Longer skewer stem for a 40 yr old Varsity?
05-18-09, 01:05 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
Longer skewer stem for a 40 yr old Varsity?
Longer skewer stem for a 40 yr old Varsity? Anyone know where I can get one longer than stock?
05-18-09, 03:59 PM
#3
You gonna eat that?
Handlebar stem I think. I noticed his is rather, um, elevated.
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
05-18-09, 04:00 PM
#4
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,258
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
6 Posts
I'm assuming you mean a handlebar stem, or just plain old 'stem' to us simple folk.
Do you mean longer, as in reach, or as in height? I would once again assume height, because yours is up dangerously high.
That's two assumptions on my part, and I have no idea. I would say that if you properly mounted the brake levers, the comfort level would increase greatly.
Do you mean longer, as in reach, or as in height? I would once again assume height, because yours is up dangerously high.
That's two assumptions on my part, and I have no idea. I would say that if you properly mounted the brake levers, the comfort level would increase greatly.
05-18-09, 04:05 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 909
Bikes: Klein
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
05-18-09, 04:32 PM
#6
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,513
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2422 Post(s)
Liked 4,390 Times
in
2,092 Posts
05-18-09, 05:55 PM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
ugh, yes i want a longer stem. the levers are where I like them - right where my hands are. I like drops but not around my ankles.
yes the stem is currently higher than recommended but I've always ridden my bikes like that. for my 700c bike I got a steerer tube extender and I love that position now and would love to achieve the same on my steel bikes
sooo ... anyone know where I can get a long (tall) stem? I guess skewer was the wrong term, there's another road, sounds like arrow ..., "quill" maybe?
yes the stem is currently higher than recommended but I've always ridden my bikes like that. for my 700c bike I got a steerer tube extender and I love that position now and would love to achieve the same on my steel bikes
sooo ... anyone know where I can get a long (tall) stem? I guess skewer was the wrong term, there's another road, sounds like arrow ..., "quill" maybe?
05-18-09, 06:21 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 909
Bikes: Klein
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yes, quill was the word you were searching for.
You might look for a Nitto Technomic Standard which is 225 mm long. Rivendell Bike has thos and stem extenders. I'm sure they are available from other vendors, too.
You might look for a Nitto Technomic Standard which is 225 mm long. Rivendell Bike has thos and stem extenders. I'm sure they are available from other vendors, too.
05-18-09, 06:22 PM
#9
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,513
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2422 Post(s)
Liked 4,390 Times
in
2,092 Posts
-Kurt
EDIT: What an idiot I am. 21.1, not 22.0.
__________________
Last edited by cudak888; 05-18-09 at 08:24 PM.
05-18-09, 06:33 PM
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
Thanks guys!
05-18-09, 06:56 PM
#11
OUTLAW BIKER
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: So Cal
Posts: 512
Bikes: Eddy Merckx team 7-11 Corsa Extra Full Dura Ace, 2015 Equalizer Electric Fat Tire Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Breaks my heart when I heard the name Schwinn Varsity, my Pops sold mine at a garage sale when I moved out west and before I sent for it...
Hey Pop wheres my bike?
I got $10 bucks for it!!
Hey Pop wheres my bike?
I got $10 bucks for it!!
05-18-09, 07:09 PM
#12
Bike Junkie
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: South of Raleigh, North of New Hill, East of Harris Lake, NC
Posts: 9,622
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Specialized Roubaix, Giant OCR-C, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, Stumpjumper Comp, 88 & 92Nishiki Ariel, 87 Centurion Ironman, 92 Paramount, 84 Nishiki Medalist
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 68 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 37 Times
in
27 Posts
An alternate to the Nitto Technomic long stems, you can use a hybrid adjustable stem if the diameter of your current stem is 22.2mm. If its a 21.1, the technomic is the only way to go. The advantage of the adjustable stem is lower price and, as the name says, it's adjustable so you can find the exact position you like.
I have two fused discs in my neck so I'm familiar with the need to raise the bars in order to ride a road bike and have used the adjustable stems on three bikes.
I have two fused discs in my neck so I'm familiar with the need to raise the bars in order to ride a road bike and have used the adjustable stems on three bikes.
__________________
Roccobike BF Official Thread Terminator
Roccobike BF Official Thread Terminator
05-18-09, 07:44 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 909
Bikes: Klein
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
05-18-09, 08:13 PM
#14
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,258
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
6 Posts
Do we have to have yet another Varsity thread?
Isn't there a Schwinn forum somewhere on the interwebs?
May as well turn the bars upside down. I've seem lots of folk do that to ride upright
Isn't there a Schwinn forum somewhere on the interwebs?
May as well turn the bars upside down. I've seem lots of folk do that to ride upright
05-18-09, 08:28 PM
#15
You gonna eat that?
They made 1.5 million of them in 1973 I think I read somewhere. Keep your eyes peeled; I bet you can get one for $10 or less!
