RE: [CR]Adjustable Stems???

(Example: Framebuilders:Bernard Carré)

From: "Mark Bulgier" <mark@bulgier.net>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: RE: [CR]Adjustable Stems???
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 15:31:54 -0800


I erroneously wrote:
> The Ambrosio alloy adjustable, which later became TTT, has a
> cool feature for us old guys: if you take the extension out,
> flip the quill around backwards and re-insert the extension,
> it now angles up by about 17 degrees instead of being level,

Oops, that should be "angles up by about 34 degrees", assuming it's made to be level with a 73 degree head angle (I haven't measured it; it could be off a couple of degrees from that).

I think you can easily see what I mean by looking at Aldo's photo of that stem, which he just put up on the web at:

<http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/aldorossiv/vwp?.dir=/adjustable+stems&.src=ph&.d nm=Ambrosio+aluminum.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/aldoross iv/lst%3f%26.dir=/adjustable%2bstems%26.src=ph%26.view=t>

Imagine the extension inserted into the quill-clamp from the other side. It would go from being 17 degrees *lower* than a right-angle stem, to being 17 degrees *higher* than a right-angle stem. So if it were level before, it would be 34 degrees above horizontal after.

Makes it look sorta like a mountain bike stem - normally not good on a vintage lightweight. But after seeing the '46 Gillott that Hilary had up for auction a while back, I don't mind angled-up stems so much. It had a matching Gillott stem with the same lugs as the frame, so you know it's authentic, and angled up probably about 30 degrees from horizontal - and looked "right".

Gillott pic at: http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/CoolBikes/Gillott/'46_TaperTube.jpg

(In case any wise-guys look hard at the Gillott pic, I need to say that Hilary knew the Simplex rear derailleur cage was assembled upside-down, and it was corrected after the picture was taken)

Mark Bulgier
Seattle, Wa
USA