Gap on four-bolt clamp stem

[rockyraccoon]

I got a adjustable Spesh Stem Comp-Set for my Allez to rise the handle bar and reduce the reach. It has a four-bolt clamp which is 31.8 bar clamp diameter and 1 1/8 comp set stem.

I have tightened the bolts but as you can see on the picture there is a 3 mm gap between the clamp and the stem.

Is that space between them normal? Is it safe to ride my bike with that stem?

 

[HLaB]

Yip its perfectly normal. If you have tightening the bolts just make sure you done each a bit at a time so they are all under equal tension and the gap on the top is the same as the gap on the bottom. :-)

 

[3narf]

Yeah. Just try to equalise the gaps top & bottom. To do this, loosen the lower ones slightly then tighten the upper ones, or vice versa.

If there was no gap, it wouldn't hold the bar securely...

 

[3narf]

Hahaha

We crossed over.

 

[HLaB]

Hahaha

We crossed over.

 

[youngoldbloke]

 

[raindog]

And don't overtighten. They're small bolts but because there are four of them the clamping strength is enormous.

 

[rockyraccoon]

Thanks everyone! Very useful information there.

 

[Banjo]

Thanks everyone! Very useful information there.

If you need to turn your bars make sure the clamp is fully slackened off or you can score the bars just at the point of most stress.