So what are some of your favorite quill stems for vintage bikes or new classic bikes with threaded forks? Any older vintage stems that should be avoided?

For pure aesthetics among vintage stems, I like the classic Cinelli stems like the XA, XE, 1A and Oyster. Also the 3TTT Record 84. On the fence about the ITM Eclipse, Cinelli Grammo and 3TTT Pro Corsa -- which all have a sort of industrial appearance. The old Salsa quill stems had a similar appearance and looked great on the right bike.

For currently available stems, the Cinelli 1A, Nitto Pearl and Nitto Deluxe are the nicest looking ones for me. Nitto Dynamic not bad either. I've mainly used Nittos because I need a stem with a tall quill. Also have used Profile H2O, which are ugly but convenient with removable faceplate. The Salsa SUL was another great stem in that regard but plagued with recall issues. Anyone know the story behind that?

I like the Cinelli 1A, and the GB "Biba" stem.

Cinelli 1a and 3TTT Record of the 70's.

Cinelli 1R, hands down, for anything from late 70s to mid-80s. Some people have issues with the serrated expander piece cracking, but I've never had this problem; no slippage issues, either. Big fan

DD

Dura Ace.



I've never had one but they are gorgeous.

I'm a big fan of the super clean looking Dura-Ace quill stem. I love the hidden binder bolt. I have one now that I am coveting until the right build comes along.



** EDIT **
You beat me to it, caloso!

I use Nittos on all my bikes for the reason the OP mentioned - to get the bars high enough. They also look like a good, classic stem. At least as important Nitto builds 'em strong - a very good thing for when a big boy like me hauls himself up for a few yards of out-of-the-saddle climbing.

Cinelli 1A and +1 on the Nitto Crystal Fellow (had a anodized black one I definitely regret selling now...)

Sakae Ringyo "Royal" Superlight, drilled, milled, and titanium hardware:

Personally I like the AVA "death" stem. IMO it is a very elegant looking stem.

+1 For the Dura Ace EX/AX stem. Cleanest, cleverest design of the classic style stems.

Close 2nd is the Cinelli 1R, basically for similar reasons why I chose the DA.

There were a few clever hinged faceplate models which had convenient bar mounting/removal....their makes escape me...either 3ttt or ITM.

Man, that is slick.

Oh, where do I start...

I have to say...I love the Grammo:

-Nitto Jaguar 65 Has a nice and subtle negative rise making for a very aggressive look
-Cinelli 2A Also has a subtle negative rise like the Jaguar
-Almost Any Titan Stem

There are a lot of beautiful stems, to many to name. It's a world of compromises between function and beauty, I wish there was an ala-carte, "forge your own". At this point, I agree that the Nitto makes some of my favorite ones. The deluxe and technomic are tall and pretty, but they lack some of the convenience of a threadless setup.

I will say this, once you have your fit dialed in, the benefits of adjustment really start to be less important.

I had that dura ace hidden bolt stem and the damn thing was, although extremely beautiful, super creaky even with the sleeve greased. Lbs told me they're kind of notorious for that..

My favorite is easily the lugged nitto one. Although I will probably never one more than one since they're so priiiiicey

Oh and 8cm dirt drops! Wonderful stems

Cinelli and ttt look best on vintage steel, but my back, neck shoulders, etc. need Nitto. Looked wonky at first but after more than a decade of using them they look normal to me. The "Tallux" has a nice polished finish while being as tall as the old Technomic.

There's always Wald.

Based purely on beauty:





Also, those beautiful Legano city bars with the badge on them. But I guess those are more like "quill bars"

Cinelli, 3TTT, Nitto, almost any models. Nicely designed and executed and they shine up real nice.

Also a fan of the ubiquitous SR Custom. Unheralded & unsung, but does the job and also takes a polishing well.

My Univega Super Strada has Dura-Ace aero components. The stem is a particularly pretty piece. Looks more like modern sculpture than a thingy to hold handlebars.

*edit*

AX, that's what it is. Pretty bike, just don't ride it much anymore.

WOW...you win the thread.

I'll probably be lambasted for saying it, but the lugged Nitto is over the top IMO. I find it a little tacky.

I love lugs--shoot local riders nicknamed me "Lugs." But I'm not fond of the lugged stem (or seatpost). Might not go so far as to say tacky--but maybe too much, as in too many lugs. I think they distract or detract from the other lugwork. Dang, now I'm obsessing over appearance too--look what hanging with you guys have done to me. I want a lugged purse and high heels to compliment my matching saddle and bar tape!

I'd even say that there is a certain over-the-top quality to the giant badges on those stems, but I still like them. The Cinelli 1a style wins in terms of simple beauty. It doesn't need a giant badge proclaiming "I COST A LOT OF MONEY!"

I also never realized what a value some Nitto products can be until I dug further into the world of road stems. There are a LOT of bars and stems that cost 2x what the nitto technomic, noodle others costs. Sure, there is some snob cost in there too, which I am knowingly paying for.