Bicycle Mechanics - stem and stem adapter question

I need a shorter stem (< 190mm QUILL length, 26.0, ~72D) with at least 100mm extension/reach, I can't seem to find one. Do they exist?
Also, does anyone here have any experience with stem adapters?
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_175545_-1_201521_10000_201527

Do they work well? reliable?

thanks for any help.

p.s. a quill stem

p.p.s. I'm an apprentice mechanic to myself, the internet, and everyone here (in other words, noob to you).

p.p.p.s. I've just been having some trouble finding a road style quill stem that would "place the handlebar out" 100mm. I'm not looking for height (80 - 100 mm tops). I think I've found one that would work (Nitto dynamic quill stem) but can't tell how long the quill is since I'm quite confused by the posted dimensions I'm finding on various websites.
For instance, 100 mm / 26.0 / 72D which part of the whole piece is 100 mm and why is there only one measurement?

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=88463&page=NITTO+DYNAMIC+QUILL+STEM

Threaded quill ? or threadless ? You want to gain height ?

Stem adapters work fine. 100mm threadless stems are easily available everywhere.

sorry, I'm talking about quill... kinda implied I thought, but yeah, I should be more specific. Just trying to see if I can make this 54cm frame "fit" me.

Yes you did imply. I've used the adapters. They're OK, provides somewhat more "choices". If you want to gain height, you still need a stem that has an upward pitch, I meen a severe upsweep. On one bike I'd miscalculated, gained very little ht. That's a start, more to it than that though. DO make sure that you don't settle for a minor up-angle. To gain even an inch, it's got to be severe, pretty much like they use on M. Bikes. I've had better results with Hi-rise quills.

sorry, I'm talking about quill... kinda implied I thought, but yeah, I should be more specific. Just trying to see if I can make this 54cm frame "fit" me.

You need 100mm upwards or 100m horizontal. Please be specific.

I use the Velo-Orange threadless stem adapter (http://www.velo-orange.com/vothstad.html) and stem on two of my bikes, and have found them to be less flexy than the Nitto Technomic quill stems I replaced. The V-O stems are available in different lengths and in both 6-degree (http://www.velo-orange.com/vostem.html) and 17-degree (http://www.velo-orange.com/vost17ri.html) versions.

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

how high can I mount a stem to a stem adapter? I'm guessing not very?

I'm not really looking for more height... well, not any more than the shorter 8 cm stem that was originally on the bike. But are you saying that with the stem adapter, I would have to mount the stem at about the same level as the top of the headset?

Horizontal extension is what I am trying to adjust.

As we wait for the true dimensions required for the OP's purpose:

I use a Profile Design stem-converter that fits my 1-inch headset and converts the upper portion to the current standard of 1-1/8 inch. Works perfectly. I would only caution to be careful of the one made by Dimension. It requires a long headtube - Or - you need a very tall converter.

Nitto makes a truly beautiful one which will run one around $35. Others, just as good, $10 - $15.

how high can I mount a stem to a stem adapter? I'm guessing not very?

I'm not really looking for more height... well, not any more than the shorter 8 cm stem that was originally on the bike. But are you saying that with the stem adapter, I would have to mount the stem at about the same level as the top of the headset?
It depends on the adapter, but the V-O adapter provides plenty of height above the minimum insertion line:

"The VO stem adapter fits in a regular 22.2mm fork and works with a 1-1/8" (28.6mm) stem; 180mm total length, 110mm above the min. insert line, steel bolt and wedge. It accepts a standard 1-1/8", 40mm stack height stem The finish is high polish alloy. 272g."

how high can I mount a stem to a stem adapter? I'm guessing not very?

I'm not really looking for more height... well, not any more than the shorter 8 cm stem that was originally on the bike. But are you saying that with the stem adapter, I would have to mount the stem at about the same level as the top of the headset?

Horizontal extension is what I am trying to adjust.

Stem adapters don't allow a very high adjustment (it IS adjustable though). Horizontally you have a bazillion options in threadless stems, easily available from 80mm->130mm.

Stem adapters don't allow a very high adjustment (it IS adjustable though). Horizontally you have a bazillion options in threadless stems, easily available from 80mm->130mm.

that's exactly why I'm thinking of going the stem adapter route, but I'd really like to find a quill stem that isn't too steep with about a 10 cm extension and a quill less than 19 cm (is that just a structurally unsound ratio?)

that's exactly why I'm thinking of going the stem adapter route, but I'd really like to find a quill stem that isn't too steep with about a 10 cm extension and a quill less than 19 cm (is that just a structurally unsound ratio?)

Quill stems don't generally come in lengths more than 130-140mm. If you need more reach than this you need to buy a bigger frame.

It depends on the adapter, but the V-O adapter provides plenty of height above the minimum insertion line:

"The VO stem adapter fits in a regular 22.2mm fork and works with a 1-1/8" (28.6mm) stem; 180mm total length, 110mm above the min. insert line, steel bolt and wedge. It accepts a standard 1-1/8", 40mm stack height stem The finish is high polish alloy. 272g."

thanks very much for the information.

