line grip paste I couldn't prevent the bars from rotating in the stem or the stem rotating on the steerer.

The solution I found was a Nitto 1 1/8" threadless forged alloy stem and included steerer tube shim. It has proved trouble-free on various long rides and hill time trials (ie. lots of off the saddle climbing).

[osbk67]

1697968297

Further to previous...

[Peter P.]

Duplicate message.

[Peter P.]

That Nitto stem is a bad-looking mo-fo. I'd rock one with pride.

The Sesamo looks well, like too much drama that results in something that doesn't work.

Of course, if daker13 is trying to match the stem to the bars for aesthetic "correctness" as is common, then the Japanese/Italian mashup may not be acceptable.

[oldpotatoe]

1697968297

Further to previous...

Good god man, line up the names on the headset top cap!,,:)

[daker13]

1697968295

1697968296

I installed a Sesamo stem between a steel 1" steerer and 26.0mm Nitto B176 bars. Even with Finish Line grip paste I couldn't prevent the bars from rotating in the stem or the stem rotating on the steerer.

The solution I found was a Nitto 1 1/8" threadless forged alloy stem and included steerer tube shim. It has proved trouble-free on various long rides and hill time trials (ie. lots of off the saddle climbing).

Thanks a lot, this verifies my suspicion. I was having trouble with the bars too, but they tightened up. But with the steerer, seems like no matter what I do, it's slipping around way more than it should. So I think it's the stem. I just had the fork in with a frame builder so I'm confident it's not the steerer. I'll just ditch the Sesamo. I did some searches and never came up with any issues concerning this stem, just everyone saying it's ugly.

On the Nitto/Italian combination question, I'm a definite supporter. Italian in spirit. I wish I could just put a Nitto Pearl on the frame and be done with it.

[daker13]

I noticed this the other day. Not really what I'm looking for, but it's kind of interesting that there are enough people with 1" threadless forks who want to run quill stems to justify its existence.

https://www.somafab.com/archives/product/quillinator

[ultraman6970]

IMO in inch threadless has no sense of existence. 1 inch threaded and quill stem is the way to go, it looks a lot cleaner and classy.

The only 1 inch stem I remember that gives problems like the OP is saying is the colnago 1 inch threadless stem because was designed to be used with shims.

Always a coke can shim works OP.

[zmudshark]

Good god man, line up the names on the headset top cap!,,:)

Rookie mistake.

[ChainNoise]

Man that nitto stem is sick!

[daker13]

IMO in inch threadless has no sense of existence. 1 inch threaded and quill stem is the way to go, it looks a lot cleaner and classy.

The only 1 inch stem I remember that gives problems like the OP is saying is the colnago 1 inch threadless stem because was designed to be used with shims.

Always a coke can shim works OP.

I did shim it, and it still slips. Believe me, there is no way I'm getting another shim between this stem and this steerer.

[osbk67]

Man that nitto stem is sick!

1697968355

Yep, thanks. I've got Nitto stems on two bikes. Both have proved highly satisfactory and trouble-free. This one is a 12cm, looks shorter in the photo.

In years past I would have realigned the top cap and taken a new photograph.

[cachagua]

https://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1697968297&d=1539496430


Off topic, but--

I really like these Nitto stems! Got a couple, but I need a couple more. Selection's pretty spotty on eBay, who's got a good variety of 'em online?

[daker13]

https://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1697968297&d=1539496430


Off topic, but--

I really like these Nitto stems! Got a couple, but I need a couple more. Selection's pretty spotty on eBay, who's got a good variety of 'em online?

Very nice! My only objection, it looks like it says, 'You, I ate sex' (whatever that means).

I was thinking of placing an order with Blue Lug (Japan), who have a really great selection of Nitto and other stems... $20 shipping, unfortunately.

[sailorboy]

The Sesamo looks well, like too much drama that results in something that doesn't work.



Ahh, but doesn't this describe so many things made in Italy? Part of the undeniable charm of course, but maybe not where you need it (bike cockpit) unless you have good insurance and don't mind the prospect of facial reconstructive surgery.

I am a yuge nitto fan and would prefer the combo shown of course. Maybe you could use acetone to remove those black logos so it looks less obvious?

[cachagua]

I'll look at Blue Lug, thanks. $20 stings a little but it probably wouldn't stop me if they have one that'll do what I need.