I would like to get my bars lower. However, my quill stems are inserted as far as they will go. Any further and the slight swelling in the vertical part of the stem just below the bend (I'm sure there is a more technical way to say this) starts jamming in the headset. I also worry where the expansion wedge or cone is positioned in the steerer tube, although of course I could cut the stem shorter.

Example pictures are below. In both cases, I don't feel I can push the stems much lower.

Can you think of any solution that would put my bars about 1-2" lower?

Was there ever a quill stem with a significant negative rise? Or should I switch to bars with a much deeper drop?. (I'm mostly interested in being lower when in the drops.)

Do a search on "track stems"

Use a track stem?

Stem delete

Track stem - I never thought of that. Thank you.

And, while looking, maybe I'll run across a Look Ergostem that I can actually afford.

Look Ergostems had indeed become dear to C&Vers in the past few years, and had gotten quite expensive out there, but frankly they are a bit fugly looking for your beautiful bikes. I'd go first with the track stem solution too, before considering the Look stem because of this

do you ride on the hoods or the drops mostly? if the hoods then switch to drops, if drops then deeper drops, those look rather shallow.

Uhhhmmmm...... The famous "Limp Dick" stem......

1+ to this.

You mentioned mostly wanting to go lower *in the drops* yes?

As the Nomad notes, both pictured bikes have seemingly quite shallow drop bars. Try a Cinelli Campione del Mondo, a Deda 215 Deep, or something similar...and you will have your solution, but without going to a track stem (which might or might not be an aesthetically pleasing option to you). I'm personally inclined to keep the extension on a quill stem relatively level with the TT, where possible - but that's definitely in the realm of personal preference!

If you're perfectly happy with where your tops/hoods are at with the existing quill slammed, but want deeper drops, a bar swap is certainly worth a try.

If the whole assembly needs to move down: track stem, FTW.

In looking at the images, I would consider an C&V adjustable stem, such as made by 3ttt or Ambrosio, the extension will be horizontal, the adjustable fitting places the bars well clear and below the extension and from the looks of things you will be almost fully extended, making the visual pretty benign.

I don't think you will find an alloy pista stem long enough. Maybe a steel one like a Cinelli #2 or #3 drop, that could look Styling.

I'm sorry, Sir, but I believe the only possible solution is to send the first bike to me. You can ship it collect, if need be.

A Cinelli Campione del Mondo bar can also help, as I think it has one of the deepest drops (at the drops) there is of any bar made......

I found these folding bike stems that would lower the bars, if oriented pointing down. Scroll down about halfway.

Handlebars, Extenders and Bar Ends

There are probably some in silver. Still would be ugly.

I have two bars with very deep drops. One is the Cinelli; I can never remember the model number, but it's probably 64 or 66. They're also very wide. Unfortunately the emblems are badly scratched.

The other is logo-less and came off a Viscount.

You're welcome to either one.

[MENTION=152773]noglider[/MENTION] Tom, that is really, really kind. I'll text you.

An example of the deep drop Cinelli:

[IMG]P9161245 by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]

The model number is also an indicator of the drop. 64 is the Giro D'italian and 66 is the campione del mondo which is the deeper of the two.

Lowering the bar?

Poop jokes.

My thoughts exactly.

glad to see I'm not alone..

Matching c&v jersey to paint is okay, but I don't want to resemble my bike that much

+1
Fan of the Campione del Mondo with its comforting arc, but -
Although going this route, one should keep in mind the compromise of what type of brake lever and position (riding on the hoods, etc.).

I forget the name of the deep six bend Cinelli but had to use them when these first DuraAce dual controls came available.

Think your best option is acquiring a multitude of bars and spend the time swapping out.
(sorry for the freaky inverted pic - bikes hanging in garage)

nitto track (jaguar) stems are only 25.4 which takes cinelli bars out of the question. that said i've ridden my road bike with this stem and its fine for geometry/bar position.

there are definitely stems that go down all the way to the headset (giving you half an inch or so, darn that cinelli swell!!!). generic stems from bens cycle, stems from the 90s come to mind, so does nitto pearl but I can't actually confirm that it'll drop all the way in. dura ace and 600 hidden bolt are beautiful and stay lower than cinelli.

another idea to get just the drops lower is track drops. they're generally deeper than road drops especially depending on the model. it depends a lot on how much you value your position on the ramps and if you can get used to the curve that would come in place of the flats/ramps. I absolutely love riding my road bike with track drops (with d.a. stem), but this is all so dependent on personal comfort its hard to give realistic solutions.

...and next time, buy a smaller frame!

;-)

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