Quill stems don't generally come in lengths more than 130-140mm. If you need more reach than this you need to buy a bigger frame.

I agree, but think that a 10 cm horizontal extension is not excessive. or is it?

I agree, but think that a 10 cm horizontal extension is not excessive. or is it?

No. It's standard.

You will find these are commonly measured in millimeters (mm) rather than centimeters (cm). What you describe are widely available and should not present much difficulty in finding. Now the real task is deciding on which manufacturer you'd like. Check around for reviews and away you go.

I prefer stems made by Thomson. The converter I use on my vintage racer, I like the one by Profile Design.

You will find these are commonly measured in millimeters (mm) rather than centimeters (cm). What you describe are widely available and should not present much difficulty in finding. Now the real task is deciding on which manufacturer you'd like. Check around for reviews and away you go.

I prefer stems made by Thomson. The converter I use on my vintage racer, I like the one by Profile Design.

so you're saying I should put in some leg work instead of relying on the lazyweb? :(

I put in "nitto quill stem 10 cm extension" and all I got were links to rivbike and nashbar. Is there an online bike emporium that you frequent? I won't be able to hit up the local bicycle store till the weekend.

I guess I should call around... thanks everyone for your help.

Cambria claims, and rightfully so, to have a good selection of the converters:

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=131&cat=Quill+Stems

As does Jensen - and stems too:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/sub/147-Stems.aspx

Enjoy!

so you're saying I should put in some leg work instead of relying on the lazyweb? :(

I put in "nitto quill stem 10 cm extension" and all I got were links to rivbike and nashbar. Is there an online bike emporium that you frequent? I won't be able to hit up the local bicycle store till the weekend.

100mm stop referring it to cm, nobody does this.

dully noted. thanks.

Cambria claims, and rightfully so, to have a good selection of the converters:

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=131&cat=Quill+Stems

As does Jensen - and stems too:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/sub/147-Stems.aspx

Enjoy!

YES .. two of the best inventories . So much so, that it takes time looking at so many

The options for quill stems these days is pretty limited so with the use of a threadless adapter the number of stem options really increases.

I like the fork on my '99 Trek and it has a beautiful NOS DX headset so I used a 1/8 adapter and an Easton stem that matched the position I had with the old adjustable stem.

With the adapter I also have the option to adjust my bar height which is something you cannot do as easily with a thread less set up.

They are a great bit of hardware to have when you have to deal with 1/8 threaded parts which are not at all common.

Just be sure to attach the stem to the manufacturer's specified torques - working slowly from one bolt to the other.

I'm a little confused here, couldn't the OP just get a Nitto Deluxe (or Technomic if he wanted something freakishly tall)? I don't see the reason for going to a threadless adapter (unless the OP already has a threadless stem or whatever).

The Deluxe will give you height up till about 120mm above min insertion, and a huge range of length.

Especially with regard to quill stems, you're going to have to get up to speed with the internet and online ordering. A bike shop is not likely to have very much selection in quill stems any more (and why should they?). Most online retailers have a descent selection and then there's ebay. Yes, you need to do the legwork.

I'm a little confused here, couldn't the OP just get a Nitto Deluxe (or Technomic if he wanted something freakishly tall)? I don't see the reason for going to a threadless adapter (unless the OP already has a threadless stem or whatever).

The Deluxe will give you height up till about 120mm above min insertion, and a huge range of length.

Yes he could. This thread is going in about three different directions.

my bad for not being more explicit... really out of ignorance, not out of inconsideration. I have a technomic deluxe, but it is way too tall for the steering tube and I'm not looking to ride upright. I think the quill is like 190 mm. I'm looking for a road style quill stem with 100 mm extension and shorter quill. My frame is a 54 cm Miyata 512 which I recently overpaid for... (long story).

this looks promissing...

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=88463&page=NITTO+DYNAMIC+QUILL+STEM

I'm assuming the 100mm dimension is for the extension or is it for the part that goes in the steering tube?

this looks promissing...

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=88463&page=NITTO+DYNAMIC+QUILL+STEM

I'm assuming the 100mm dimension is for the extension or is it for the part that goes in the steering tube?
The 100mm dimension is the extension length.

The 100mm dimension is the extension length.

thanks stan. I guess I have to call/email to get the length of the quill...

Yeah the technomic is way too huge, the stem I was referring to was the Nitto Deluxe, which is much shorter (height wise 120mm vs 190mm). The one I'm referring to is the same one that Scooper linked to. It's actually a better stem quality-wise than the technomic.

However, after re-reading, on a 54, it might still be too tall as it would bottom out in the steerer. So possibly back to the threadless adapter.

Here are more Nitto stems to consider:

http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=418

Here are more Nitto stems to consider:

http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=418

I think we've established that the Technomic is too tall for the OP. There are quite a few shorter (height) quill stems out there. 3T is one brand that comes to mind, there are many others.

thanks everyone for your help and sorry forthe confusion

Harris Cyclery writes that the Nitto stems are mostly for people who, as they have aged, need a taller stem for comfort.