Tandem Cycling - Quill stem adapter

The Trek T100 has convinced my wife that she enjoys tandeming! Its given both of us a chance to see what we like/dislike in a first bike. The frame is a 20/18 which is terrible terrilby small for our 6"2 & 5"7 builds.

As a result it looks like I will probably be picking up a Trek T200 this weekend. It should address the two most glaring issues for us: Longer stoker compartment (its either a 62/56 or a 58/54 the owner doesnt know for sure.)... and drop bars for me. I just cant get comfortable with the flat bars. I like my hoods too much.

My question is in regards to swapping out the quill stem. What size adapter do I need? Bikepedia doesn't give the dimension on the stock one.

I will give the barcons a chance before making any bit decisions there. But if I wanted to go with brifter how hard is it to find Tiagra or better 3X8... or will the rear wheel accept a 9 speed cassette?

Im really just stoked about my wife being more comfortable - that means she will want to ride more!

I have a t200 frame that i had a custom welder cut down to fit. Anyway to answer your question the rear spacing on the T200 that I have is 140mm so it should work with a 9spd. The fork is the standard 1" steerer.

What is wrong with the quill stem?

The one that's on the bike looks way too angled down. It may be OK, but if not, I want to make sure I have options. And moving to an adapter allows me to play with angles and stem lengths to make sure I get a good fit for me.

If you use a quill adaptor you will have more options for oversize stems and bars. Also different rise options too. The T-100 is probably a 1". Delta makes a nice one that is pretty reasonably priced. You can use an adaptor so that you can buy a 1 1/8 stem. Tons of options! This is what I did with my single (old Masi) as there just isn't that many quill options anymore.

Our T50 has a 1 1/4" headset; as do T100 and T200 tandem.
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb8/dianemisso/Tandem%20110508/IMG_0463.jpg
It takes a standard 31.8mm stem

Another view (later):
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb8/dianemisso/Tandem%202/IMG_0476.jpg

They are Avenir 200 series stem and bars.

I think the scariest part of buying your first tandem is wondering if you'll both like it. You seem to have that question out of the way, so I think you should save and spend more for a bike that has everything you want. You have time, since you can still use your current one while shopping for a new tandem.

Thanks for the info guys. I'm looking in my box of parts and realized I already have a set of 9 speed brifters and an 11-25 nine speed cassette.

Now the confusing part is what type of rear derailleur I would need. I have absolutely no head for numbers so I am lost regarding a long cage or short cage. I found a good article on the subject but I'm easily confused (and distracted by small shiny objects!)

...... 11-25 nine speed cassette......

With 25 in the big cog, almost any derailleur the same brand as your brifters and cassette will work; but you have to consider the total amount of chain that it has to take up, which needs to factor in the chainrings at the crank.

The original rear cassette on the T50 and T100 was a 7 speed, there is not enough room for 8 or 9 speed. The T200 came with an 8 speed, which provides space for a 8 or 9 speed. The wheels on the T200 had a poor reputation. For sure the set I recently picked up does not look as good as the wheels on our T50.

And there is always: http://sheldonbrown.com/k7.html#897