Hello! Built my first bike this year and the process was a blast. One issue I’ve been having trouble correcting is the headset spacers. I’m using a profile designs 1 to 1 1/8in quill stem to threadless conversion. I’m currently using 1 and 1/8in headset spacers, but over time they end up becoming dislodged (see photo).
While the outer diameter is correct, I failed to consider the inner diameter of the spacers. I can’t seem to find any that have both a 1 in. Inner diameter and a 1 1/8in outer diameter. Do they exist? Do I just suck at using Google?
Thanks in advance for the help!
by Various-Traffic4196
12 Comments
Why do you need spacers? The quill part of the stem holds it into the frame, then you just clamp on the stem. You don’t need spacers at all unless I’m completely misunderstanding how this thing works.
Quill adapters don’t require spacers at all. The threadless stem mounts to the 9/8″ section of the adapter and the quill (the bolt at the top of the adapter) should be snugged down so the wedge at the bottom secures against the inner diameter of the fork’s steer tube.
It’s completely unnecessary but I think this is what you’re looking for. [https://steerstopper.com/purchase-online/reducing-spacer-for-quill-stem?srsltid=AfmBOopTbCVgrkODnZjt68eGOo9papdzBR_aK3BqPe-FpCu8IvmM37yZ](https://steerstopper.com/purchase-online/reducing-spacer-for-quill-stem?srsltid=AfmBOopTbCVgrkODnZjt68eGOo9papdzBR_aK3BqPe-FpCu8IvmM37yZ)
Don’t use spacers for this adapter.
Edit: the aesthetic is one reason people hate using this kind of adapter. An elegant solution isn’t cheap, but there is an adapter made by innicycle… https://innicycle.com/
The word you’re looking for is a “shim”. In this case, a stem shim.
As several people have established (some in a needless and unhelpful exasperated tone) You don’t *need* spacers under the stem. However, I and many others understand that for aesthetic reasons you want to cover up the transition for a cleaner look.
The answer is to use 1″- 1.125″ stem shims inside the spacers. They’re made to fit a 1-1/8″ (1.125″) stem on a 1″ steerer. Since 1-1/8″ spacers have the same ID as a 1-1/8″ stem, they fit perfectly between the smaller diameter section of your quill adapter and the 1-1/8″ spacers.
They come in slightly different lengths, so you’ll probably have to modify the shim to fit the stack height you need. Looks like you have about 35mm below the stem, so a Thomson 37mm high shim is not far off (assuming that the fatter diameter section of the quill adapter is completely covered by your stem) https://bikethomson.com/product/steerer-shims/ (there are other shims out there that cost about half the price)
As others have said, you don’t need spacers here as you would with a threadless headset/fork. That said, if you want some there to cover up the 1” section of the adapter, these have a little edge that interlocks and should prevent the sliding around: https://canecreek.com/product/interlok-headset-spacers-silver-baa2277s/?utm_term=&utm_campaign=Performance+Max&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=8137395958&hsa_cam=18670940368&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgrO4BhC2ARIsAKQ7zUlNW2dOVEGMu7AL9zWowh-m72mtc_VYTk-ZaK07RXo8yHo1xGSJ_MwaAhPkEALw_wcB
You’re usually meant to sit the entirety of the 1 inch section of the adaptor inside the steerer. Personally I wouldn’t feel safe riding the way you’ve installed it
The aesthetic solution is getting a 1 inch quill stem with a modern open face like Velo Orange sells
Quill stems have a minimum insertion marked on them. No spacers can replace having that minimum amount of stem in the fork. Anything less than that is not safe to ride.
Use a cut up drink can inside to align them
Just tape them together on the inside
Best solution would be a high riser bar and a safe quill stem setup with no spacers. No matter what don’t use those 1-1/8” spacers with that threadless adapter.