bgblue1978

does anyone know a source for nice quill stems in a range of sizes, hopefully something with a removable face? should i just use an adapter and threadless? or sift through ebay until i find something?

MrEss

Depends on what you mean by "nice." Also, virtually nobody makes a quill stem with a removeable face plate.

Nitto makes a complete line of quill stems that are extremely high quality and come in a complete range of sizes, including tall models to raise the bars pretty high. They are made to the highest standards in Japan and priced accordingly.

Origin-8 makes a line of quill stems that are decent, and nothing to be ashamed of putting on your bike. They come in a complete range of lengths, though they are all "standard" height. They are quite inexpensive.

There are other options too, and a little web-searching should find them for you.

Teon

Googling 'bicycle quills' worked for me. I've been looking for a longer quill or an adapter to a threadless, and there truly doesn't seem to be one good source for those. A lot of different sources, stores, ebay is what I have so far found.

Best of luck in your search!

Edit: Thanks for the couple sources, MrEss!!!

nlerner

V-O carries a fairly wide variety:

https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...ill-stems.html

Neal

Rocket-Sauce 

Isn't Cinelli re-releasing the 1R?

cs1

Actually, a very nice looking stem.

Chombi

They are re-releasing the 1A, not the 1R, and both do not have a removable face plate.

Chombi

onasteelhorse

I actually do have one bike (one of the earlier bikesdirect Kilo TTs before they switched to threadless) with a removable face plate quill stem. I am pretty sure it's made by Zoom. Other than that, it's a silver, basic quill stem with a black plastic top cap kind of thing. I have often wondered why the convenient advancement of a removable face plate is virtually never found on a quill stem, to which I am otherwise partial.

onasteelhorse

it also appears from this person's ad that Salsa at one time made quill stems with removable face plate. Not a very classic looking stem, for sure, but probably decent quality.

Teon

Wow, that looks like a really wide handlebar! Or maybe it's just the angle the picture was taken at......

Lenton58 

Like MrEss says: Nittto. They come in an assortment of reaches. The Technomic series can be set up very high. The various combos make it possible to create a "fit" on a frame that might otherwise be useless. And they can make a machine that was intended to have a very aggressive riding position a more tolerable urban transporter. Don't get me wrong. There are models meant for the competition style of riding as well.

And I second the fact that they are very nicely made and tolerabely light compared to many vintage quill stems. I'm using one on my Trek and another on my Simplon. And I am thinking of replacing the Cinelli on the Vitus with a Nitto that has a few more mm rise.

No removable face, but I have never had the Nittos 'tip' or lose grip on the bars. The cinch bolt is in a precision tap, and it snugs very nicely. I am glad to highly recommend them just as my share to induce Nitto to keep making them.

Teon

I already thanked MrEss in a pm for the Nitto reference, as that is exactly what I am looking for in a replacement stem for my oem one. I need something a bit taller, and not painted black like my oem one, and something well made.....and Nitto looks like it has an absolutely perfect match for what I have been looking for!

And while looking at the quill stems, I also have been eyeing the Nitto noodle handlebar, as it looks pretty close to what I am wanting in a handlebar to replace my oem one, as well.

LesterOfPuppets

Unfortunately a LOT of them got recalled and eventually they were discontinued. Shame as they were a reasonably priced quill stem.

sillygolem

Check out porkchopbmx.com - They have NOS and reproduction stems with removable faceplates, although it may not be the style you're looking for.

JWalton215

Try looking for a used or NOS Cinelli 'Frog' stem.

da07079

The Profile Design H2O is is available as a quill stem with a removable face, in black and silver and a variety of sizes. See, for example, https://www.ebikestop.com/26-0mm-Clam...tems))1188.php or https://www.bikewagon.com/Stems/222mm...60mm/tc494846/. (Google other for other souorces if these don't have your size.) I don't know whether these are "nice" but they should be functional.

curbtender

https://www.niagaracycle.com/advanced...sort=2a&page=3

cs1

I put one on my 1995 Waterford. They are really nice but very expensive used. Seems they have a cult following. Good luck

realestvin7

Origin-8. Done. Look sharp and are affordable. About $30 I think.

Bianchigirll 

Until recently I was never a big fan of quill adaptors. however since I am not a 2000+ mile a year rider and my back hurts on longer rides these day I like to sit more upright. I discoverd that a quill adaptor is a great way to get the extra height I need/want, a wide variety of length and rise and removable face plates to make changes easy.

I also discovered a small secret to dealing with the skinny part of adaptor below the big funky 1 1/8" stem, and make it look a bit better.



although I sometimes just mount a bell there and seems to fill the void.

bradtx

I like your "little trick" on a very nice bike. A Volpe?

Brad

shipwreck

I really like your sticker. I need a couple of those to get the goat of the local "my bike cost the earth and so is better than yours" crowd. They may be right, but I still want that sticker.

john hawrylak

+1 for Nitto. The Technomic alows the bars to be at or above the saddle.

John Hawrylak
Woodstown NJ