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Alternatives to Surly Steamroller + Quill Stem

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Alternatives to Surly Steamroller + Quill Stem

Old 09-07-17, 11:53 AM
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Haxxor
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Alternatives to Surly Steamroller + Quill Stem

Hello BikeForums, I have been looking for quill stem compatible Steamroller-type bikes. I googled that early versions came with quill stems and Soma Rush has 32c tire clearance, but without brakes.

Are there other alternatives that are more readily available, quill stem compatible + able to have brakes with 32c tires ?
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Old 09-07-17, 12:16 PM
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I know someone using 32mm Paselas on a Rush and his front brake has plenty of clearance.
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Old 09-07-17, 10:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Scrodzilla
I know someone using 32mm Paselas on a Rush and his front brake has plenty of clearance.
I will be using the bike to explore, ride distances off/on-road and commute in the streets.

If I am riding in the hoods of the cockpit and my height is just under 5'11", would you recommend a 53 or 55 bike size ?
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Old 09-08-17, 12:18 AM
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You have a lot of homework to do.
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Old 09-08-17, 09:49 AM
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I'm 5'7" and I feel pretty good on a 55

run yourself through the fit calculator and go from there
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Old 09-08-17, 03:45 PM
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Oh man, give up on the quill stem if the tire clearance is a desire. Go with a nature boy and some rock n roads
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Old 09-08-17, 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Wspsux
Oh man, give up on the quill stem if the tire clearance is a desire. Go with a nature boy and some rock n roads
Give up on quill stems to get tire clearance? The two have nothing to do with each other, except in marketing strategists' minds, perhaps. There are good reasons to want 32c or more clearance. There are good reasons to want a quill stem. There are also good reasons for wanting a threaded headset. If riders hold off on bike purchases until they can have these things, maybe, just maybe, some of them will stay around a little longer.

Ben
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Old 09-08-17, 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Haxxor
I will be using the bike to explore, ride distances off/on-road and commute in the streets.

If I am riding in the hoods of the cockpit and my height is just under 5'11", would you recommend a 53 or 55 bike size ?
Shiggity shiggity, Schwifty-five.
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Old 09-08-17, 07:10 PM
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Originally Posted by 79pmooney
Give up on quill stems to get tire clearance? The two have nothing to do with each other, except in marketing strategists' minds, perhaps. There are good reasons to want 32c or more clearance. There are good reasons to want a quill stem. There are also good reasons for wanting a threaded headset. If riders hold off on bike purchases until they can have these things, maybe, just maybe, some of them will stay around a little longer.

Ben
What I meant was its a hard thing to find both. And you're right they have nothing to do with each other...which is the problem you face. Only place I can think of to find both is a Rivendell Rosco Bubbe.
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Old 09-08-17, 07:27 PM
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try to find a rivendell simple one or kogswell.
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Old 09-08-17, 09:49 PM
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**** bikes. Just get yourself a pogo stick.
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Old 09-08-17, 11:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Scrodzilla
I know someone using 32mm Paselas on a Rush and his front brake has plenty of clearance.
Out of curiosity, do you know what year/version their Rush is? I can barely keep 28mm Paselas from rubbing on the underside of the front brake on mine.
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Old 09-09-17, 03:59 AM
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Appreciate all the replies, thanks all !

Sounds like there is a gap in the market for a quill stem steamroller ... !
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Old 09-09-17, 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by j_e_r_e_m_y
Out of curiosity, do you know what year/version their Rush is? I can barely keep 28mm Paselas from rubbing on the underside of the front brake on mine.
Current model.
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Old 09-10-17, 07:33 AM
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It's difficult to find a modern stock factory frame with wide tire clearance and a quill stem. SOMA is an anomaly here. If you have a broad budget you could look at the Rodriguez Shiftless @1k+ or the new ssfg coming from Rivendell in the next few months @1.2k. The shiftless will need to be customized but that won't be an issue.

The most simple solution is probably an 80's road conversion, like a trek 460, for example which would be pretty solid off-road and would easily clear any 622mm cross tire. Many early 80's road bikes were designed around crit racing and feature short chain stays and 74+ parallel angles, but with lower than track bottom bracket heights, 85 iron man centurion, for example. Both of these have quality steel (Reynolds 531, tange 1) and are lugged...for ego points and should come in well below what you would pay for a rush frame.

If you're planning to spend more time off road, you could consider converting a mtb of similar vintage. You'd gain about 1-2 lbs in frame/fork weight but you'd gain canti brakes and the ability to mount just about any wheel you like.
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Old 09-11-17, 01:21 PM
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^ Best post from a new member in a long time.
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Old 03-26-19, 08:47 PM
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Quill Steamroller

Sorry to bump this thread, but I too wish that I could get an old Surly Steamroller with a quill stem and wanted to express that. Track ends, 38mm tire clearance and a classic quill stem (serviceable cup and cone with loose ball bearings)!
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Old 03-26-19, 09:04 PM
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Originally Posted by ShannonMP
Sorry to bump this thread, but I too wish that I could get an old Surly Steamroller with a quill stem and wanted to express that. Track ends, 38mm tire clearance and a classic quill stem (serviceable cup and cone with loose ball bearings)!
So, like an old track bike?
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Old 03-26-19, 09:06 PM
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If an old track bike can fit 38mm tires, then yes. But ideally it'd be new or lightly used.
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Old 03-26-19, 10:46 PM
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Quill stems are truly the most over-romanticized of bike parts.
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Old 03-27-19, 09:53 AM
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Originally Posted by seau grateau
Quill stems are truly the most over-romanticized of bike parts.
Agreed. I'm a troglodyte clinging to canti brakes, steel frames, etc, but quill stems are something I wouldn't tolerate.
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Old 03-31-19, 06:34 PM
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Cup and cone headsets are serviceable, whereas cartridge bearings are disposable. Also Nitto quill stems are sweet.
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Old 03-31-19, 07:26 PM
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I've literally never needed to replace, service, or adjust a threadless headset after installation. Nitto does make pretty stuff though.
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Old 04-01-19, 05:39 AM
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Aftermarket forks with adequate clearance and enough rake are out there and not too expensive. It’s harder to find a cheap steamroller frame these days. I’m stem agnostic but there are times when I’m glad for the flex and easy adjustment in quills.
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Old 04-01-19, 06:09 PM
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Originally Posted by ShannonMP
Cup and cone headsets are serviceable, whereas cartridge bearings are disposable. Also Nitto quill stems are sweet.
Not all threadless headsets take cartridge bearings, but either way it's such a minor detail to be concerned about.
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