How to convert a 1980's bike with a quill stem

[Milo]

I will be the judge of how I set up my bike thank you...

 

[gb155]

I will be the judge of how I set up my bike thank you...

So you should too, but dang it man, was light hearted ribbing , nothing more

 

[gaz]

I will be the judge of how I set up my bike thank you...

No doubt, we are just showing concern that you may not be able to stop as quickly as you could do if your brake leavers where in a more sensible position.

 

[ColinJ]

I will be the judge of how I set up my bike thank you...

It always makes me laugh when people tell me that my saddles 'must' be set up 'level' (how do you determine that if the top of the saddle isn't flat?) or even worse (Globalti! ) pointing slightly upwards!

Given that my nether regions end up unbearably numb within 10 minutes unless I have my saddle very slightly pointing down and that would put me off cycling after one ride, I choose pointy-downy!

Like this ... (You can see my point about 'level' - the front of the saddle is level, but it is lower than the rear. If you use a spirit level from front to rear to 'level' the saddle, the front points upwards and would spike my 'nads! )

 

[smokeysmoo]

I will be the judge of how I set up my bike thank you...

Friendly advice Buddy, nothing more than that.

So you should too, but dang it man, was light hearted ribbing , nothing more

+1

 

[biggs682]

we all do things differantly hence why life is fun sometimes .

but going back to original question buy a converter and then just bolt you new stem and bar set on easy peasy lemon squeasy

 

[fossyant]

It depends on how you're building it IMO. For a sympathetic restoration I completely agree with using a quill, however, I built my Peugeot as a modern resto with a 10 speed conversion, so a stem adapter and modern bars was wholly appropriate and suited my needs better


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Your conversion is excellent. Seen some shockers though !

 

[rockyraccoon]

Your conversion is excellent...

I agree. What are the DON'TS in conversion such as that one?

 

[chugsy]

You can either get a stem adaptor which you then attach a modern stem to, iirc you can get them from Decathlon. Or it is possible to put a modern headset on an old frame, but you will need new forks rather than threaded and you will need to make sure there is enough length on the steerer. TBH though if I did a restoration of a quality frame I would use a quill stem they look good. You can still get quil stems. Planet X always have discounted ones.

I saw them at Decathlon too, a few months back - about five or six quid so by far the cheapest new.

 

[Ian H]

Using a stem adaptor means that you retain the traditional headset and headset adjustment. The adaptor is basically like the down section of a quill. It fits the same way, with an expander or wedge bolt. Visually, the giveaways are the headset stack and, if your stem isn't right down low, an spindly-looking section of adaptor (much thinner than steerer tube with spacers).

 

[brockers]

Personally I wouldn't bother. I've gone back to using quills on my two steel frames. The only real advantage of using an a-head stem on my fixed gear would be so that I can change the bars easily without redoing the tape. But I've now bought a quill with a hinged front so problem solved. I used an adapter on one bike but over the years came to the conclusion that a fat tubed a-head stem (and I have plenty lying around needing to be used!) just looked a bit 'wrong' on a skinny tubed steel frame. It's lighter than an adapter and a-head stem too. Maybe as I'm middle-aged now, I like restoring things and am finding the bikes over on RetroBIKE have me coming over all misty-eyed and drooling as much as the tupperware speed weaponry over on on WeightWeenies.. And I like having things as they were designed to be, so that might have something to do with it!

btw - nice work Smokey. Proper working bike, that! How much money did you chuck at it?!

 

[gb155]

Am sure it's not for everyone

But I think it's turned out well so far using the adaptor

Got a get of new levers on the way to finish off the modern cockpit

 

[Garz]

Very nice Gaz, keep 'em coming!