Talk to me about STEMS

GavH

Currently have a FSA OS-190LX stem on my Bianchi.

Keep seeing stems made of carbon fibre, either totally or just the front plate. Some of the prices are shocking (£100 for a FSA OS-99 and that's not the worst I've seen :shock: ).

If I felt the need to change my stem, is there any particular reason why I'd want an expensive one, other than to save a few gms?

hopper1

I have an FSA OS-99. Bought only for the bling factor, really.
Stems, like bars, do differ in 'stiffness', but I couldn't compare what you have with mine, as I have no experience.
Looking at reviews of the many stems, may help...

Wheelspinner

No.

No good reason that is, apart from the looks. The majority of "affordable" carbon stems are in fact alloy anyway, wrapped with a layer of carbon, and for the same price you can (usually) find a lighter and/or stronger plain alloy one.

dennisn

GavH wrote:

If I felt the need to change my stem, is there any particular reason why I'd want an expensive one, other than to save a few gms?

I think you may have answered your own question.
There is, of course, the bling factor.
Some guys claim to like a 4 bolt face plate because it one bolt breaks you can still
limp home with a vaguely intact stem and bar. I suppose it's sort of a worry to some.

redddraggon

I've got a Zipp 145 and they are amazing.

Increased my average speed by about 10mph

Mark Cavendish also uses a brick of a carbon stem, and that lets him win sprints.

Garry H

redddraggon wrote:

I've got a Zipp 145 and they are amazing.

Increased my average speed by about 10mph

Mark Cavendish also uses a brick of a carbon stem, and that lets him win sprints.

You must have the 2010 model. I've got the 2009 and only noticed an increase of 7mph with mine. What type of socks do you use?

GavH

So in short, expensive stems are NOT money well spent?

redddraggon

Good for extreme stiffness. But if you have a flexy fork/frame there's no point. An alloy stem is stiff enough for the majority of people

redddraggon

This is what you want:

keef66

GavH wrote:

So in short, expensive stems are NOT money well spent?

You've summed it up perfectly!

berkan

I had an expensive bontrager carbon stem that I got cheap on e-bay, I think it retailed for about £120. It was not the new road one but the one they suggest capable of both road and mountain bike use. This stem has four bolts and works fine.

When I bought a new bike I thought I would try a new stem and handlebar setup and so invested about £60 in the top level alloy 3T stem. I was worried that this might be a downgrade from a 'super stiff' carbon stem but have actually found it to be far stiffer. There is no noticeable increase in road vibration either (I was using an alloy bar with both).

In conclusion I would have to agree with everyone else that expensive carbon stems are kind of pointless, unless perhaps you have the massively overbuilt pro stem that Cav uses (pictured above). I think most of us could cope without. Most of the pros use alloy stems and bars in races where durability and crash resistance may be an issue also.

Speed_King

The stem reddragon showed you is the one down from mark cavendish stem but unless you are on the same page as him and others like him there is no point at all in buying an expnsive stem unless it is to jus bling your bike up which i have done on my spesh tarmac elite, i got the barmac wedge all in one carbon stem/bars for £249 !!

The latest bike i have from Wiggle is using a wcs alloy from Ritchey and i would be hard pressed to find another stem lighter, stronger or better than that?
It is about personal choice at the end of the day but if you ar a budding Cavendish or Wiggins stems will cost you just shy of £200 quid prob mate lol
In conclusion Thor Husloft uses a 3T stem i belive on his Cevelo and he won the green jersey lol

maddog 2

they look good though

which is often a good reason to spend money