technomic stem v. adaptor to threadless
 

HI I have a few 1980's road bikes with the threaded aka quill stems. I have discovered that Nitto Technomic 100mm stem works perfect for me. I have 1 already. Remainder of my bikes have either shorter orig. type stems or some old hybrid adjustable stem that my LBS found for, but dont fit me as well or look as nice as the Nitto Technomic stem.

So I am considering buying some more Nitto Technomic stems. What i dont like about them is that if i want to change out the handlebars (ie if i find ones with a better fit, ie I like 42mm but most of my bikes have 38mm becuase it was more common on old road bikes, and one of my bikes has handlebars that have more of a reach front to back than i like) later, you have to undo the bar tape. I am still experimenting/swapping out handlebars bike to bike (ie some of my old bike have 38mm handlebars and I prefer 42mm and also one of my bike has handlebars that have more of a reach front to back than I like. Also i might want to try other types of handlbars like randonneur or moustache etc.

So alternatively I am thinking of getting those items that convert quill stem to threadless stem.
The benefit of this to me is that i can then use modern stems and if and when i want to swap out handlbars it is a lot easier-- you dont have to remove tape from the bars to swap them out with modern stems.

But i am concerned with these conversion products i will not be able to get the same amount of stem height, and not close to it, as i can with the Nitto Technomic stems. I am pretty sure I won't so i am planning to go ahead and buy some more Nitto Technomic stems but i thought i would ask first on here to see if my assumption is correct.

Another advantage of the Technomic is I feel it is safer beause the stem is 1 piece. With that conversion piece then a modern stem, there is more of a risk of the screws getting loose which could be catastrophic if it happens on a ride or during a crash. I have already had the experience of a hybrid adjustable stem getting loose on a downhill which is one reason i dont want to use that sort of stem anymore.

On the other another advantage of modern threadless stems is you can swap out just the stems to change length to/from without having to retape the handlebars but i find 100m works for me on my bikes so far.

technomic eeeaaaaasssy

I prefer the adapters, though I haven't used the Technomics. Modern compact bars work better for me than old style, deep-drop bars, because I actually use the drops on a regular basis, and the drops on traditional bars are too deep for me.

As for stem height, there wouldn't be a problem with the stem adapters I'm using unless you place your bars higher than your seat. I run 6cm seat-bar drop; one of the adapters is inserted as deep as it can go, and the other is maybe an inch above that. My adapters taper from 22.2mm to 1-1/8 inch; others have no taper, and might present a problem.

Get one of these -- http://store.somafab.com/sohiristad.html -- and you won't be worrying about having enough stem height. You might have to cut it down to prevent it from bottoming out in your steerer. If you don't need something nearly that tall, Velo-Orange makes what I think is a really nice-looking stem adapter. I prefer the look of the quill stem, but the adapter/threadless stem combination makes it a lot easier to change bars.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321038097993...84.m1555.l2649

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Zoom-steerer-...Bhzw~~60_3.JPG

I have never been a fan of the technomic for myself but have recomend and sold lots of the in the past. I am a big fan of the basic Kalloy 'hybrid' type stem and use them often but they can be a hard to get around some bars. It took me awhile to warm up to the quill apapter but I use them on several bikes these days.

Actually I think road bikes look their best with long stems horizontal to the toptube stretching the rider out "Italian Style". In my younger days I would have scoffed at the thought of anything else on my bikes. Today with another 20 or so years under my wheels, I find a taller more confortable stem is the way to go.

This is pretty much the case. The Nitto quill to ahead post will barely let you replicate the height of a Pearl without an up-angled stem. It will need a very up-angled stem to match what a Technomic can do. But make some measurements and try to check out available non-quill stems, considering angle and length to see if you can place your bar the same as you can with your 10 mm Technomic. There are a few other quill adapters that are a little longer than the Nitto, but they are not big improvements.

I don't much like the giraffe look that can arise from a Tech stem, but the result with a long non-quill at a steep angle is definitely worse, to my eye.

Given your reservations and situation I would convert one bicycle to threadless adapter and use it as a rolling test bed for your handlebars. One you find the handleabr(s) you like, then install them on another bicycle with a Technomic stem.

Thanks for the info and links. That SOMA extender /converter would give me the height extension of the Technomic. So then it becomes an issue as to whether the SOMA is too long, and of personal preference.

Why the ham sandwich someone isn't making a quill stem with a removeable faceplate is completely beyond me.

They do. Or at least, they did. Have in my hand right now a very nice 100mm Nitto with a removable top plate on the clamping section. 26mm clamp.
No model name or other identifying markks other than 'OU' on the stem section below the sizing and min mark.
Don't have a picture handy, sorry. But I'm holding on to this for a furure personal project.

whatever is fine by me,personally I think NITTO's are way overpriced

The Technomic has been the stem for me usually I need a 100cm to 150cm stem so the Technomic is the obvious choice for a quill threaded stem

Has anyone used a SAKAE quill stem that hindges out so you can pop the bars in? I recently saw one on CL and was considering it as an option. Black and about a 90 degreen angle if I recall correctly. Any problems with that type?

I'm in a similar quandry as the OP with my Trek Elance. I have the quill adaper on it and don't like the look but hate to tear up my wrap and twine finishing to make the swap.

I have a Nitto UI-100 and it's awesome. Nitto Cro-Mo is sweet stuff.

Salsa made one for awhile in the S.U.L. line but it seems thay quit after the big recall.