Bikedued

I am running into a problem finding a stem for my Bianchi. The head tube angle is pretty steep, so everything I've tried on it leaves the top of the stem angled down. Everyone here would most likely agree that looks like crap, am I right? So, does anyone know of a correct angle quill stem that is available? A 90* might look okay, but might have a little rise. Does anyone have an old Bianchi stem in a 90-100mm they would part with. I am kind of stumped at this point.,,,,BD

I have a 26.0 clamp Scott Drop Anatomic that I would love to use with it, but if the only thing available is 25.4 I won't be heartbroken. Just looking for the level stem look more than anything else.

JohnDThompson 

Pictures?

Casey Jones

+1

Otis

Angled down looks like crap? I think you have that backwards, angled up looks like crap. But a traditional 73 degree (or -17degree) Stem will only angle down a tiny bit on a steep head angle frame, just barely noticeable. The only road bike I have where this is evident is my '76 Colnago using a early 70's Cinelli 1A (which are sometimes a bit steeper angled than the later ones.) I do not know of any Bianchi road frames that used a super steep head-tube, at least nothing more drastic than 74 degrees?

Maybe you have a track stem or the bike has been in a front end collision?

Bikedued

It's not a track stem, and the bike has not been wrecked. I tried 6 different stems, and they all angled down. Bike is an early 80's Nuova Racing, repainted black. I bought the frame without a fork.

Otis

Quill to threadless adapter stems looks like crap (my opinion of course). I have an early 80's Nuovo Racing and a Cinelli 1A sits dead level with the top tube. Mine's smaller size (55cm), but the head-tube should not be steeper than 73 degrees on that bike.

I think the problem you are having is using the threadless style stems which are way steeper as they are usually meant to angle up. So if you are trying to flip it, yes it will angle down too steeply. Unless you can find one that is -17 degrees. But it looks like you have it set up to fit you in the photo, so why change it? A level stem will just need more quill out to get the rise you need.

Bikedued

No I was trying quill stems. I know this looks like crap, which is why I wished to change it. It was all I had in a pinch, and the bike had already been sitting for months waiting on a fork. If all you're going to do is make smart remarks disguised as help, then why bother. Thanks for your help...

Moderators please delete this thread.

T-Mar

With all due respect, something does sound wrong. To the best of my knowledge, the Nuovo Racing never came with a head angle steeper than 74, as previously mentioned. You can see a very slight downward pitch to the sample in the 1983 catalog, but only if you're looking for it. It certainly doesn't jump out at you.

I too would have suspected a front end crash. Baring that, and given the number of stems you've tried, the only other possibility that I can think of is that someone set up the tooling incorrectly and there was a batch manufactured with incorrect head angles. I'm genuinely curious and would appreciate it if would measure the head angle.

The only classic styled, forged aluminum stem that I'm aware of with with rise is the Nitto Dirt Drop, but that has quite a steep rise. One way to get a slight rise would be to use an adjustable stem, but IMO that would look even worse. The other alternative is to start looking for late 1980s to early 1990s ATB stems. There were some with a true 90 degree angle, giving approximately 17 degree rise. Of course, these were primarily TIG welded steel.

wrk101

+1 ATB stems will work. It will be angling up. As far as how it looks, I wouldn't worry about it. Its all about what works for you.

This one is > 90 degrees.

+1 I had a early 80's Nuovo Racing and the stem was dead level with the top tube as well. Something is not right.

Otis

I was trying to help. You asked for the proper degree quill stem for your bike, which would be -17. If a -17 angles down on your bike to the point that it's very noticeable then your bike is bent.

The "crap" remarks were just in response to your own (which you've now edited out) and meant to be tounge in cheek. Sorry, I forgot to use the smart ass emoticon to signal that.

GrayJay

You mentioned it did not have original fork. If your replacement fork is a bit shorter than the original, that will steepen the HTA by 1° per 20mm of fork length. Is the top tube level or sloping a bit too?

Finding a 90° cast aluminum quill stem for 1" threaded fork is going to be tough. About the time that MTB were using similar deminsion stems, most all production stems went to using TIG welded tubular steel or aluminum rather than cast and then went to threadless and 1-1/8" steer.

A custom made lugged or fillet brazed CrMo stem would be cool, coul be made to any angle but they are pricey!

Bikedued

Sorry I was having a bad day the other day I guess? No big deal. I have some new pics, showing the whole bike, and the new stem, bars, and Lizard Skins wrap. The wrap is really grippy, and super comfy.

