Handlebar help
 

Hey everyone,

I am in the process of converting an old beater to a single, and just found a sweet deal on bull-bar handlebars and stem. One question though, my current setup does not utilize a "stem". It's just a welded one piece. What do I need to connect the new stem to the bike? I don't know what that piece is called that you connnect a stem to. Thanks, Here is a pic:

http://i.imgur.com/yRKWE.jpg

Can't resize, so the link might be more helpful...^^
http://i.imgur.com/yRKWE.jpg

what is the question? you're going to need to either remove the brake lever/shifter/grip/bar end from one side of that handlebar and slide everything out or you can just replace the stem and keep those bits together so you can put it back when you want to

What you have is called a "quill" stem. It's still a stem but it's just not as easy to adjust as a threadless stem.

I'm glad you support the troops too.

That "welded one piece" is called a quill stem.

Edit: I'm slow :(

What kinda bullhorns did you get? Most of them are 26mm clamp diameter and your stem is 25.4 clamp diameter so you should probably get a 26mm clamp quill stem also. ALTHOUGH there are a couple of 25.4 bullhorns out there.

What kinda ride you got, that lug actually doesn't look to shabby.

Oh, wait you said you already got a new stem? I'm assuming threadless. What stem did you get? There are adapters that you can insert into your steerer tube and clamp your new stem to.

You'll either need a 1" to 1" threadless adapter or a 1" to 1 1/8" threadless adapter depending on your stem.

Ok, so I can remove the handlebars from the existing quill stem. But if I wanted to use the new stem, which is not a quill, just normal, what would I need to attach that to?

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=221142

A stem like this, obviously wont attach to my quill, so is there a part that connects the fork to this stem? I hope that is clear, if not let me know...

From the ad, they are "Bontrager Race Bars and Stem, Bars are 44's and stem is a 17-degree, 100mm"

http://images.craigslist.org/5U05P15...1f10fb1db3.jpg

You probably need this:
http://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Thread.../dp/B0037N6PEC

BUT you might need this:
http://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Thread.../dp/B000AO5HWM

They don't mention steerer dimension in the ad, eh?

Just measure across the hole in the stem that goes over the steerer tube. If it's 1 1/8" then you need the first Amazon item linked above. 1" threaded to 1 1/8" threadless adapter.

FYI - Those aren't bullhorns, they're road drops.

I couldn't tell from the picture, it doesn't look like it has much of a drop and to me resembled bulls, but on second glance it appears you are correct. Thanks for the eye!

any opinions on the gear? What would you pay for the bars and stem, given the limited knowledge of the ad?

Are you on a budget? If so and if I was you, I'd just get some barends on there and pretend I was running bullhorns. Assuming you wanted bullhorns in the first place. You can probably get takeoff barends for a couple bucks or maybe free if you're near a good bike shop.

Of course I probably wouldn't even convert that bike unless the rear derailer or rear wheel was totally busted. I'd just get new cable/housing, lube stuff up and roll out. If the shifting still sucks after that put the shifter in friction mode. If it still sucks after that just slide it in so you never touch it then it's just like a single speed :)

But to answer your question, are they like new? If so I reckon $20-25 for the bars if that was the shape I was after. Maybe $10 for unidentified model stem.

I picked up a set of bars that are similar, if not the same as the ones you are looking at for $20 a few months ago. They were new and IIRC marked at $30. Decent enough, but the anatomic bend doesn't work for me and I've since replaced them. I can't tell what kind of stem it is from the picture, but if I had to guess I'd say it's in the $10-20 range.

Are you converting a mountain bike? If so I think a set of flat bars or risers with bar ends might work/look better.

Where are you located? Are there any local bike shops in your area where you can check out different types/sizes of bars & stems in person?

Not sure on newness, I don't see them til tomorrow. But I got the price down to $15 total for both, so I feel like I can't really beat that. And budget, oh yes, big time on budget! Thanks for the help everyone!