At 11:27 AM 4/21/2001 -0400, DTSHIFTER@aol.com wrote:
>Jerry et al,
>
>Strictly speaking, you don't rely on spacers to adjust stem height on
>threadless stems (once you cut the stem, you can't add spacer height)
>although the common practice is to have (3) 5mm spacers which of course can
>be reduced. Rather, you must decide on the length of the stem and the angle
>desired (don't forget, threadless stems are also reversible, so they are more
>versatile than quill stems in this regard). This requires more thought about
>the stem (especially for MTB applications) than traditional stem selection.
>I am not a fan of threadless stems (partly because they require more
>specialized equipment for installation...
I try to stay away from these O/T's, but this I'll comment on; If you are installing stems as part of your living, here's what's different equipment-wise, if we include the fork. Threadless: Hacksaw, saw guide, file, star-nut setter, total cost maybe $30? Threaded: Reamer, steerer thread cutter/chaser, cost maybe $350?
And threadless stem changes are generally easier because their designers' lack of adherence to tradition means they don't mind including a removable-face clamp. That's not inherently a threaded/ threadless issue, but true nonetheless.
>and partly for aesthetic reasons) (snip)
Threadless? I hate it too.
Jeff Slotkin
TheLocalSpoke
Goose Creek, SC