Hey all,
Recently bought a 2009 Tarmac SL road bike to replace my 2009 Transition Pro. Both bikes seem to use the same concept shim/spacer to be able to adjust the stem angle from +16 to -16. On the tri bike I never had any issues with sizing, but on the road bike I want to use different bars and stem. My question is: can you use different stems (ie Easton) with the Specialized set up, or are you supposed to only use the Specialized branded stems that are designed for the system.
FYI I was hoping to use this Easton stem: http://www.eastonbike.com/PRODUCTS/STEMS/09/stem_road_ec90_'09.html
Thanks!
using different stems is fine.
the spesh adjustable stem is just a snazzy shim system based around a regular 1 1/8" stem
I’ve used many stems without trouble; you will want a spacer beneath the stem though.
Yes, you can switch out stems. The Specialized Pro-set Shims take the stem to a 1 1/8" steerer diameter. Any 1 1/8" stem will work.
Mark
I had this question also. So to be clear.
The specialized (Transition for me) has a 1" steerer. The Specialized shim brings that up to 1 1/8"th. So, you can use any 1 1/8" stem as long as you use the specialized shim.
Can you use a old 1" stem with no spacer?
Thanks
Yes, any 1" threadless stem will work (obviously not a threaded quill stem). If you use a 1 1/8" stem, you’ll need to use a shim as we do with Transition and Specialized stems.
Mark
Thanks for the help.
Let me say what an awesome job they have done with the SL2!!
Martin
Do the pro-set stems that are currently on your website work with the transition? Its not clear if the ID of the shim is for a 1 1/8" steerer or if the shim “shims” a 1" steerer to 1 1/8"… It seems that they would work with a 1 1/8" steerer but not a 1" steerer.
thanks
Needs one specific to 1" or 1 1/8"
.
We make shims that take our Pro-set style 1-1/8" stems to fit 1-1/8" (the ID is bigger when there’s not shim) or 1" (thicker shim) to work with Transition. If you’re going to use a non-Specialized 1-1/8" stem, you’ll need a reducer shim (not made by us) that takes this ID down from 1-1/8" to 1".
I re-read my posts above and I was unclear. Sorry about this.
Mark
Thanks Mark,
Do you sell the pro-set stems made for the transition or just the correct shim (then I can use the std stem)? Should my local spec dealer be able to get either? Neither were on your website for order. And I think that I would need to be overly clear with my local dealer, as they don’t have much/any experience with the transition…
Thanks
Mark
Is it a BIG no no to run these stems w/o the beveled top cap? I have been doing so for a long time and someone made a comment to me recently that it was a big ‘no no’, but couldn’t exactly say why. I bought mine used and it didn’t come with one…should I be searching for a used beveled top cap?