The top tube is not sloping at all, I think it was just made with a steep head tube possibly? The fork is probably curved less on the tips, but doesn't seem to be too short. The handling is "lively" for sure! The longer stem and bars with longer ramps seemed to slow it down a bit, for which I am grateful. It is FUN to ride!

As you can see the frame doesn't look bent, at least to me it doesn't? I can usually spot a bent frame or fork even on a pic.... I will just have to deal with the downward stem angle. It's not as bad as it seemed, really?,,,,BD

Road Fan

If there are any such 90 degree stems, and I have seen 90 degree Nitto Dynamics, I'd expect to find them at Ben's Cycle in Milwaukee. Google it and find their website. Good Internet seller.

Didn't we have this same discussion not long ago?

Bikedued

Hey? Do they make FSA external bottom Brackets in Italian diameter? I have a VERY nice FSA crank that was given to me the other day, and it would look awesome on this bike!! It's black with silver acccents, and fits the look of the bike perfectly.,,,,BD

Road Fan

Say what?

wrk101

That head tube angle looks really weird. I certainly do not see any sign of ripples or buckling, TT and DT look straight, but it sure doesn't look right to me. Replacement fork is also a sign. Anytime I see a missing fork or a replacement fork, I assume crashed bike. Then I look for evidence, or the lack of evidence either way. Sweet ride regardless.

I would be tempted to go with a threadless adapter. and then try a couple of different angles of threadless stems to get it all level..

Henry III

Could you show closer up shots of under the top tube and down tube by the lugs? It's probably just a reflection but I thought I saw some something with the tubing. I'm no master of being able to read angles just by looking at them but the head tube does look kind of steep. Maybe that's why the original fork wasn't included with the bike. The reflection of the light on the tubing seems to change on both tubes vaguely.

Otis

I really do not see an esthetic issue with the stem like it is. Yeah it's angled down a bit, much better than pointing up in my opinion. Large frames can have a steep head-tube just as very small frames can be a bit slack. The front wheel does look a bit close to to the down-tube so I still suspect that something is not as it was originally intended. But if it rides straight and you like it I would not lose any sleep over it.

I've owned a few early 60's Legnano's, and in my size the head-tubes are very slack. I always hated the way they handled. I had one that had been crashed and the head tube was bent at least 2-3 degrees. That one was the only one I like to ride.

Bikedued

Bigtime head scratching going on over here since I just found this pic?? Did Bianchi do custom head tube angles from customer request? The angle of my head tube looks almost exactly like this Pista?,,,,BD


https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_28uD9_g-UJ...29d4e1eeb8.jpg

T-Mar

It's hard to tell from the pics if the tubes are bent or not. However, that front wheel is abnormally close to the down tube, for one reason or another.

GrayJay

Quick measurement of the HTA from your picture shows about 78°, extremely steep! I highly doubt that you will find a cast -12° to make it level. A 90° stem angling up at 12° would not necessarily look classic but would be esthetically pleasing.

THEJAPINO

Pic of a 90* stem on a small Vitus. I believe the HTA was 72*, maybe 73*.

Bikedued

I measured it today at work, and it is indeed a 78* head tube, and a 73* seat tube? Why do I always end up with the oddball stuff? All I wanted was a black Italian bike. I may swap the parts over to my other Columbus frame, the 85 Super Sport. This frame is awesome and corners like a bobcat on steroids, but I honestly think it is too much for me. I don't want to get tired or lazy someday and end up on the pavement for my trouble. Yes it is fun, but I can't see myself doing more than a few miles at a time on it. I also have the Club Fuji, but would it seem silly to have an 8 speed Campy group on a Japanese bike? Am I overthinking it?,,,,BD

Otis

If there's a frame builder in your area or a true pro bike shop with alignment tools you should have it checked out and possibly straightened. I know you do not see any obvious bulges in the tubes or signs of a collision, but that's really what has had to have happened here. I doubt there's any way Bianchi built it like that or would let it leave the factory if they did. Those are total production bikes built on an assembly line in standardized jigs. The lugs are designed for roughly 73 degrees, and you would have to try hard to build it at 78 degrees. That and the fact that the bike did not come with a fork...............

It might a simple matter to pull the head tube out to wear it belongs, worth looking into anyway.

unterhausen

no mainstream bike company has ever sold a road frame with that head angle. Your frame is bent. Not that oddball at all.