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#1
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4mm screws that take 5mm Allen key? (thinly-disguised rant...)
I'm setting up my new semi-custom FS. LBS said that Thompson's super-duper
stem was the only one that fit the size/angle spec, so I said "OK". I'm putting this thing together and grab my trusty 5mm allen key that fits all the brake screws, the saddle adjustment screws, the seatpost clamp screws....even the cap screw on the steering tube.... and probably a few more things that don't come to mind right now... Oops...some genius has used 4mm screws on the Thompson stem's clamp. Understood that there's some sort of engineering manual somewhere that says for such-and-so a load, 4mm is sufficient. But geeze!....knowing that 5mm fits just about everything else - including a subassembly on the very part in question....and 5mm would definately carry the load...what kind of mentality would use 4mm? They do the same thing on their seatposts. The *world* uses 5mm, but do they? Nooooo, it's gotta be 4mm. What is it with these guys? Some kind of engineer thing? That's the rant part... The question (I think I already know what the answer is going to be...but what the heck?): is there any such thing as 4mm bolts that take a 5mm key so I can get back on the Good-Right-And-Holy path of as few tools needed as possible for adjustments in the field? -- PeteCresswell |
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#2
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4mm screws that take 5mm Allen key? (thinly-disguised rant...)
Oops...some genius has used 4mm screws on the Thompson stem's clamp.
Understood that there's some sort of engineering manual somewhere that says for such-and-so a load, 4mm is sufficient. But geeze!....knowing that 5mm fits just about everything else - including a subassembly on the very part in question....and 5mm would definately carry the load...what kind of mentality would use 4mm? They do the same thing on their seatposts. The *world* uses 5mm, but do they? Nooooo, it's gotta be 4mm. What is it with these guys? Some kind of engineer thing? That's the rant part... The question (I think I already know what the answer is going to be...but what the heck?): is there any such thing as 4mm bolts that take a 5mm key so I can get back on the Good-Right-And-Holy path of as few tools needed as possible for adjustments in the field? The only explanation I can come up with is that since there are 4 bolts holding the face plate to that stem, they decided to go with a smaller bolt to save weight. You see the 2-bolt stems all have big thick bolts because they have to bear twice the load. I have Thomson stems on two of my bikes, and I have to say... I'm not that impressed. They aren't that light and they aren't that easy to adjust (4 bolt face plates are a pain to torque properly without binding!). I don't like the eccentric steerer clamp, as it, too, is more difficult to adjust. They *do* say "Thomson" on them, but I see myself going back to a lighter weight 2-bolt stem on my next bike. As far as your question, I would hazard a guess that: NO, they don't make 4mm bolts that have a 5mm head. Even if they do, it seems unlikely the head would fit into the bored holes in the face plate. John M ...I like their seat posts though. PS, doesn't your multi tool have both a 4mm and a 5mm in it? |
#3
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4mm screws that take 5mm Allen key? (thinly-disguised rant...)
(Pete Cresswell) wrote:
I'm setting up my new semi-custom FS. LBS said that Thompson's super-duper stem was the only one that fit the size/angle spec, so I said "OK". I'm putting this thing together and grab my trusty 5mm allen key that fits all the brake screws, the saddle adjustment screws, the seatpost clamp screws....even the cap screw on the steering tube.... and probably a few more things that don't come to mind right now... Oops...some genius has used 4mm screws on the Thompson stem's clamp. Understood that there's some sort of engineering manual somewhere that says for such-and-so a load, 4mm is sufficient. But geeze!....knowing that 5mm fits just about everything else - including a subassembly on the very part in question....and 5mm would definately carry the load...what kind of mentality would use 4mm? They do the same thing on their seatposts. The *world* uses 5mm, but do they? Nooooo, it's gotta be 4mm. What is it with these guys? Some kind of engineer thing? That's the rant part... The question (I think I already know what the answer is going to be...but what the heck?): is there any such thing as 4mm bolts that take a 5mm key so I can get back on the Good-Right-And-Holy path of as few tools needed as possible for adjustments in the field? Suck it up and carry a 4-mm; most multi-tools have one, anyway. Bill "new FSA carbon seatpost (roadie) also uses 4s" S. |
#4
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4mm screws that take 5mm Allen key? (thinly-disguised rant...)
