Bicycle Mechanics - Quill stem adaptor a good option?

I have a 1990 Trek I'd like to get a shorter stem length on. It's expensive to find quill stems anymore and I saw the quill adaptor posts that you tighten in and then bolt the modern neck onto. Anyone use these? Is this a decent option in order to fine tune my older bike? Will it end up heavier or more expensive than quill?

I don't have hundreds of dollars to convert my bike to threadless with new forks, although it would be sweet.

I have one. It works real good. Actualy it better because it allows for easier bar/stem changes

If you posted the desired length of quill stem you need, people here might help you find a deal.
The addition of a stem adaptor may be more convenient, but is the inferior option.

I have a 1990 Trek I'd like to get a shorter stem length on. It's expensive to find quill stems anymore and I saw the quill adaptor posts that you tighten in and then bolt the modern neck onto. Anyone use these? Is this a decent option in order to fine tune my older bike? Will it end up heavier or more expensive than quill?

I don't have hundreds of dollars to convert my bike to threadless with new forks, although it would be sweet.

How short is short? An adapter is like what - $20? A cheap stem say another $20?

adepter is $10, a cheap stem is $20~25

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=A9126
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=K0123
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=K3085
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=K3087

personally I find this solution much better than quill stems.

Quill stems are common and cheap.
60 mm road bike stem $23.
http://cgi.ebay.nl/ORGIN-8-CLASSIC-PRO-QUILL-ROAD-BIKE-BICYCLE-STEM_W0QQitemZ230329806748QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item230329806748&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1399%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
Shorty high rise faceplate MTB stem $18.
http://cgi.ebay.nl/Delta-Hi-Rise-Stem-Quill-Stem-60mm-x-1-Fits-1-Fork_W0QQitemZ270362829671QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item270362829671&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1399%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

I have a Profile Design stem-adapter on my Puch - changing it from a 1" to 1 1/8" to accept modern stems. Works like a charm. Allowing me to use 31.8mm handlebars that I like.

The addition of a stem adaptor may be more convenient, but is the inferior option.

No way....they work extremely well and to be honest I think they stiffen up the front end.

^only if the quill stem being compared to is wimpy in the forward extension.

The OP can probably find, from the myriad of stems out there, a quill stem which will beat any adapter/threadless system in looks, stiffness, safety, weight and price.

^only if the quill stem being compared to is wimpy in the forward extension.

The OP can probably find, from the myriad of stems out there, a quill stem which will beat any adapter/threadless system in looks, stiffness, safety, weight and price.

the good looking, safe, light weight quill stems are quite pricey, even used ones.

the really ugly quill stems which are somewhat heavy can be had for cheaper than $35, sure.

the adaptors aren't any less safe than quills. In fact the threadless stems clamp down on the bar with much more surface area than quills will and with open faces it's safer too.

Mine made my front-end rock-solid, compared to the old skinny alloy quill-stem. One can say how they are bad because blahblahblah. But I have practical, hand's on experience that says: They work great!

Great info everyone, didn't know it would get heated in here.
I'll look into it as an option. I'm hoping to pick up a smaller bike for my wife today and I'll probably be doing some custom fitting for her.
Thanks

No way....they work extremely well and to be honest I think they stiffen up the front end.

There is no way this is true. It uses the exact same interface as a regular quill stem. You are just imagining things.

Try one before you pass sentence.

Try one before you pass sentence.

I have. Adapter with regular stem because i needed a big drop in handlebar height. Next ******** assumption please?

There is no way this is true. It uses the exact same interface as a regular quill stem. You are just imagining things.

The interface may be the same but the extension part of the stem is quite different. A threadless stem uses a large diameter tube while the quill stem uses a smallish, solid shank. On a long reach stem, the difference in stiffness could be quite noticeable.

I switched from a Nitto Technomic quill stem to a Velo-Orange quilled threadless adapter and threadless stem, and IMHO it's a significant improvement. The adapter and stem are a little heavier, though (V-O adapter is 272g, 110mm stem is 140g for a total of 412g; the Technomic quill stem with 110mm extension is 390g).

