Stem Mountain
How do you install a mountain bike stem?
Hi,
I've just received my mountain bike today through the post and its 90% assembled. However, I can't get the stem on.
Now the stem on the bike without the handle bars are fused together. There is a rubber end at the bottom of the stem where its supposed to go into the frame and an allen bolt at the top. Now I took off the allen bolt and it was just one long screw and I have no idea what its purpose is.
Anyway I've tried greasing it, I've tried a rubber mallet, but so far it only goes 1 cm into the frame and then gets stuck because of the rubber end. Can anyone please help me how to install this because I've looked on the internet and I can't find any help or videos.
Yes its a rubber end, but it won't come off if I try to pull it. I dunno if you just have to take it off or what?
Well, with you saying that the stem is 'fused together', do you mean that the stem is one unit.
On 'newer' bikes the stem fits onto the fork steerer and then there is an allen key bolt that fits into a star mangled washer?
If it is an older type stem, the allen bolt is loosened so that the expanding end to the bolt is loose. The stem is inserted into the forks and then the allen bolt is tightened so that the expander tightens against the inside of the forks.
There is often a plastic or rubber cap that is fitted over the expanding head in order to protect it and to stop the unit damaging other things and to keep it all together if the allen bolt is loose. Loosen the allen bolt and see if this releases, or makes it easier to release the rubber thing.
Often the expander head can become 'siezed' together. Put the stem in a vise, put the allen key into the allen bolt and give the allen key a quick, sharp hit with a hammer in order to release the expander. Make sure that you have unscrewed the allen key quite a lot first.
Make sure that the bearings on the forks/steerer are correctly adjusted.
Support the front of the bike so that the front wheel is clear of the ground and adjust the bearing so that the front wheel/forks easily swing from lock to lock but without any play. Check this, once the bike is fully assembled, by applying the front brake and rocking the bike forewards and backwards. Place a finger against the forks -where they enter the steering head at the bottom of the head tube - and feel for any play. You will need some big spanners for this, if not a special tool.
Best of luck.
 |
 Ritchey Pro Stem 30d 80mm 1 1 8 Alloy BB Black Road + MTB Mountain 30 Degree $53.95 Time Remaining: 3h 24m Buy It Now for only: $53.95 |
 TruVativ AKA All Mountain Stem 100mm dg 318 1 1 8 Blk $44.91 Time Remaining: 5h 45m Buy It Now for only: $44.91 |
 Easton EA90 White Aluminum 0 degree stem Road or Mountain bike 130mm x318mm New $67.50 Time Remaining: 19h 30m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 Easton EA90 White Aluminum 0 degree stem Road or Mountain bike 120mm x318mm New $67.50 Time Remaining: 19h 30m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 Easton EA90 White Aluminum 0 degree stem Road or Mountain bike 100mm x318mm New $67.50 Time Remaining: 19h 30m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 NVO Adjustable Threadless Handlebar Stem New in Box Road Mountain Tandem $39.00 Time Remaining: 21h 55m Buy It Now for only: $39.00 |
 Easton EA90 White Aluminum 0 degree stem Road or Mountain bike 90mm x 318mm New $70.00 Time Remaining: 1d 48m Buy It Now for only: $70.00 |
 Thomson X4 318mm 90mm 100 D Silver Mountain Bike Stem $89.99 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 25m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 Thomson X4 318mm 110mm 90 D Silver Mountain Bike Stem $89.99 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 25m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 Thomson X4 318mm 90mm 90 D Silver Mountain Bike Stem $89.99 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 25m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 Thomson X4 Mountain 318 130mm 90 Degrees Black 1 1 8 Threadless $89.96 Time Remaining: 1d 4h 4m Buy It Now for only: $89.96 |
 Bontrager Race XXX Lite Carbon Bike Stem 318 90mm Mountain Bike MTB Race $91.00 (28 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 4h 30m |
 Dean Titanium 1 Bike Stem 130mm 254 5 Mountain Bike MTB Commuter Ride Gra $31.00 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 4h 52m |
