Quill stem question
11-23-06 | 07:03 AM
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Quill stem question
I've got an old 531 frame I'm doing up as a tourer. It takes a .9 inch (or whatever the measurement the old quill stem diameter is) stem. Only I want to fit an ahead set type stem which I can raise and lower at will. I see you can get 1" ahead compatible quil stems. Anyone know if you can get them in the smaller size?
11-23-06 | 07:37 AM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30,225
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From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
I assume that what you are talking about is what's called a "conversion quill". I've got good news and bad news.
The good news is that the lower portions come in sizes to fit 1" or 1 1/8" forks so be sure to order the right size (I assume 22.2mm). The upper portion also comes in sizes 1" or 1 1/8". I'd get the 1 1/8" because that's what most of the threadless stems are.
The bad news is that from looking at the pictures it doesn't appear to me that you're going to get very much vertical adjustability from using one.
The good news is that the lower portions come in sizes to fit 1" or 1 1/8" forks so be sure to order the right size (I assume 22.2mm). The upper portion also comes in sizes 1" or 1 1/8". I'd get the 1 1/8" because that's what most of the threadless stems are.
The bad news is that from looking at the pictures it doesn't appear to me that you're going to get very much vertical adjustability from using one.
11-26-06 | 04:21 AM
#4
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,176
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From: Clev Oh
Bikes: Specialized, Schwinn
Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
I assume that what you are talking about is what's called a "conversion quill". I've got good news and bad news.
The good news is that the lower portions come in sizes to fit 1" or 1 1/8" forks so be sure to order the right size (I assume 22.2mm). The upper portion also comes in sizes 1" or 1 1/8". I'd get the 1 1/8" because that's what most of the threadless stems are.
The bad news is that from looking at the pictures it doesn't appear to me that you're going to get very much vertical adjustability from using one.
The good news is that the lower portions come in sizes to fit 1" or 1 1/8" forks so be sure to order the right size (I assume 22.2mm). The upper portion also comes in sizes 1" or 1 1/8". I'd get the 1 1/8" because that's what most of the threadless stems are.
The bad news is that from looking at the pictures it doesn't appear to me that you're going to get very much vertical adjustability from using one.
There is virtually no vertical adjustment on those things. If you are moving the stem up and down, then you aren't fitted correctly. Once your bike is set up properly, you shouldn't have to change unless you add a new part. Nitto makes some beautiful and really tall quill stems. They work perfect on a touring bike.
The only other way to use an ahead stem is to buy a new uncut fork and headset. You could have a competent frame builder take the stem out of your existing fork and braze another one in. Now you are starting to get into some money. Stick with the quill set up. Good luck
Tim
11-26-06 | 09:16 PM
#5
59'er
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,307
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From: Alexandria, IN
Bikes: LeMond Maillot Jaune, Vintage Trek 520 (1985), 1976 Schwinn Voyageur 2, Miyata 1000 (1985)
The funny thing is that I think quill stems are far more elegant than any ahead stem. I have a Nitto quill and it's truely nice. I can adjust it up and down with an allen wrench. You can't do that with an ahead stem. Somehow, I think the bike companys missed the boat on this.
Guess this qualifies me as a retro grouch....
Guess this qualifies me as a retro grouch....
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11-28-06 | 08:43 AM
#6
Originally Posted by Mariner Fan
You can't do that with an ahead stem. Somehow, I think the bike companys missed the boat on this.
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This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
