Are 31.8 bars stiffer than 25.4?
12-01-16, 09:48 AM
#1
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Are 31.8 bars stiffer than 25.4?
Just wondering. Running some Easton 25.4 risers in a quill stem and they are a bit flexy. Would getting one of those fancy Factory Five 31.8 quills and switching to 31.8 risers would result in any meaningful increase in stiffness. Been running wider bars so more leverage. Never had any problems when I was running narrower bars.
12-01-16, 09:56 AM
#2
Your cog is slipping.
A handlebar having a larger center will be stiffer. However, if they're clamped in a stem that flexes like al dente linguine you'll just be trading one problem for another.
A friend of mine who is a pretty big guy got one of those stems and clamped his Thomson risers in it. When he showed me how insane the side-to-side flex was when pushing on one side of the bars, then the other, we agreed that he should stop using it. I drew a line on the side of the extension and could literally see it twisting.
A friend of mine who is a pretty big guy got one of those stems and clamped his Thomson risers in it. When he showed me how insane the side-to-side flex was when pushing on one side of the bars, then the other, we agreed that he should stop using it. I drew a line on the side of the extension and could literally see it twisting.
Last edited by Scrodzilla; 12-01-16 at 10:34 AM.
12-01-16, 10:06 AM
#4
Your cog is slipping.
Any aluminum quill stem will flex more than a threadless setup. Those F5 stems (at least the one I've seen up close) are especially flexy, especially with wide, stiff risers clamped in them and a big dude yanking them back & forth.
I like Factory Five stuff, but wouldn't use that stem. You seem to really want one though, so give it a try. If you don't like it, the universe will continue to operate as it does.
I like Factory Five stuff, but wouldn't use that stem. You seem to really want one though, so give it a try. If you don't like it, the universe will continue to operate as it does.
Last edited by Scrodzilla; 12-01-16 at 10:10 AM.
12-01-16, 10:07 AM
#5
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IDK "factory 5" is probably just a brand name.. made in a multi-logo applying factory.
I've never heard of them, supply more info. [& its not my question so I go, Meh, don't worry about it]
consider a Chromoly steel stem if you want more flex resistance..
...
I've never heard of them, supply more info. [& its not my question so I go, Meh, don't worry about it]
consider a Chromoly steel stem if you want more flex resistance..
...
Last edited by fietsbob; 12-01-16 at 10:13 AM.
12-01-16, 10:09 AM
#6
Your cog is slipping.
12-01-16, 10:16 AM
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I'm thinking it has to do with the physics of having a disproportionately larger bar clamp area and a relatively slender shaft.
12-01-16, 10:19 AM
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Thanks for the info. Not especially interested in dropping the cash but certainly don't want to do it and not solve the problem. Rather live with it with no expenditure and keep the old EA 50s and and MJ Quill. Or money better spent on switching to threadless fork (Soma Rush can take either) and doing it right. Appreciate the info.
12-01-16, 10:24 AM
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Thanks for the info. Not especially interested in dropping the cash but certainly don't want to do it and not solve the problem. Rather live with it with no expenditure and keep the old EA 50s and and MJ Quill. Or money better spent on switching to threadless fork (Soma Rush can take either) and doing it right. Appreciate the info.
https://www.retro-gression.com/colle...1-8-quill-stem
12-01-16, 10:32 AM
#10
Your cog is slipping.
That Nitto 31.8 quill stem is very stiff, but most people are turned off by how ugly it is.
12-01-16, 10:42 AM
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Yup. Count me among the turned off. Must have been Nitto's industrial designer's day off.
So is the flex due to extension part of the stem or the quill part?
Other route would be just a stiff 25.4 quill if that's not impossible due to science. Is something like a Nitto Pearl stiffer?
So is the flex due to extension part of the stem or the quill part?
Other route would be just a stiff 25.4 quill if that's not impossible due to science. Is something like a Nitto Pearl stiffer?
Last edited by nightfly; 12-01-16 at 10:49 AM.
12-01-16, 11:09 AM
#12
Your cog is slipping.
A little bit of both. Just looking at the construction of a threadless stem and how it clamps to the steerer, you can tell it will be stiffer than a quill.
The vintage Cinelli 1A on my Raleigh is a bit Noodly too, but I've got narrow drops on it and it's not really a problem. In my experience the newer 1A and Pearl are pretty solid quill stems. As with anything, there's a wide range of answers for your original question of whether or not OS bars are stiffer than those having a 25.4 or 26mm clamp area. There are crappy bars and there are good bars.
The vintage Cinelli 1A on my Raleigh is a bit Noodly too, but I've got narrow drops on it and it's not really a problem. In my experience the newer 1A and Pearl are pretty solid quill stems. As with anything, there's a wide range of answers for your original question of whether or not OS bars are stiffer than those having a 25.4 or 26mm clamp area. There are crappy bars and there are good bars.
Last edited by Scrodzilla; 12-01-16 at 11:17 AM.
12-01-16, 11:47 AM
#13
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This issue only on Riser bar or all type of 25.4mm?
Because seems like you guys only talking about Riser bar, not mentions other bar
Because seems like you guys only talking about Riser bar, not mentions other bar
12-01-16, 12:08 PM
#14
Your cog is slipping.
He specifically asked about risers, so that's what we're talking about. Crazy, I know.
12-01-16, 04:37 PM
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Any thoughts on Easton EA 50 25.4 bars. Wondering where they fall on the spectrum of crappy to good. Would be happy to just replace either the stem or the bars to get some more stiffness. Nitto Pearl for a stem or the Nitto 809aa bars. Picked up the Easton's on ebay cheap. Getting harder to find 25.4 bars.
12-01-16, 06:11 PM
#16
Your cog is slipping.
Not sure about the Eastons but the B809AA is pretty awesome. I've use them on my Bare Knuckle from time to time and love those bars.
12-01-16, 11:15 PM
#18
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also, 31.8 vs 25.4 vs 22.2 /whatever is all relative.
eg. a steel 22.2 bar will be just as strong as a larger aluminum bar size
eg. a steel 22.2 bar will be just as strong as a larger aluminum bar size
12-01-16, 11:41 PM
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What about something like this?
12-01-16, 11:43 PM
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12-02-16, 10:23 AM
#21
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As others have noted, if you consider exerting force+flex on an 1-inch diameter aluminum quill stem vs. a 1-1/8 inch diameter chromoly steel steerer tube, you'll certainly notice the quill being softer (at least in the stem extension area).
This only really matters to me when riding fixed, as the riding style requires additional torque on many areas of the bike. On a geared road bike, I really don't mind quill's as much, and actually prefer the aesthetic.
You might also consider the VO Chromoly Steel stem, which is sooo purdy.
This only really matters to me when riding fixed, as the riding style requires additional torque on many areas of the bike. On a geared road bike, I really don't mind quill's as much, and actually prefer the aesthetic.
You might also consider the VO Chromoly Steel stem, which is sooo purdy.
12-04-16, 02:43 PM
#22
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Just wondering. Running some Easton 25.4 risers in a quill stem and they are a bit flexy. Would getting one of those fancy Factory Five 31.8 quills and switching to 31.8 risers would result in any meaningful increase in stiffness. Been running wider bars so more leverage. Never had any problems when I was running narrower bars.
12-04-16, 03:28 PM
#23
Your cog is slipping.
12-04-16, 06:40 PM
#24
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This is why threadless was invented.
12-04-16, 09:49 PM
#25
Your cog is slipping.
