Shim the steerer or shim the stem?
12-02-22, 06:32 AM
#1
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Shim the steerer or shim the stem?
I'm bringing an old rockhopper to life for a coworker of mine and he asked me to put on a shorter stem (and probably a little steeper). The bike has a 1" steerer and 25.4 bars (yes, i know, 1" and 25.4 mm are the same...).
I think I'm going to have to use shims because i can't really find anything with both those diameters. My gut tells me to shim the bars, but even 1" steerer/31.8 stems seems to be really hard to find, so maybe the other way around?
what say you? Keep in mind that it's going to be used for some casual riding, he isn't going to hit any double black diamonds.
the current stem is about 135 mm long so i need something around 90-100.
I think I'm going to have to use shims because i can't really find anything with both those diameters. My gut tells me to shim the bars, but even 1" steerer/31.8 stems seems to be really hard to find, so maybe the other way around?
what say you? Keep in mind that it's going to be used for some casual riding, he isn't going to hit any double black diamonds.
the current stem is about 135 mm long so i need something around 90-100.
12-02-22, 06:49 AM
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They make shims specifically for mounting 1.125 stems on 1 inch forks. So assuming you can find the right stem that fits your bars, that's how I'd go.
Keep in mind that you'll probably find the most options in current offerings for 31.8 bars, sodont close out the option of shimming both.
Keep in mind that you'll probably find the most options in current offerings for 31.8 bars, sodont close out the option of shimming both.
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Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
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12-02-22, 08:08 AM
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Threaded or threadless?
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12-02-22, 10:12 AM
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TiCycles makes their (threadless) stems in 31.8 and 1.125 and simply provides shims for those of us riding smaller either bars or stems. (My first TiCycles has both as I use a Nitto B115 bvar and the bike has a 1" steerer. I never notice either riding.)
12-02-22, 01:30 PM
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Come on. Did you try Ebay?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/144680889790
https://www.ebay.com/itm/324314142704
https://www.ebay.com/itm/144680889790
https://www.ebay.com/itm/324314142704
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12-02-22, 03:17 PM
#6
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Come on. Did you try Ebay?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/144680889790
https://www.ebay.com/itm/324314142704
https://www.ebay.com/itm/144680889790
https://www.ebay.com/itm/324314142704
12-02-22, 05:44 PM
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I'm bringing an old rockhopper to life for a coworker of mine and he asked me to put on a shorter stem (and probably a little steeper). The bike has a 1" steerer and 25.4 bars (yes, i know, 1" and 25.4 mm are the same...).
I think I'm going to have to use shims because i can't really find anything with both those diameters. My gut tells me to shim the bars, but even 1" steerer/31.8 stems seems to be really hard to find, so maybe the other way around?
what say you? Keep in mind that it's going to be used for some casual riding, he isn't going to hit any double black diamonds.
the current stem is about 135 mm long so i need something around 90-100.
I think I'm going to have to use shims because i can't really find anything with both those diameters. My gut tells me to shim the bars, but even 1" steerer/31.8 stems seems to be really hard to find, so maybe the other way around?
what say you? Keep in mind that it's going to be used for some casual riding, he isn't going to hit any double black diamonds.
the current stem is about 135 mm long so i need something around 90-100.
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Please make sure you select the right option.
12-02-22, 10:27 PM
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I use a stem shim to fit regular 1 1/8" stems to my 1" threadless steerer.
12-03-22, 08:48 AM
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I'm bringing an old rockhopper to life for a coworker of mine and he asked me to put on a shorter stem (and probably a little steeper). The bike has a 1" steerer and 25.4 bars (yes, i know, 1" and 25.4 mm are the same...).
I think I'm going to have to use shims because i can't really find anything with both those diameters. My gut tells me to shim the bars, but even 1" steerer/31.8 stems seems to be really hard to find, so maybe the other way around?
what say you? Keep in mind that it's going to be used for some casual riding, he isn't going to hit any double black diamonds.
the current stem is about 135 mm long so i need something around 90-100.
