I have finally gotten around to having my lugged track frame repaired and purchasing a fork for it. The fork is a threadless Soma Track (also lugged, for those who didn't know). Price and availability made the decision an easy one. Most of the lugged road forks that came up on ebay have too much rake, and the closest priced threaded track fork that came with a brake hole was chrome (my stays are not chromed) and $20 plus shipping more. I know people here don't think much of threadless stems, but hey- that's what the fork calls for, so that's what I'll be using.
Here's the question: Should I get a 90 (0) degree, an 80 (-10) degree or a 73 (-17) degree stem? Depending on how I have the steerer tube cut, I'll be able to put the clamp in pretty much the same location with whichever stem I choose. I'll be using a Bianchi (by Deda) Cro-Mo Pista drop bar and Syntace Stratos 400 bullhorns, both with a 26.0 clamp bulge.
These are my choices so far: All parts will be silver, and the frame will be painted silver.
90 degree- Rivendell (by Nitto) Lugged 100mm stem
http://=http://www.rivbike.com/image...ics/16-132.jpg This one may not make it around the bends of the Syntace, so if I buy this stem, I'll have to buy another one for that bar.
80 degree- Nitto UI-5GX 100mm
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...168258541&rd=1
Thomson X4 100mm silver. I assume everyone here knows what the new Thomsons look like.
73 degree- any number of good choices.
Other components that will likely be used:
Miche Primato Crank/Campagnolo 102mm BB*
Cane Creek S2 headset, silver*
American Classic seatpost, silver
IRO 32 hole hubset w/ Velocity Aerohead or Deep V rims (all silver)
Selle Royal Viper saddle*
Cinelli cork tape
* already own these parts
My hope is to use the slightly more modern-looking parts with the modern saddle and cork tape to compliment the headset/stem rather than make them stand out so much.
Anyhow, which stem angle would you choose and why? I'm completely on the fence wrt stem choice, so I thought I'd ask the good folks here on BF for their fashion opinions.
I'll probably leave 2-3 cm of steerer tube above the top of whichever stem I choose so I'm not locked into fewer positions. Plus, I like that little bit of steerer sticking above the top of the stem (sue me). Likely at least 2cm of spacers under the stem. Feel free to add suggestions, either for stems, or for where I can get a drilled, threaded, lugged fork with track-esque rake and round blades for less than $90.