RFC

I have a 1994 Litespeed Catalyst that has a C&Vish look, threaded fork, and has been through many iterations. I am getting ready to set it up for some serious miles as soon as the AZ temps cool a bit. It is presently set up with a Cinelli stem/bar combination, which looks great, but has little in the way of adjustability and those Cinelli bars are waaay deep. I am going to go with bar ends.

So, I was thinking of going with an adapter and threadless stem. Please show me examples of C&V bikes with tasteful use of threadless stems.

Thanks

Ex Pres 

I have used an adapter, and I also have replaced a threaded setup with a threadless. My opinions on this - the threadless stem/adapter matched with the threaded headset just is too much.

Replacement with a threadless setup is better, but threadless stems with 1" steerers and skinny tubes still is not my favorite look.
It may have had something to do with the colors - IIRC my threaded headset was silver, but the stem was black. (I'm not sure on this.)

And I don't mind 1 1/8" threadless setups with larger tube frames. It's all in the proportions.

Here's a link to the 1" complete threadless setup on my skinny-tubed single speed. I don't think I have any picks with the adapter setup. Just didn't float my boat.

ColonelJLloyd 

I don't have pics yet, but my favorite bike takes a 21.1mm stem. Last year I had a 60mm reach Nitto Technomic turned down and all was great. But, I'm changing bars and levers and, as my dexterity has improved, the 60mm reach is not enough. So rather than having my machine shop turn down a quill stem every time I change things around, I'm going to have them do a threaded-to-threadless adapter and be done with it. My bike is chrome and decidedly not modern so I sprung for this:







The lugged stem sticks up past the adapter about 5mm, so last night I purchased a handful of inexpensive 26mm diameter, liquid filled compasses. I'm going to use one in place of a fake top cap. I'll polish the adapter and I'm hoping it looks pretty good. I'm bringing the adapter and beers to my machine shop today.

AndyK 

A lot depends on your headset. If you have a large stack headset (like a Campy Super Record), the threadless adapter and stem will look out of place, IMHO. If you have a low profile type headset, then it might look OK.

As for how they are, with 1 adapter, you can have any bar and stem you want! Compact FSA Omega bars, super light Deda bars and stems, etc. You just have to like the look of a modern stem with a vintage bike.

ldmataya 

I used an adapter, VO stem, and Milan bar to convert my wife's Trek 2500 to an upright rider.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/3453984...7626209700958/

rat fink

Generally, I find that they will look pretty good if you get a -17 degree stem. Since -17 degree is what I need, it works out nicely. To make the appearance slightly more subdued, I used acetone to remove some of the graphics from a few 3T stems I had:





At one time, this bike had a silver seat post to go with the silver stem, now they are both black:



I left part of the graphics on because the stem looks kind of cheap without any graphics. I don't know if you think it's tasteful or not. You'll have to ignore the ergo bars, they are all I currently use. This set up could be made to look like a very subtle neo-retro with some Khatfulling. I have done it in the past with some bikes I have sold. It looked grand!

miamijim

hueyhoolihan

now having seen a number of old (narrow diameter tubed) bikes with threadless stems. i think i will keep my quill stems regardless...just doesn't look good IMHO with narrow tubes, although i would desperately like to have a lower weight fork, steerer tube, headset, stem, handlebar setup...

AndyK 

You can't say that yellow Colnago doesn't look ready to rock with the adapter and modern stem!?

miamijim

The most significant difference you'll notice is an overall incease in cockpit stiffness.

KonAaron Snake 

So, I'll be "that guy". There is no tasteful threadless stem for use with a C and V bike. The range is merely less ugly.

I have some threadless stems on C and V bikes, and it mars their beauty for me.

kaliayev

The Appel has a threaded fork with an adapter and threadless stem. It should look better when I get some more black spacers. With the Trek I used a 1" threadless fork and a spacer for the stem.

weaver

I agree in that 1" threadless is the way to go. I used adapters a couple times and the total setup weighed more and typically I prefer to remove parts, not add more. Ebay has lots of 1" kelly stems for about $20 that look the part, but they also do not have the removable face plate which is the major benefit of a typical threadless stem.

Either way, works for me functionally and aesthetically.

hueyhoolihan

i'm not going to single a bike out and criticize it on a forum, but i will stand by my statement...

hueyhoolihan

a little gratuitous stiffness wouldn't go unappreciated...

KonAaron Snake 

That looks good...gotta admit...

AndyK 

This looks really good, but I think only because of the low profile headset. If it was a tall Super Record or C-Record job, it would look a little busy.

sillygolem

You might also want to look at a BMX quill: It'll have a bolt-on plate like a threadless stem, but it'll be top mount and may be too clunky looking for you.

MetinUz

I saw tons of nice looking stems at this year's San Diego Custom Bicycle Show:

frantik

i dunno why but threadless stems just look wrong to me on c&v.. i hate how they have the steerer tube bit sticking out on top. plus you can't adjust the height as easily right? why are they even used?

Snydermann

Threadless on a C&V just looks wrong . . . like picking up your date for the prom and she's wearing hiking boots with her dress.

bane

I'm not sure about all cases, but the threadless stems I have on my modern (circa mid -00's) bikes are significantly stiffer than the quill stem on my C&V ride (circa mid -70's)

plus the removable faceplace is very convenient

you do lose the ability to make small adjustments to height

plusses and minuses on both sides

noglider 

Really? Wouldn't you have to be pretty strong to notice? I'm not the kind of guy who rips toe straps, if you know what I mean.

Bianchigirll 

I see lots of cool stems but not alot of quill to threadless adaptors. while they are not exactly graceful to allow me to get the extra upright position my back likes.

I changed this adaptor for one a bit taller but the over all look is the same. '90ish Boarala


my '88 Trofeo, this Specialized stem came with inserts to change the angle at the 'steerer'


here is my '87 Sport SX and close up of the adaptor




if you want something that might look a bit more graceful you could use this Kalloy Hybrid/Atb style stem. '86 Corsa Mondiale

MetinUz

It's easy to see it if you straddle the bike and successively push on the left and right drops.