 Cannondale Lefty XC3 SI MTB Stem Steer 318 120mm 5 Mountain Bike Bicycle $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 4h 55m |
 Cannondale C3 Stem 90mm 318 Clamp Road Oversize Mountain Cyclocross Bike MTB $7.50 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 5h 19m |
 Hylix Carbon stem Road Mountain bike 318mm 1 1 8 145g $47.00 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 27m Buy It Now for only: $47.00 |
 New 2012 FSA OS 99 CSI Carbon 110mm 318 Titanium Road Mountain Cyclocross OS99 $129.99 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 56m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 New Easton EA90 Black Stem 10 degree Rise or Fall 110mm Road Mountain Bike $59.99 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 56m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
 MOUNTAIN BIKE MTB TITANIUM Ti HANDLEBAR BAR STEM BOLT $0.99 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 16m Buy It Now for only: $0.99 |
 NEW NEXT THREADED MOUNTAIN BIKE STEM BICYCLE PARTS 156 $12.99 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 27m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 |
 Profile Design Boa Quill Mountain Stem 75mm 130degree Silver 1 1 8 254 $23.40 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 55m Buy It Now for only: $23.40 |
 Specialized 100mm Alloy Stem Road Mountain Pro Set shim included $9.00 Time Remaining: 1d 20h 25m |
 RMB XC FreeRide110mm Mountain Road Bike Stem 318mm +6 Degree 1 1 8 NEW $17.99 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 4m Buy It Now for only: $17.99 |
 BLACK MOUNTAIN BIKE STEM BICYCLE PARTS 472 $9.99 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 30m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 Hylix Carbon stem Road Mountain bike 318mm 1 1 8 145g MTB Cyclocross $16.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 8h 26m |
 Dimension Threadless Mountain Stem 75mm 125 Degree Black 1 1 8 254 $28.70 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 2m Buy It Now for only: $28.70 |
 Dimension Threadless Mountain Stem 120mm 107 Degree Black 1 1 8 254 $28.70 Time Remaining: 2d 21h 37m Buy It Now for only: $28.70 |
 FSA Os 115 Mtb Threadless Mountain Bike Stem 318x6x120mm $69.95 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 3m Buy It Now for only: $69.95 |
 THOMSON ELITE X2 STEM 120MM + 17 318 CYCLING ROAD MOUNTAIN CROSS $1.80 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 3h 38m |
 2010 Easton EA 50 Road Bike Mountain Stem 120 6 Dg 318 $14.99 Time Remaining: 3d 20h 2m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 Ritchey Pro Stem 30d 90mm 1 1 8 Alloy BB Black Road + MTB Mountain 30 Degree $53.95 Time Remaining: 4d 1h 21m Buy It Now for only: $53.95 |
 Easton EA 50 road or mountain stem 100mm x 5 degree 318 clamp $10.00 Time Remaining: 4d 7h 9m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 ITM Stem 130 mm 254 bars road fixie fixed fix ss bmx mountain 1 clamp cycling $16.00 Time Remaining: 4d 9h 52m Buy It Now for only: $16.00 |
 FSA Stem 120 mm 318 bars OS190 road fixie fixed ss bmx mountain 1 1 8 clamp $23.00 Time Remaining: 4d 10h 26m Buy It Now for only: $23.00 |
 Tange Stem Chrome 120 mm 318 bars road Mountain fixie fixed ss bmx 1 1 8 clamp $14.50 Time Remaining: 4d 11h 10m Buy It Now for only: $14.50 |
 Profile Design Stem 120 mm 254 bars road fixie mountain 1 1 8 steerer clamp $12.50 Time Remaining: 4d 11h 14m Buy It Now for only: $12.50 |
 New Easton EA90 Black Stem 10 degree Rise or Fall 90mm Road Mountain Bike $59.99 Time Remaining: 4d 19h 45m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
 NEW MONGOOSE THREADLESS MOUNTAIN STEM BICYCLE PARTS 50 $12.95 Time Remaining: 4d 21h 20m Buy It Now for only: $12.95 |
 Thomson X4 318mm 130mm 90 D Silver Mountain Bike Stem $89.99 Time Remaining: 4d 22h 26m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 Ritchey Pro Adjustable Stem 120mm Road Mountain Bike Aluminum Cyclocross $19.99 Time Remaining: 5d 4h 42m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 Neco Headset Top Cap key expander Star Nut 42g Bicycle for MountainRoad Bike $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 5d 4h 59m |
 Seven Titanium Road Bike Stem 1 1 8 120mm Mountain 260 Clamp $98.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 5h 15m |
