need help looking for a new stem..
 

Hello folks! just wanted some opinions on which stem I should consider, I just wanted to move my handle bars a little closer because I noticed that when I was riding my arms seemed a little bit straight and not slightly bended..This will be for my all steel bike and here is how my current stem look like..

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...pszffrdsic.jpg

Well, that's a 1" 'threaded' or 'quill' stem. You'll need to measure the length of the stem- measured from the top, from the center of that 6mm bolt head on top, to the middle of the handlebars, in millimeters/centimeters, and pick out a new size stem that seems appropriate. You'll need the diameter of the handlebar- if you're comfortable, unbolt the handlebars from the front of the stem and read the measurement engraved into the bar (xx.x mm). If there's no measurement engraved, you'll need to measure the diameter with a caliper (or post pictures of logos and such, some people might know the model of handlebar).

When you swap stems, you'll need to remove at least one brake lever (with a screwdriver or allen wrench, depending on the model), and one side of bar tape to snake the bars out of the grip of the stem.

To buy the stem, just type "1" quill stem" plus your mm measurements into google shopping. The part should be somewhere in the neighborhood of $20 new, though you can spend $80 on a flashy polished steel model if you really want to.

Or skip all this and take it in to a shop. You might pay a few dollars more but it's their job to order the correct part.

raiden thanks, I've been looking online just not sure what the measurements are..

You will also need a rough idea of the angle at which the vertical and horizontal parts of the stem intersect; varying this angle will change both the reach and height of the bars. They are available with an adjustable angle if you cannot decide, but these are somewhat heavy and need to have the angle adjustment well tightened for safe use. I have an adjustable stem on my loaner bike so I have another adjustment to help fit the borrower and it has been trouble free.

If you buy a stem with a removable faceplate you will avoid having to remove the bar tape and controls if you want to change the stem again.

Except for some very short ones quill stems designed for road bikes are designed to reach forward horizontally, with no rise at all, and I don't see much utility in an adjustable quill, as it changes the height and reach at the same time, whereas just sliding a normal quill up and down will change height with little change in reach.

To the OP: The "reach" of the stem is expressed in cm or mm, and is the amount it extends forward. Yours is probably close to 100 mm, and you can get them as short as 40mm, though 50-60 is more common. 25mm is about an inch. It's best to have someone knowledgeable about fit advise you on this in-person, and the saddle height and fore-aft position should be properly set before deciding on any changes to the stem. Also if you reduce the reach by very much it may be advisable to resize cable housing in the front.

I can't see the picture right now, but from what I recall when I did see it, I believe there was some rise to the stem... Some people don't like the look of a stem angled up on a road bike, so you may want to check out the Nitto Technomic stems, that are taller, but provide the stem angle that looks more traditional for a road bike. They tend to be a little expensive, but well worth it as far as quality.

Once you figure out what reach you need on your stem, you may consider posting in the ISO/For Trade thread over in Classic & Vintage (it is one of the sticky threads) to see if anyone has a stem they would be willing to swap with you. If that is the case, it will only cost you postage.

Current Trend is towards Threadless stems so selection is much better .

and they are placed on a quill to threadless adapters , where they attach to the top of those.

Additional benefit, once you go to a open face plate threadless stem, you will no longer need

to remove the bar-tape and everything to try another stem with a different rise angle, or extension Forward.

This is what i ordered..60mm long so i think the one i have now is 100mm long..and this tape..

http://www.cambriabike.com/Splash-Co...e-Black.asp..i hope its a pair..

K Road Quill Stems (100105408) at CambriaBike.com