SR Stems and Stem Angles
 

I have a SR Custom Stem and its seems like it angles down a noticeable amount.

I like this stem because there is no nut. The bolt threads directly into the body o the stem.

I used this stem to replace my stock stem which has an unsightly nut and uses the reflector bracket as the washer.

I saw a SR stem called a SR Royal which also has no nut, the bolt threads into the body of the stem also.

Can anyone tell me if the angle is the same as the Custom?

I would like the stem to be parallel with the top tube like it was with the stock stem with the nut. or maybe there are other SR stems that would be what I'm looking for. Thank you.

Without seeing what you have it could be that you have a 74' headtube with a 72' stem as your replacement. I don’t recall Custom having a standard bolt.

The custom stem has a recessed allen bolt with a wedge expander. The Royal that may have a conical expander, I can’t recall.

The main difference between the Custom stem is cast, the Royals are forged.

The Royal is anodized and the Custom is not.

A track stem would have more drop than a road.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a4a84b1662.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...68693b1b81.jpg
i admit in this photo they look like the same angle. Btw .833. diam

I measured the angles of the stems. I secured each on in a wooden vise and zeroed the level on the vertical part, then checked the level on the horizontal part.

The stock SR stem was 72 degrees and the SR custom was 70 degrees. But what is the SR Royal? If it is 72 degrees I would buy one. If I cant find a .833" I would get a 22.2 and have it turned down to .833. (yes my ocd really is that bad)

The head tube measured at 74 deg

Do you know what the angle is on a Royal? And if there were different varieties of Royal? Im surprised the stem angle is not engraved on the stem shaft like the length and year are.

I don't know if this helps at all, but at least I can show you two different versions of the Royal stems. I couldn't tell you the angles though, sorry.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f0598e70b5.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dfea925bfb.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2532edee86.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2c5d62b446.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bcf17769cd.jpg

Here's two Customs showing two different attachment methods.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9d98105002.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...834b5fdf3e.jpg

There are variations of SR Royal from standard, fuller cut, and fuller will drilled. I don’t know if there are different angles.

I don’t know, they may have made .833, that’s like Schwinn or BMX size. It’s not as common.

My dad would say if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

do they both say "Custom" on the front of the stem like the black one in the photo in post #3?

I'll go out to the barn tomorrow to check, but I think they both do.

Thanks.

The stem on the orange bike does say Custom, but the white bikes stem does not, so it may not be a Custom.

Some of the stems from back then seemed to be made to fit Varsity clones having 70-degree HT angles and .833" (21.1mm) steerer ID.

I notice that one such stem, branded "Compe Forged", has a very noticeable downward tilt even when fitted to my American/Nishiki Kokusai with it's 72-degree HT angle.
It's the original stem as I recall, I recall having bought the rough, old bike for $20 just to use it's 110mm stem on my Schwinn Supersport, but found the bike's style and configuration as a rider too compelling to part it out!

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...95b0ab66dc.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1b9517b942.jpg

Royal stems came in several varieties, both road and track. The Sakae Ringyo catalog doesn't specify the angle, but the road stems I have here are the same as other road stems, while the track stem has a steeper angle.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8f8513d093.jpg

How can I tell a road from a track when looking at SR Royal stems on ebay?

You might have to ask the seller. Typically, sellers will note if the stem is a track model, and expect a higher price for it.

N.B. Looking more closely at the catalog scan I posted, the track stem angle is specified as 65°

sure enough John! good eyes!

My dream stem would be an SR Aerox Stem .833 if its the angle I want and says Aerox on it. That would match my crank. SR Aerox stem .833 parallel with my top tube. My dream stem!
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5e24d8fa9f.jpg