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
05-19-09, 03:03 AM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
I found mine this weekend on craigslist. It was advertised as "MINT" for $100. Well ... it wasn't mint and I gave her $65. 
05-19-09, 03:24 AM
#17
Rustbelt Rider
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canton, OH
Posts: 9,104
Bikes: 1990 Trek 1420 - 1978 Raleigh Professional - 1973 Schwinn Collegiate - 1974 Schwinn Suburban
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 261 Post(s)
Liked 372 Times
in
177 Posts
Is your front wheel smaller?? That could be causing some issues as well. It probably is going to be a major pain to find a tall stem to fit that fork, thats a big draw back for the schwinns. I wouldn't ride it as pictured, that looks like a major accident just waiting to happen.
__________________
|^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||
|......GO.BROWNS........| ||'|";, ___.
|_..._..._______===|=||_|__|..., ] -
"(@)'(@)"""''"**|(@)(@)*****''(@)
|^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||
|......GO.BROWNS........| ||'|";, ___.
|_..._..._______===|=||_|__|..., ] -
"(@)'(@)"""''"**|(@)(@)*****''(@)
05-19-09, 03:34 AM
#18
Freewheel Medic
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: An Island on the Coast of GA!
Posts: 12,882
Bikes: Snazzy* Schwinns, Classy Cannondales & a Super Pro Aero Lotus (* Ed.)
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1452 Post(s)
Liked 2,194 Times
in
962 Posts
Find a larger frame. I'd guess about a 26" one. That way you can drop the seatpost/saddle, and the stem mysteriously rises!!!!
I also hate to let you know, while your Varsity is old, it's not quite 40 y.o. yet. It looks as if it is either the Schwinn Color known as Kool Orange (1971 only), or Sunset Orange (1973-74). Both of which are rarely seen in as nice shape as your Varsity. So great deal!
There are these stems from Harris, which they specifically reference fit "Schwinn Varsity" steering tubes!
https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/opc.html#stem
P.S. OldFatGuy--- go play in your MI tomato patch and burn off some excess AZ energy!!!!
I also hate to let you know, while your Varsity is old, it's not quite 40 y.o. yet. It looks as if it is either the Schwinn Color known as Kool Orange (1971 only), or Sunset Orange (1973-74). Both of which are rarely seen in as nice shape as your Varsity. So great deal!
There are these stems from Harris, which they specifically reference fit "Schwinn Varsity" steering tubes!
https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/opc.html#stem
Originally Posted by OFG in MI
Do we have to have yet another Varsity thread?
Isn't there a Schwinn forum somewhere on the interwebs?
May as well turn the bars upside down. I've seem lots of folk do that to ride upright...
Isn't there a Schwinn forum somewhere on the interwebs?
May as well turn the bars upside down. I've seem lots of folk do that to ride upright...
__________________
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
05-19-09, 12:13 PM
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
I picked up 2 things from Harris Cyclery in West Newton, MA for 2 bikes. So glad I live/work near them! And you know what? They have the good stuff! :-)
- stem extender
- long stem
OOooo, now I'm thinking I can make a smaller frame work for me! I picked up a very light World Sport - not sure if the '80s bike took the same stem diameter -- doesn't really matter - lots to play with now. Thanks for the suggestions!
- stem extender
- long stem
OOooo, now I'm thinking I can make a smaller frame work for me! I picked up a very light World Sport - not sure if the '80s bike took the same stem diameter -- doesn't really matter - lots to play with now. Thanks for the suggestions!
05-19-09, 12:56 PM
#22
surly old man
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Carlisle, PA
Posts: 3,392
Bikes: IRO Mark V, Karate Monkey half fat, Trek 620 IGH, Cannondale 26/24 MTB, Amp Research B3, and more.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 46 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 42 Times
in
18 Posts
jim
__________________
Cross Check Nexus7, IRO Mark V, Trek 620 Nexus7, Karate Monkey half fat, IRO Model 19 fixed, Amp Research B3, Surly 1x1 half fat fixed, and more...
--------------------------
SB forever
Cross Check Nexus7, IRO Mark V, Trek 620 Nexus7, Karate Monkey half fat, IRO Model 19 fixed, Amp Research B3, Surly 1x1 half fat fixed, and more...
--------------------------
SB forever
05-19-09, 01:06 PM
#23
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,258
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
6 Posts
I do get tired of the Varsinental threads, too.
05-19-09, 01:21 PM
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
jgedwa
- Dude - read my post just before yours ... I'm gonna fix that with the extender, and or long stem. OK?
- Dude - read my post just before yours ... I'm gonna fix that with the extender, and or long stem. OK?
05-19-09, 01:27 PM
#25
PanGalacticGargleBlaster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Smugglers Notch, Vermont
Posts: 7,531
Bikes: Upright and Recumbent....too many to list, mostly Vintage.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
you might want to drop the fork down and have a look at the steerer tube while you've got the stem taken out. Doesn't cost anything to check for cracks.
__________________
--Don't Panic.
--Don't Panic.