Handlebar slippage...suggestions

[Kingfisher]

Just put on a Thomson KFC carbon handlebar on my steel Zanc. Stem is a Velo Orange aluminum with a 31.8 clamp size. I've used Fizik alum handlebars prior with no issues but this morning pre ride I kept getting handlebar movement/slippage.
I did use a torque wrench and tightened to spec initially. So to get out the door and to ride I tightened it up pretty good just using an allen wrench ( i know you shouldn't do this to carbon bars).
Any suggestions, paste/shims?

[phoenix]

Most of the time assembly paste will solve the issue of slipping.

It would probably be a good idea to pick up a torque wrench at some point. All you have to do is ruin 1 set of carbon bars, or a nice carbon post and that small $30-50 investment seems all too worth it.

Ask me how I know.


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[R3awak3n]

for me, the solution for any slippage in bars or posts is always carbon paste. Luckily never had to use it when it comes to bars but would not hesitate in doing so.

Why 4 bolt stem plates are better and why carbon bars usually come with grippy stuff around the clamp.

[yinzerniner]

Originally Posted by phoenix

Most of the time assembly paste will solve the issue of slipping.

It would probably be a good idea to pick up a torque wrench at some point. All you have to do is ruin 1 set of carbon bars, or a nice carbon post and that small $30-50 investment seems all too worth it.

Ask me how I know.


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Yeah that doesn't look like it has any carbon paste, and the large surface area of this particular faceplate clamp might actually make it more slippery since load isn't localized.

Never had a bar slip in any stem when using carbon paste and a torque wrench. Good luck.

[Red Tornado]

What everyone else said..... Carbon paste & a torque wrench.

Ritchey makes a good paste called Liquid Torque and they also make a TorqKey or TorKey (can't remember the exact name). Other mfr's make similar ones. I think they sell one for each torque value (4nm, 5nm, etc.). They click and then "slip" when the correct torque value is reached.
Sometimes for those smaller torque values something like that works better that a bigger torque wrench where what you are tightening to is close to or at the bottom of it's range.

[David Kirk]

And yet another vote for carbon paste.

dave

[jtbadge]

I'm not sure I'd trust this stem with a carbon bar. Doesn't look like you'll be able to guarantee even clamping force.

[yarg]

Agree completely with jtbadge.

[saab2000]

Originally Posted by jtbadge

I'm not sure I'd trust this stem with a carbon bar. Doesn't look like you'll be able to guarantee even clamping force.

This is my thinking. 4-bolt stems solved the issue in my world.

[ultraman6970]

Carbon assembly paste, as for the torque part, dunno what to tell you, I do not have one of those tools because for everything I use carbon assembly paste and grease, that lower the torque required a lot.

[EliteVelo]

Originally Posted by Red Tornado

What everyone else said..... Carbon paste & a torque wrench.

Ritchey makes a good paste called Liquid Torque and they also make a TorqKey or TorKey (can't remember the exact name). Other mfr's make similar ones. I think they sell one for each torque value (4nm, 5nm, etc.). They click and then "slip" when the correct torque value is reached.
Sometimes for those smaller torque values something like that works better that a bigger torque wrench where what you are tightening to is close to or at the bottom of it's range.

Agreed. I've been using Ritchey Liquid Torque for years and have had zero issues.

[hobbanero]

in addition to the carbon paste, make sure the gap between the faceplate and stem is even top and bottom.

manufacturers usually build in a bit of a cushion on torque recommendations. I have had to go over by 5-10% a couple of times (eg. f*ing wedge type seat clamps on aero posts) to cure slippage. but you might just crush it. if you hear cracking, back it off a quarter turn and you are good

[Peter P.]

Originally Posted by phoenix

All you have to do is ruin 1 set of carbon bars, or a nice carbon post and that small $30-50 investment seems all too worth it.

All you have to do is ruin 1 set of carbon bars, or a nice carbon post to realize how much better aluminum stuff is!

Apologies to phoenix.

[phoenix]

Originally Posted by Peter P.

All you have to do is ruin 1 set of carbon bars, or a nice carbon post to realize how much better aluminum stuff is!



Apologies to phoenix.

Well, I'm not going to disagree with you!


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