I think I am going to have to admit defeat, and acknowledge that I am 47, not 22, and perhaps I would enjoy riding my Merckx slightly more with a raised drop handlebar.

What would you guys recommend?

I‘m after a one piece quill stem, maybe 90-100mm in length, removable front plate, for a 26mm drop bar.

I know I could go down the threadless adaptor route but am looking for something a bit less Heath Robinson.

Thanks in advance!

Simon

Something like this, but with a shorter shaft.

V.o. makes one but it needs shims to get to 26mm and its a mere 80.00.
probably why i settle for a technomic without removable cap.

Nitto Technomic is 26.0 but no removable faceplate.

You could go with an innicycle threadless headset adapter too.

Aaah, a subject near and dear to my aging lower back. With the proviso that without knowing how high your stem can go now, and how much higher you want it to go....

Asking for a removable face plate greatly limits your choices. Also, though you didn't mention this, but it's been brought up, are you willing to use a 31.8mm stem with a shim?

Without needing a shim for the bars, there is the Profile H2O stem, 15-deg uprise, removable face plate, 26.0 clamp. I used to use these a bunch. Available in silver and black. You'll get more rise than from your average vintage road quill, but not nearly as much as a Technomic. Subjectively, I don't find them very attractive. That said, _any_ mod done to _any_ bike to make it more comfortable/rideable for the rider is a good thing in my book, as long as it's a safe mod.
https://www.roadbikereview.com/produ...h2o-stems.html

And, er, yeah, that's kinda it, at least in terms of current product I'm aware of.

Maybe an older Salsa CroMoto S.U.L.? Just be sure you get one that wasn't defective and subject to recall, and likely black only. I don't think these are in production any more:
Salsa CroMoto Stem Recall -

Nitto had a nice tig'd mid-rise upjetter in 26.0 with replaceable face plate, but just two bolts. The quill wasn't very long, but the rise angle got the bars up a bit higher. Definitely not into Technomic territory. And prettier than the H2O. I've had a couple/few, doesn't seem to be in production any more, couldn't find it rebranded by Blue Lug or Simworks, can't remember the model #. I've got one on my Raleigh Pro Track now.



Otherwise you might have some options in no-name/generic-ish Taiwan/China stems? Don't know if that's a market the Hsin Lungs of the world made product for.

Give up on the replaceable face plate and bob's yer uncle. Plenty of 26.0 quill options out there. Or pay serious $$$ and have somebody make a custom for you. I'd guess maybe $250-$300?

BTW, if you're happy with the one shown in your posted photo, except for the long quill/shaft, it's not difficult or unsafe to cut them shorter. Cut the shaft on the same angle, smooth the outer/inner surfaces, shorten the bolt and you're good to go.

Most of my bikes are 90 degree stems since I tend to prefer a smaller frame. Personally, I would not go any more than 90/0 degree on something as racy as a Merckx. Finding a 90 stem with 26.0 clamp is a constant quest for me. Nitto Dynamic II has the most classic quill look but not sure I’ve seen it with a longer extension than 110. Salsa, Ritchey and Sameness are also regular searches for me.

Below is my Tempo with a 90 degree Ritchey and 130 extension. A Dynamic II would be a better aesthetic but I needed the reach. If you think you need even more height, maybe a long-quilled Technomic is a better route.