I think I'm going to have to use shims because i can't really find anything with both those diameters. My gut tells me to shim the bars, but even 1" steerer/31.8 stems seems to be really hard to find, so maybe the other way around?
what say you? Keep in mind that it's going to be used for some casual riding, he isn't going to hit any double black diamonds.
the current stem is about 135 mm long so i need something around 90-100.
I have a 25.4/25.4 threadless stem but I'm not aware of any rockhopper that came with that. I can dig it out if that's what you're looking for.
12-03-22, 09:01 AM
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How old? 1996 or newer or 1995 or older? the 1993/94 came with 22.2 quills (had both, both gone) My 1995 came with a 25.4/25.4 quill stem and my 1996 came threadless. with 1-1/8th/25.4.
I have a 25.4/25.4 threadless stem but I'm not aware of any rockhopper that came with that. I can dig it out if that's what you're looking for.
I have a 25.4/25.4 threadless stem but I'm not aware of any rockhopper that came with that. I can dig it out if that's what you're looking for.
Total guess though, based on condition of the tires which is in between "dry-rotten" and "fossil". And yes it's a threadless stem, not sure if it's the original one, but the fork is definitely original and it has a 25.4 steerer. And please, if you got something laying around let me know, thanks!
12-03-22, 09:08 AM
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Not sure exactly, but if i were to guess it's probably late 90's.
Total guess though, based on condition of the tires which is in between "dry-rotten" and "fossil". And yes it's a threadless stem, not sure if it's the original one, but the fork is definitely original and it has a 25.4 steerer. And please, if you got something laying around let me know, thanks!
Total guess though, based on condition of the tires which is in between "dry-rotten" and "fossil". And yes it's a threadless stem, not sure if it's the original one, but the fork is definitely original and it has a 25.4 steerer. And please, if you got something laying around let me know, thanks!
Last edited by Schweinhund; 12-03-22 at 09:23 AM.
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12-03-22, 11:09 AM
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And your friend is set on using the original 1" handlebar with the 1" steerer? Or is he willing to buy a contemporary handlebar so he can have a wider selection of contemporary stems to adjust his fit?
12-03-22, 03:34 PM
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Make it easy, just get shims for the steer tube and bars to make it easy to get whatever current/modern stem fits his needs.
I've got a couple of stems for 1-1/8 steer tubes and 1" handlebars - sorry I still "might need them" so can't send them to you. When those stems don't fit my needs, I've used 31.8 stems on the 1" handlebars for years with cheap, readily available handlebar shims. I'm vain enough so I use black or silver shims depending on what looks best with the bars I'm using. I have also used readily available, cheap steer tube shims for 1-1/8" stems on 1" steer tubes.
In fact, as we speak, I have both steer tube and handlebar shims on my old Litespeed (1" steer tube, 1" Easton CF handlebar.... contemporary 1-1/8 - 31.8 stem). Of course the steer tube I have no choice in the matter, since the frame has a 1" head tube - but the Columbus Minimal fork I have for it is really top notch, so there's no hesitation there anyway. Sure I could buy new 31.8mm handlebars, but I really like these old Easton Equip EC90 bars - the shape suits me perfectly. Since they're flawless, I'd rather adapt the stem to the bars than vice versa.
I've got a couple of stems for 1-1/8 steer tubes and 1" handlebars - sorry I still "might need them" so can't send them to you. When those stems don't fit my needs, I've used 31.8 stems on the 1" handlebars for years with cheap, readily available handlebar shims. I'm vain enough so I use black or silver shims depending on what looks best with the bars I'm using.
I have also used readily available, cheap steer tube shims for 1-1/8" stems on 1" steer tubes.In fact, as we speak, I have both steer tube and handlebar shims on my old Litespeed (1" steer tube, 1" Easton CF handlebar.... contemporary 1-1/8 - 31.8 stem). Of course the steer tube I have no choice in the matter, since the frame has a 1" head tube - but the Columbus Minimal fork I have for it is really top notch, so there's no hesitation there anyway. Sure I could buy new 31.8mm handlebars, but I really like these old Easton Equip EC90 bars - the shape suits me perfectly. Since they're flawless, I'd rather adapt the stem to the bars than vice versa.
Last edited by Camilo; 12-03-22 at 03:44 PM.
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