Cinelli Bars in 3TTT stem?

Just wondered if anyone rides a similar set-up or has any insight as to what risks I am taking.

I've had the 3TTT stem for ages - its a lovely stem with the original bolt cap etc. - not entirely sure of the model but its almost identical to the old Cinelli 1A - except for the obvious clamp size, I've been using various bars over the last few years, mainly 26mm fitting road bars. However, I recently acquired a set of Cinelli Criteriums - they were quite badly scratched around the centre ferrule so I worked the scratches out some emery paper. I measured them with a digital caliper gauge before the 'polishing out' and the centre measured 26.2mm - from what I can gather this is isn't abnormal. Obviously the polishing has taken that down a little bit - so I tried to fit them in the 3TTT stem and it was just too tight (top-bottom only, the fore-aft size is fine) - thinking that there is plenty of material in the bottom part of the clamp I went to work with the emery paper. I now have the bars fitted in the stem - and I am riding with them. I am a little nervous however - I ride 53x16 and whenever I'm forced to get up and sprint (short hills etc.) I am concious that there must be some serious dynamic loads going through the bars especially with hands on the drops - I really don't fancy catastrophic failure at the point of putting maximum effort in!

So - anyone done the same or similar or have any knowledge /insight they could share with me?

If you have managed to actually get them in place, which is an impressive work of either sanding or brute force, then there are unlikely to be any problems (except when you try to get them out again). As you say, there is plenty of meat around the clamp area of a quill stem, my only concern is how regular the shape is you have made - part of the fit of the bars relies on even contact between bar and stem clamp, if you have left a 'hot spot' i.e. bump or uneven contact, that could put pressure on a much smaller area of the bar leading to stress. That said if you're not built like sprinter Thor Watsisname then you should be OK, the center part of Cinelli bars is sleeved anyway.

If you have managed to actually get them in place, which is an impressive work of either sanding or brute force, then there are unlikely to be any problems (except when you try to get them out again). As you say, there is plenty of meat around the clamp area of a quill stem, my only concern is how regular the shape is you have made - part of the fit of the bars relies on even contact between bar and stem clamp, if you have left a 'hot spot' i.e. bump or uneven contact, that could put pressure on a much smaller area of the bar leading to stress.

I wrapped a sheet of 600 grit around a 26mm straight bar and slid it in and out of the clamp so as to keep as round a shape as possible - in retrospect I may have look a bit odd if glimpsed from behind.

That said if you're not built like sprinter Thor Watsisname then you should be OK, the center part of Cinelli bars is sleeved anyway.

More Rasmussen than Horsveldt (sp?).

Cheers.

Ha! Sounds like it should easily be chicken-proof ;-)
Good luck!