Threadless Stem Adaptors

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Mike

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Feb 13, 2012, 9:50:54 AM2/13/12
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Hey, who out there has experience with threadless stem adaptors like
this one made by VO: http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/stems/vo-threadless-stem-adaptor.html

I guess Nitto makes one also. I know this may be a little off-topic
for the Riv list but I think there are people here with experience
using these.

My rando bike currently runs a quill stem but I'm considering using
one of these adaptors paired with threadless stem that can accommodate
31.8 bars so that I can run Salsa Cowbell 3 bars. I have them on my
Cross Check now and did a ride yesterday and they're just fantastic.
The really seem like they'd make an excellent bar for randonneuring.
The reach is short, the drop shallow and they flare out a bit in the
drops. It's unfortunate the Salsa doesn't make a 26.0 version and in
silver. Soma makes a similar bar in silver and 26.0 (and 31.8) so I
might try that out first as they're in expensive and I could use them
with my quill stem. The main issue with the Somas is that the widest
size is 44cm.

Are there any down sides or concerns with using an adaptor like this?

Here are links for the bars if anyone is interested.

Soma:
http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/highway-1-bar

Salsa:
http://salsacycles.com/components/cowbell_3/

--mike

Dave Craig

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Feb 13, 2012, 10:34:22 AM2/13/12
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I've used both the VO adapters and the Nitto. Both were fine. I liked the look of the Nitto adapter better and the VO allows more room to raise the bars.

Used both on heavily loaded touring Riv's. On a touring bike, I found that these stems made packing the bike for travel a bit easier.

Dave

doc

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Feb 13, 2012, 10:35:55 AM2/13/12
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I used a cheap Delta adaptor on an older Bianchi build for one of my
sons. No issues, works great.

On Feb 13, 9:50 am, Mike <mjawn...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey, who out there has experience with threadless stem adaptors like
> this one made by VO:http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/stems/vo-threadless...

Peter Morgano

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Feb 13, 2012, 10:21:26 AM2/13/12
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I used to run them, made cockpit swaps nice and easy. Only complaint was the finish didn't match the bars I has so  it looked a little funny but that is my ocd coming out, haha.

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Irv

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Feb 13, 2012, 3:21:42 PM2/13/12
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I'm using a Nitto MTC-12 adapter, along with some spacers, and a VO
Tall Stack Threadless stem.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a35/modernfuturist/1992%20Bridgestone%20RB-T/96d251f8.jpg

It's a pretty seamless transition from the headset to the spacer to
the stem.

Bill M.

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Feb 13, 2012, 8:43:57 PM2/13/12
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I have a Zoom stem adapter:

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=23897

with a VO stem on my Riv Road. Used to have a Noodle bar, now a
silver, 26.0, 42 cm SOMA Hwy 1. I went from an 8 cm extension to a 9
when I swapped the bars. Tried a 10 also, a front loading stem makes
the swap a piece of cake.

The combination of the Zoom adapter and VO stem is lighter than a
Technomic Deluxe. The finish matches the stem and bar fairly well.
It's also quite inexpensive. What's not to like?

I have a 44 Cowbell 2 on another bike. Don't yet have enough miles on
the SOMA to tell you which I prefer. The flare of the Cowbell is
nice, not radical feeling (like a Woodchipper). I wish I had bought
the 42 in the Cowbell, but I may change my mind if I can ever finally
get it off road.

Bill

On Feb 13, 6:50 am, Mike <mjawn...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey, who out there has experience with threadless stem adaptors like
> this one made by VO:http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/stems/vo-threadless...

rcnute

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Feb 13, 2012, 9:55:45 PM2/13/12
to RBW Owners Bunch
I have two of the VO ones and they're great. I don't know of another
with such a long quill. Used plenty of others in the past, no
problems.

Ryan

On Feb 13, 6:50 am, Mike <mjawn...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey, who out there has experience with threadless stem adaptors like
> this one made by VO:http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/stems/vo-threadless...

Mike

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Feb 14, 2012, 12:15:18 AM2/14/12
to RBW Owners Bunch
Thanks for the info everyone. I think I'll give it a try, just not
sure if I'll try the Soma bar or the Cowbell. The Soma is tempting
because it comes in silver but the flare on the Cowbell is pretty
sweet. I'll definitely go with one of those two bars.

--mike

cyclotourist

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Feb 14, 2012, 12:40:11 AM2/14/12
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I love bars that flare some. Wouldn't want to use anything else. I
would vote for the Salsas based on that.

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Cheers,
David
Redlands, CA

**
“I believe in an America where millions of Americans believe in an
America that’s the America millions of Americans believe in. That’s
the America I love.”

Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery

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Feb 14, 2012, 1:07:32 PM2/14/12
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There are tons of very cool 31.8 bars available now, which to me makes a threaded steerer a huge drawback in the versatility department. Riv has to be the número uno customer for Nitto quill stems. Maybe Riv could use this clout to get us some technomic stems with a 31.8 clamp!

Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery

unread,
Feb 14, 2012, 1:09:30 PM2/14/12
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PS: I'm doing the Cowbell 46cm on my Goodrich reconfiguration. These bars have a great bend, and they don't cost much. Black/silver doesn't really matter if you plan to put tape on it.

truegolden

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Feb 14, 2012, 10:18:47 AM2/14/12
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I also use the VO stem adapter and like it.

If a really tall one is needed Soma makes one.
http://store.somafab.com/sohiristad.html

I had the tall Soma adapter at one time and it was too tall and I
could only get it to insert far enough to give me the correct height
so I successfully cut off about 2" of it, used a shorter bolt thus
achieving the right height. A buddy is now using the modified Soma and
really likes it as well.

Regards,
Paul in Dallas
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