Stem Removal & Installation: Quill Stems

1

Getting Started

Quill stems are found on many older bikes as well as some inexpensive bikes. Quill stems are used in conjunction with threaded steer tubes. The stem (A) is inserted into the steerer tube (B) of the fork, and the stem binder bolt (C) draws up a wedge (D) or cone in order to secure the stem tightly inside the steerer tube.

The other style of stem is a threadless stem, which clamps to the outside of the steerer tube. More information can be found here: Stem Removal & Installation: Threadless

Quill stems come in different steerer tube and handlebar sizes. It is wise to measure your components to ensure that you are installing or ordering the correct stem.

The most common handlebar diameters are 22.2, 25.4, 26.0, 31.8 and 35.0mm. There are some outliers on some older bikes. Be especially careful when choosing bars for French bikes.

The most common quill diameters are 22.2, 25.4 and 28.6mm. Incompatible components can be a safety hazard, so always double-check with the manufacturer for specifications and compatibility information.

Stems also come in different stem lengths — measured from the center of the steerer tube to the bar center, stem angles — typically between 0 and 20 degrees, and quill length — measured from the bar center to the bottom of the stem. When making drastic changes to the angle or length of the stem, changes to housing length may be required.

On the other end of the stem you will find the bar clamp. Many quill stems have a compression slot system to hold the bars. With this system you will need to remove the controls from at least one side of the bar so that you can slide that side of the bar through the stem. Some other quill stems have a removable “faceplate” that will allow you to remove your bars without removing the controls from the bars.

2

Stem Removal

Before removing the bars, take some pictures for later reference when setting bar roll and lever position. It can also be helpful to measure the bar angle.

The method of removal will depend on how the bar is attached to the stem:

Removable Faceplate Stem

If the stem has a removable faceplate, simply remove the faceplate bolts and the handlebar.

At this point, the bars will be hanging free. It is good practice to use a toe strap or something similiar to suspend the bars and keep the cable and housing from kinking.

Compression-Slotted Stem

Many quill stems have a compression slot system to hold the bars. With this system you will need to remove the bar tape and controls from at least one side of the bar so that you can slide the the bar through the stem. If you’re not planning on reusing your bar tape, it makes sense to remove the tape from both sides at this point. For more help with this step, see Handlebar Removal & Installation: Drop Bars or Flat Bars.

Loosen the compression slot bolt at least two full turns. Make sure the bars are loose in the stem.

If the bars are binding or difficult to move in the stem, there are a few methods to open up the compression slot.

1. Remove the compression slot bolt. Insert a tire lever, pry bar, or similar tool into the compression slot and use it as a lever, expanding the compression slot. Be very careful to not apply too much force — you can damage or destroy the stem if this is done too forcefully.
2. Thread the bolt in backwards, and insert a penny or similar coin in the compression slot. The bolt will seat itself against the coin and push open the compression slot. This may not be possible with all stem designs.

All Stems

Once the bars are loose, loosen the stem binder bolt two revolutions and remove the stem.

If the bolt is loose but the stem will not come out, strike the bolt using a mallet and punch. This will break the wedge free from the head tube.

Slide the bar out of the stem. You may need to roll the bar to clear the stem.

3

Stem Installation

dApply grease to the stem binder bolt, the wedge, along the quill and inside the steerer tube before installing the stem.

For compression slotted stems, begin by threading the stem onto the bar. It will be easier to do this now than when the stem is installed into the steerer tube.

Install the stem into the steerer tube. Set the stem to the desired height, but do not exceed max height or minimum insertion. This is usually marked somewhere on the quill. Make sure this marking is inside the steer tube.

Snug the stem binder bolt for now. Secure the handlebar in the stem:

Compression-Slotted Stem

Center the bar in the stem, which you should already have inserted. If necessary, open up the compression slot as you did during the removal process.

Apply grease to the compression slot bolt and install it, but do not tighten it fully.

Removable Faceplate Stem

Apply grease or threadlocker to the faceplate bolts. Place the faceplate over the front of the bars and thread in the bolts, but do not tighten them fully. These bolts should be tightened evenly and the gap between the stem and the faceplate should typically be even on the top and bottom.

All Stems

Reattach all controls that were removed during the removal process. Use earlier measurements, pictures, or the other side of the bars as a reference point. Torque all fasteners to manufacturer’s specifications.

Reinstall the grips or bar tape.

Stand over the bike. Make sure the bar is centered in the stem.

Next, slightly loosen the stem binder bolt and straighten the handlebars. It can be helpful to use a ruler against the fork legs as a reference point.

Set the bars to the desired amount of roll. Refer to earlier pictures or measurements if desired.

Torque the stem binder bolt and handlebar binder bolt to manufacturer’s specifications.