Re: [CR]Death Stems

(Example: Framebuilders:Jack Taylor)

From: "jerrymoos" <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>
To: "P.C. Kohler" <kohl57@starpower.net>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <20040506154027.80560.qmail@web11904.mail.yahoo.com> <006501c433e9$7c9a4ca0$22e0fea9@man>
Subject: Re: [CR]Death Stems
Date: Fri, 7 May 2004 00:31:07 -0500


I've never actually seen an AVA stem fail, although I'm sure it has occurred. I think the AVA bars failed more often than the stems. I do have a pair of AVA bars with some nasty hairline cracks. My theory is that the horror stories about alloy parts failing suddenly and catastrophically are greatly exaggerated. In my own experience over 30+ years of cycling, alloy parts have always shown visible cracks on regular inspection long before actually failing. It seems that the hard hammering racer types usually report the sudden failures, but these are also generally the types least prone to properly and regularly inspect equipment. I think most "sudden" failures of alloy parts are actually the result of failure to inspect equipment and thus continuing to ride with clearly visible cracks. I ride Lambert "death forks", and AVA "death stems" and "death bars" without great concern, but I do inspect such parts regularly for cracks, as I do Campy NR cranks.

Regards,

Jerry Moos
Houston, TX


----- Original Message -----
From: "P.C. Kohler"
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2004 11:12 PM
Subject: [CR]Death Stems



> OK guys.... fact or fiction. We've all heard about death forks (the
> Viscount) and the death stem (AVA) but seriously, my PX-10e has a Pivo stem
> we all agree was a replacement and I just gotta.. gotta have the original on
> it. There's a swell NOS one on eBay. Gorgeous. So am I really risking life
> and limb riding with this? I ride "on the drops" and pretty hard so this is
> not for show but to ride. Hard and often. How many have actually heard of or
> had failures from AVA stems? Or are these tales swapped as you're cleaning
> freewheels or nailing on cleats? I just can't imagine cycle paths in the
> littered with fractured stems and fractured riders. Or did guys put those
> Pivo stems on before the took off the little plastic "Record du Monde"
> Peugeot pennants on the brake cable?
>
> Peter Kohler
> Washington DC USA