How dangerous is this fracture in my stem?
01-13-22, 04:37 PM
#1
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How dangerous is this fracture in my stem?
Wondering if these fine fracture I have should be of concern or weather itis still fine to use, my theory is that because they are verticle they pose less of a threat compared to if they were going sideways across the stem because it would have the chance of shearing completley off while I am riding.
Had a little creaking coming from my headset recently and discovered the cracks, took out inspected and re-fitted and the creaking seemed to have gone so maybe just need re-adjusting and isn't anything to worry about, what do you all think?
Had a little creaking coming from my headset recently and discovered the cracks, took out inspected and re-fitted and the creaking seemed to have gone so maybe just need re-adjusting and isn't anything to worry about, what do you all think?
01-13-22, 05:00 PM
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I'm good to go!
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Get a new one and you won't have to worry whether any of us really know or not.
Toss that one in the bin to go to the scrap yard. It might come back to you as something else one day.
Toss that one in the bin to go to the scrap yard. It might come back to you as something else one day.
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01-13-22, 05:25 PM
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Do you enjoy chewing food with your own teeth?
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01-13-22, 05:27 PM
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I’d be replacing that with a Nitto, but that’s just me.
Tim
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01-13-22, 05:31 PM
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When in doubt throw it out. Especially that stem!
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01-13-22, 06:10 PM
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The words "stem", "crack" and "danger" go together perfectly! You've had your money's worth out of that one. Time to replace.
01-13-22, 06:17 PM
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If those round holes at the top of the slots were there when the stem was made, they were there to prevent those cracks from happening and it was a failure. If the were drilled after the stem started cracking then it was a waste of time at that point. Get a new stem.
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"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
01-13-22, 06:33 PM
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I would just get a new stem, plenty of awesome options from Cinelli, Nitto and others. You can also go to 31.8 with the Factory Five Titan stem
or you can go to a threadless stem without getting a new fork thanks to Innicycle's Threadless conversion headset
You have loads of options don't play around with a stem that looks like it is done.
or you can go to a threadless stem without getting a new fork thanks to Innicycle's Threadless conversion headset
You have loads of options don't play around with a stem that looks like it is done.
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01-13-22, 06:40 PM
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Quoted from above post: "This is dumb. Steel is real."
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01-13-22, 07:21 PM
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Stem failure results in immediate loss of control of the bicycle. The only place it isn't a serious danger is if the bicycle isn't being ridden when the stem fails.
N.B. that's how my one stem failure played out. I stopped for a rest, the bike fell over, and when I picked it up, the handlebar fell off. Still, since I was 80 miles from the nearest bike shop at the time it happened, it still was a PITA.
N.B. that's how my one stem failure played out. I stopped for a rest, the bike fell over, and when I picked it up, the handlebar fell off. Still, since I was 80 miles from the nearest bike shop at the time it happened, it still was a PITA.
01-13-22, 07:23 PM
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Depending on brand there is a market for parts of it
https://www.ebay.com/itm/28458406144...oAAOSw7dthyQqc
https://www.ebay.com/itm/28458406144...oAAOSw7dthyQqc
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01-13-22, 10:37 PM
#13
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If it fails and you crash badly,
and sustain serious maxillofacial injuries,
is the money outlay and the pain and potentially months of recovery,
worth the $50 bucks you could have paid for a new stem to avoid injury?
and sustain serious maxillofacial injuries,
is the money outlay and the pain and potentially months of recovery,
worth the $50 bucks you could have paid for a new stem to avoid injury?
01-14-22, 07:40 AM
#14
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Like leaky pipes, fractured stems will not fix themselves. Save yourself some anxiety, and perhaps some medical bills, and replace the stem.
01-14-22, 08:11 AM
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While I was going to make a joke about a hose clamp and gorilla glue should get you moving...
That looks like a serious failure. I think your reasoning with the directionality is sound, but that fracture has continued above the insertion point and is beginning to move horizontally to the right.
You don't know if the bent parts are brittle and micro fracturing out of sight. One pull on the side of the horizontal cracking and you could find yourself in a bad situation. I would not ride that any farther than around the block, and then only if the block had no hills or traffic.
That looks like a serious failure. I think your reasoning with the directionality is sound, but that fracture has continued above the insertion point and is beginning to move horizontally to the right.
You don't know if the bent parts are brittle and micro fracturing out of sight. One pull on the side of the horizontal cracking and you could find yourself in a bad situation. I would not ride that any farther than around the block, and then only if the block had no hills or traffic.
Last edited by stevel610; 01-14-22 at 08:16 AM.
01-14-22, 01:27 PM
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Hmmm, if you like creating things...build a table lamp out of the stem, that way you can still keep a stem, that you seem to hint you like.
I'm sure we can create multiple things out of a worn out stem, so that is my 1 suggestion I will give!
I'm sure we can create multiple things out of a worn out stem, so that is my 1 suggestion I will give!
