Stem adjustment

[STEPHAN DAVIS]

Recently flipped my stem to give me a little more of an angle and height due to doing a long ride. Since then i my steering is all over the place. At first i put it down to being a new position and that i would get used to it but still feels strange. Is it possible to over tighten the small allen key on the top of the stem?

Many thanks

Steph

 

[Tomba]

Did you tighten the top cap hex bolt first or the stem bolts first?

I know from my own daft attempt at flipping a stem that it makes a difference. I think its the top cap to be tightened before the two stem bolts, but I could be wrong.

 

[STEPHAN DAVIS]

I've got no idea - but worth a try. The only other thing i thought of was the cables? Maybe with the extra height the cables could be too tight. Feels like it pulling from side to side when i turn?

 

[STEPHAN DAVIS]

Put it all back as it was! If it's not broke....

 

[potsy]

Did you make sure it was all snug with no play afterwards?
If you're not sure then put your front brake on and rock the bike forwards and back, should be able to see play in the headset, if there is then you need to undo the bolts, tighten topcap slightly and re-tighten bolts.

Never flipped my stem so don't know if it effects handling or not, wouldn'thave thought it would be that much though.

 

[smokeysmoo]

It shouldn't have any effect as long as there is enough in the cables as already mentioned. I used to flip the stem on my Ribble sometimes, and never had a problem.

It does feel different at first when you flip it, especially when you flip it up as it raises you and the front end feels more twitchy IME.

 

[STEPHAN DAVIS]

Cheers for that - i didn't think it would make that much difference either. I will try it out again at the weekend.

Thanks again.

 

[STEPHAN DAVIS]

Maybe it is just a handling issue. I will have a play with it again at the weekend. Just wanted to make sure i wasn't doing anything horribly wrong!

 

[Lee_M]

ifyou tighten up the star fangled bolt (the one at the top) it will affect your handling.

best test Ive seen is to suspend your bike from the seat post (or over your shoulder) so the front wheel is angled slightly down.

Turn the steering to the right and left and let go, if it swings back down freely its ok, if it doesnt its too tight

there are videos on youtube

 

[STEPHAN DAVIS]

Thanks for the advice. I didn't realise it could be over tightened. The only reason i flipped it was because i get terrible numbness in my hands after a half decent ride. Thought i would try and get the weight off my hands a bit.