From some quick reading it seems fine to use an aluminum stem with carbon handlebars. It doesn’t appear it will harm the carbon fiber.
Does anybody have any advice/opinions/suggestions on using an aluminum stem?
Disadvantages? Any advantages?
Yes, it’s fine. Use some carbon assembly paste and a torque wrench when installing…just as if the stem was cf.
Just for ref.; many carbon stems have Al clamping inserts, and most Al stems clamp to a carbon steerer on the back side.
Al stems are a lot less expensive, and only marginally heavier.
Advantage less expensive
Disadvantage less bling
You are unlikely to get such a aero shape with a aluminium stem on the other hand if it’s going on your TT/tri bike does it really matter?
I have never used carbon paste on a handlebar and I have never used a torque wrench on a bike.
I have never used carbon paste on a handlebar and I have never used a torque wrench on a bike.
No paste here, either, and never any slippage issues. I always a torque wrench, though.
From some quick reading it seems fine to use an aluminum stem with carbon handlebars. It doesn’t appear it will harm the carbon fiber.
Does anybody have any advice/opinions/suggestions on using an aluminum stem?
Disadvantages? Any advantages?No problem but use carbon assembly paste, it separates the two materials and eliminates galvanic corrosion (which could fuse the materials together).
I personally don’t like sleeker lighter carbon stems as I find the front end of my road bike not stiff enough so depending on what you like an aluminium stem may even be better for handling.
Generally, carbon stems are not lighter than high quality aluminum stems.
I meant lighter as in the lighter carbon specific models they give way too much flex for me. I use a beefed up carbon model.
From some quick reading it seems fine to use an aluminum stem with carbon handlebars. It doesn’t appear it will harm the carbon fiber.
Does anybody have any advice/opinions/suggestions on using an aluminum stem?
Disadvantages? Any advantages?No problem but use carbon assembly paste, it separates the two materials and eliminates galvanic corrosion (which could fuse the materials together).
As well as it allows you to use lower torque on the clamp bolts, reducing the chance of cracking the bar…
I have never used carbon paste on a handlebar and I have never used a torque wrench on a bike.
I’m with Jim on this. If it’s sensitive to torque it shouldn’t be on a bike.
Generally, carbon stems are not lighter than high quality aluminum stems.
I have a question about this.
I have the canta ergo handlebar and profile design aero clip ons.
I figured I’d just get profile designs aero stem as well and call it a day.
I was telling an employee at the bike store that I get fitted in this and he was very adamant about not getting it because it looked bulky and is heavy.
It’s definitely on the heavier side but what exactly is that going to mean for my ride quality?
I’m not breaking any world records here but I also don’t want anything that’s going to hinder me.
It means nothing for your ride quality.
How much does it weigh?
It means nothing for your ride quality.
How much does it weigh?
I’m a little confused to be honest. On profile design website it says 436 grams which seems absurdly heavy for a stem. On backcountry.com though they have it listed at 165 grams which would make much more sense.
I’m looking at the BMC aero stem made of aluminum and thats 165 grams.
What would a heavier stem mean for somebody though? Just extra weight to the bike?
I have never used carbon paste on a handlebar and I have never used a torque wrench on a bike.
I’m with Jim on this. If it’s sensitive to torque it shouldn’t be on a bike.So you ride a bike without a stem or seatpost?
It means nothing for your ride quality.
How much does it weigh?
I’m a little confused to be honest. On profile design website it says 436 grams which seems absurdly heavy for a stem. On backcountry.com though they have it listed at 165 grams which would make much more sense.
I’m looking at the BMC aero stem made of aluminum and thats 165 grams.
What would a heavier stem mean for somebody though? Just extra weight to the bike?
The Profile site is accurate. The Aria Ultimate is a total pig (almost a pound). They wanted a negative rise stem that would fit lots of bikes, and had a place for a junction box. The result was big slug of forged Aluminum.
As far as it’s impact (vs a typical stem); it’s the difference between having a full water bottle BTA, and a 1/2 full one.
I choose well-designed components and tighten them enough that they don’t slip
.
A stem that weighs over 400 grams is ridiculous.
A high quality aluminum stem should weigh around 130 to 150 grams. You should also be able to buy it for less than $60.
I hope you dont ride any carbon bikes then. Anything threaded on a carbon frame is sensitive to torque.
I had no idea that carbon is sensitive to torque.