Cycling UK Forum

I'm struggling with a tandem frame that is a touch too long. Is there any reason why one of these will not work. I'm currently using a 40mm quill stem with a removable face plate with drop bars. This will need a quill to ahead converter, but these are readily available.

DNA Saucer

Looks like an easy and cheap solution.

Russell wrote:any reason why one of these will not work.

With the converters I have seen the top-cap overlaps the 1+1/8" section and would not fit inside that stem. Possibly other sorts of converters or top-caps you could get? Maybe a top-cap for a 1" fork would happen to be the exact right size? Or file/turn the surplus metal away?

I'm afraid that it looks as if the truth is even worse than that - the item you are considering appears to be intended for use with a 1 1/8" threadless steerer. I dont know much about tandems, but with a quill stem isnt the steerer going to be 1" and threaded?

If you have a 1" threaded steer, champions of the touring cyclist, Spa Cycles stock stumpneck stems in a variety of lengths. These are of the traditional design, using a wedge to secure them. What is a Quill stem?
backwinds forever.....

jimcrosskell wrote:... of the traditional design, using a wedge to secure them. What is a Quill stem?

That is a quill stem. And it's probably the simplest solution, provided they have one that'll fit your handlebars - or another handlebar of similar shape.

Before someone spreads gloom and despondency about the effect of a shorter extension on the handling of the bike, there isn't any real problem with that.

A friend of mine really liked the hands on hoods handgrip provided by dropped bars, but couldn't comfortably reach them in their usual position due to a back injury. So she turned the (already stumpneck) stem around to point backwards, resuting in a small negative extension! It looked horrible, but worked just fine.

I am already using a stumpneck stem, 40mm being about the shortest extension you can get, and it is raised almost to max height as well.

The quill to ahead converter will take care of the 1" threaded to 1 1/8" threadless incompatability.

dddddd may have hit upon a reason why it wont work, I'll investigate.

The solution that CJ's friend has come up with is, I think, a little too extreme (in reach terms) for me, an inline stem could be about right.

Much cheaper, and easier, if it works, than short reach bars, retaping etc.

Also note that thats a BMX stem, and BMX bars are 22.2mm or something. Thinner than road and MTB bars anyway...

Having said that if you also want to be higher, that stem and BMX bars might be the answer, you could tip them back as well to get even less extension...

A Look Ergo Stem is settable to zero reach. Pretty expensive though.
There used to be a quill version, but you'd probably have to go to eBay for one now.

Russell:
Sorry if last nights post seemed rather negative - in reality it originally included a link to a stem which I thought might help. I deleted it when I realised that it delivered 40mm of extension. I havent seen anything with less, except the one you are asking about. I think you could certainly get away with filing down the top cap of a converter to fit inside, but check the bar clamp diameter before you start.
If it doesnt work out, have you considered getting a tall stem to raise the bars? I'm only guessing, but one of the problems with an overlong top tube is having to lean forwards so that too much weight comes on the hands, leading to considerable discomfort. Not having to stretch down quite so far can move your weight back, alleviating the problem.

If you haven't already done so try Locks of Sandwich 01304 617161 - no web-site.

They're a tandem specialist LBS in Kent (sorry, too far away from me to pop in and ask).

Ten years or more since I was last in the shop but I remember seeing adjustable reach quill stems. The main thing is that they have tandem specific parts in stock.

Worth a phone call.

My LBS spoke to the distributers Ison, and they confirmed that the converter passes through the middle of the stem (once the top cap is removed) and there is a recess for the cap to sit in.

The DNA website lists the stem to suit 25.4 bars.

AL6061/T6 CNC stem
ext: 0mm
size:28.6mm/25.4mm
color: silver/black/blue/red

No probs DaveP, thanks for replying.

Russell wrote:there is a recess for the cap to sit in.

It's obvious now you say it. My apologies for not thinking it through properly.

No apologies needed, that was the idea of asking the question on the forum. I wouldn't asked the question of the distributors unless you had raised it, so I thank you!

I have splashed out £10 on one of these stems after I remembered that I already had a quill to ahead converter. I found it lurking in a bottom drawer and it does not have a cap, the quill screw is recessed inside and there is a rubber plug for the top. I will post a picture when I have installed it.

Here are some pictures of the stem installed. Doesn't look too bad although the bar bag attachment does disguise the bulk of it. Full marks to Billys for extemely prompt service - telephone order miday Thursday, delivered before 0900 Friday.