ti quill stems

[ferrus]

http://compare.ebay.com/like/220806755171?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&_lwgsi=y

They pop up every now and then. Litespeed made a sweet ti quill stem, but I believe only in a 1". If you won't be riding it much, you can always go the shim route, though I know people will moan and groan and frown at such a thought...and they might be right.

They definitely did do a 1 1/8, but I've no idea how common/rare it is

 

[The Ken]

The black steel oval ended flipflop the early xizangs came with looks good and mimics the end of the toptube in shape - you could always fit a titanium bar for a little more flex if that's what you are after.
I also have a secret fondness for the titanium flexstem combo.

None of these are light options though. I still like the "titanium finish" cromo Zoom Stem I used on mine - a good color match, light and tough and very nicely welded (mine is at least) the only downside is it has Zoom written on the side

 

[Coleman]

wow! thanks all for the responses suggestions.

The basis for the question was that something has just not felt/looked right on my Xizang. I came to the conclusion while out riding the other weekend that it was the Control Tech stuff. The chunky aluminium welds weren't right with the delicate ti welds. So that go me thinking about what to replace it with...

So far I have a ti Syncros seat post on the way, I am also going to switch to a flight saddle. I am on the look out for some Syncros ti bars but the hyperlights will do for now, that just left the stem....

I have a polished Ibis ahead stem but its too fancy for the bike.

I ride it a lot so a shim for a 1" isn't a favoured option.

The question 'does it need to be ti?' got me thinking - no it doesn't to be ti a steel one may be better - the GT ahead idea is also a good one (have one of those tucked away too. I have also bought this Ritchey Nitto stem for £15 NOS on ebay so I'll have a look at that too (looks lovely and there's one more left with the seller )

The other option is to put on a black quill flip flop.

Guess I'll have a play and post the results up

Thanks again for all the advice/suggestions - much appreciated!