Stem Issues
 

I like my handlebars about seat level or above, since I have some issues with my 57-year-old neck.

I have very long Nitto Technomic quill stem, and in transferring it to my new '96 Specialized M2 Pro, I find that it's a little too long. I've learned that having it all the way down in the steering tube is a problem (see the bottom of this article). So here's the first question:

1. Would it be crazy to cut the stem down by an inch or so? That is, make a new angled cut above the old one.

2. If that's not a good idea, I'd get a new stem. I'm tired of the one-nut stems, so the question is, are there stems like this, but higher quality?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

I would cut it my self.But you will have to get a new bolt for it when you cut it.it might be cheaper to get a new one tho.I would price out the bolt a price out a new stem to see witch one is cheaper.GL.

A possibility is to buy a threadless stem adapter and a threadless stem with some rise and a removable faceplate. The adapters have moderately long quills and you have a wide choice of threadless stem types and almost all have removable two or four bolt faceplates.

I see no reason why you couldn't cut your Nitto down by making a cut parallel with the current bottom. However, the bolt may then be too long to tighten the wedge and you wouuld either have to find a suitable length bolt or extend the threads on your stock bolt.

I agree on cuting the old stem. the Delta stem is plain ugly. I use some hybrid/ATB type stems from Kalloy for the same reason, however lately I seem to be using alot of the Quill adaptors that Hillrider mentions. they just offer alot more options for a good quality taller stem

the Bianchi on the left has a very upright road quill stem. the ohter have quill adaptors.
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...2&d=1295110784


the Vento in the other pic has the Kalloy style I mentioned (but these can be hard to get a set of bars on.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...4&d=1295110924

consider these : QBP so your lBS can source them.
http://www.bikeman.com/SM2933.html

extension forward in a couple lengths, 8.5 & 10cm , 26 and 1" bar versions,
4 bolt faceplate

http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=433715

this?

Thumpic and Bob, I actually had one of those in my bike box (the Avenir), and you made me realize that that was just what I needed. I just finished putting it on, and I'll post a picture later. Thanks guys.

I had taken it off an old bike because (1) I thought it was too heavy, and (2) the top part tended to work its way loose, and creak. But it actually weighs the same as the big Technomic stem. I'll have to work on a solution to the second problem.

And here's a picture with the new stem:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a39...ithNewStem.jpg

Brake levers look mounted too far down on the curve,
to my eye, so you turned the bar up to compensate..

nothing re taping the bars and redoing your lever mount won't cure.

Right. Except that because of the inline (cross) brakes, I'd have to do a little more futzing to get everything right. I kinda wish I'd never got addicted to the inline brakes.