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what do you use for handlebar shims

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what do you use for handlebar shims

Old 06-15-21, 09:01 AM
  #1  
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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?
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Old 06-15-21, 09:14 AM
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Originally Posted by cocoabeachcrab
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?

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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Old 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.
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Old 06-15-21, 09:21 AM
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Originally Posted by tiger1964
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'll be installing a wooden slightly curved flat bar, so not too worried about the bar turning much in the clamp, and i'll go research the shim material listings. thanks!
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Old 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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Old 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
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Old 06-15-21, 09:31 AM
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Originally Posted by davester
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
and problem solved! thanks! they even have it in stock at my LBS!
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Old 06-15-21, 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by bikemig
beer cans are win win; great for shimming but first you have to drink the beer.
... 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!
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Old 06-15-21, 10:26 AM
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Excellent shim material.


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Old 06-15-21, 10:28 AM
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The above is fine, but in a pinch have used Classic Coke can aluminum
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Old 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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Old 06-15-21, 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by cocoabeachcrab
i'll be installing a wooden slightly curved flat bar...
Wait what?
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Old 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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Old 06-15-21, 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by bOsscO
Wait what?
this is headed for my mystery frame italian sportivo ish build....
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Old 06-15-21, 11:10 AM
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I...I had no idea wooden components were a thing.
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Old 06-15-21, 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by bOsscO
I...I had no idea wooden components were a thing.
my entire head is made of wood!
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Old 06-15-21, 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by bOsscO
I...I had no idea wooden components were a thing.
Renovo made wooden frames for a few years here in PDX, lots of others doing it as well.
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Old 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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Old 06-15-21, 02:20 PM
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Pinocchio was made of wood, and he became a real boy.
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Old 06-15-21, 02:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Phil_gretz
Pinocchio was made of wood, and he became a real boy.
So, if a bicycle frame is made of wood and it becomes a real frame, does that mean it turns to steel?
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Old 06-15-21, 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by merziac
Renovo made wooden frames for a few years here in PDX, lots of others doing it as well.
Wood frames, especially those made of bamboo, I've seen but not wood components.
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Old 06-15-21, 03:40 PM
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Originally Posted by T-Mar
So, if a bicycle frame is made of wood and it becomes a real frame, does that mean it turns to steel?
yes. its called the Pinocchio principle.
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Old 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.
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Old 06-15-21, 04:24 PM
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Originally Posted by ollo_ollo
The above is fine, but in a pinch have used Classic Coke can aluminum
It was good enough for Greg. Caused quite a stir at the time.
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Old 06-15-21, 05:15 PM
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