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stoker handlebars

Old 09-02-22, 11:27 AM
  #26  
WheelsNT
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I have similar Co-Motion stems on our Co-Motion quad that are for 26.0 bars. I’m sure the ones they sell _now_ are 31.8, but they definitely sold 26.0 in the past.

Rather than speculate, get yourself a cheap digital caliper and measure the stem and the bars: https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...per-63586.html

If it turns out that the stem is 26.0 and the bars are 31.8, don’t stress. The chrome portion of the stoker stem extension should be 28.6. Get an old stem out of your parts box that is 28.6 for the steerer and 31.8 for the bars and use that instead of the billet aluminum Co-Motion piece.
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Old 09-02-22, 07:17 PM
  #27  
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I tried inserting the pinch bolt through the exit hole and inserting a penny into the slot. Maybe they don't make pennies like they used to. I removed the penny and tried a steel washer. It worked better. That said, those Profile Stoker bars are not interested in going through that stem. I don't have a caliper but will get one for future use. It's a moot point for the bars because, whatever the size of the bar hole in the stem, the bars are not going all the way through there. I put my trusty Staedtler circle template on the stem extension tube. It's 28.6mm. So, it looks like any standard stem with 31.8mm bars and 28.6 tube should work, right? I am looking at https://www.amazon.com/FOMTOR-Mounta...g%2C121&sr=1-5.

Shouldn't that work?


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Old 09-02-22, 08:20 PM
  #28  
WheelsNT
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Looks good to me.
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Old 09-03-22, 01:25 AM
  #29  
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While calipers are incredibly handy, and while cheap junky calipers are astoundingly good (this coming from someone who has more in his metrology gear than you do in your bike), you can tell those two diameters apart with a grade school ruler. Or by checking it against a know item, or by seeing if it’s bigger or smaller than your known size seatpost.

They really don’t make pennies like they used to, at least not like before 1982. That said, if you’re failing a penny you’re probably trying to spread the stem more than you should. Better the penny as a fuse than part of your stem.

So long as a stem has the appropriate length and diameters at the ends along with a reasonable angle, the rest is a matter of non-critical preference.
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Old 09-05-22, 07:26 PM
  #30  
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I received the FOMTOR 31.8 Short Bike Stem Forged MTB Stem today. It does not fit. I had wondered what the “26” meant in the “Profile Designs Stoker 26 Bar” name. I just figured out the center of the bar is 26mm, not 31.8 mm like the stem I ordered. So, the Profile Stoker Bar is too big to make it through the one-piece billet aluminum Co-Motion piece and too small to be tightened into the 31.8 mm Bike Stem I ordered. Looks like I need a 2-piece bike stem with a smaller diameter.
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Old 09-05-22, 07:35 PM
  #31  
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Do I get the 25.4mm stem like this one?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08H4YHL6N/ref=emc_b_5_t

If so, does the 7 degrees angle really matter?

Thanks.
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Old 09-05-22, 08:01 PM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by jethro00
Do I get the 25.4mm stem like this one?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08H4YHL6N/ref=emc_b_5_t

If so, does the 7 degrees angle really matter?

Thanks.
No, get a 26mm stem!
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Old 09-05-22, 08:47 PM
  #33  
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<<No, get a 26mm stem!>>
These exist somewhere? It seems odd that the common Profile Stoker Bars would be an uncommon size. I see a lot of 31.8mm and some 25.4 mm stems.But, I am not seeing 26mm stems.
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Old 09-05-22, 09:45 PM
  #34  
WheelsNT
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Search 26.0 stem on amazon or ebay. There are plenty. 26.0 was the road bike standard before 31.8 became a thing. 25.4 was the MTB standard. 26.0 and 25.4 are not interchangeable.
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Old 09-06-22, 08:27 AM
  #35  
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I found: Profile Designs Aris Bike.
https://www.amazon.com/Profile-Desig...-14&th=1&psc=1
That seems like it should work since the stem is made by Profile Designs who also makes the “Profile Designs Stoker 26 Bar.”

I can probably select a height based on the height of the bars for my stoker on our other tandems. I suspect the shortest length (60mm) is likely the best choice. But, how do I choose between 83 degrees and 115 degrees? Here is a picture of where the stem is going. Thanks for any suggestions.



Last edited by jethro00; 09-06-22 at 08:46 AM.
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Old 09-06-22, 09:16 AM
  #36  
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<<26.0 was the road bike standard before 31.8 became a thing. 25.4 was the MTB standard.>>
Thanks for the history lesson
I suppose this is my first of many lessons on owning an older bike and using older components.
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Old 09-07-22, 05:00 PM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by jethro00
<<26.0 was the road bike standard before 31.8 became a thing. 25.4 was the MTB standard.>>
Thanks for the history lesson
I suppose this is my first of many lessons on owning an older bike and using older components.
Some light reading:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-handlebars.html
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Old 09-08-22, 10:16 AM
  #38  
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<<Some light reading:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-handlebars.html>>
That is interesting reading. If countries have had that much trouble agreeing on the diameter of bicycle handlebars, I guess it's not hard to see why world peace is so hard to come by

Last edited by jethro00; 09-08-22 at 01:13 PM.
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Old 09-08-22, 10:41 AM
  #39  
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I didn't read thru every single post but I have two sets of bullhorns from a CoMotion if want them. $10ea
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Old 09-08-22, 12:14 PM
  #40  
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<<I have two sets of bullhorns from a CoMotion if want them. $10ea>>
That probably would have worked. Alas, we already bought a new pair for my stoker. Thanks
anyway.
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Old 09-10-22, 03:54 AM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by jethro00
I received the FOMTOR 31.8 Short Bike Stem Forged MTB Stem today. It does not fit. I had wondered what the “26” meant in the “Profile Designs Stoker 26 Bar” name. I just figured out the center of the bar is 26mm, not 31.8 mm like the stem I ordered. So, the Profile Stoker Bar is too big to make it through the one-piece billet aluminum Co-Motion piece and too small to be tightened into the 31.8 mm Bike Stem I ordered. Looks like I need a 2-piece bike stem with a smaller diameter.
There are shims to allow use of a 26.0 bar with a 31.8 stem. I'm using one for our Profile stoker bar.
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Old 09-10-22, 07:58 AM
  #42  
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<<There are shims to allow use of a 26.0 bar with a 31.8 stem. I'm using one for our Profile stoker bar.>>
We returned the 31.8 stem. Amazon has free returns which helps as we fumble our way through which bike parts we need/want. I ordered a Profile Designs Aris Bike Stem 83 degree 80NT for my stoker to go with her Profile Designs Stoker bars. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I ordered Profile Designs Rise Ultra FR Bar 60mm for me which should fit in my current stem. Hopefully, we are now set for our handlebars and stems.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
We look forward to getting comfortable with our handlebars and riding the bike enough to see if our derrières will come to love the Brooks saddles that came with the bike. I keep reading how cyclists eventually come to love them after they are broken in. Our eyes love the look. But, our derrières remain undecided at this point



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Old 09-10-22, 01:01 PM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by jethro00
<<Some light reading:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-handlebars.html>>
That is interesting reading. If countries have had that much trouble agreeing on the diameter of bicycle handlebars, I guess it's not hard to see why world peace is so hard to come by
Ha! Now do some reading on that website on tire and rim sizes and labeling, and be prepared to sigh deeply and mournfully. Standards? We don't need no stinking standards! I wish sizes of all sorts of bicycle things were standardized. Tried ordering a jersey recently?
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