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/Waterford%20B07014/cimg5213sm.jpg

The interface may be the same but the extension part of the stem is quite different. A threadless stem uses a large diameter tube while the quill stem uses a smallish, solid shank. On a long reach stem, the difference in stiffness could be quite noticeable.

Good point. I've had quill stems on old road bikes where the flex was quite visible. It was obviously twisting on the horizontal plane rather than bending vertically. Never seen (or felt) anything like that, even with really cheap threadless stems.

Here's one application of the threadless converter. I like it, actually prefer them to the Technomic quill to increase height.
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm215/roccobike_2008/BianchiCampione004.jpg

Here's one application of the threadless converter. I like it, actually prefer them to the Technomic quill to increase height.

Ditto. :thumb:

I seriously doubt the increased stiffness (or, maybe "lack of flexiness") and stability over my old Technomic are my imagination.

Great info everyone, didn't know it would get heated in here.


Heat=passion.

I should look into this for my 2nd bike. I've noticed I ride on the bars behind the brakes rather than on the hoods. I had both bikes out with a friend on one and then we swapped. It was very noticeable then. But then I'd have to change bars too, and tape, and ...and... where does it end?

Ha ha, yeah, gotta love the passion.
Odly enough, I just picked up a 1989 Centurion Dave Scott Ironman bike for my wife for $50. It has a Nitto quill stem about 1" shorter than mine... So I bought a stem for $50 and got a bike with it for free!

I should look into this for my 2nd bike. I've noticed I ride on the bars behind the brakes rather than on the hoods. I had both bikes out with a friend on one and then we swapped. It was very noticeable then. But then I'd have to change bars too, and tape, and ...and... where does it end?

Sounds like you just need a shorter stem and/or shorter reach bars. You don't need to go with a quill stem adapter for that purpose though I just did all of the above on my wife's bike. It's a men's frame so to compensate for the reach I went Bontrager short reach bars, a 60mm stem, and a non-setback seatpost. Fits great now.

I have a Ritchey adjustable-stem mounted to my stem-converter. Those Ritchey adjustable-stems are rock-solid (here it comes again!) and the ability to alter height/reach is most welcome.

Panthers totally just unleashed the sh#tstorm. I'm actually glad to hear that someone is having a positive experience with the adjustable stem. I've thought about getting one for dialing in fit, rather than buying 4 stems in succession.

I thought I was going to be just dialing-in, too. It's a keeper!

Sounds like you just need a shorter stem and/or shorter reach bars. You don't need to go with a quill stem adapter for that purpose though I just did all of the above on my wife's bike. It's a men's frame so to compensate for the reach I went Bontrager short reach bars, a 60mm stem, and a non-setback seatpost. Fits great now.

Given that I'm the original owner of this bike, and it was custom built for me to boot, you'd think it would fit better. But it is also 28 years old now (do the math if the bike is that old, how old must I be?) and in the intervening years fit parameters seem to have changed. When I spent 4k on a new bike for my 50th a few years ago, I figured I'd never ride the old one again, but I just got the bug to make it rideable again and did it on the cheap. It is so well tuned now it is silent, even the shifting is silent. But the reach is the last thing about it that still needs work for me. Maybe the seat can be adjusted, that doesn't cost me anything.

I used these adapters twice with good results. Once because I wanted to use a Profile OS wing bar, which required an 31.8 removable faceplate, which I already had in my spare parts box.

The 2nd time, because I bought a Easton carbon bar used, which included the Easton stem (and Easton says to use their stems with their carbon bars!). It worked well both times, although I think the look is a little odd on the vintage bikes I have. I was surprised to get a compliment on one of them today.

I put a tallish adapter (Delta?) and a modern stem on my Mondonico, instead of a Technomic Deluxe. The LBS tried to argue me out of it because of weight and the added interface, thinking I couldn't torque it right (perhaps they can't!). Now that its installed, it feels stiffer. I also like that it's easier to adjust the bar left-right positions.