Carbon Stems -> How to see if it is cracked

[Renier82]

hi Guys i have a carbon stem.

it works like a bomb.

but i am not sure if it is cracked at the holes where the stem is fastened to the steerer tube.

how would i know if it is the clear coating(or resin) which is flaking or if the stem is cracked through there?

 

do i need to take it for exrays? or somethin.

 

experts please advise.

 

tx

Edited October 15, 2010 by Renier82

[RodTi]

How old is the stem?

[Reg Lizard]

pictures will help the experts to decide

[MTB_Roadie]

when it breaks while cycling, you know it was cracked

[Renier82]

hehe i have a pic of the stem, but my camera isnt of decent quality to take tht kind of detail

 

about 2yrs old

[MTB_Roadie]

it is cracked, you can give it to me

[BeegMig]

I don't know if you can take x-rays of a stem, if you can it will propably cost more than a new stem.

[BeegMig]

And if it is broken, you have the cost of x-rays and a new stem to pay for.

One question, can you do a Jens-dive?

Oh yes. And can survive it? ... thats two.

[Johan Bornman]

You know something you're not telling us. Otherwise, why are you suspiscious of the stem?

 

That particular stem has aluminium inserts and delamination will be evident upon close inspection.

 

To test, fit the stem onto a bike and pull violently on the handlebars and listem for creaks and noises.

 

Front loader stems like that should ALWAYS have four bolts holding the handlebars. You want some redundancy built into the stem and there is just no excuse for a two-bolt front-loader anymore.

 

 

If the stem has some clear coating on, like you seem to suspect, flake it off at the "Crack" with a sharp instrument and see if it flakes or not. In 99% of these cases it is either the paint or clearcoat that flakes.

 

Buy a torque wrench and never buy a second-hand stem. You never know where it has been. Stem failure, like steerer and fork failure, is catastrophic. I won't buy these second-hand. People will be people and try and flog suspect items to suckers they dont' care about.

[SURFER]

[hi Guys i have a carbon stem.

it works like a bomb.

but i am not sure if it is cracked at the holes where the stem is fastened to the steerer tube.

 

 

If it works like a bomb, then I believe it is more than just cracked

[Renier82]

[quote name='SURFER' date='17 October 2010 - 07:59 PM' timestamp='1287338388'

 

 

If it works like a bomb, then I believe it is more than just cracked

haha what does this mean?

 

anyhoo, the clearcoat seems like its got a ledge on it where the bolts fasten the steer tube, hence the reason for asking if there is an easy way in knowing

tx JB, i will inspect it closer and see where the rabbit hole leads to.

 

i have no reason to sell the thing because i like it thus i want to make sure i dont end up in the hospital by mere ignorance.

 

tx for the replies c")