"(Pete Cresswell)" wrote in message ... I'm setting up my new semi-custom FS. LBS said that Thompson's super-duper stem was the only one that fit the size/angle spec, so I said "OK". Should've bought a real Thomson stem. They still use 4mm hex bolts but they're made a hell of a lot better than those cheap Thompson knockoffs!!! ;^p'''' But seriously, suck it up like Sorni said and carry a 4mm. Also make sure the steerer and the inside of the stem are completely clean and free from any grease contamination. Then grease the threads on the bolts in the clamp and put a little grease under the head. Those little suckers bind over time if put in dry and you'll have to drill 'em out to get the stem off. Take turns tighening each one until the torque needed is reached. The reverse is true when removing if a bolt gets tight go back and snug the opposite one a bit to free it. Enjoy the stem, they really are the best. Mike |
#5
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4mm screws that take 5mm Allen key? (thinly-disguised rant...)
Pete Cresswell says:
is there any such thing as 4mm bolts that take a 5mm key No, but if you grind/file the other end of your 5mm key down to 4mm, you'll be all set (and it will be lighter, too...) Steve ;-) |
#6
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4mm screws that take 5mm Allen key? (thinly-disguised rant...)
"(Pete Cresswell)" wrote in message ... The question (I think I already know what the answer is going to be...but what the heck?): is there any such thing as 4mm bolts that take a 5mm key so I can get back on the Good-Right-And-Holy path of as few tools needed as possible for adjustments in the field? -- PeteCresswell Yeah.....those 4mm Allen keys sure are heavy... :-p |
#7
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4mm screws that take 5mm Allen key? (thinly-disguised rant...)
RE/
But seriously, suck it up like Sorni said and carry a 4mm. Also make sure the steerer and the inside of the stem are completely clean and free from any grease contamination. Then grease the threads on the bolts in the clamp and put a little grease under the head. Those little suckers bind over time if put in dry and you'll have to drill 'em out to get the stem off. Take turns tighening each one until the torque needed is reached. The reverse is true when removing if a bolt gets tight go back and snug the opposite one a bit to free it. Enjoy the stem, they really are the best. I carry all that stuff in the form of a Crand Bro's multi-tool...it was more the principle of the thing...like the cars where they place the oil filter so you have go be a controtionist to change it...or the oil fill thingie where you have to hold the oil can out at arm's lengh to fill it... OTOH, this stem gives new meaning to the word "solid".... How come there shouldn't be grease on the steerer tube? -- PeteCresswell |
#8
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4mm screws that take 5mm Allen key? (thinly-disguised rant...)
RE/
Yeah.....those 4mm Allen keys sure are heavy... But if you're in the field, there's a diff between having to fiddle with two tools and just one. Maybe not a huge diff, but it's still two things to retrieve from the saddle pack, two things to replace, and two things to avoid dropping in the grass while fooling around with the stem and simultaneously holding both tools, the cap screw, and the spacers in one hand. I was more questioning the mentality of a designer that ignores all that than complaining about an extra allen key - which I have anyhow. Too much coffee again, I guess. -- PeteCresswell |
#9
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4mm screws that take 5mm Allen key? (thinly-disguised rant...)
"(Pete Cresswell)" wrote in message ... RE/ But seriously, suck it up like Sorni said and carry a 4mm. Also make sure the steerer and the inside of the stem are completely clean and free from any grease contamination. Then grease the threads on the bolts in the clamp and put a little grease under the head. Those little suckers bind over time if put in dry and you'll have to drill 'em out to get the stem off. Take turns tighening each one until the torque needed is reached. The reverse is true when removing if a bolt gets tight go back and snug the opposite one a bit to free it. Enjoy the stem, they really are the best. I carry all that stuff in the form of a Crand Bro's multi-tool...it was more the principle of the thing...like the cars where they place the oil filter so you have go be a controtionist to change it...or the oil fill thingie where you have to hold the oil can out at arm's lengh to fill it... I know, but if you look at the clamp pieces there isn't much room for bigger bolts. I guess they decided on giving you more material for strength rather than bigger bolts for convienence. OTOH, this stem gives new meaning to the word "solid".... How come there shouldn't be grease on the steerer tube? I had trouble with mine slipping after installing my new fork. Apparently I got some grease on it when I passed it through the headset. I cleaned it off and no more slipping. That,and it says to do so in Step 4. http://www.lhthomson.com/docs/stem_instr.pdf . ;^) The clamp relies more on friction than constricting force to hold the steerer. Mike |
#10
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4mm screws that take 5mm Allen key? (thinly-disguised rant...)
"(Pete Cresswell)" wrote in message ... I was more questioning the mentality of a designer that ignores all that than complaining about an extra allen key - which I have anyhow. -- PeteCresswell I know, I know.... I was just being sarcastic. Sarcasm....the lowest form of humour. You're spot on about having to be a contortionist to remove oil filters. Especially on Japanese cars. Maybe it's the Japs revenge for Hiroshima? :-) |
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