How do you get a quill stem on Soma Hwy One bars?

[Ken Robb]

This story reminds me of the puzzles of linked twisted pieces of steel that we had to unlink when we were kids.

[mhespenheide]

I tried to do that (mount a Soma Hwy One bar) with a 13cm Tioga T-Bone stem and gave up after a half-hour or more of swearing. It wasn't even just a problem with the clamp area itself, it was also the length of the extension.

[Steve in SLO]

This is probably the REAL reason that Merckx bars have such deep drops.

[ojingoh]

this is why i gave away my last quill stem bike.

[thirdgenbird]

I got a 130mm stem on a pair using the dime trick and grease. It was snug, but I made it with no damage to either part. It was a salsa stem with narrow clamp.

[jamesdak]

I had this problem with Soma bars recently too. Turns out the Nitto Pearl stem I sent was not the 26.0 I ordered but a smaller 25.4. Are you sure that stem is the right clamp size?

On a side note, huge fan of the Deda Murex stem when it looks right on the bike. Makes life so easy and if you snug the back bolt up all the way you won't get the flex some complain about with these.

[thirdgenbird]

What length murex are you using? I got a fair bit of flex in my 130 before swapping to a cinelli.

[Lewis Moon]

Well lookee here...

[mhespenheide]

Nice!

[jamesdak]

Originally Posted by thirdgenbird

What length murex are you using? I got a fair bit of flex in my 130 before swapping to a cinelli.

I've several of them from 90 - 110. I don't think I've ever had to use a 130mm stem on any of my bikes. In fact I do have a brand new 130 around somewhere I've never used, LOL!

A lot of times people try to keep an even gap front and back on the Murex stem sort of like you would do on a modern threadless stem's faceplate. On the Deda to cinch the back bolt until the clamp is tight against the back and tighten the front as needed. Now with a 130, IDK. That length with an open face design like this just may not be idea. I love a good Cinelli too.

[coffeecherrypie]

Just a PSA since no one has mentioned it: Nitto makes a tool to spread the stem clamp while installing https://www.retro-gression.com/produ...reading-tool-4

[Nomadmax]

Originally Posted by coffeecherrypie

Just a PSA since no one has mentioned it: Nitto makes a tool to spread the stem clamp while installing https://www.retro-gression.com/produ...reading-tool-4

That right there. I run Nitto stems and Soma Hwy 1s on a number of my bikes. That tool makes it a 10 second job.

[pcxmbfj]

This

Originally Posted by Veloo

Can you use that trick with a washer or dime to open the stem clamp and get more room?
See if I can find a visual example of that trick.

[MikeD]

I was able to get a Hwy. 1 bar on a Salsa steel stem by reversing the clamp bolt and spreading the clamp by tightening said bolt into a penny. I guess finding the right stem is key to installing this or other compact bars into a quill stem.

[woolly]

Originally Posted by Nomadmax

That right there. I run Nitto stems and Soma Hwy 1s on a number of my bikes. That tool makes it a 10 second job.

Good to know - thanks!