22.2mm to 22mm stem conversion

Hi all,

Has anybody actually tried the 'rough sand-paper' approach to converting a 22.2mm stem to fit a 22mm (french) steerer?

Any gotchas?

creaking due to imperfect fit?

I've not bought a stem yet, but I'm thinking I'll have more options if I take this path.

thanks

Yep! It's no problem. Just make sure you only sand the area that's definitely gonna be hidden by the tube. It's very easy. Just cup the sandpaper in your hand and twist the stem. It's easy so do bit at a time. Lots of grease too. Don't push it too hard into forks. You'll know when it fits well.
I sanded a £50 stem! :-/

hold on, are you saying you are using a 22.2 in a 22 steerer?

Yep.

if that is the case, you would be hard pushed to make it fit?? it's like putting a 27.2 seatpost in a 27 seat tube. it would be hard to get in.

You could always buy a quill to ahead convertor, sand that down to fit, then you can always chop and change different ahead stems rather than ruining a nice quill stem. (If you ever wanted to re-use on a 22.2) They cost about £8.

if that is the case, you would be hard pushed to make it fit?? it's like putting a 27.2 seatpost in a 27 seat tube. it would be hard to get in.

That's why you sand it down! ;-)

Seatposts are easy to find in all sizes.
There's not the greatest choice of French stems out there so sanding down a quill to fit is a good solution. There's info on Sheldon's site.

It's very easy to do.

yeah, i realise that, i thought he already was using the 22.2 in the steerer, and thinks the reason it is creaking is because it should be a 22?????
if not please ignore all the bollocks i wrote above.

tee hee,

Yeah I've got a french (22mm) steerer and no stem yet. Since I like the look of the quill style I'm thinking I'll do the same as Todd mentioned - sand and re-polish a far more common 22.2mm.

Do you remember what grade paper did you used to do the main grinding?

thanks

please ignore all the bollocks i wrote above.
.

tee hee,

Yeah I've got a french (22mm) steerer and no stem yet. Since I like the look of the quill style I'm thinking I'll do the same as Todd mentioned - sand and re-polish a far more common 22.2mm.

Do you remember what grade paper did you used to do the main grinding?

thanks

It's only .2 of a mm so it won't take long. Use something not too heavy. If it's hidden in the tube you don't have to polish it up either. Start medium then use light to smooth it.