New-Old-Stock Cinelli 101 Silver Quill Stem with 26.0 mm Clamp (120 mm)
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Product Description:

A note on the recent history of selected Cinelli handlebars and quill stems...
We are getting a number of questions regarding some of the Cinelli handlebars and quill stems we stock...specifically concerning the vintage of our inventory. As I understand it, Cinelli recently authorized the production of certain previously discontinued handlebars and quill stems. More specifically, we have noted a recent influx (into the market) of matte silver Giro D' Italia and Criterium handlebars with a 26.0 mm center section and no cable/housing grooves, as well as silver 1/A quill stems spec'd to the same 26.0 mm clamp. I believe these models, with the aforementioned specifications, represent the extent of the reintroduction.

As I review our Cinelli catalogs dated around the turn of the century (and shortly thereafter), I do not see any of the above mentioned handlebars or quill stems as being available.  In addition, I do not see other models...like the Campione Del Mondo handlebars or the X/A, 101 and Oyster quill stems as being available. Now there could have been some production run shortly after the turn of the century, but I still thought it was worth noting our Cinelli catalogs do not list these handlebars and quill stems among their offerings at that time. 

This catalog research is consistent with what we were told at the beginning of this century, when we purchased most of our Cinelli handlebar and stem inventory (the remainder of which is currently listed in our store). We had two suppliers located in Europe that sold us fairly large wholesale lots of Cinelli handlebars and stems shortly after the turn of the century, and both suppliers communicated all such inventory represented discontinued product.  

As a result, the aforementioned Cinelli handlebar and quill stem models in our inventory likely represent Cinelli product that pre-dates the turn of the century. Now I honestly don't know the significance of this point when considering functional quality. I am sure newer Cinelli handlebars and stems are very good quality, but given the questions we have fielded, I wanted to confirm this offering (among others in our store) will pre-date current production runs by more than a decade (and some of our inventory is much older, especially when considering Cinelli handlebars/quill stems spec'd to the proprietary 26.4 mm size were discontinued in the mid 90's).

I should probably also confirm the discontinued 1/A quill stems were previously never manufactured with the 26.0 mm clamp, but were instead limited to the Cinelli proprietary (and larger) 26.4 mm clamp specification. The "sister" X/A quill stem, which has not been reintroduced to-date, was spec'd to both the 26.4 mm and 26.0 mm clamp. On a side note, please be mindful of this larger (26.4 mm) clamp size on vintage X/A and 1/A quill stems, as there are still a fair number of these quill stems in circulation. We've had a few customers approach us over the years questioning their X/A and 1/A stems and their inability to securely clamp onto Cinelli handlebars. In nearly all of these occurrences, we (with the customers' help) have subsequently determined the problem to be a sizing compatibility issue...meaning the customers were unknowingly attempting to clamp one of these stems with a 26.4 mm clamp to Cinelli handlebars with a 26.0 mm center section. I understand the difference is only 0.4 mm, but at this high stress point where a stem clamps down on handlebars, the small sizing difference appears to be enough to cause problems.

Original Listing...
This offering is for a new-old-stock Cinelli 101 quill stem with the hinged clamp design and polished silver finish. Some of it's more prominent design features and specs include the following...

  • Body length: 120 mm (measured from a profile view of the stem body as a straight line that extends from the center of the quill to the center of the bar clamp)

  • Body angle: 73 degrees (or said another way...a negative 17 degree rise)

  • Quill length: 80 mm (the distance between the limit line and the top of the quill...inclusive of the dust cover, if applicable)

  • Clamp: 26.0 mm (fairly common sizing for many vintage drop handlebars)

  • Quill diameter: 22.2 mm (common size compatible with most 1" threaded forks)

  • Weight: 290 grams (per our digital postal scale and inclusive of all mounting hardware)

We should also note this model stem includes the inner ribbed clamp surface for a more secure fit to aluminum alloy drop handlebars that also have a ribbed (surface area) center section. Although, please do not consider clamping this stem to carbon fiber bars, as the ribbed surface may damage the carbon fiber material. Please also note the separate section towards the bottom of the listing that discusses this matching principle as it relates to clamp surfaces in more detail.

It's forged aluminum alloy (AL 6082-T6) construction should ensure a fairly stiff and long lasting stem that compares favorably to many vintage stems in it's class. We've also noted these stems are designed with the conical-style steerer expander, so a very good quality quill system that should allow for a snug fit the threaded steerer tube.

Cosmetically, the grooved front is probably the most distinguishing feature, but also notice the flat triangular shape (for lack of a better description) that stretches the length of the stem (across the top...from the steerer bolt opening to the stem clamp)...a really nice look that is fairly unique in a quill stem offering. We should also note this stem is lighter (on average) relative to the more common Cinelli XA model. The weight, as reported on the Cinelli box, is 250 grams for this stem (probably the smallest size), relative to the 290 grams recorded for the Cinelli X/A model.

All of our Cinelli offerings are in new and unused condition and this particular stem is new and in it's original retail box. We do, however, want to point out these silver Cinelli stems have some cosmetic imperfection. The blemishes consist primarily of scratches/scuffs...probably from the stems shifting around (in their boxes) during years of storage. Listing Update...We have updated the pictures for this listing to show the next one of these stems that will sell/ship. Unfortunately, we are having a difficult time taking close-up pictures that accurately reflect all of the shopwear. As a result, please keep in mind that while the stem pictured reflects the next one to ship, it probably shows better in the pictures then it's actual cosmetic condition. I do not mean to dissuade anyone from purchasing one of these stems, as they have become extremely rare, but please do keep in mind our remaining stocks will show some shopwear. One final comment...I only have a few left in stock in this model/size/finish.

Matching the handlebar and stem clamp surface...
We've had a number of discussions with colleagues and customers regarding the importance of matching the inner surface of a stem clamp to the center section surface area of a handlebar. More specifically, there appears to be a consensus that a smooth inner stem clamp surface will cinch down more effectively on a handlebar with a smooth (surface area) center section. Continuing with this logic, the prevailing thought is this matching principle holds true with handlebars and stems that both have ribbed surface areas. In other words, a ribbed inner stem clamp surface will cinch down more effectively on a handlebar with a ribbed (surface area) center section. Now having said all of this, we have not identified a manufacturer's catalog reference to support this claim, but we've had discussions with enough colleagues and customers to believe this claim may have some merit.

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Note to international customers regarding shipping...
We apologize to those that feel some of our international shipping charges are too high. We only charge actual shipping rates, but once an order exceeds a certain amount, we hesitate to use the least expensive US Postal Services First Class International service. We feel this way, because this service is not trackable or insurable...so more risk of loss. We prefer the US Postal Services Priority Mail International service for more expensive orders, because this service is trackable at USPS.com and insurable...so less risk of loss. Unfortunately, this service is more expensive, especially for smaller/lighter packages, relative to the First Class International service. We are sorry about these higher shipping costs, but hopefully our notes help to explain why this is the case.

Note to international customers regarding customs...
We also apologize to those that feel their country import taxes, duties and brokerage fees are excessive. As a small US business, we are required by customs' laws to declare each order as a retail sale. Additionally, the declared order value must be equal to total store purchases and/or winning auction bids (less any shipping costs, as these are not considered in the declared value). As a result, each customer will be responsible for paying his/her own country taxes, duties and brokerage fees, which will be collected upon delivery. Again, we apologize for these additional costs, but we cannot afford the penalties and fines that come with breaking customs' laws...so we have to strictly abide by them.