what do you use for handlebar shims
06-15-21, 09:01 AM
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what do you use for handlebar shims
going to use 25.4 bars with a 25.8 clamp on my stem.. what do folks use for a shim? a strip cut from a beer can? (which of course means that i'm going to get the right beer for riding karma..) shim strip material that might be available somewhere?
06-15-21, 09:14 AM
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Not for bikes but I once bought (and still have most of) an assortment pack of brass shim stock from the local auto-parts store; I see Amazon sells something similar, using a search for "brass shim stock". That said, aluminum is lighter than brass
I presume once shimming, one loses the effectiveness of any knurling on the center of the bars, to a degree.
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06-15-21, 09:16 AM
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Whatever you use, just remember to double the thickness when doing calculations, eg a 1mm shim will add 2mm of thickness, as you're wrapping the shim around the bar. Might be elementary engineering for some, yet it is a helpful reminder.
06-15-21, 09:21 AM
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Not for bikes but I once bought (and still have most of) an assortment pack of brass shim stock from the local auto-parts store; I see Amazon sells something similar, using a search for "brass shim stock". That said, aluminum is lighter than brass I presume once shimming, one loses the effectiveness of any knurling on the center of the bars, to a degree.
I presume once shimming, one loses the effectiveness of any knurling on the center of the bars, to a degree.
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06-15-21, 09:25 AM
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beer cans are win win; great for shimming but first you have to drink the beer.
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06-15-21, 09:26 AM
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I messed around with beer cans and thin stock sheet metal but it can be difficult to get the exact thickness you need. For the correct fit, go here: https://problemsolversbike.com/produ...p_shims_-_8466
06-15-21, 09:31 AM
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I messed around with beer cans and thin stock sheet metal but it can be difficult to get the exact thickness you need. For the correct fit, go here: https://problemsolversbike.com/produ...p_shims_-_8466
06-15-21, 09:49 AM
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... which brings up another question... what brands of beer would be good candidates for shims? and i don't really care about the shim part, but i'm seeing a new reason to drink some some beer that begs to be exploited!
06-15-21, 10:28 AM
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The above is fine, but in a pinch have used Classic Coke can aluminum
06-15-21, 10:30 AM
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I tried that but couldn't get the clamp tight enough. this was using a 26 in a 36.4 clamp. Just tightening it down was enough.
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06-15-21, 10:45 AM
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I can't drink anymore, so I have to substitute a fizzy water can. 
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06-15-21, 12:20 PM
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06-15-21, 02:16 PM
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I’ve used 12 mil (0.3mm) stainless steel flat stock 1” wide for shimming 26.0 clamp to 25.4 bars. At the moment, both bikes have stems with 25.4 mm clamps so no shins are needed.
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06-15-21, 02:20 PM
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06-15-21, 02:30 PM
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06-15-21, 03:58 PM
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If you use any drink can heat the shim to remove the plastic inner liner.
06-15-21, 04:24 PM
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06-15-21, 05:15 PM
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