re [CR]AVA stem

(Example: History:Norris Lockley)

Date: Wed, 12 May 2004 08:42:03 -0500
From: "Steve Kurt" <kurtsj@mtco.com>
To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: re [CR]AVA stem
References:
In-Reply-To:



>From Pete Geurds: <raleighpro@dejazzd.com>

"Please excuse my denseness: But is this the bad stem or not?
>http://ebay.com/<blah> ViewItem&category=420&item=3677007564&rd=1<

Maybe I'll figure this out sooner or later! Thanks."

Hi Pete,

It's a bit different from my AVA stem, but it appears to be the same basic design. My only question is if it has a hollow extension. The pics don't provide any hint. On my stem, the back of the extension is open, and you can clearly see that it is hollow.

It's interesting to note the finish of the stem. It's pretty rough looking, despite a heavy coat of some sort of anodizing (or paint?). Is this indicative of melt forging, maybe? My instinct is to only use stems made by drop forging (aka cold forged). (there's a nice TTT Record stem on ebay for $2.50, although it's a 22.2 mm dia, not 22.0 like the AVA. :-) )

Steve Kurt
Peoria, IL