Zipp stem compatibility issues?

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steveadore
Posts: 386
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:01 am

by steveadore

I just got a Zipp Sprint SL carbon stem, but when I try to install my Zipp Service Course SL70 Xplore handlebars, I need to put some pressure pushing the bars into the clipping area of the stem. It's almost as if there was a sizing/diameter issue, though both are nominally 31.8 and from the same manufacturer. Out of curiosity, I've tried a cheaper set of alloy Zipp Service Course stem, and the problem is exactly the same: it takes a bit of effort to push the bars into the half-open clamp of the stem (i.e. faceplate is removed), and once the bars are pushed in place, it's not that easy to move or rotate them.
Is this something Zipp consciously designed, similar to some other brands (I think Syntace or Ritchey designs some stems so that the clamping area extends a bit beyond 180 degrees, so once the bars are pushed in there, they don't fall out even if the faceplate is not installed)?

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polpy
Posts: 192
Joined: Fri Mar 05, 2021 11:05 am

by polpy

It was the same on a Zipp SL Carbon Stem and SL70 Aero Bars 2 or 3 years ago, so i guess its normal. Never had issues though.

steveadore
Posts: 386
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:01 am

by steveadore

polpy wrote:
Mon Jun 05, 2023 9:23 am
It was the same on a Zipp SL Carbon Stem and SL70 Aero Bars 2 or 3 years ago, so i guess its normal. Never had issues though.
Thanks, so this seems to be a Zipp feature then. I'm not sure I like it, to be honest. The black finish on my brand new alloy Zipp bars has already worn a bit just after trying them in the 2 Zipp stems (I haven't even mounted the faceplate). And I guess it will get worse once I rotate them for fine adjustment :(

polpy
Posts: 192
Joined: Fri Mar 05, 2021 11:05 am

by polpy

steveadore wrote:
polpy wrote:
Mon Jun 05, 2023 9:23 am
It was the same on a Zipp SL Carbon Stem and SL70 Aero Bars 2 or 3 years ago, so i guess its normal. Never had issues though.
Thanks, so this seems to be a Zipp feature then. I'm not sure I like it, to be honest. The black finish on my brand new alloy Zipp bars has already worn a bit just after trying them in the 2 Zipp stems (I haven't even mounted the faceplate). And I guess it will get worse once I rotate them for fine adjustment :(
I usually run my Zipp Cockpits with Alloy Stems and Carbon Bars as i dont see any benefit in the carbon stems...

steveadore
Posts: 386
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:01 am

by steveadore

polpy wrote:
Mon Jun 05, 2023 9:36 am
steveadore wrote:
polpy wrote:
Mon Jun 05, 2023 9:23 am
It was the same on a Zipp SL Carbon Stem and SL70 Aero Bars 2 or 3 years ago, so i guess its normal. Never had issues though.
Thanks, so this seems to be a Zipp feature then. I'm not sure I like it, to be honest. The black finish on my brand new alloy Zipp bars has already worn a bit just after trying them in the 2 Zipp stems (I haven't even mounted the faceplate). And I guess it will get worse once I rotate them for fine adjustment :(
I usually run my Zipp Cockpits with Alloy Stems and Carbon Bars as i dont see any benefit in the carbon stems...
Hm, but I experienced the same issue with the Zipp Service Course alloy stem too. Are the Zipp carbon bars slightly narrower in diameter at the clamping area? Judging by the pressure needed for pushing the alloy Zipp bars into the clamping slot on both alloy and carbon Zipp stems, I'm not sure I would risk carbon bars.

It's definitely the Zipp stems. I've tried the same Zipp bars with an S-Works stem, and it's just like most other regular stem/bar clamp interfaces: no effort needed, though of course that also means that the bars would fall out of the stem clamp unless the faceplate is also in place

polpy
Posts: 192
Joined: Fri Mar 05, 2021 11:05 am

by polpy

steveadore wrote:
polpy wrote:
Mon Jun 05, 2023 9:36 am
steveadore wrote:
polpy wrote:
Mon Jun 05, 2023 9:23 am
It was the same on a Zipp SL Carbon Stem and SL70 Aero Bars 2 or 3 years ago, so i guess its normal. Never had issues though.
Thanks, so this seems to be a Zipp feature then. I'm not sure I like it, to be honest. The black finish on my brand new alloy Zipp bars has already worn a bit just after trying them in the 2 Zipp stems (I haven't even mounted the faceplate). And I guess it will get worse once I rotate them for fine adjustment :(
I usually run my Zipp Cockpits with Alloy Stems and Carbon Bars as i dont see any benefit in the carbon stems...
Hm, but I experienced the same issue with the Zipp Service Course alloy stem too. Are the Zipp carbon bars slightly narrower in diameter at the clamping area? Judging by the pressure needed for pushing the alloy Zipp bars into the clamping slot on both alloy and carbon Zipp stems, I'm not sure I would risk carbon bars.

