(Part 2) Best bike stems according to redditors

Bowl

Downstem

Just fucking search for what you want... is it that hard?

Yeah, handlebar/stem clamp size matters. If you buy a handlebar that's too small, you can sometimes put a shim in there to make up the difference, but if the handlebar is too big there's no way to make it fit without getting a new stem.

I'd get a delta threadless stem adapter and a threadless stem with the proper clamp size for those handlebars.

Just use a regular threadless 1" headset and 1" threadless fork with a 1-1/8" shim on the steer tube so you can use any stem you want.

You dont need a 1" stem, just buy a shim and use whatever 1 1/8" stem you want

I definitely agree that buying valves is worth it. Here's what I use.

And what the heck was the guy doing with the syringe for the sealant if he wasn't going to remove the valve core? The better way, IMO, is to seat the tire dry, remove the valve core, put the syringe hose on the open valve, inject the sealant, and replace the core. Way less messy, especially if you have problems seating the tire.

If you need to raise it even higher, get one of these. Not the most attractive solution, but will give you another few inches.

But as already mentioned, if you're raising it much higher, your frame is probably too small. Generally speaking, you don't want the top of your handlebars more than 1-2" above or below the saddle.

Kudos for getting back to it!

Perhaps try one of these?

https://www.amazon.com/Delta-Cycle-Bicycle-Extender-Handlebar/dp/B000FHBED0

I put one on my wife’s bike and it helped her get a better position.

You can get one of these adjustable stems so you can play with height and angle. You should take it to a co-op if you have one near by to learn how to adjust your brake pads. Might not even need new pads.

I finally added an extension to my handlebar stem. What a difference! Installation runs about $40 because they usually have to replace cables. Worth every cent, though I did the labor on the second bike myself as it was a spare bike I rarely rode, so I took my time on it. Total cost was about $15 in parts.

Turned out that the spare bike could get higher handlebars than the main bike and now I use what once was the spare as my daily rider. Life changing.

I have a third bike that is kept at the office for emergencies that I haven't raised, and every time I ride it it's horrible.

I scored this Rockhopper for $50! Now I’m looking to modernize pretty much the whole thing. Please critique my build list below. Would you get anything different, or better, or maybe anything else that would be better value? Did I miss anything? Do you think all of this will work together? It will be my adventure bike for bike packing, gravel, off road touring.

FOMTOR 25.4 stem 60mm 35 Degree Bike Handlebar Stem Riserhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G71CZG6

UPANBIKE Road Mountain Bike Bicycle Stem Riser Adapter 1 1/8" φ22.2mm https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071LLR8PR

Action 1-1/8" W/Adjuster Black Cable Hanger Fronthttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XCSKWCQ

KMC X9L 9 Speed Chain Gold Coatedhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0789HPV7M

Wheel Set 26 x 1.5, Mavic x M117, Deore M530 9Sp Hub, Blk SS Spokes, 32Hhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0033H53VI

Shimano Deore 9-Speed Mountain Bicycle Rear Derailleur - RD-M591https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003OWPRLI

Maxxis DTH 26 X 2.15 60A Kevlar Blackhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B004XIT4YS

XCSOURCE MTB Mountain Bike Crankset Aluminum Bicycle Crank Sprocket and Bottom Bracket Kit 170mm CS400https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LWXUV7I

RaceFace 104mm Single Chain Ringhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D3FG6ZW

​

Edit: Adding Shifters and Cassette

SHIMANO Deore SL-M590 9-Speed Shift Lever
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IKVJF8Y/

JGbike Sunrace 8 9 10 Speed MTB Cassette 11-40T 1 Wide Ratio Including 22mm Extender - for SRAM Shimano-Type splined freehub Body
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRLWHEO

Bowls: http://www.amazon.com/TWO-Standard-Downstem-Bowls-Aluminum/dp/B005MGVQ64/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1393717536&sr=8-10&keywords=downstem
Downstem: http://www.amazon.com/TWO-Replacement-Standard-Aluminum-Threaded/dp/B005ROB9ZE/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1393717536&sr=8-8&keywords=downstem
Grommet: http://www.amazon.com/TWO-Standard-Downstem-Grommets-BLACK/dp/B005ZSS27K/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1393717536&sr=8-9&keywords=downstem
Drill bits: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QVAGIE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=13FZ8HVR4HBJ6&coliid=I2MYLX3YJTK4JV
Glass Bowl/slide:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C2JL7X6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=13FZ8HVR4HBJ6&coliid=I2XIY12QX6VCL0
Glass, downstem: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FTVYL14/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=13FZ8HVR4HBJ6&coliid=I3W3ZBYAIJILLD

4 fucking dollars... http://www.amazon.com/TWO-Replacement-Standard-Aluminum-Threaded/dp/B005ROB9ZE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1371780783&sr=8-3&keywords=downstem

took about 3 days to get here.

