Head Stems

xbgs351

Welded aluminium head stems have been failing at an alarming rate. Upon
inspection, my old head stem had a 15mm crack in the weld. I have since
come across numerous cracked head stems and know of a number of serious
accidents that have occured when the head stems have broken. One cylist
was knocked unconsious and another has been left with large scars on all
of his limbs.

Everybody with a welded aluminium head stem should replace it as soon as
possible. With the current trend of powder coated head stems it is very
difficult to inspect the welds for cracking. The cracks occur on the
rear weld in the corner and radiate up the weld.

If you are buying a new bike make sure that it has a forged headstem and
not a welded headstem.

When you see somebody who has a bike with a welded head stem, tell them
that they can expect the headstem to experience catastrophic failure.



--

Marty Wallace

"xbgs351" <usenet-forum@cyclingforums.com> wrote in message
news:1rAyc.8703$mO.2428@fe28.usenetserver.com...
> Welded aluminium head stems have been failing at an alarming rate. Upon
> inspection, my old head stem had a 15mm crack in the weld. I have since
> come across numerous cracked head stems and know of a number of serious
> accidents that have occured when the head stems have broken. One cylist
> was knocked unconsious and another has been left with large scars on all
> of his limbs.
>
> Everybody with a welded aluminium head stem should replace it as soon as
> possible. With the current trend of powder coated head stems it is very
> difficult to inspect the welds for cracking. The cracks occur on the
> rear weld in the corner and radiate up the weld.
>
> If you are buying a new bike make sure that it has a forged headstem and
> not a welded headstem.
>
> When you see somebody who has a bike with a welded head stem, tell them
> that they can expect the headstem to experience catastrophic failure.
>

Can you give us some evidence to support your claim?

Marty

GPLama

Just replaced mine this week on the Giant OCR-1 2003.. the default was an
adjustable quill style creaky POS.. In my quest to make the bike a better
fit, I've installed a 90mm stem with a quill to ahead converter.. not the
ideal solution, but the setup is now better fitting and lighter..

From what I saw in my research, those welded stems were ass ugly so I stayed
away..

cheers,
gpl



"xbgs351" <usenet-forum@cyclingforums.com> wrote in message
news:1rAyc.8703$mO.2428@fe28.usenetserver.com...
> Welded aluminium head stems have been failing at an alarming rate. Upon
> inspection, my old head stem had a 15mm crack in the weld. I have since
> come across numerous cracked head stems and know of a number of serious
> accidents that have occured when the head stems have broken. One cylist
> was knocked unconsious and another has been left with large scars on all
> of his limbs.
>
> Everybody with a welded aluminium head stem should replace it as soon as
> possible. With the current trend of powder coated head stems it is very
> difficult to inspect the welds for cracking. The cracks occur on the
> rear weld in the corner and radiate up the weld.
>
> If you are buying a new bike make sure that it has a forged headstem and
> not a welded headstem.
>
> When you see somebody who has a bike with a welded head stem, tell them
> that they can expect the headstem to experience catastrophic failure.
>
>
>
> --
>
>

xbgs351

Marty Wallace wrote:
> "xbgs351" <usenet-forum@cyclingforums.com> wrote in message news:1rAyc.-
> 8703$mO.2428@fe28.usenetserver.comnews:1rAyc.8703$mO.2428@fe28.usenets e-
> rver.com...
> > Welded aluminium head stems have been failing at an alarming rate.
> > Upon inspection, my old head stem had a 15mm crack in the weld. I have
> > since come across numerous cracked head stems and know of a number of
> > serious accidents that have occured when the head stems have broken.
> > One cylist was knocked unconsious and another has been left with large
> > scars on all of his limbs.
> >
> > Everybody with a welded aluminium head stem should replace it as soon
> > as possible. With the current trend of powder coated head stems it is
> > very difficult to inspect the welds for cracking. The cracks occur on
> > the rear weld in the corner and radiate up the weld.
> >
> > If you are buying a new bike make sure that it has a forged headstem
> > and not a welded headstem.
> >
> > When you see somebody who has a bike with a welded head stem, tell
> > them that they can expect the headstem to experience catastrophic
> > failure.
> >
> Can you give us some evidence to support your claim?
> Marty



If you have a look at every bike that has a welded aluminium head
stem you will soon see that a very high percentage of them have
developed cracks.

I can also name two people who have crashed when the head stems
have failed.



