Specs for Handlebar Stem Replacement

[mschwett]

I see. Do you mind posting the link to the shim again?

View attachment 127413
Trying to figure this out - 1 3/8 in??? Eleven eighths of an inch???

One and one eighth. Duh

Specialized Future Shock 1.5 & 2.0 Stem Shim (Black) (1-1/8" Stem)

This is a Future Shock 1.5 & 2.0 Stem Shim that features a 22.025mm ID X 28.7mm OD. It is compatible with the following bikes: Specialized Creo... S199900023

www.performancebike.com

you can google the part number “S199900023” and you’ll see lots of sellers, mostly out of stock.

 

[m@Robertson]

i believe it’s a smaller diameter because the whole self-contained shock cartridge more or less fits “inside” the traditional steerer tube. not much marketing advantage in a smaller stem clamp diameter, especially considering they don’t even mention it

except... the point still stands as entirely valid. Right?

...When it comes to violating standards to aid in marketing, you can't beat the bicycle industry.

 

[mschwett]

except... the point still stands as entirely valid. Right?

no, they didn’t violate the standard to aid in “marketing,” they violated the standard to provide a new feature - a lightweight suspension built into the steerer tube… which seems to have necessitated a smaller interface with the stem.

specialized isn’t making bucks selling stems, nor the $6 shim which they INCLUDE FREE WITH THE BIKE.

nor are they marketing “new smaller diameter steerer tube for more streamlined stems!”

 

[YoGe]

... which seems to have necessitated a smaller interface with the stem.

From an engineering standpoint - why? If the unit was bulky and required an *expansion* of the stem size, that I'd get. But a *reduction* in diameter? Why is that necessary?

specialized isn’t making bucks selling stems, nor the $6 shim which they INCLUDE FREE WITH THE BIKE.

The shim that I found in there doesn't bring the diameter up to 1 1/8. If there's another shim that's needed for that, it was not included with my bike.

 

[mschwett]

From an engineering standpoint - why? If the unit was bulky and required an *expansion* of the stem size, that I'd get. But a *reduction* in diameter? Why is that necessary?

The shim that I found in there doesn't bring the diameter up to 1 1/8. If there's another shim that's needed for that, it was not included with my bike.

what it looks to me like is that the future shock is a self-contained cartridge which fits (at least partially) inside the traditional steerer tube at the top of the fork - so of course it's smaller than that. the spring version also presumably uses a certain diameter spring for a reason. engineers tend not to make things bigger than they have to for no reason, so the combination of it fitting inside an existing diameter tube and bearing a certain load (and no more) led to a certain size? not something that there would be any value in specialized changing for proprietary exclusion, given that even their own stems require the shim!

check with the LBS that put the bike together on the bigger shim if you can't easily source one. they're not always the best at providing the buyer all the "small parts."

the fat one on the right brings it up to 1 1/8”, the ones on the left are obviously smaller. our most recent FS bike (my daughter’s sirrus x 4) came with the one on the right in the parts bag. my creo did as well, but it’s in the bike, replacing one of the one on the left which was originally in the bike.

 

[rochrunner]

what it looks to me like is that the future shock is a self-contained cartridge which fits (at least partially) inside the traditional steerer tube at the top of the fork - so of course it's smaller than that. the spring version also presumably uses a certain diameter spring for a reason. engineers tend not to make things bigger than they have to for no reason, so the combination of it fitting inside an existing diameter tube and bearing a certain load (and no more) led to a certain size? not something that there would be any value in specialized changing for proprietary exclusion, given that even their own stems require the shim!

check with the LBS that put the bike together on the bigger shim if you can't easily source one. they're not always the best at providing the buyer all the "small parts."

the fat one on the right brings it up to 1 1/8”, the ones on the left are obviously smaller. our most recent FS bike (my daughter’s sirrus x 4) came with the one on the right in the parts bag. my creo did as well, but it’s in the bike, replacing one of the one on the left which was originally in the bike.

The OEM Specialized stem that came on my Vado SL with the FutureShock 1.5 is made to fit a 1-1/8" steerer, and it has the thick shim installed. To install a standard 1-1/8" aftermarket stem, I just had to knock the shim out of the OEM stem and press it into the new stem and slide it onto the FS shaft. Nothing complicated going on here, unless I'm missing something!

 

[mschwett]

The OEM Specialized stem that came on my Vado SL with the FutureShock 1.5 is made to fit a 1-1/8" steerer, and it has the thick shim installed. To install a standard 1-1/8" aftermarket stem, I just had to knock the shim out of the OEM stem and press it into the new stem and slide it onto the FS shaft. Nothing complicated going on here, unless I'm missing something!

nope, nothing complex at all for the end user… but some bikes seem to come with a stem that has a larger internal diameter, thus the two different shims!

 

[rayray]

Previously in this thread, I spoke against using an adjustable stem, due to safety concern. That being the case, I’ve been trying to decide what length and angle of fixed stem I should buy, but struggling with it. I then thought “why not try an adjustable stem as a temporary measure, to see what works?”.