Thanks! I've been having a blast on this thing.

I put this 90mm stem on it. I mainly chose the shorter stem to accommodate the drop bars. I think the stock stem was a little longer than 110, but i'm not sure. The bike definitely turns a bit quicker. I prefer the handling with the shorter stem.

​

TIL what "cold setting a frame" is. I'm on what i think is the original wheelset. I think i like this frame too much to experiment on.

​

I kept as many components as i could. that's also the original drivetrain i got with the bike (minus the chain and shift levers). The bike was in relatively great shape when i got it.

Here is the link for the product I purchased:
Origin8 Quill Adapter, 22.2/25.4... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057C3EGI?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

The one titled “22.2/25.4 to 28.6” is the one that includes the shim. Should work with all standard threaded forks.

The dimensions can be quite confusing so here’s how it goes. 1” (referred to as 22.2mm) refers to the OUTER diameter of a threaded fork. The actual INNER diameter of the fork (or outer dimension of quill) is ⅞” because the thickness of the metal is 1/16”. For a larger fork with a 1-⅛” (referred to as 25.4mm) outer diameter, the inner diameter is actually 1”. And for threadless forks, the outer dimension is 1-⅛” (28.6mm).

So, to go from a 1-⅛” threaded headset to a 1-⅛” threadless system, the adapter’s physical dimensions are actually 1” to 1-⅛”.

I’ve seen some errors on some online listings regarding this and I actually ordered a product that didn’t fit before I did the math. Hopefully this long explanation helps.

No. They are two entirely different stems. There may be a chance of using your old 1" threaded fork with a 1" thread-less headset though. Alternatively, you could use one of these guys. Although this would not solve your problem of needing a new, non threaded stem for the steamroller.

Oh, I overlooked the "threadless" part. Fortunately, threadless makes is much, much easier!

Just put a shim on your steerer and you can put any modern stem and handlebar you like on there.

It's not unique at all; in fact I have two bikes with 1" threadless headsets, both with shims and modern stems.

> everyday for years (including extensively using drops as a messenger), just not a fan of them - I don't enjoy the hand positions nor braking positions. The only time i've ever enjoyed drops is when I ditched the road lever and set up some cross tops.

Sounds to me like your extension may be too great if you find riding and braking from the hoods uncomfortable. Or perhaps you've only been using non-aero levers which don't have as comfy as position to ride on as modern aero levers?

Solutions:

• A shorter extension stem, and maybe a more upright one. Something like the Kalloy AL-222 may get your bars in a more comfortable position for cheap.
  
• Modern aero levers like these.
  
• Non-drop bar: I think the Casey's Crazy Bars are a decent option with 23.8mm compatibility.

If your headset is threadless and the steer tube (the fork tube that your stem clamps onto) is too short for you, you can get an extender like this one.

Yeah, at that point I'd recommend a quill stem that goes up rather than down.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H4GL2ZR/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?pd_rd_i=B01DKKYIYK&pd_rd_w=uSwcI&pf_rd_p=8a8f3917-7900-4ce8-ad90-adf0d53c0985&pd_rd_wg=TWdoZ&pf_rd_r=016QWGSF3Q5GGE5CXR8J&pd_rd_r=6c032053-b745-4bfa-98b0-5cdc37fa4cff&th=1

If you don't want to replace the fork, you can also use a stem extender. However, some people doubt their safety and you definitely shouldn't use them to raise more than a couple inches.

Something like this
http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Alloy-Bicycle-Stem-Raiser/dp/B000FHBED0

Stem.

That is what I got. It works but I may get one with slightly more rise for our other radrunner.

> 700 x 28-35, Presta, 32mm, (27x1-1/8x1-1/4)

You'll probably want a Schrader valve, rather than Presta.

Your rims are likely drilled for the wider Schrader valve and if you stick a narrow Presta in there you should use a rim adapter to fill up the space. Otherwise, you risk the rim cutting into your tube.

