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Ancient Stem

  • 25-11-2009 8:51pm
    #1
    rflynnr
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭


    I'm replacing the handlebars on an old road bike as part of a single-speed conversion/last chance saloon for a bike I've owned since I was 16 (now some decades ago). Thing is, the diameter of the bit that's actually gripped by the quill stem appears to be 25.0mm. I can't find any reference to it's "official" size on the handlebar itself (or the stem). Nor can I find any reference to 25.0mm-diameter handlebars on the web. Is is possible that it's actually a 25.4mm or even a 25.8mm handlebar that's been squashed over the decades?

    But the real question is: am I asking for trouble by putting a 25.4mm or 25.8mm set of bars into the stem if it really is intended for a 25.0mm handlebar? Or could I even get away with something even larger?


Comments

  • #2
    ten speed racer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 171 ✭✭ten speed racer


    Have a look at Sheldon's article on stems.

    He mentions that there is an obsolete French handlebar diameter of 25 mm.

    This article on French bikes mentions it as well. It also recommends changing some of these old French stems as they have a tendency to break.

    I got worried about the possibility of the very old bars and stems on my commuter snapping, so I changed them earlier this year.


  • #3
    rflynnr
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭rflynnr


    Looked at that (and thanks for pointing it out). Thing is, the handlebar I'm replacing is a Raleigh (the one piece of information I can find stamped on the bars) which makes it unlikely that it's French, non?

    The other question stands though: am I taking a risk in inserting a 25.4mm handlebar into a 25.0mm stem (even assuming that's what it is)?


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