Single-Bolt Stem Spreading Options

[Brian Forsee]

I've got some towel rack drop bars on the way to me that will be going on my newly acquired AHH. I was planning on picking up one of the tools nitto makes specifically for spreading single-bolt stems but Crust was out of stock. I've installed plenty of bars using the ole flat head method, which always works, but i usually end up with a scratch or two. Anybody got any good alternative methods I'm not thinking of?

Thanks!

-Brian

[lconley]

I have used external snap ring spreaders for years, not the pin style snap rings. I had them for building air cooled VW engines, there was an external snap ring on the end of the crankshaft. Mine are Craftsman, similar to the below.

Laing

[Richard Rose]

Check out this video from Russ/ Path Less Pedaled. He shows a unique tool for this exact purpose.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 26, 2023, at 5:27 PM, Brian Forsee <bmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:

I've got some towel rack drop bars on the way to me that will be going on my newly acquired AHH. I was planning on picking up one of the tools nitto makes specifically for spreading single-bolt stems but Crust was out of stock. I've installed plenty of bars using the ole flat head method, which always works, but i usually end up with a scratch or two. Anybody got any good alternative methods I'm not thinking of?

Thanks!

-Brian

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[Andrew Letton]

Hi Brian, 

If your stem has a tapped hole for the clamp bolt (as many steel stems have, rather than a loose nut like many aluminum Nittos) you can use this method:

Helpful tip: Take the pinch bolt out. Insert a coin in the slot between the clamp area. Thread the bolt in from the back side. Tighten it against the coin. It will force the clamp open and it will stay that way during your install.

(I copied this from the net, rather than type up my own description.)

HTH,

Andrew in Sydney

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[Hetchins52]

I usually have a nickel (with a few, round dents already in it) somewhere on one of my work stands for when I need to do this. Dime is too thin, a penny too soft and a quarter is too valuable!

David in Berkeley

[lconley]

The Path Less Pedaled tool is same type of tool (snap ring expander) that I use. Actually less expensive than the Nitto tool. The Nitto tool doesn't actually work any better.

Laing

[Patrick Moore]

This works if the threaded hole is open at the outer end but not if it's capped. I've managed to spread Nitto stems with a large flathead screwdriver but yes, the Nitto spreader tool is far easier to use. If the absence of the Nitto tool, a thin but stiff and sturdy and properly thick piece of steel works better than the flathead which will have a tapered profile that makes this use awkward.

FWIW, way back in the day when I several times installed drop bars onto my 55 cm XO-1 and my first, similarly-sized (54 cm) 1995 Riv road custom (Grant said "Don't you dare" when I told him I'd tell others how much I liked the compact, XO-1-style frame design, but I think the statute of limitations has expired) using the penny trick. In fact, several times I installed a 26.4 mm Cinelli Giro d'Italia bar into 25.4mm Tioga and Salsa steel stems using this method; steel is very forgiving.

[JohnS]

+1 on the coin trick, but I've used a large flat washer, no federal offense committed :P

JohnS

[Todd G]

I’ve had good success using the flat sides of a 6 or 8mm Hex wrench. Gently rotating, or applying gentle up or down prying type pressure has always worked well for me.

[Bill Lindsay]

If you are motivated (or just wiling) to buy a tool, give a look at the Park PP-1.2  https://www.parktool.com/en-us/product/hydraulic-brake-piston-press-pp-1-2?category=Brakes

That's a hydraulic brake piston press, but it's the perfect size and shape and "stoutness" for stem spreading.

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Jamie W]

Not as fun or creative, but a piece of newbaums, electrical tape or cloth over the flat head should prevent most damage 

On Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 2:27:37 PM UTC-8 bmfo...@gmail.com wrote:

[MTR]

Throw some masking tape over a flat head or whatever you use to spread the stem to prevent scratches. I didn’t find the towel rack bars tight to get on a nitto dirt drop stem, but your experience may vary. 

Best, 

Morgan 

On Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 5:27:37 PM UTC-5 bmfo...@gmail.com wrote:

[David Person]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002INOFSA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Powerbuilt Internal Snap Ring Pliers

[Brian Forsee]

Thanks to all for the ideas! The snap ring pliers and the disc brake tool both seem like great options and I am far from adverse to buying new tools.

Brian

[Brian Forsee]

In typical fashion for me, my bars arrived and I had not yet made a move on purchasing a stem-spreading device. Eager to install them, I dug around my tool bins. Drawing inspiration from Bill's recommendation of the park disc tool, I used a short and wide wood chisel with a rag over it to spread the stem. It worked quite well! I don't think I did any damage to the chisel, however this approach is probably not ideal if you are exceptionally particular about the edges on your chisels. Cheers!

Brian