FELT BICYCLES VARIABLE ANGLE STEM Owner’s Manual
FELT THANKS YOU FOR YOUR PURCHASE. SOON YOU WILL THANK YOUR SELF. Any serious cyclist will tell you that fit is among the most important factors when it comes to maximizing performance potential. A proper fit on the bike means that the rider’s body can work efficiently preserving energy, allowing muscles to move safely, and keeping the rider in the most comfortable and natural position as possible.
VA STEM THE IMPORTANCE OF FIT The VA stem offers a host of options between an 16 degree drop and a rise of 16 degrees. These are achieved by using a combination of shims and the stem, which can be mounted to drop or raise the handlebar position. The diagram to the right shows the stem at its lowest position (shim down, stem down) and highest position (shim up, stem up).
INSERT SHIM & CHECK THE RESULTING RISE OR DROP SHOWN IN STEM CUT OUT. DETERMINING RISE OR DROP Looking at the steer tube clamp on the stem, one can see a cutout that shows the angle of rise or drop in a given configuration. The number displayed can be either: -16, -12, -8, +8, +12, or +16.
VA STEM USING THE OFFSET SHIM The stem has a 12 degree rise or drop when used with the neutral shim. To add or subtract 4 degrees to the current stem position, replace the neutral shim with the offset shim. The offset shim can be used to ‘add’ or ‘subtract’ angles of rise based upon its orientation. In order to increase the rise, the thick base of the offset shim must be oriented such that it faces the handlebars. This is refered to the ‘up’ position.
SAMPLE ASSMEBLY (STEM UP, SHIM DOWN) PROPER ASSEMBLY Once the rider has determined his or her desired rise or drop, proper assembly is required to ensure safety. First. Insert the appropriate shim in the up or down position *To determine top cap orientation, note how the shim was used. A shim placed in the down position requires the thicker end of top cap to face foreword (towards the handle bar). The top cap faces the opposite direction if shim is in the down position. Last.
VA STEM THE VA STEM SHOWN ON A Z2 EFFECTIVE. INTUITIVE. Finally, be sure to tighten the top cap with the provided preload bolt, tightening the assembly, until there is no slack in the headset. Once the preload bolt is tightened, the stem bolts can also be tightened to spec.
Limited Warranty: Stems Subject to the terms, conditions and limitations set forth below, Felt Devox products are guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship for one year from date of purchase from an authorized Felt Dealer. This warranty applies only to the original owner of Felt products and is not transferable to subsequent owners. This warranty does not cover a cracked stem or other damage due to crashes or other similar impacts.
FELT BICYCLES Thank you for your purchase. Make sure to see that it is properly installed and wellmaintained. Felt Racing LLC.
