Bicycle Mechanics - Quill Stem to A-Head

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View Full Version : Quill Stem to A-Head


heymickey
08-27-04, 12:19 AM
I just bought an EC90 with an oversize of 31.8 mm. My bike uses a quill stem (Icon, Graphite Series). The quill stem is a size 26 mm, I think, so it won't fit. What do I have to do to make this fit? I have read about getting a Nashbar Threadless Stem Adaptor (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=119&subcategory=1185&brand=&sku=9755&storetype=&estoreid=). And I plan on getting a threadless stem (size 31.8 mm) to fit the adaptor. Is that all I need to fit this? Is this (ITM CNC Quill To A-Head Converter) the same thing? Sorry for all the stupid questions, but I am not up to all these terms.

Quill Stem = Threaded Stem
A-Head = Threadless Stem

Is this correct?

Also, how do I find out the diameter of the stem? Is it 1" or 1 1/8" Is this the diameter of the inner circle, or the entire diameter? BTW the quill stem came with my 1997 Trek 5500, if this helps.


sydney
08-27-04, 07:40 AM
I just bought an EC90 with an oversize of 31.8 mm. My bike uses a quill stem (Icon, Graphite Series). The quill stem is a size 26 mm, I think, so it won't fit. What do I have to do to make this fit? I have read about getting a Nashbar Threadless Stem Adaptor (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=119&subcategory=1185&brand=&sku=9755&storetype=&estoreid=). And I plan on getting a threadless stem (size 31.8 mm) to fit the adaptor. Is that all I need to fit this? Is this (ITM CNC Quill To A-Head Converter) the same thing? Sorry for all the stupid questions, but I am not up to all these terms.

Quill Stem = Threaded Stem
A-Head = Threadless Stem

Is this correct?

Also, how do I find out the diameter of the stem? Is it 1" or 1 1/8" Is this the diameter of the inner circle, or the entire diameter? BTW the quill stem came with my 1997 Trek 5500, if this helps.Your bar clamp is 26.0 not the quill.The qull is the part that goes into the headset/steerer. Measure the quill diameter if it isn't marked. 22.mm = a 1" steerer, and a 25.4 quill = a 11/8" steerer. Order the adapter by steeer size....dollars to donuts your is a 1" steerer.... Besides the length and rise of the stem,there is the calmp diameter for the bars, and the diameter that clamps to the steerer or adapter. Most Ahead stems are now made with a 11/8" steerer calmp diameter with a shim that also allows them to be used with a 1" steerer. Make sure you get the diameters right for the adapter and the stem.

Grasschopper
08-27-04, 07:55 AM
Adding on to this question. Is it possible to do a complete conversion? Remove the headset and replace the headset, fork, stem etc to convert from threaded to threadless?

Sorry if this is a total newbie question. :D


sydney
08-27-04, 08:05 AM
Adding on to this question. Is it possible to do a complete conversion? Remove the headset and replace the headset, fork, stem etc to convert from threaded to threadless?

Sorry if this is a total newbie question. :D
It's done all the time.

Grasschopper
08-27-04, 08:08 AM
It's done all the time.

Cool. So with a 1" steerer I need a new fork, AHeadset, stem and that is it? I like the idea of having more (availible) stem choices. Also isn't the threadless setup lighter?

Thanks

heymickey
08-27-04, 10:16 AM
I was thinking to eventually performing a full conversion. It seems that there isn't much of a selection for (light) 1" forks.

Grasschopper
08-27-04, 10:44 AM
I was thinking to eventually performing a full conversion. It seems that there isn't much of a selection for (light) 1" forks.

Yea but are the ones out there lighter than your (or my) threaded fork plus headset, plus adapter? The threadless headset is lighter (as I understand it) than the threaded headset. IMO you got to look at the total package not just the fork.

sydney
08-27-04, 10:49 AM
The threadless headset is lighter (as I understand it) than the threaded headset. A CK 1" threadless is listed by one source as 108 grams, and a campy record 110g. A lowly ultegra 1 threaded is also listed as 108.

Grasschopper
08-27-04, 11:05 AM
A CK 1" threadless is listed by one source as 108 grams, and a campy record 110g. A lowly ultegra 1 threaded is also listed as 108.

Ok so I am wrong there but the stem can be more than 100g lighter pretty easily, right (I am looking in Performance)? Also seems looking in the Performance catalog that the 1" steerer forks are actually lighter than the 1 1/8" version of the same fork.

Is the Campy Record a high quality headset? They seem to be quite a few dollars cheaper than the Chris Kings.

sydney
08-27-04, 11:14 AM
Is the Campy Record a high quality headset? They seem to be quite a few dollars cheaper than the Chris Kings.I would not own another one.

sydney
08-27-04, 11:17 AM
Also seems looking in the Performance catalog that the 1" steerer forks are actually lighter than the 1 1/8" version of the same fork.

Makes perfect sense due to the larger diameter steerer.