How To Remove And Install A Road Bike Stem

Replacing the stem on your road bike is a fairly simple task, but there are a number of ways you could come unstuck during the process! In this video Ollie shows you how to change the stem on your bike so you can get your desired fit!

Check out the GCN App:

#Cycling #GCN #GCNTech #RoadBike

Did this video help you? Let us know what you'd like to see covered in future maintenance videos in the comments!

If you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍

Watch more on GCN Tech...

Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
ES_You Are All I Need (Instrumental Version) - spring gang
ES_Upgrade (Instrumental Version) - spring gang
ES_Toast - Dylan Sitts
ES_Thought You Knew Me so Much Better (Instrumental Version) - spring gang
ES_Had to Be You (Instrumental Version) - King Sis

Brought to you by the world’s biggest cycling channel, the Global Cycling Network (GCN), GCN Tech is the only channel you need for all things bike tech – past, present and future.

Simply put, we’re obsessed with tech: we seek out and showcase the best in bikes, components, tech, accessories, upgrades and more from races and events, tech shows and product launches across the globe to bring you the best in road bike technology.

We’ve also got great maintenance videos to help you get the most from your bike; pro-bike tours from all the biggest races; special features and the weekly GCN Tech Show. We also take a deeper look into the future of cycling, apps, smart tech and virtual riding.

Join us on the channel and the GCN App to submit your content, vote on the latest tech and keep abreast of exciting new trends.

[gcntech]

Was this video helpful? What maintenance tasks would you like to see us cover in future videos? Let us know 👇

[matteo.ceriotti]

Something to remind to a novice, which might be counterintuitive at first sight, and that the video did not underline, is that the stack of spacers and stem must be such that they come up slightly (couple of mm) above the steerer tube, so that the headset cap pulls on the spacers, not on the tube.

[thomascdurham]

Ollie, the safest place to keep the stem's face plate and bolts is back in the the stem after the handlebars are removed. ;)

[bobvonkaenel]

Great tip on using the trainer as a bike stand while doing this job. Wish I would have thought of that before several previous stem jobs. Thanks Ollie!

[myteacherdavespanish]

Many thanks for this video it was spot on for a 100% newbie to fixing a bike.

Bought a Croix de Fer 30 the other day and was fitting a longer stem extension today - up on the stand, loosened the bolts two seconds later the forks fall out and four or five ringy things (two with ball bearings) got to know my garden floor and surrounding areas.
With a bit of logical reasoning and some trial and (tiny) error I managed to get the operation back on track.

Took the bike for a spin after in lovely Irish almost-summer-rain and all seemed well except that moving the bars was a bit stiff…thanks to this video I now have the final piece of the puzzle in place…too much tightening of the headset bolt.

It may seem like absolute child’s play for some people but when you literally know nothing about something, a clear, basic, step-by-step tutorial is a godsend.


Cheers again,
Dave.

P.s. I even learned new terminology: stem bolt, headset, headset bolt… all much better than simply “nuts” and the “thing off the yoke”.

[reeno]

The blue compound on the bolts of your stem is not an anti seize but a thread lock. You put either anti seize, grease or thread lock on bolts if manufacturer recommends it, otherwise you would change the torque needed for proper tightening the bolts (various compounds changes friction between bolt and thread). Sticking to this rule is especially important for carbon parts (precise torque is very often crucial).

[sumikomei]

Could someone please ask the video production team to stop blasting every intermission with exceedingly loud music in between sections of speaking that are much lower volume than the music? Thank you all in advance.

[ALeagueMan]

Needed to flip the stem on my brand new gravel bike to create some positive rise - too aggressive a geometry for a first drop bar. Got a torque wrench from Amazon for $50 and along with this video, the job (and my first bit of mechanical type work on a bike) was done. Cheers GCN.

[ericj]

Thank you for the tutorial. I think I can do this myself now. Grace and peace!

[AdventuresOfDeez]

Super helpful! I just played it while I worked on my bike and I barley had to pause the video. I’m so happy with my new stem on my E-MTB the reach is soo much better! 😁

[bengt_axle]

Sand the sharp or rough edges inside the stem so that there's no sharp edges that will cut into the carbon steerer. Note that some stems will be attached with a star nut instead or a plug. Star nuts can only be used with metal steerer tubes, and they will pull the stem downwards tightening the headset bearing. Compression plugs on the other hand, will both expand and eliminate headset play. If you overtighten a compression plug you can crack the steerer because the carbon layup cannot offset the radial forces of the plug, especially if the plug is not at the same level of the stem. If the stem does not fit closely or snugly around the carbon steerer without a compression plug expanded or the pinched bolts tightened, something is likely to fail when the plug is tightened. So be careful with a carbon steerer and take it to an expert if you are unsure or don't have a torque wrench.

[BrentonChan]

5:15 Just wondering, how many of those workshop Park Tools has Ollie put in his mouth?

[Australia-kykx]

Excellent mystery solved as to changing a stem. Thanks for posting

[Tormeyno]

Thanks Ollie. Just put a shorter stem and slammed it on my kids bike... He will be thrilled

[jamesbilger]

Top bolt on the stem also has a torque value. That's a much better place to start for how tight to make it as it will get you to the manufacturer recommended preload on the headset bearings.

[janwillemkuilenburg]

You forgot to explain the relative position of the compression plug to the position of the stem. If these are not positioned well aligned, then you might crack your carbon steerer tube while tightening the stem bolts.

[nickhumphrey]

Good video. Could have explained the use of compression plugs or star fang led nut depending on whether you have a metallic or composite bike though. Informative though

[rcom]

Love your videos guys! I was wondering if you could do a £1000 used Road Bike Challenge where you show us the whole process and maybe compare it to a more expensive bike! I understand if you can't but personally would be really cool to see!

[manfredmuench]

Tightening the handlebar face plate should do opposite bolts, not top two and then bottom two

[guidospanoghe]

How to get rid of the chimney?? Is it safe to mount the stem on top without any spacer above, and how many space can there be between the top of the stem and the top of the steerer tube ( without compromising the clamping force of the stem )? 2, 5 or even 10 mm?
How to cut an aluminium and carbon steerertube to the right length the easiest and safest way Ollie?