Spacers are available in different heights and
must be stacked so that the steerer tube ends 2–
3 mm below the top edge of the stem. The
maximum height of the installed spacers must not
exceed 40 mm. Observe the fork manufacturer’s
guidelines.
The stem must provide support for a sufficient
length of the steerer tube. This ensures reliable
clamping if the clamping bolts of the steerer tube
are clamped to the prescribed torque value.
3.1. Adjusting the Aheadset
®
headset
Open the side clamping bolts of the stem tube.
Adjust the headset by carefully turning the top
sunk screw. The screw is only used for adjusting
the bearing play.
Align the stem with the front wheel so that the
handlebar is not at an angle to the front wheel
when it is pointing straight ahead. Stand over the
top tube and look down over the stem to the front
wheel to check the alignment. Tighten both
clamping bolts alternately. The recommended
tightening torques can be found marked near the
bolt.
The handlebar/stem units must be checked for
resistance to torsion and the torques specified on
the components must be observed when
tightening.
In case of doubt, contact your MERIDA dealer.
4. Conventional stems
Open the stem spindle. Slide the stem tube into
the head tube on the frame.
Pay attention to the maximum extension height.
The stem must not be askew.
For max. torque, refer to the information on the
stem.
If the seat can be twisted, you must tighten the bolt.
5. Mounting the handlebar
The chosen stem must always have the correct
clamp diameter. During mounting, the handlebar
should sit centrally in the handlebar clamp area.
If the handlebar cannot be inserted without the
application of force and there is play between the
two components, contact your MERIDA dealer.
On a road bike, the straight piece of the drops
should be positioned parallel to the ground or
angled slightly downward.
Mountain bike and trekking handlebars are
angled at an ergonomic hand position.
Tighten the greased bolts of the handlebar clamp
a few turns with your fingers. Turn all the bolts
with an Allen key until the upper and lower
clamping slots of the handlebar clamp between
the stem faceplate and stem body are the same
width. Use a torque wrench to alternately and
gradually tighten the bolts to the lower torque
limit. With a 4-bolt faceplate, tighten the bolts
evenly in a cross pattern.
Refer to the information on the stem for the
torque.
Mounting the controls
Examine the clamp areas of the shifter/brake
levers, handlebar/remote levers, and grips (Lock-
On grips) for burrs and sharp edges. Note the
limitation of the handlebar clamp area, if present.
Loosen the clamping bolts as much as possible
before sliding them onto the handlebar. Avoid
rotational movements during assembly. Tighten
the bolts again.
After aligning the controls and grips, tighten the
clamping bolts to the lower limit of the
recommended tightening torque. If the controls or
grips still do not clamp tightly, increase the torque
until you reach the upper torque limit specified by
the component manufacturer. If they can still be
twisted, contact your MERIDA dealer.
6. Adjusting the handlebar height
with Aheadset
®
With the Aheadset
®
system, the stem is part of
the headset system. To adjust the position, the
stem must be dismounted and remounted. If the
stem is changed, the bearing must be
readjusted – see “3.1. Adjusting the Aheadset
®
headset” on page 2. The height of the handlebar
can be adjusted by changing the spacers.
Remove the bolt for the bearing preload at the top
of the steerer tube and remove the cap. Loosen
the bolts on the side of the stem and pull the stem
out of the fork. You can now remove the spacers.
Place them back on the steerer tube above the
stem to position the handlebar at the desired
height.
To turn the stem around, the bolts clamping the
handlebar need to be loosened. In the case of
stems with caps, the handlebar can simply be
removed; otherwise, the handlebar controls need
to be dismantled. Turn the stem around and
mount it. Check that the Bowden cables tense
and do not limit the steering angle.
Check the seat of the stem. If the stem twists,
increase the torque to the maximum permitted
torque, or reassemble the stem.
Danger
The space between the top of
the stem and the upper edge of
the steerer tube should not
exceed 2–3 mm.
Note
For forks with carbon steerer
tubes, make sure that there is a
cone mechanism inside as a
counter-bearing for adjusting
the headset.
Note
If the stem cannot be clamped,
the components are not
compatible.
Danger
Never ride a bicycle whose
stem has been pulled out
beyond the maximum
extension height mark.
Danger
Never open the head nut of the
headset bearing. This changes
the bearing play.
Danger
Tighten screws and bolts
correctly.
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