MCFK vs Extralite (again!) for "flat top" bars - and deformed bars on clamp area?
Posted: Sun May 20, 2018 10:43 pm
Hiya,
about to get a stem for my new bike, and I need a little advice...
Bars are AX Lightness 4200 Ergo. They are slightly flattened on the tops - and I am not sure if this could turn out into a mounting issue. Since I will be ordering either stem from abroad, it would be easiest not to have to return it...
I currently have the AXs mounted on an S Works 110 mm stem, it has however got me slightly puzzled, as when I tighten down the faceplate bolts (no more than 3.7 Nm), the bars seem to deform at the center? I cannot feel it, but when I tried to install my K-edge garmin mount (which doesn't fit anyway due to spacing, btw), the clamp would fit with the mount pointing to the "sky", but would not close with the mount facing forward... I backed off the bolts a bit and that helped a little... so... um? Or could it be deformation from the factory? The clamp part on the bars (I changed stems) has no visible markings, cracks etc... Of course, I could try the K edge without any stem, but I haven't got that far yet
Since the S works stem clamps as above, I am worried that due to the design of the Extralite, it could not be better, only perhaps worse (split leftside and rightside clamp, Specialized has a single "large" clamp)...
On the other hand with the MCFK, I am worried if it will fit... and if it does, I do have a few flat top bars I like, and it would be limiting from that perspective...
So, all in all:
1) Is the Extralite gentle enough on carbon bars and does it hold them firmly enough as to not slip? If so, we have a winner...
2) If not... and if the MCFK does not fit... where do I turn? Help!
Thank you.
about to get a stem for my new bike, and I need a little advice...
Bars are AX Lightness 4200 Ergo. They are slightly flattened on the tops - and I am not sure if this could turn out into a mounting issue. Since I will be ordering either stem from abroad, it would be easiest not to have to return it...
I currently have the AXs mounted on an S Works 110 mm stem, it has however got me slightly puzzled, as when I tighten down the faceplate bolts (no more than 3.7 Nm), the bars seem to deform at the center? I cannot feel it, but when I tried to install my K-edge garmin mount (which doesn't fit anyway due to spacing, btw), the clamp would fit with the mount pointing to the "sky", but would not close with the mount facing forward... I backed off the bolts a bit and that helped a little... so... um? Or could it be deformation from the factory? The clamp part on the bars (I changed stems) has no visible markings, cracks etc... Of course, I could try the K edge without any stem, but I haven't got that far yet
Since the S works stem clamps as above, I am worried that due to the design of the Extralite, it could not be better, only perhaps worse (split leftside and rightside clamp, Specialized has a single "large" clamp)...
On the other hand with the MCFK, I am worried if it will fit... and if it does, I do have a few flat top bars I like, and it would be limiting from that perspective...
So, all in all:
1) Is the Extralite gentle enough on carbon bars and does it hold them firmly enough as to not slip? If so, we have a winner...
2) If not... and if the MCFK does not fit... where do I turn? Help!
Thank you.