It's definitely the Zipp stems. I've tried the same Zipp bars with an S-Works stem, and it's just like most other regular stem/bar clamp interfaces: no effort needed, though of course that also means that the bars would fall out of the stem clamp unless the faceplate is also in place
My Zipp Alloy stem does not have the same issue when i think about it.

steveadore
Posts: 386
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:01 am

by steveadore

polpy wrote:
Mon Jun 05, 2023 10:09 am
steveadore wrote:
polpy wrote:
Mon Jun 05, 2023 9:36 am
steveadore wrote:
Thanks, so this seems to be a Zipp feature then. I'm not sure I like it, to be honest. The black finish on my brand new alloy Zipp bars has already worn a bit just after trying them in the 2 Zipp stems (I haven't even mounted the faceplate). And I guess it will get worse once I rotate them for fine adjustment :(
I usually run my Zipp Cockpits with Alloy Stems and Carbon Bars as i dont see any benefit in the carbon stems...
Hm, but I experienced the same issue with the Zipp Service Course alloy stem too. Are the Zipp carbon bars slightly narrower in diameter at the clamping area? Judging by the pressure needed for pushing the alloy Zipp bars into the clamping slot on both alloy and carbon Zipp stems, I'm not sure I would risk carbon bars.

It's definitely the Zipp stems. I've tried the same Zipp bars with an S-Works stem, and it's just like most other regular stem/bar clamp interfaces: no effort needed, though of course that also means that the bars would fall out of the stem clamp unless the faceplate is also in place
My Zipp Alloy stem does not have the same issue when i think about it.
Hm, which one do you have? I've tried the cheaper Zipp Service Course (not SL), which is 6061 alloy.

polpy
Posts: 192
Joined: Fri Mar 05, 2021 11:05 am

by polpy

I have the alloy SL with sl70 ergo currently on a bike.

steveadore
Posts: 386
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:01 am

by steveadore

So, Zipp customer service is telling me this is not quite normal. I'm perplexed as I have the same issue with 2 Zipp stems (it's highly unlikely that both are out of spec). And the Zipp handlebars must be in spec too, because with several other stems (I had a couple of Spesh stems lying around in a box) they fit normally.
Here's a couple of photos illustrating the issue: Note the gap between the handlebar and the stem. Even so (i.e. not pressed fully against the stem), it's already locked in position, so it doesn't fall off when turned vertically down without the faceplate installed.
bar1.jpg
bar3.jpg
bar2.jpg

fizzaz
Posts: 274
Joined: Wed Nov 07, 2018 5:02 pm

by fizzaz

I've got like 5 of these stems and its never been a problem.

Sock3t
Posts: 448
Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2018 2:20 am

by Sock3t

Fake bars? Zipp quality control? I personally would not ride that.

steveadore
Posts: 386
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:01 am

by steveadore

Sock3t wrote:
Mon Jun 05, 2023 7:44 pm
Fake bars? Zipp quality control? I personally would not ride that.
No, they are not fake. But I'm definitely disappointed in their quality control. I still cannot figure out whether it's the stems or the bar. The bar fits my non-Zipp stems, but the Zipp stems also fit some mountain bike bars (same 31.8mm standard) I've tried them with. So it's just the bad fit of the Zipp bar with my 2 Zipp stems. Never had Zipp before, and I'm not sure I will after this negative experience

steveadore
Posts: 386
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:01 am

by steveadore

fizzaz wrote:
Mon Jun 05, 2023 5:32 pm
I've got like 5 of these stems and its never been a problem.
Which stem did you have? The cheapo Zipp Service Course alloy or the Sprint SL carbon one?

fizzaz
Posts: 274
Joined: Wed Nov 07, 2018 5:02 pm

by fizzaz

I've got several of the Service Course SLs that this wasn't an issue with, but I just went and unbolted the Carbon Sl Speed and it looks like it *does* have this sort of behavior. That said, it hasn't been a problem and it takes very little pressure for it to "click" the bar into the stem. I wouldn't worry about it unless it was a significant mismatch.

steveadore
Posts: 386
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2020 10:01 am

by steveadore

fizzaz wrote:
Mon Jun 05, 2023 8:25 pm
I've got several of the Service Course SLs that this wasn't an issue with, but I just went and unbolted the Carbon Sl Speed and it looks like it *does* have this sort of behavior. That said, it hasn't been a problem and it takes very little pressure for it to "click" the bar into the stem. I wouldn't worry about it unless it was a significant mismatch.
Thanks. I'm not sure, to be honest. Of course it doesn't take too much pressure, but once it "clicks" into position, it's not easy to rotate the bar, and (as my photo shows), it is locked in and does not fall out even without the faceplate installed. I just don't really feel safe using it like this as the stem had already left some surface marks in the black finish of the bar.

by Weenie


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