--

Marty Wallace

"xbgs351" <usenet-forum@cyclingforums.com> wrote in message
newsPVyc.28793$Mn.4237@fe08.usenetserver.com...
> Marty Wallace wrote:
> > "xbgs351" <usenet-forum@cyclingforums.com> wrote in message
news:1rAyc.-
> >
8703$mO.2428@fe28.usenetserver.comnews:1rAyc.8703$mO.2428@fe28.usenets e-
> > rver.com...
> > > Welded aluminium head stems have been failing at an alarming rate.
> > > Upon inspection, my old head stem had a 15mm crack in the weld. I
have
> > > since come across numerous cracked head stems and know of a number
of
> > > serious accidents that have occured when the head stems have broken.
> > > One cylist was knocked unconsious and another has been left with
large
> > > scars on all of his limbs.
> > >
> > > Everybody with a welded aluminium head stem should replace it as
soon
> > > as possible. With the current trend of powder coated head stems it
is
> > > very difficult to inspect the welds for cracking. The cracks occur
on
> > > the rear weld in the corner and radiate up the weld.
> > >
> > > If you are buying a new bike make sure that it has a forged headstem
> > > and not a welded headstem.
> > >
> > > When you see somebody who has a bike with a welded head stem, tell
> > > them that they can expect the headstem to experience catastrophic
> > > failure.
> > >
> > Can you give us some evidence to support your claim?
> > Marty
>
>
>
> If you have a look at every bike that has a welded aluminium head
> stem you will soon see that a very high percentage of them have
> developed cracks.
>
> I can also name two people who have crashed when the head stems
> have failed.
>

Oh ok, sounds like pretty good evidence to me. I expect we'll see all welded
head stems taken off the shelves in the next few days.

Marty

Resound

xbgs351 wrote:
> Welded aluminium head stems have been failing at an alarming rate. Upon
> inspection, my old head stem had a 15mm crack in the weld. I have since
> come across numerous cracked head stems and know of a number of serious
> accidents that have occured when the head stems have broken. One cylist
> was knocked unconsious and another has been left with large scars on all
> of his limbs.
> Everybody with a welded aluminium head stem should replace it as soon as
> possible. With the current trend of powder coated head stems it is very
> difficult to inspect the welds for cracking. The cracks occur on the
> rear weld in the corner and radiate up the weld.
> If you are buying a new bike make sure that it has a forged headstem and
> not a welded headstem.
> When you see somebody who has a bike with a welded head stem, tell them
> that they can expect the headstem to experience catastrophic failure.



What's the difference in cost these days to go with a good Ti stem
instead? For a relatively simple piece like a stem I'd expect it to be
quite feasible for a lot of people.



--

NickZX6R

Marty Wallace wrote:
> "xbgs351" <usenet-forum@cyclingforums.com> wrote in message
> newsPVyc.28793$Mn.4237@fe08.usenetserver.com...
>
>>Marty Wallace wrote:
>> > "xbgs351" <usenet-forum@cyclingforums.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1rAyc.-
>
>> >
>
> 8703$mO.2428@fe28.usenetserver.comnews:1rAyc.8703$mO.2428@fe28.usenets e-
>
>> > rver.com...
>> > > Welded aluminium head stems have been failing at an alarming rate.
>> > > Upon inspection, my old head stem had a 15mm crack in the weld. I
>
> have
>
>> > > since come across numerous cracked head stems and know of a number
>
> of
>
>> > > serious accidents that have occured when the head stems have broken.
>> > > One cylist was knocked unconsious and another has been left with
>
> large
>
>> > > scars on all of his limbs.
>> > >
>> > > Everybody with a welded aluminium head stem should replace it as
>
> soon
>
>> > > as possible. With the current trend of powder coated head stems it
>
> is
>
>> > > very difficult to inspect the welds for cracking. The cracks occur
>
> on
>
>> > > the rear weld in the corner and radiate up the weld.
>> > >
>> > > If you are buying a new bike make sure that it has a forged headstem
>> > > and not a welded headstem.
>> > >
>> > > When you see somebody who has a bike with a welded head stem, tell
>> > > them that they can expect the headstem to experience catastrophic
>> > > failure.
>> > >
>> > Can you give us some evidence to support your claim?
>> > Marty
>>
>>
>>
>>If you have a look at every bike that has a welded aluminium head
>>stem you will soon see that a very high percentage of them have
>>developed cracks.
>>
>>I can also name two people who have crashed when the head stems
>>have failed.
>>
>
>
> Oh ok, sounds like pretty good evidence to me. I expect we'll see all welded
> head stems taken off the shelves in the next few days.
>
> Marty
>
>

I guess I shouldn't hold my breath either then Marty?

