On a NWT
From time to time, I hear of people who have started to pack their Bike Friday and been unable to remove the stem from the steerer tube. The issue is the clamping collar doesn’t release and no matter hard hard you tug on the stem, it won’t come loose. There are two simple solutions to this problem
- Remove the bolt and use something to pry the tabs apart while lifting the stem.
- Remove the bolt and reinstall it backwards after inserting something for it to press against.
I prefer the latter. With the bolt spreading the clamping collar, I can stand up and use both hands to lift directly up on the stem. A coin from my pocket (or just about anything else) works as the backing plate.