 Specialized Comp Set Road Bike Stem 105mm Adjustable Mountain CX 318 $34.99 Time Remaining: 5d 5h 41m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 Hylix Carbon stem Road Mountain bike 318mm 1 1 8 145g Bicycle $6.50 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 7h 37m |
 FSA OS 115 CARBON ROAD MOUNTAIN BIKE STEM 120MM $62.50 Time Remaining: 5d 20h 28m Buy It Now for only: $62.50 |
 FSA OS 115 CARBON ROAD MOUNTAIN BIKE STEM 120MM $62.50 Time Remaining: 5d 20h 29m Buy It Now for only: $62.50 |
 FSA OS 115 CARBON ROAD MOUNTAIN BIKE STEM 130MM $62.50 Time Remaining: 5d 20h 29m Buy It Now for only: $62.50 |
 New 2012 FSA OS 99 CSI Carbon 90mm 318 Titanium Road Mountain Cyclocross OS99 $129.99 Time Remaining: 5d 23h 54m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 CANNONDALE ROAD MOUNTAIN BIKE STEM 120MM ALLOY BLACK $9.99 Time Remaining: 6d 30m |
 FSA Mountain Road Bike Stem 318mm 90mm 6 Rise $0.99 Time Remaining: 6d 3h 25m |
 Profile Design Boa Threadless Mountain Bike Stems BOA 1 1 8 254mm 90mm 40 D $15.00 Time Remaining: 6d 4h 20m |
 NEW FSA Gossamer Stem 110mm 318 Clamp Road Oversize Mountain Bike MTB $9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 6d 5h 11m |
 Ritchey PRO Stem 110mm 318 Clamp Road Oversize Mountain Bike MTB $9.99 Time Remaining: 6d 5h 12m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 Cannondale C4 Stem 120mm 318 Clamp Road Oversize Mountain Bike MTB $0.99 Time Remaining: 6d 5h 55m |
 ATB MTB MOUNTAINHYBRID BIKE BICYCLE QUILL STEM 140 $12.87 Time Remaining: 6d 16h 59m Buy It Now for only: $12.87 |
 ALL CARBON STEM CAP 77g Road Mountain Bicycle Headset $14.50 Time Remaining: 6d 19h 15m Buy It Now for only: $14.50 |
 BONTRAGER RACE LITE ROAD MOUNTAIN BIKE ALLOY STEM 120MM 254 1 1 8 $35.00 Time Remaining: 6d 20h 59m |
 1 TO 1 1 8 THREADLESS STEM SHIM ADAPTER ROAD MOUNTAIN BIKE BICYCLE c $6.95 Time Remaining: 7d 4h 54m Buy It Now for only: $6.95 |
 Canondale Mountain bike OEM 110mm stem $9.95 Time Remaining: 7d 5h 2m Buy It Now for only: $9.95 |
 PROFILE DESIGN 1 THREADLESS ROAD MOUNTAIN BIKE STEM 130mm 130 mm $14.95 Time Remaining: 7d 9h 10m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 1 1 8 120mm THREADLESS ROAD MOUNTAIN BIKE SLIGHT RISE COMFORT STEM BLACK $9.95 Time Remaining: 7d 20h 4m Buy It Now for only: $9.95 |
 Neco Headset Top Cap key expander Star Nut 42g Bicycle for MountainRoad Bike $10.95 Time Remaining: 7d 21h 7m Buy It Now for only: $10.95 |
 Carbon Headset Stem Spacer MTB Mountain Road Bike 5mm $3.09 Time Remaining: 7d 22h 41m Buy It Now for only: $3.09 |
 TruVativ AKA All Mountain Stem 100mm 5deg 318 1 1 8 White $41.91 Time Remaining: 9d 5h 25m Buy It Now for only: $41.91 |
 2012 Full Carbon Road Bike Mountain Bike MTB 1 1 8 Stem 318mm x 100mm 120g $30.00 Time Remaining: 9d 7h 37m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
 2012 Full Carbon Road Bike Mountain Bike MTB 1 1 8 Stem 318mm x 110mm $30.00 Time Remaining: 9d 7h 37m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
 2012 Full Carbon Road Bike Mountain Bike MTB 1 1 8 Stem 318mm x 110mm 125g $30.00 Time Remaining: 9d 7h 37m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
 2012 Full Carbon Road Bike Mountain Bike MTB 1 1 8 Stem 318mm x 110mm 150g $29.00 Time Remaining: 9d 7h 37m Buy It Now for only: $29.00 |
 2012 Full Carbon Road Bike Mountain Bike MTB 1 1 8 Stem 318mm x 120mm 130g $30.00 Time Remaining: 9d 7h 37m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
 2012 Full Carbon Road Bike Mountain Bike MTB 1 1 8 Stem 318mm x 90mm 115g $30.00 Time Remaining: 9d 7h 37m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
 2012 Full Carbon Road Bike Mountain Bike MTB 1 1 8 Stem 318mm x 90mm 130g $29.00 Time Remaining: 9d 7h 37m Buy It Now for only: $29.00 |
 2010 Easton Havoc DH Mountain Bike Stem Black 318mm 80mm 10 degree $29.99 Time Remaining: 9d 19h 7m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 TruVativ AKA All Mountain Stem 70mm 95deg 318 1 1 8 White $42.31 Time Remaining: 10d 1h 21m Buy It Now for only: $42.31 |
 Thomson X4 318mm 90mm 100 D Black Mountain Bike Stem $89.99 Time Remaining: 10d 3h 36m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 Thomson X4 318mm 70mm 90 D Black Mountain Bike Stem $89.99 Time Remaining: 10d 3h 36m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 FSA SLK OS 115 ROAD MOUNTAIN STEM 100MM 318 CARBON 96 84 DEGREE 1 1 8 BLACK RED $89.99 Time Remaining: 10d 18h 58m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |