quill stems - old school and outdated?
 

Hi
By this Friday, I will be deciding what custom steel bike to purchase. It will be either the
Waterford ST-14 or the Bilenky Tourlite, both sports touring type bikes.

So, im trying to decide if I should have them build with a threaded or threadless fork.
I actuallly like the retro, elegant look of quill stems, but I also have no objections to a
threaded setup, as long as its all Nitto brand and silver. Either way, as you can see,
im going for the more classic look of all silver components against a darker color frame.

So im wondering what are your thoughts on quill stems in 2011 for sport touring type
of steel bike? How is the quality as compared to a threadless setup, or is it all just
purely aesthetics and personal preference?? Which setup is more robust, durable and
best quality??

I'd say a good threaded and threadless headset will be equally durable, the main difference is that the threaded headset will be more difficult to adjust. One thing to consider is that if you get a threadless fork, it should be 1 1/8", will the threaded one be a 1"? If not, you'll have a harder time getting nice quill stems and headsets. At any rate, I'd probably go with threadless since it's a new bike, and changing stems is much easier than with a quill stem.

I would go threadless. I think that it will easier to get parts going forwad and threadless probably weighs less too.

I would get the threadless setup. It's easier to service the headset, it's easier to find quality stems to adjust the reach, threadless stems are stiffer, and you don't have to worry about sweat corroding a quill stem into the fork.

1 1/8th Threadless. Why limit your choice of bars and stems by going retro quill on a new custom bike?

Threaded. Looks much better. It's not like you need to go searching the world for a nice looking stem. Just get a Pearl.

There are reasons that virtually all bikes made today use threadless headsets. Compared to a threaded steerer/quill setup, it's lighter, stiffer, easier to adjust the headset, with fewer tools, and easier to change handlebars.

Only advantage to the quill stem setup is its a bit easier to adjust height, but that's a minor issue given that you're unlikely to change the stem height once you've got your fit dialed in.

I don't see a reason to go with a dated technology, particularly when you can get the look you're going for with a threadless setup.

Since you're going custom and have a thing for 'classic', get a threaded traditional fork and quill stem and enjoy the real thing.. a classic. You're going to be spending a lot of money anyway...later on if you absolutely need a spare you can always swap with a carbon fork and threadless setup.

I have no problems with this 2006 bike, I don't adjust/change handlebar/stem everyday:
My Cinelli
http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/9...build019bu.jpg

I have several vintage bikes. Two are completely built up with STI shifters and newer wheels, but one still has the old quill stem. At least two more are in the que for rebuild. AND if I could change them to 1 1/8 threadless, I would. Old quill may look good, but they are a real PITA when you're changing bars or stem length. True they are slightly easier to change height compared to threadless, but it's not worth the advantage. BTW, one of my vintage rides still has the threadless headset, but I put a 1 1/8 threadless converter in place of the original quill so I could use newer stems.
IMHO, only go with quill/threaded if you are totally committed to the vintage look regardless of how difficult it will be to change stems.

Talk to the frame builder rather than us.

PS I hope you decided to go and get fitted in person.

Nothing wrong with mixing a little old school with some modern components.

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/726...diwide3di9.jpg

Threadless.

Quill stems are SOOOO much prettier, though.

Ah, yes they certainly are! :thumb:

I'm going to be a contrarian here. All my bikes (Rambouillet, Atlantis, Cannondale and a bunch of older stuff) have quill stems. I don't know how far I've ridden in the 40 years since I got my first "real" bike, but it's certainly 100,000 miles. I weigh 240 and used to ride hard (slowed down since I turned 60), with a lot of yanking at the bars on climbs. I've never, EVER had a stem or headset problem (in fact, I can only remember replacing two headsets in all that time, and one of those was just for style). Personally I think quill stems look much better, but that's a matter of taste. It's much easier to raise or lower the bars with a quill (takes about five seconds with a 6mm allen). And while it's a little easier to adjust a headset with threadless, how often do you do that? I think the last time for me was five or six years ago.
Is one lighter than the other? I dunno. Not enough that you'll ever feel it, though.

Quill! I mean, how often do you change your handlebars?

http://home.comcast.net/~sutters/rbshoot1.jpg

Now, that's a thing of beauty! :thumb:

Well I have to admit that the quill stems on both my steel bikes is better looking than the setup on my Madone 5.9. Actually getting ready to raise up the bars on my LeMond to make it more comfortable to ride long distance. Seems to be plenty of quill choices out there still although I haven't found a suitable replacement for my 3TTT Model 84 yet. Based on looks solely of course.

It can be 1-2 lbs lighter when you compare the weight of a fork with a threaded steel steerer, threaded headset, and quill stem to a CF steerer tube, threadless headset, and stem.

Thw big weight difference is in the steerer tube for the threaded headset/quill stem setup.
1-2lbs is a pretty big difference as the weight of bike parts go.

If you want "classic" then it's hard to say no to a quill setup. Nitto is always a great option.

With that said, Velo orange has some very nice threadless polished stems to choose from as well:

http://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...31-8-rise.html

http://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...0-17-rise.html

http://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...-8-6-rise.html

and headsets:

http://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...-8-chrome.html

http://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...so-chrome.html

and finally this nice chrome crankset that I've seen in person....stunning:

http://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...t-special.html

The perfect crankset for a sport touring bike.

Don't worry about weight...It's a sport touring bike. You going fenders and racks too? Just build it up like you want and make it durable. Velo Orange has some great products to make whichever choice you have look awesome.

I used Velo Orange to finish out my sport touring bike.

The OP should probably specify, but since he never asked about fork materials I think most people have been assuming it won't change regardless of headset type.

But hey, if we didn't escalate the discussion to something completely off topic this wouldn't be BF.

It is on topic because headset type dictates your fork selection. Threaded headsets = threaded steerer tubes, which means no CF steerer tube fork, which means that the added weight of the quill stem, threaded headset, and steel steerer tube is going to be over a pound.

Whether that matters to the OP is a different question, but it's a relevant consideration.

Do you really select your fork material after you pick out your headset? That's ass backwards. Imo of course.

Besides, the OP is already decided on a steel frame with an aluminum stem. And this is for a touring bike. I think with in the context of this discussion weight is already a secondary consideration.

It may be well be that the OP doesn't care about the weight, that doesn't mean it's an inappropriate fact to point out.

And if I were making the decision to go with a quill stem or not, I would consider the fact that it would lock me into a threaded system, and limit my fork choices.

Comes down to whether you care more about the aesthetics of the Quill stem, or the extra weight. How anyone resolves that choice is there choice. I'm just pointing out there is a choice you're making.

Go threadless 1 1/8 with a nicer narrow profile type stem. It's going to be a modern steel bike, not a vintage one. Will it be lugged? If so then look for a lugged threadless stem, can look really nice. If its not going to be lugged then just go with any option you like.

Threadless gives you some better headset options and you may want to swap forks in the future for front loaded touring or light CF... whatever.

Quill can also feel flexy.