markwebb

On a traditional quill stem (threaded headset) what is the minimum length I need in the steerer heaset? I need to raise bars about 5 inches to 6 inches, which is up to 150mm of the length. At a 6 inch/150 mm max rise above headtube, would a 190mm stem work - leaving 40mm in the tube? Or - for a 5 inch to 6 inch rise, should I go with a 225mm length stem? I don't have access to the stems to look at their max height lines, so I need some help before I buy a stem.

Thanks and Happy New Year

roadfix

If your headtube is tall I'd get the 225mm quill. 40mm in the tube doesn't seem too secure, especially for a tall stem.....depends where the minimum insertion line is marked.

My Nitto Technomic stem has a 190mm quill and I'm certain the insertion line is marked well beyond 40mm.

531Aussie

wow!!! 5 or 6 inches is A LOT!! It's preferable that the expander on the bottom of the stem be below the threaded part of the fork steerer.

By "225mm stem", do you actually mean "steerer"?

In the short term, the best way to get maximum height out of a threaded setup would be to buy an a-head adapter and a new a-head stem

55/Rad

Or maybe try a quill with a greater rise - like a MTB quill? Profile Design has some models.

55/Rad

pigmode

Check the Rivendell online store as they tend to carry these type of stems, mostly quality items made by Nitto. Harris Cyclery and Peter White are other options, and I've also seen the same Nitto stems on eBay as well.

markwebb

It's not a tall head tube - my new frame is a 55.5cm size seat tube. On my 56cm bike I have 3.5" rise from top of headset and it's maybe .25 inches too short for my liking - I'm old I like my seat and bars same height !!

So I guess on my new bike an additional rise of 1" in quill will be more than enough to work with and dial in, since it's less than 1cm shorter than my other bike. Even at a full 1cm frame difference, I'd need less than 1" of additional rise. A full 4.5" rise would mean 75mm of stem in the tube and 114mm exposed in that Nitto 190mm stem (I am looking at buying the Nitto Technomic stem has a 190mm quill).

On that Nitto stem with 190mm quill - does anyone know what minimum insertion line is marked at??
Do you think 60mm minimum would be OK (maximum - as I calculated above it would be around 70mm-80mm).

pigmode

Maybe if you back measured from this stem you'd get a ballpark figure.

https://www.rivbike.com/webalog/handl...ape/16047.html

markwebb

That's what I'm doing - trying to measure based on the Nitto 190mm quill stem. From my calculations with a 4.5" rise from top of headset, that would leave about 75mm in the tube. So I need to know if on the 190mm quill stem, if leaving 60-75mm in tube is safe. Where is the minimum insertion mark on the Nitto Technomic Deluxe 190mm Quill?

pigmode

Call Riv tomorrow. FWIW, I compared the specs and the 190 looks like its about 4 5/8" above the HS.

roadfix

It's marked at 70mm from the bottom of the wedge. I just pulled the stem out to measure.
Good luck...

markwebb

Wow thanks Fixer. I'll go ahead and order one knowing the 70mm is the mark. Thakns for the help - and Happy New Year

TallRider

Here's a visual idea of what a Nitto Technomic stem can get you. Mine is 225mm quill, 130mm (horz. forward) extension. Note that the quill isn't out as far as it can go, either (judging by the "max height" marker).

Phatman

hmm...have you thought about a new frame? Its just my opinion...but you probably shouldnt have that much seatpost and stem showing on a non-compact frame...

roadfix

Visual is a good idea....
Here's a 190mm quill inserted just past the max line.

TallRider

Yeah, I'm going to get a custom steel frame eventually. In the meantime, I'm tinkering with the fit of the current bikes. The above frame has a 59cm top tube, pretty long for the frame size. I've ridden it for 10 years now and it's not bad for me, and really nice'n'light, even with the steel (Reynolds 753) fork. I used to have my bars 8 inches below the saddle, but have gotten tired of that recently so got the mondo Technomic stem.

markwebb

OP Here - I ordered the Nitto with 190mm quill based on the great feedback here. The Fixer was kind enough to measure the insert length at minimum insertion line and it was at 70mm, so that should give me up to 110-120 exposed length, which is about 4.5 inches. That should be enough - the new Mercian is at most 1cm shorter in seat post which won't require more than an additional half inch. The 190 should work. Thanks, everybody, and Happy New Year.