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).

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.


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.

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).