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-   -   Stupid Quill Stem Question... (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1299819-stupid-quill-stem-question.html)

scale 09-07-24 04:45 PM

Stupid Quill Stem Question...
 
Are/we're their different quill stem shaft widths for 1 inch threaded forks

I picked up a replacement early 1980s SR embossed quill stem which is more my size for a frame im building up but when i insert it i show gaps around the nut if that makes sense. It measures ~21mm and the one that was in it measures 22mm or so. I mean i guess that answers my question but both have a small step down ridge on them. I guess im just curious if they offered different sizes on quill stem shafts in the early 1980s and why?
The one i picked up at the coop just looks out of place with the gap yet by ever other measurement its the correct shorter length stem i needed to replace the one that came stock on the frame. Looks to be the same "model/brand" and everything which is what i wanted. (Schwinn Voyageur S/P)

Aubergine 09-07-24 04:53 PM


Originally Posted by scale (Post 23343223)
Are/we're their different quill stem shaft widths for 1 inch threaded forks

I picked up a replacement early 1980s SR embossed quill stem which is more my size for a frame im building up but when i insert it i show gaps around the nut if that makes sense. It measures ~21mm and the one that was in it measures 22mm or so. I mean i guess that answers my question but both have a small step down ridge on them. I guess im just curious if they offered different sizes on quill stem shafts in the early 1980s and why?

Yes, there were a couple different standards for stems back then. The more common standard for road bikes was 22.2 mm, but the French and some others required stems that fit in tubes of 22.0 internal diameter. There were a few other standards as well.

scale 09-07-24 04:56 PM

hmm....i must have picked up one of those smaller standards then. Dang it. By every other visual inspection its exactly the same stem but in the length i need. Oh well...time to keep looking I guess. The Coops and used shops are all dried up or gone around here. Sad. I guess overpriced ebay stuff might be the next place to hunt. I miss those good local shops with BINs of used junk.

etherhuffer 09-07-24 05:28 PM


Originally Posted by scale (Post 23343223)
Are/we're their different quill stem shaft widths for 1 inch threaded forks

I picked up a replacement early 1980s SR embossed quill stem which is more my size for a frame im building up but when i insert it i show gaps around the nut if that makes sense. It measures ~21mm and the one that was in it measures 22mm or so. I mean i guess that answers my question but both have a small step down ridge on them. I guess im just curious if they offered different sizes on quill stem shafts in the early 1980s and why?
The one i picked up at the coop just looks out of place with the gap yet by ever other measurement its the correct shorter length stem i needed to replace the one that came stock on the frame. Looks to be the same "model/brand" and everything which is what i wanted. (Schwinn Voyageur S/P)

Schwinn did a 21.1 stem, and it renders a lot of nice frames problematic. And none of the 21.1 stems are very tall. You can get 21.1 to modern stem adapters, but they are indeed homely

Pompiere 09-07-24 08:28 PM

Ross was another one that used 21.1 stems. Also Huffy. The earlier ones had stamped steel stems, but later on they had SR stems in 21.1 mm.

scale 09-08-24 08:06 AM

Yeah this is a SR stem...and it is longer which i like but it must be one of these oddballs. Oh well......time to start hunting for something else i guess.

curbtender 09-08-24 08:21 AM

Maybe someone has a trade... https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...l#post23335269

jdawginsc 09-08-24 08:34 AM


Originally Posted by scale (Post 23343571)
Yeah this is a SR stem...and it is longer which i like but it must be one of these oddballs. Oh well......time to start hunting for something else i guess.

I have a bunch of them. Give me the measurements you need and I can take a look
(height, length)

scale 09-08-24 09:30 AM

Thanks......Im after a 60mm by ~7 inches length.

dddd 09-08-24 09:53 AM

Schwinns, Windsors, Nishikis and many others used a thicker-walled steerer tube with an ID measuring only 21.1mm or .833", and these stem's quill is normally stamped with one of those two numbers.

Also known as "BMX diameter".

One never finds a higher-end road or mountain bike having the smaller diameter, and I've wondered if the thicker wall was just to allow use of a cheaper grade of tubing, or if perhaps these thicker steerers got by without the expense of any butting down near the fork crown(?).

The Schwinn Supersport might be the most expensive or best model of road bike to feature this stem quill diameter, although I think the Nishiki International competed at near the same price point and also featured a bmx-diameter stem.

Interestingly, Schwinn Varsities and Continentals from before around 1966 or so had standard 22.2mm stem quills, but adopted the bmx diameter after that.

People buying lower-tier bikes in those days were more likely to apply heavy overtightening to any big hex head they could find on their bikes, and the thicker-wall steerer would tend to be much more resistant to damage from over-expansion of the quill expander.

ryanl092 09-08-24 12:53 PM

This post made me finally figure out why my miyata 1000’s stem went loss in my last ride. Its stem was from a vitus 979 which used 22mm. This stem seemed to work fine in my centurion ironman though. I am lucky not crash with it as I turn around before a long climb to local mt. Diablo. Time to swap it out.

jdawginsc 09-08-24 01:56 PM


Originally Posted by scale (Post 23343646)
Thanks......Im after a 60mm by ~7 inches length.

So 177mm from max height line or total
From bottom? Would that be 60mm length from center of bolt to center of clamp area?

scale 09-08-24 04:42 PM


Originally Posted by jdawginsc (Post 23343854)
So 177mm from max height line or total
From bottom? Would that be 60mm length from center of bolt to center of clamp area?

Total length.... and correct center of bolt to center of clamp area on bars.

dddd 09-08-24 10:32 PM

I have that exact SR stem with 25.4mm clamping diameter of course.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3ff97e341b.jpg


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