So I got a Robin Mather...

The main concern is spending a lots on a stem only to find out you need your saddle set back a bit resulting in the reach feeling a little too long.

Three solution I can think of;

1. Decent quill stem with Soma bar.
   
2. New custom quill stem to accept modern oversized handlebar.
   
3. New steerer to replaced the threaded one on the fork to accept a threadless set-up.
   

I like option 2.

I'm pretty happy with my position as it is so even a stem with the same reach as I have now would be fine.

Call me boring but I would like to see this with:

1. A quill stem
   
2. Black bar tape
   
3. A black saddle which isn't a brooks
   
   

Then it would be perfect to me.

^

1. Yep
   
2. Nope
   
3. Nope
   
   

Sorry.

Why apologise? it's your bike.

Just my opinion of course, it is lovely none the less. Don't be sorry! :)

1. New steerer to replaced the threaded one on the fork to accept a threadless set-up.
   
   
   
   

...~~
i'd either look at those bonti bars or an adapter in the short term, and then~~ if you like it and want to keep it, I'd probably drop him (or another builder) an email and see if you can covert the forks to an ahead. TBH there looks like there's enough space with all those spacers just to clamp around the threaded part with a shim.

Great minds, etc.

But seriously replacing the steerer tube is surely the only sensible option. It's a lovely frame made by an amazing builder that it sounds like you want to keep.

As neat an idea as having a custom built quill stem is, how much is it likely to cost after painting/chroming? £50? £100? £150? And then what if you want to change something later?

the bontrager handlebar is a different shape to the Deda he have despite similar appearance, especially the drop part which felt difficult to hold onto in comparison.

This of course, largely down to personal preference, the Soma is the closet one I have that have a similar shape to the Deda.

Plus, custom stem look awesome, I'm getting one with canti mount integrated.

Ok so I probably should have edited my quote down a bit more.

My point still stands. I think converting the forks to threadless gives more options, is less faff and may be either cheaper or a similar price. Aesthetically though quills are lovely.

I'm not too fussed about cost and have pretty much decided I want a custom quill stem. I have a pretty clear picture in my head of what it needs to look like. I'll probably have a chat with some builders about it (maybe at Bespoked Bristol?) and get one made. No particular rush though.

Surely there's only one builder to consider?

I agree, but this is Robin Mather, it's likely to cost twice or even triple the cost of a typical London framebuilder.

Doesn't hurt to ask mind.

Lovely bike , wouldn't change a thing
Nitto do a nice threadless stem aswell , ct-80 I think

Thanks COOKIES.

Something like this is what I had in mind

Feather quoted me £170 for a painted 31.8 quill stem back in November 2011, it was a further £20 for chrome plating.
I decided against it but only because for my purposes a quill adapter and Ritchey 4 axis was a superior setup (if aesthetically lacking).

Think I saw this today... Parked up outside the Victoria in Jericho?

I'd missed that this bike was in Oxford.

^ Yep. Well spotted.

Still looking lovely......still needs brooks tape! ;0)

Thanks... Still needs a custom quill stem, still needs stripped and polished bars.