The pump you have can also determine which valve works better. Many specialized bike pumps can only fill up Presta tubes. Some only fill up Schrader, but you can screw on a $2 adapter to fix that problem (the metal ones work better in my experience. My bike shop keeps them in a bin on the counter). Some pumps have both, or are convertible. I always carry a presta-to-schrader adapter: if I get a flat next to a gas station/car shop it lets me use their air compressor rather than spending all the effort inflating the tire with a road pump!

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f-61rJbo-oA/U3LClBKDcmI/AAAAAAAAbZ0/QjHICZUGB70/s1600/Schrader+Vs+Presta+Bicycle+Valves.jpg

Above the headset are 2 spacers then one of these things:
https://www.amazon.com/Delta-Cycle-Bicycle-Extender-Handlebar/dp/B07C3T2W1J

It's one of those bike mechanic prejudice things. Using an extender is not recommended for off road. On the other hand you don't see many instances of failure. But on the other, other hand that's because most extenders are used on bike path hybrids and commuters.

The Kilo TT uses a threadless stem. Most bicycles do, although some older ones have a quill stem.

Anyhow, regarding this Cinelli Vai:

> 1-1/8" fork clamp diameter

The Kilo TT has a 1" fork, so no, this specific stem won't work.

Edit: You can use a shim to make it fit, though. It's relatively painless.

Just a heads up, the one /u/Nicruiz41 posted is for 1 1/8" forks. Gotta make sure you get the right size for your fork. Here is the same stem for 1" forks:

https://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Alloy-2-Bolt-Stem-Silver/dp/B007BWR602/ref=rtpb_1/145-4345073-5582254

I believe they also come in black if you look on eBay or maybe further on Amazon.

Yeah 580 is extremely narrow, even for back in those days - and why it has such a long stem. With bars that are much wider you would almost certainly want to swap for a shorter stem at the same time.

This would give you the advantage of being able to buy modern 31.8mm diameter handlebars rather than having to look for used/rare 25.4mm bars. The type of stem you would want is very rare now as the standard of attachment for stems changed not long after your bike was new, so you are probably best off buying this $15 adapter so you can run a modern threadless stem like this (I'd probably try 100 or 110mm).

The wider the bars are the more air resistance you'll have to slow you down on high speed sections, but wider bars do improve control quite a bit, and bars as narrow as yours are at an extreme end of the scale.

My thoughts are the sweet spot without drastically changing the set up of the bike, utility of bar ends and the speed of the bike would be about 660-700mm, though you can always cut down a wider bar to some extent.

These bikes don't have geometry designed for much shorter stem/wider bars, if you go too far it can get harder to stop the front wheel lifting up while climbing steeper hills and harder to get enough weight over the front wheel in corners.

They're really cheap but a lot of people don't even bother with them because they're only used for acrylic bongs. When you can buy a whole new bong for $10-20, it's often not worth selling spare parts.

I tried to put one of these things on my bike and the handling went all to hell. While my butt was more comfy having my body pitch forward when braking because the steerer tube was flexing was simply too unnerving to keep.

Having that many spacers is simply dangerous. You've got too much force working on too long of a lever arm. Something is liable to snap. This is particularly true if you run a shorter bike with a smaller headtube.

The quill stem inserts, doesn't fit on. The threadless headsets and the quill stem headsets are not interchangeable, so you would have to make some special efforts.
Here's a pic and some additional info:

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/components-wrenching/how-measure-quill-stem-125691.html

You insert the stem into the steerer, and then tighten it down.
Alternatively, you could buy a stem extender, such as this,

http://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Cromo-Quill-Stem-Extender/dp/B000AO7GXK/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1412571159&sr=8-13&keywords=Stem+extender

install it, and then install a threadless stem over it, such as this:

http://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Pro-Pulsion-Riser-Stem/dp/B005DNTNPW/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1412571477&sr=1-1&keywords=bicycle+stem

That way, you can have your cake and eat it, too. However, the original design is still quite good, and your vintage bike will look better original, unless you want it different. The quill stem is still used on some road bikes (and a few hybrids and mtb's), and works very well.
Good luck. Ask more if you need to do so.

As everyone says, change the stem.

Try this one.

Origin8's ergo stem has the 35 degree angle rise. So, it is shorter, and also brings up the handlebar slightly higher and therefore closer to you. I use 90mm version of this stem on my commute bike.

I can ride a little more upright, and good for commute.

Would 180mm long quill work for you? You can even get this in two different stem lengths, and the 31.8 clamp diameter allows you to use modern bars.

Old steel singletracks are awesome commuter bikes. <3 Ever thought of getting a kalloy stem? Not sure if you feel stretched on that awesome 90s geo.