Re: [CR] Enlarging a 25.4 handlebar stem to 26.0

(Example: Framebuilders:Richard Moon)

From: "David Snyder" <dddd@pacbell.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <C1A9A0C6939C944F9486C72F7F253439C381E761EA@PEMEXMBXVS01.jellyfishnet.co.uk.local>
In-Reply-To:
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:24:10 -0700
Subject: Re: [CR] Enlarging a 25.4 handlebar stem to 26.0


I've noticed that Schwinn used to do this in the early-mid '60's. French-sized "Sprint" or AVA stem in the 22.2mm steerer.

Not good(!), tho you'd never have a problem with a frozen-in-place quill I suppose. (Peugeot somewhat similarly used seatposts that were much smaller than seat tube ID, also presumeably to prevent frozen posts? The clamp area was necked down to 24mm in these lower-end bikes)

Later Varsities (and some Nishikis, Azukis and others) had the much smaller .833 ID steerer with forged steel (or alloy "Compe Forged") stems. I've seen Wald steel shims sold for using these skinny stems (13/16 = .833 = 21.16mm) in a 22.2mm steerer.

On my original (Huret/Normandy/AVA/Chrolux/Lycett/Weinmann/AtomFW) '62 Continental, I used a large beer can to craft a shim, thus making the 22.0 french AVA stem snug in the 22.2mm steerer.

David Snyder
Auburn, CA usa


----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Lawrence



> On a similar note, I'm thinking of installing a French 22mm quill stem
> into an English 22.2 steerer. Is this going to be too loose?