[dan wask]

I took a little spill today and my whole bar clamp and bars got twisted to the left. I was able to hold the wheel with my knees and twist the bars and clamp back straight. Should this be able to happen ? Or is it time to start looking for new stem parts ?

 

[sanjuro]

Well, take off the stem and see if there is any damage to the stem and fork steerer.

Then tighten everything again, and see if it still twists...

 

[bjanga]

Your stem is supposed to be able to move a bit in a hard crash.

 

[jasonw111]

hahaha

 

[dan wask]

hahaha

Are you being a dick or am I missing something here ?...

 

[joelsman]

if it didn't twist you would likely bend something.

 

[trailblazer]

yes the bar should spin. that way your parts don't break. If you have a carbon bar and the bolts are tight the levers/stem will carve a cut on the surface and that is where it WILL snap.

Tight enough so the natural torque your hands produce does not move anything.

 

[BikeMike]

Most manufactures will tell you that you want to loosen the stem bolts before righting your stem to avoid scoring your steerer tube more than necessary, as scratches are more likely to develop into failure points.

 

[dan wask]

Alright guys thanks alot for the insight.