'Tall' French stems?
09-11-22, 09:30 AM
#1
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'Tall' French stems?
Is there such a thing as a 'tall' vintage stem for a French steerer? What a really need is a slightly bigger frame, and I know I can sand down a Technomic, etc, to fit (and to look out for death-stem cracks, etc), but I just really love the look of these vintage stems....
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09-11-22, 01:05 PM
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@ehcoplex
Um, no IMO.
"Death stem" tales aside, most stems of the day and especially French ones were flexy, sketchy, tweaky and a bit scary in general, especially in hard use.
Many twisted and seemed to be deemed not a critical safety component.
I've never trusted the short ones.
Um, no IMO.
"Death stem" tales aside, most stems of the day and especially French ones were flexy, sketchy, tweaky and a bit scary in general, especially in hard use.
Many twisted and seemed to be deemed not a critical safety component.
I've never trusted the short ones.
Last edited by merziac; 09-11-22 at 01:08 PM.
09-11-22, 01:11 PM
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@ehcoplex
Um, no IMO.
"Death stem" tales aside, most stems of the day and especially French ones were flexy, sketchy, tweaky and a bit scary in general, especially in hard use.
Many twisted and seemed to be deemed not a critical safety component.
I've never trusted the short ones.
Um, no IMO.
"Death stem" tales aside, most stems of the day and especially French ones were flexy, sketchy, tweaky and a bit scary in general, especially in hard use.
Many twisted and seemed to be deemed not a critical safety component.
I've never trusted the short ones.
09-11-22, 01:27 PM
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I bought a French bike that had one of those tall adjustable stems fitted!
had butterfly stingray type handlebars fitted too.
I donated those but there must be something out there. If you must.
had butterfly stingray type handlebars fitted too.
I donated those but there must be something out there. If you must.
09-11-22, 01:31 PM
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I bought my first quality, a 3t Record stem in HS and never looked back, chucking anything less in the "virtual" bin from then on.
That stem, the "Mighty" Sugino MIghty Competition crank that came on my first good bike, Campy 2 bolt SP and 1st gen. engraved Mafac 2000 brakeset that I upgraded to set the bar from then on as all of them had excellent fit, finish, function and aesthetic, all are beautiful to me.
09-11-22, 01:35 PM
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While not French in appearance tall stems made in French dimensions; 22.0mm quill shaft and 25.0mm Bar clamp do exist.
09-11-22, 01:53 PM
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I got a couple of these at the co-op. A 80mm that is quite tall and a 100mm that is above average tall and they both fit my French bikes. It could tide you over while you keep looking for a bike "your size".
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Last edited by Classtime; 09-11-22 at 02:00 PM. Reason: bad measures
09-11-22, 02:04 PM
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09-11-22, 02:27 PM
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I would suggest getting a taller frame, for a nice French fit. Being able to use (those pretty French) short stems being one of the reasons.
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09-11-22, 02:38 PM
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09-11-22, 03:32 PM
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The SR stems are pretty close to 22.0. The one pictured is common it seems with its 60mm extension. 180mm tall I think. I found one in 80mm extension and 22.0 and the relatively tall 180mm. It was still an okay fit in my old Fuji with 22.2 steerer since it was a quill stem. I did shim it a bit, but probably wasn’t necessary.
09-11-22, 06:54 PM
#13
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+10. One reason I continue to pick up vintage Motobecanes. Most came with made in Japan parts in French sizes: stems and bottom brackets. Many Motobecanes even came with Swiss sized BBs! I just bought two more MBs. I tend to pick up 5 or more each year. They also tended to have Suntour derailleurs. Last one I picked up had nice Vx GT RD, Suntour barcons, SR forged stem, Swiss BB, and more.
Last edited by wrk101; 09-11-22 at 06:58 PM.
09-11-22, 07:23 PM
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I have 4 SR stems in my stash including two of the tall 60mm ones. None are marked for diameter. Sizes range from 21.8-22.1. It would be an option for the OP and a local co-op. I considered myself lucky to find one in 80x180 on eBay after a bit of searching, but that one was marked 22.
09-17-22, 02:18 PM
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While not exactly what the op was looking for, a very sturdy (not aluminum, heavy) and tall french dimension stem could be had for cheap from https://hollandbikeshop.com/en-gb/bi...silver-577937/
09-17-22, 03:40 PM
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I'm thinking now I'll just hold out for a while & intensify my search for a larger frame- & if the frame search isn't fruitful I'll do the tall Technomic thing....
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