Bicycle Mechanics - Trek 830 Quill Stem

Anybody know what size quill stem came on a 1993 Trek 830 MTB?

1" or 1 1/8"?


Also, what is the typical recommended insertion distance for a quill stem?

I hope it's not 1 1/8th, those are a PITA to find. For insertion didstance, it should be indicated on the quill.

Not sure about the size, but every quill stem I've seen has a line on it, labelled something like "min. insertion".
You can insert it any amount you want as long as the line is not visible, similar to seat tubes.

Anybody know what size quill stem came on a 1993 Trek 830 MTB?

1" or 1 1/8"?


Also, what is the typical recommended insertion distance for a quill stem?
Almost certainly 1 inch. Hold a quarter up against the quill. 1" systems, the quill is smaller than a quarter; 1 1/8" systems, the quill is fatter.

I've got a page-in-progress on headsets that illustrates this:

http://sheldonbrown.com/headsets.html

The usual "minimum insertion" guideline is 2 1/2".

Sheldon "Headsets" Brown

If your stem is 1 1/8" check out your local Giant retailer. The Sedona and Cypress models use 1 1/8" adjustable angle threaded stems... or at least did a couple of years ago.

Yeah, yeah yeah, I know look at the stem for min insertion. But, I am trying to buy a new stem(online) that will be much higher(hopefully) than the old stem, so I was trying to figure out how much a 180mm stem will be able to stick out.

Basically, my MTB is a little too small for me(which is funny since I am really short). So I have my seat post sky high and getting another one that is 400mm long so that I can get the proper leg extension. I have a huge seat to handlebar drop that isn't exactly comfortable(think BMC TT bike). Just trying to gauge how high I can get the new stem before I order it or if I need to come up with some other solution.

Since the bike is so old and I will just use it as a winter beater & utility bike, or a very rare actual trail ride, I have no intention to spend real money on a new MTB that fits. A new seatpost and a stem for less than $30 should do it.

Thanks for the posts!

That bike almost certainly uses a 1 1/8 stem. I don't know what Sheldon was thinking when he told you otherwise. I have a '92 850 and a '93 930. They both use 1 1/8". That size is not hard to find. I went to the Harris site and ordered a Profile Design Boa stem for the 930. I wanted to get the bars up so I ordered one with a long extension and a steep angle. They're very nice welded aluminum stems and they're only $22.

http://thumb9.webshots.net/t/42/43/5/9/89/2236509890068014369jHohCP_th.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2236509890068014369jHohCP)
http://thumb9.webshots.net/t/54/154/9/30/92/2368930920068014369mduLDn_th.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2368930920068014369mduLDn)