Quill Stem Adaptor

Rod11
Rod11 Posts: 293
edited December 2009 in Road buying advice
Was looking to buy a new quill stem but came across an adaptor to make it like a normal stem. Anyone got one? They any good?

Comments

  • carl_p
    carl_p Posts: 989
    Yes they are. The main disadvantages could be:

    - there is a farly modest height adjustment, meaning for some people the bars could be too low.
    - you are likely to have a gap between the stem and the headset, which is probably left as is although you can get spacers.
    - for some bikes it spoils the classic authentic look.

    I've got one on my winter bike and am quite pleased with it. Although it's a 1999 frame I wanted to use more up to date handlebars and shifters. Cost me a tenner from Halfords and fits nice and secure.
    Specialized Venge S Works
    Cannondale Synapse
    Enigma Etape
    Genesis Flyer Single Speed


    Turn the corner, rub my eyes and hope the world will last...
  • sandbag
    sandbag Posts: 429
    Yes i recommend it. I got abit more height and use a shorter angled stem for the perfect fit and now avoid back ache from too long a stem. I am a tall rider. It sure looks better as well. The trouble was the bargain stem was oversized so i had to upgrade the handlebars to fit 31.8mm as well. There is still plenty of new Ahead stems that take 25.4mm older handlebars though.

    Another advantage is you can keep the 1" headset. Still looks fine without spacers if raised higher.

    Quill convertor 1" to 1 1/8"
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=6254
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,321
    Had one, it worked OK.
    High adjustment might become an issue if you want a low position.

    The main disadvantage is that they look terrible... so after a bit of bidding on E-bay I got myself a proper quill stem, a nice wintage 3T.
    left the forum March 2023
  • sandbag
    sandbag Posts: 429
    Alternatively consider one of these.

    http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Kall ... em-442.htm
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,321
    sandbag wrote:
    Alternatively consider one of these.

    http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Kall ... em-442.htm

    That looks even worse than the adapter...

    I don't rate kalloy products very much... I've had a quill stem, which did look solid and indeed it was (even very heavy) but it squeeked, and even if I torqued more, it still squeeked...

    Since I've fitted my TTT, the squeeking has gone...
    left the forum March 2023
  • sandbag
    sandbag Posts: 429
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    sandbag wrote:
    Alternatively consider one of these.

    http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Kall ... em-442.htm

    That looks even worse than the adapter...

    I don't rate kalloy products very much... I've had a quill stem, which did look solid and indeed it was (even very heavy) but it squeeked, and even if I torqued more, it still squeeked...

    Since I've fitted my TTT, the squeeking has gone...

    Agreed but i just giving options. There is more attractive products out there possibly. The point is buying a £30+ stem plus a £10 quill adapter will be more. If you want to buy a adjustable Ahead stem then the cheapest is £28. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=39262 and won't give as much angle range. A good fixed stem will cost you £30+ unless you find a bargain.

    I first had in mind to get alot shorter stem of 60mm which are mainly for MTB but are suitable for road bikes.I bought the £8 quill adaptor and a £10 bargain 100mm Ahead straight stem from LBS replacing the 130mm quill stem. I found i could raise the adaptor slightly and more than the quill safely. So that was a bonus. This meant i didn't need a angled stem at all. A shim to make 25.4 handlebars fit 31.8mm is stupidly £7 , or i could of made from seat post or can metal but there is a danger of slippage. What's the point when you can buy handlebars for £10. Instead i got new better handlebars for £15 reduced from £30 which are alot stiffer. So it was a win win win

    The shorter black stem looks good and gives it a neat compact look. I could spray the quill adapter black but it looks good as it is. I don't understand this obsession with spacers. It still looks mighty fine overall and with a 2" gap. I brought the bike into the modern age. I could improve it further by getting a nicer 1" headset crown.

    It more of an advantage than a modern Ahead(with no play) in a way. It can be lowered and highered with the stem bolt anytime but still have the look of Ahead :) .

Categories