I've never heard of stems breaking in such a way. Nobody I know has ever
heard of it either. I'd estimate a collective 180,000+ kms of riding in
which nobody I know has had a stem break.

I've mostly had well known brands - 3TTT, ITM & Deda, so maybe it's a
case of you get what you pay for? Although I've never been convinced
that the name stamoed on the side guarantees any particular quality.

I'd be very curious to see some actual evidence too.

Who are these two people? HOw old/used were the stems? What sort of
riding? MTB or road? etc...

--
Nick

xbgs351

Bikes with Tri bars seem to be far more prone to developing cracks.

My head stem cracked when I had tri-bars on. I weighed approx 65kg at
the time. The crack was noticed after approx 20,000 km although it may
have been present for a long time.

Have have heard but can't confirm, of a headstem failing after only
six weeks.



--

byron27

Nickzx6r wrote:
> Marty Wallace wrote:
> > "xbgs351" <usenet-forum@cyclingforums.com> wrote in message newsPVy-
> > c.28793$Mn.4237@fe08.usenetserver.comnewsPVyc.28793$Mn.4237@fe08.us-
> > enetserver.com...
> >
> >>Marty Wallace wrote:
> >> > "xbgs351" <usenet-forum@cyclingforums.com> wrote in message
> >
> > news:1rAyc.-news:1rAyc.-
> >
> >> >
> >
> > e28.usenetserver.comnews:1rAyc.8703$mO.2428@fe28.usenetse-
> >
> >> > rver.com...
> >> > > Welded aluminium head stems have been failing at an alarming
> >> > > rate. Upon inspection, my old head stem had a 15mm crack in the
> >> > > weld. I
> >
> > have
> >
> >> > > since come across numerous cracked head stems and know of a
> >> > > number
> >
> > of
> >
> >> > > serious accidents that have occured when the head stems have
> >> > > broken. One cylist was knocked unconsious and another has been
> >> > > left with
> >
> > large
> >
> >> > > scars on all of his limbs.
> >> > >
> >> > > Everybody with a welded aluminium head stem should replace it as
> >
> > soon
> >
> >> > > as possible. With the current trend of powder coated head stems
> >> > > it
> >
> > is
> >
> >> > > very difficult to inspect the welds for cracking. The cracks
> >> > > occur
> >
> > on
> >
> >> > > the rear weld in the corner and radiate up the weld.
> >> > >
> >> > > If you are buying a new bike make sure that it has a forged
> >> > > headstem and not a welded headstem.
> >> > >
> >> > > When you see somebody who has a bike with a welded head stem,
> >> > > tell them that they can expect the headstem to experience
> >> > > catastrophic failure.
> >> > >
> >> > Can you give us some evidence to support your claim? Marty
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>If you have a look at every bike that has a welded aluminium head
> >>stem you will soon see that a very high percentage of them have
> >>developed cracks.
> >>
> >>I can also name two people who have crashed when the head stems
> >>have failed.
> >>
> >
> >
> > Oh ok, sounds like pretty good evidence to me. I expect we'll see all
> > welded head stems taken off the shelves in the next few days.
> >
> > Marty
> >
> >
> I guess I shouldn't hold my breath either then Marty?
> I've never heard of stems breaking in such a way. Nobody I know has ever
> heard of it either. I'd estimate a collective 180,000+ kms of riding in
> which nobody I know has had a stem break.
> I've mostly had well known brands - 3TTT, ITM & Deda, so maybe it's a
> case of you get what you pay for? Although I've never been convinced
> that the name stamoed on the side guarantees any particular quality.
> I'd be very curious to see some actual evidence too.
> Who are these two people? HOw old/used were the stems? What sort of
> riding? MTB or road? etc...
> --
> Nick



mmmmmm....there has been no evidence provided but i was shaking my head
in agreement all through the initial email. Only because the same
has happened to me twice. Of course, this is no reason to NOT buy
those stems and everyone has had their personal experience with
these stems and then, an opinion. Unless there is a widescale
recall on a certain type of stem or product, it makes it
difficult to state "do not buy those stems". Anyhow, for the
record: Both stems were ITM, though i have since bought a forged
ITM stem and have had no problems for 2 years. I weigh about 85kg
and used them on my courier bike, avanti corsa, , so lots of curb
popping and track stands, etc. I would only buy a forged stem
from now on and would recommend that to anyone over 80kgs.



