This is a stupid idea, right?

[haydnw]

dont be a tw*t :roll:

Sorry?

 

[ringo]

The only thing I can add is that you are using a very short stem - less leverage I suppose... If it were me though I'd still look at doing things properly. Hospital food does lose its appeal quite quickly!

 

[Easy_Rider]

It'll be fine.. Loads of stems only have one bolt anyway

+1

 

[Grannygrinder]

.

Don't do it. You could try a different headset, those FSA ones are quite a big stack height, if I remember correctly.

 

[legrandefromage]

A moderator of this fine forum should never, ever visit his LBS after they left his bike in a similar state.

Names have been changed to protect the innocent...

 

[Lysander]

Re: .

Don't do it. You could try a different headset, those FSA ones are quite a big stack height, if I remember correctly.

Aye, I got an FSA just for that reason............I think some of the lowest ones are the Crank Bros at 21mm- not retro, and not cheap either.
Though neither is emergency dental work!

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

It'll be fine.. Loads of stems only have one bolt anyway

+1

those stems are designed for the one, not two like this one here...makes a difference, though I'm not an engineer, so don't ask me what that difference might be :?

 

[Wytze]

It'll be fine.. Loads of stems only have one bolt anyway

+1

those stems are designed for the one, not two like this one here...makes a difference, though I'm not an engineer, so don't ask me what that difference might be :?

I am.

The difference is that in a one bolt stem the threads for the single bolt are strong enough to achieve the needed clamping power with a single bolt.
On this one you need both bolts to build up the power. You all know you have to tighten them in turns right? If you don't you will simple ruin the threads with to much force. Hence you can't acchieve the desired clamping power with a single bolt on a two bolt stem; you will just end up ruining the threads.
But of course everything is designed with a large margin of error, so for a gentle test ride you'll be fine. Just make sure you have a strong topcap bolt or even better as said a headdocter thing.

PS1: You can achieve the needed clamping power without ruining the threads by putting in a longer bolt that goes through all the way and a nut on the other side of the stem. You'll need a flat surface on the other side though, which is normally not the case.

PS offtopic: you also have to untighten the bolts in turns, I have seen so many stems with ruined threads due to people who do not know that. :roll:

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

It'll be fine.. Loads of stems only have one bolt anyway

+1

those stems are designed for the one, not two like this one here...makes a difference, though I'm not an engineer, so don't ask me what that difference might be :?

I am.

The difference is that in a one bolt stem the threads for the single bolt are strong enough to achieve the needed clamping power with a single bolt.
On this one you need both bolts to build up the power. You all know you have to tighten them in turns right? If you don't you will simple ruin the threads with to much force. Hence you can't acchieve the desired clamping power with a single bolt on a two bolt stem; you will just end up ruining the threads.
But of course everything is designed with a large margin of error, so for a gentle test ride you'll be fine. Just make sure you have a strong topcap bolt or even better as said a headdocter thing.

PS1: You can achieve the needed clamping power without ruining the threads by putting in a longer bolt that goes through all the way and a nut on the other side of the stem. You'll need a flat surface on the other side though, which is normally not the case.

PS offtopic: you also have to untighten the bolts in turns, I have seen so many stems with ruined threads due to people who do not know that. :roll:

awesome, thanks for that

I had an idea it was something like that...same is true for car wheels and thier lugnuts, you can get by missing one or two, but it's not a good idea, and you should tighten them/ loosen them in turns.

 

[ishaw]

I changed frames and the forks I had then became slightly too small in terms of steerer/stem requirements. I did actually use this for a few weeks (commuting) and over that time, the top bolt section of my stem started to creak and I think it actually cracked (though it was carbon). I ws also using a headlock.

What I'm basically saying is, don't do it, as aside from the injuries you may receive, it'll cost you money too!