Which stem?

dixonpj

I've been experiencing lower back pain (muscular, I'm fairly sure) and numb fingers and arms on long rides, which I've been trying to remedy by making subtle adjustments to the position of my saddle, but so far to no avail. Although it doesn't necessarily follow that my ride position is too stretched, I'm interested to know what difference a more relaxed ride position, and the shock absorbing properties of carbon, would make, so I've just invested in some low rise bars (Easton Monkey Lite SL).

Quite apart from any medical benefits the change of posture may make, I know it's going to bother me that the cuffs no longer match the collar, so to speak. The obvious solution is to buy the matching Easton EA90 stem, but this doesn't seem very imaginative, and the alternatives, as I see it, are as follows:

1. Ritchey WCS 4 axis. 10/10 in MBR, as I recall, but only 6/10 (?) elsewhere. What do people think?
2. The new Ritchey WCS carbon (I'd include the link to Wiggle, but the site's down as I type). Horrendously overpriced?
3. Thomson X4. A thing of beauty, but heavier than what I already have, and everyone's a weight weeny at heart.
4. This from Storck: http://www.storck-bicycle.de/en/web-anz ... ront%20end

What do people think? A cross country/occasional trail bike stem, 150 ish grams, money no object?

supersonic

Does it have to be carbon? This is the one I use on my Zaskar:

http://www.dirtyjobikes.co.uk/Parts/Ste ... _Race_Stem

Only 126g, stiff, beautifully made and a great price: something a bit different.

artillerydave

I'd go for the Thompson X4, I run a 90 mm one on my rock lobster and it is a great looking stem, always scores well in reviews and is well strong, mine was from Merlin for a paltry £46 mega bargain.

dixonpj

Supersonic: Interesting suggestion. Some might say kooky. Untested, though? £46 sounds like a compelling reason to plug for the Thomson, although I wish it was 50 grams lighter, pathetic though that may sound.

Does anyone know anything about the Storck? Befitting a stem (or front end, as they call it) so understated it looks like a secret prototype, I can't find any trace of a review anywhere.

supersonic

The Kooka is identical to the OnOne stem that was reviewed in MBUK, bar the front plate: 10/10! Storck stuff is pretty rare, wont see much of that tested either!

dixonpj

Supersonic: This it?

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... -stem-9975

No oversize option, apparently. Amazing price, though.

supersonic

Thats the one! They look identical, even the plate is similar. I got mine of ebay (the Kooka) for 20 quid, plus had oversize options too.

More options are the SMICA Pro, and any of the boat load of FSA stems.

dixonpj

What do we make of this (apart from the outrageous price)?

http://wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx? ... ize%20Stem

supersonic

Pure jewellery isn't it?! I think it got 7 in a a WMB review.

dixonpj

Nice way of putting it. The Ritcheys seem to get mixed reviews, so I expect I'll look elsewhere.

supersonic

There is always Tune at the top end: the finish and quality is astounding:

http://www.poshbikes.com/product.php?id=5

dixonpj

A bargain, and a rethink:

https://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=prod ... egoryId=74

supersonic

Wow, thats a HUGE reduction!

fireheed

http://wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360018788&N=Race%20Face%20Deus%20XC%20Stem
Got one and with a shorter stem it will cahnge the position slightly. I've got one at 70mm and it's great. Bit different being shiney metal apposed to the black you see most of the time.

The Spiderman

fireheed wrote:

http://wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360018788&N=Race%20Face%20Deus%20XC%20Stem
Got one and with a shorter stem it will cahnge the position slightly. I've got one at 70mm and it's great. Bit different being shiney metal apposed to the black you see most of the time.

Just rcently bought the same stem,with matching bars from CRC for £60 all in.

GT-Dave

The Kooka is a great stem, and cracking value for money.

Got mine from Sprockets Ebay store for £24 posted:

http://tinyurl.com/3bueay

They currently have oversize in 100 & 110 reach.

dixonpj

Thanks for all your replies. Rightly or wrongly, I've gone for the Ritchey WCS 4 axis stem and matching bars from Merlin. £89 (£104.95 off the original RRP) was too good to refuse.