After reading others’ comments, and taking a better look at several adjustable stems online, I realized that safety shouldn’t be a concern if I buy a quality product and torque it properly. So, I ordered a Ritchey adjustable stem (90mm vs. the 100 that was factory installed), and will be installing it tomorrow. I still might buy a non-adjustable stem after I know better what will work, but I shouldn’t have to go through a variety of lengths and angles before I find my happy place.

Oh, and thanks to @mschwett for the Creo shim info. I did find the appropriate size in the bag of parts.

 

[rayray]

I installed the Ritchey stem today.

I’ve been having a problem with tingling fingers and tired upper back muscles. After a short ride (10 miles) today, I noticed an improvement already, but I think I will need to further increase the upward stem angle (currently approximately 12 degrees). I realize some of it may be related to conditioning, but that’s not likely to improve a lot, so I’ll rely on fitting changes. Hopefully I won’t need to go with an even shorter stem.

According to the Stem Comparison Tool at http://yojimg.net/bike/web_tools/stem.php , after installing the new stem, my handlebars are now 5mm higher and my reach is 13mm shorter than it had been. Obviously, that’s not precise, as the adjustable stem’s geometry is slightly different than a fixed stem, but it gives me something to work with.

One thing I was concerned about was the possibility of an adverse effect upon handling, but so far it seems fine. I had previously felt that just installing all three 5mm shims to raise the Creo’s handlebars made the steering feel twitchy. However, I have raised my seat quite a bit since then, on the advice of a fitting professional, so I suppose logically that would/could make a difference, or maybe I just adapted. In fact, prior to ordering the new stem, I did install all 3 shims again, and they’re still in place. Considering that the bike came with zero shims installed, and the original stem mounted downward, at -6 degrees, the new fit is 29mm shorter in reach, and 53mm higher than as originally purchased. Age and lack of conditioning will do that.

So far the only downside is the loss of the Specialized stem’s integrated computer mount, as it looked very clean, but I have a handlebar mount so I’ll get by. I used Park carbon lube on the handlebars where inserted in the stem, blue loctite on all screws, and torqued everything to specs, so all should be good….until I make another adjustment anyway.

Note: edited for calculation corrections

 

[Allan47.7339]

I installed the Ritchey stem today.

I’ve been having a problem with tingling fingers and tired upper back muscles. After a short ride (10 miles) today, I noticed an improvement already, but I think I will need to further increase the upward stem angle (currently approximately 12 degrees). I realize some of it may be related to conditioning, but that’s not likely to improve a lot, so I’ll rely on fitting changes. Hopefully I won’t need to go with an even shorter stem.

Have you tried a professional bike fit? I rode for many years adjusting on my own before I went to a physiotherapist for a fit. It turned out my seat was too high which caused lower back pain, sore shoulders, saddle sores and etc. I have a box full of saddles I purchased to try and solve sore butt issues. Now that I've had a couple of professional fits, I can set my bike up to match. Otherwise you are just guessing. The last double century I was tired but not sore.

 

[rayray]

Have you tried a professional bike fit? I rode for many years adjusting on my own before I went to a physiotherapist for a fit. It turned out my seat was too high which caused lower back pain, sore shoulders, saddle sores and etc. I have a box full of saddles I purchased to try and solve sore butt issues. Now that I've had a couple of professional fits, I can set my bike up to match. Otherwise you are just guessing. The last double century I was tired but not sore.

Yes, I did go to a professional. He convinced me I needed a smaller seat, which I believe was correct, and moved it up and forward, and fixed the angle. That helped me stay in position on the seat (stopped sliding forward), which eliminated occasional perineal discomfort, eliminated knee discomfort, my power measures have gone up (even though I’ve been riding less recently), and I am able to ride further. It did help a bit with the hand and upper back problems, but not enough. He was hesitant to make changes to the cockpit area until I had ridden for a while after the seat changes.

Frankly, it’s on me that I haven’t gone back, but it’s a bit distant, and I’d already made two trips there, so I’ve not wanted to contribute a chunk of time to a third visit. I also don’t have enough confidence in him for the next steps (he’d probably get me there, but how many visits and how much time?). I therefore feel I need to drive to the Seattle area to find another pro, and finding a day to dedicate to that is difficult right now. Thus, my attempts to fix it myself.

If I don’t get comfortable soon though, I will be booking a session.

 

[Dazmanturbo]

I was struggling with my stem a bit recently, due to swapping my seat. You swap one bit and has a knock on that you don't consider. I swapped from the short nosed Power to SQ Labs 60X as I was finding the seat was ripping my shorts and getting a bit uncomfy. I also use the Canyon VCLS carbon leaf spring suspension post, so the seat has to a certain distance back to benefit from the seat post movement. Upshot was that I had to swap form 90mm stem to a 70. Got another Specialized Future Stem, which was on sale, as I love the computer mount on these. 70mm sorted the issued for me and I use the stem in +6