Ritchley WCS Carbon stem: loose bolts

[Johan Bornman]

Good news' date=' it would appear as if my problems are indeed something of the past. Had two 70km+ rides this weekend and the stem bolts are still torqued according to specs.[/quote']

 

This is good news. I've seen people sell their bikes because they lost confidence in the structural integrity.  I have a carbon fork bike with a steel steerer. The other day I looked down there with a torch and saw copious rust. My speed down Beyers Naude from Melville side has dropped dramatically.

[Reg Lizard]

 

 

 

[carelgrundlingh]

@JB: so it is crucial that the compression nut is expanding at exactly the same position that the stem are tightened onto? Thus the compression nut's expanding bits prevent the steerer from being crushed. If it is not in correlating positions (stem and compression nut) then you'll end up with deforming where they don't correspond in position?

[Johan Bornman]

@JB: so it is crucial that the compression nut is expanding at exactly the same position that the stem are tightened onto? Thus the compression nut's expanding bits prevent the steerer from being crushed. If it is not in correlating positions (stem and compression nut) then you'll end up with deforming where they don't correspond in position?

 

Yes, that is my (albeit limited) experience. This is especially true where the clamp sits on, or over, the end of the steerer or handlebar for that matter. On my bike with alu handlebars, the bar ends have crushed the handlebar tube. Again, it was right on the end and I don't have enough space on the bar to move the stuff inboard. A solid plug in the end would have helped.

 

Many years ago I had a friend with a Vitus alu bike. These bikes had the first alu steerers I've even seen. In those days we still had quill stems with internally expanding wedges. These wedges do NOT sit at the end of the steerer but deep inside. Nevertheless, it cut his steerer right off and he ended up with an autopilot bike. Very weird sensation (he said afterwards from hospital) and very, very strange to see.

[Reg Lizard]

"...it cut his steerer right off and he ended up with an autopilot bike. Very weird sensation (he said afterwards from hospital) and very, very strange to see. "

 

LMAO

[carelgrundlingh]

Thanks for picking your brains again JB

[Reg Lizard]

From all the good advice JB has been giving I decided to also reposition the compression plugg inside the steerer nearer to the top of the steerer. I then rechecked the torque on the stem bolts and they were still 100%. I've now done 5 rides (250km in total) and it would appear as if my problem is sorted. Just hope I don't end-up with an "auto pilot" bike. I will endeavor to regularly check my steerer (at least once a month) for cracks,etc just to make sure.