C&V Bikes with threadless stems and adapters?
 

I know this is an aesthetically sensitive issue and I, too, appreciate quill stems. However, I have picked up a 1980's tourer that may, for me, have some real riding potential. I would like the ability to easily change the stem configuration and am considering a threadless stem and adapter.

I would appreciate pics from anyone who has done this conversion.

Thanks

RFC

If your goal is to easily switch bars/stem, then you could always go for a open-faced threaded stem. They are readily available. There are some vintage ones out there, and my LBS seems to always have a modern one or two laying around.

jim

Here are three of my threadless adapted bikes I have pics of. I have another one that is setup that way, but no pics yet as it isn't finished (need to wrap the bars).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/...b8c5752f59.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/...69f65f88a2.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3261/...18f24df670.jpg

I like the look. Are you using spacers?

I have seen pics of recent production Randonneuring bikes with an adapter / threadless stem setup and they look kind of interesting.

Here ya go! Threadless conversion with conversion to brifters on my Bianchi.
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/m...ampione002.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/m...ampione004.jpg
EDIT: I'm getting ready to make the same change to one of my prized Nishikis. If it means I'll ride the bike instead of looking at it, I'll make the conversion.

http://velospace.org/files/tn_DSCN4326.JPG
my old tri bike

All of my bikes with the threaded/threadless adapters have a single headset spacer in there. There are quill stems with removeable face plates, but they are far and few between. I can think of 3T mutant, 3T motus, Cinelli Frog, Cinelli Oyster, Salsa S.U.L. (most of which are recalled), and some basic profile/dimension/zoom ones. Only some of the basic profile/dimension/zoom and the Salsa are still made today that I know of. Yes, you can get others on ebay still new, but needing to get different lengths to find the right one can end up very expensive. I have been able to find a lot of threadless stems with 25.4, 26.0, or 31.8 clamp size relatively easily and cheaply.

I can get the bars higher without having to resort to a Technomic that doesn't have a removeable face plate with the threadless adapters. Each one with it flipped up is a normal 6 degree stem. The Cannondale is a 6 degree stem flipped down. I often change up bars on many of my bikes depending on what I am using it for. Most of the change up is on the track bikes which all but one are 1" threaded. I have track drops on a quill stem for actual track use, and a threadless stem with bullhorns or risers for street use of the same bike (with different gearing though).