25.8 vs 26

[flickwet]

do these two measurements actually connote compatible bars/stems? or is there a very real difference that should be taken into acount, I already searched and nothing conclusive was found, I am thinking of getting some Deda bars (26)and have a Ritchey stem, ritchey seems to be 25.8

[mls]

your fine

[Dave]

They are the same in most cases. If you buy bars that might be slightly larger than the stem clamp, be sure that there is not interference between the bars and the leading edges of the stem or the face plate. If both will slip over the bars, you've got no problem. If interference is detected, file a small shallow chamfer along the offending edges.