--

NickZX6R

byron27 wrote:
> Nickzx6r wrote:
> > Marty Wallace wrote:
> > > "xbgs351" <usenet-forum@cyclingforums.com> wrote in message newsPVy-
> > > c.28793$Mn.4237@fe08.usenetserver.comnewsPVyc.28793$Mn.4237@fe08.us-
> > > enetserver.com...
> > >
> > >>Marty Wallace wrote:
> > >> > "xbgs351" <usenet-forum@cyclingforums.com> wrote in message
> > >
> > > news:1rAyc.-news:1rAyc.-
> > >
> > >> >
> > >
> > > e28.usenetserver.comnews:1rAyc.8703$mO.2428@fe28.usenetse-
> > >
> > >> > rver.com...
> > >> > > Welded aluminium head stems have been failing at an alarming
> > >> > > rate. Upon inspection, my old head stem had a 15mm crack in the
> > >> > > weld. I
> > >
> > > have
> > >
> > >> > > since come across numerous cracked head stems and know of a
> > >> > > number
> > >
> > > of
> > >
> > >> > > serious accidents that have occured when the head stems have
> > >> > > broken. One cylist was knocked unconsious and another has been
> > >> > > left with
> > >
> > > large
> > >
> > >> > > scars on all of his limbs.
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Everybody with a welded aluminium head stem should replace it as
> > >
> > > soon
> > >
> > >> > > as possible. With the current trend of powder coated head stems
> > >> > > it
> > >
> > > is
> > >
> > >> > > very difficult to inspect the welds for cracking. The cracks
> > >> > > occur
> > >
> > > on
> > >
> > >> > > the rear weld in the corner and radiate up the weld.
> > >> > >
> > >> > > If you are buying a new bike make sure that it has a forged
> > >> > > headstem and not a welded headstem.
> > >> > >
> > >> > > When you see somebody who has a bike with a welded head stem,
> > >> > > tell them that they can expect the headstem to experience
> > >> > > catastrophic failure.
> > >> > >
> > >> > Can you give us some evidence to support your claim? Marty
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>If you have a look at every bike that has a welded aluminium head
> > >>stem you will soon see that a very high percentage of them have
> > >>developed cracks.
> > >>
> > >>I can also name two people who have crashed when the head stems
> > >>have failed.
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> > > Oh ok, sounds like pretty good evidence to me. I expect we'll see all
> > > welded head stems taken off the shelves in the next few days.
> > >
> > > Marty
> > >
> > >
> > I guess I shouldn't hold my breath either then Marty?
> > I've never heard of stems breaking in such a way. Nobody I know has ever
> > heard of it either. I'd estimate a collective 180,000+ kms of riding in
> > which nobody I know has had a stem break.
> > I've mostly had well known brands - 3TTT, ITM & Deda, so maybe it's a
> > case of you get what you pay for? Although I've never been convinced
> > that the name stamoed on the side guarantees any particular quality.
> > I'd be very curious to see some actual evidence too.
> > Who are these two people? HOw old/used were the stems? What sort of
> > riding? MTB or road? etc...
> > --
> > Nick
>
>
>
> mmmmmm....there has been no evidence provided but i was shaking my head
> in agreement all through the initial email. Only because the same
> has happened to me twice. Of course, this is no reason to NOT buy
> those stems and everyone has had their personal experience with
> these stems and then, an opinion. Unless there is a widescale
> recall on a certain type of stem or product, it makes it
> difficult to state "do not buy those stems". Anyhow, for the
> record: Both stems were ITM, though i have since bought a forged
> ITM stem and have had no problems for 2 years. I weigh about 85kg
> and used them on my courier bike, avanti corsa, , so lots of curb
> popping and track stands, etc. I would only buy a forged stem
> from now on and would recommend that to anyone over 80kgs.
>
>
>
> --
>
>

That's interesting.

Maybe a contributing factor is the drive towards lighter parts at the
same time that a lot of people don't use their bikes much - I mean that
manufacturers probably don't expect most people to ride many thousands
of kms on one bike?

Anyone else got some direct experience to offer here?

--
Nick