Profile Push + Ti Bolts

Do not use loctite on ti bolts, they're already prone to galling and seizing up. Grease or poly lube on the bolts. Use steel wool to knock the paint off the bars and stem and then clean the mating areas with simple green.

Is the knurling worn down on your Animal bars?

When you sanded the stem down, did you smooth out the knurled area? If it’s smooth, that’s likely the problem.

readybmxer wrote:

When you sanded the stem down, did you smooth out the knurled area? If it’s smooth, that’s likely the problem.

Don't most new stems have smooth clamping areas?

They tend to rely on the clamping force to 'print' the knurling on them.

readybmxer wrote:

When you sanded the stem down, did you smooth out the knurled area? If it’s smooth, that’s likely the problem.

Dad_Im_Pregnant wrote:

Don't most new stems have smooth clamping areas?

They tend to rely on the clamping force to 'print' the knurling on them.

The bars are almost like new/I didn’t sand them at all. I only sanded the stem with a not that coarse sandpaper block that I got from a hardware store. I only brushed away the paint (this took like 5 seconds), then stopped.

I’m gonna try steel wool though? And the simple green? And perhaps more Polylube.

readybmxer wrote:

When you sanded the stem down, did you smooth out the knurled area? If it’s smooth, that’s likely the problem.

Dad_Im_Pregnant wrote:

Don't most new stems have smooth clamping areas?

They tend to rely on the clamping force to 'print' the knurling on them.

Oops, I meant bar, not stem. XD

1. Don’t spray paint clamping areas
2. Don’t sand/file material out of clamping areas (use paint stripper to remove spray paint)
3. Wipe the surfaces clean of any metal shavings/debris from sanding and/or the bars slipping
4. Make sure you aren’t over-tightening the bolts to the point that it crushes the clamping area on the handlebars (not likely with Ti bolts, but still)


And last but not least, I have heard of this happening with Profile stems, where they simply will not grip a set of bars worth a damn. If bought brand new, I’m sure they will warranty it if this is the case. If they can tell that you sanded the clamping area though, maybe not.🙃