Cracked AX Lightness Stem

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audiophilitis
Posts: 479
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2012 12:49 am

by audiophilitis

Hit a bump on the road yesterday -- a gap on the pavement transitioning from smooth asphalt to a concrete overpass section. The impact resulted in a crack on my AX Lightness stem. Luckily, the stem still held the bar in place and did not cause an accident. It was an older model -- not the latest version of the Zeus.

A new AX stem will realistically take a couple of months to obtain (door to door from Germany to the U.S.). Can anyone recommend an alternative lightweight stem? I was thinking the Extralite Road UL3 stem -- it's not carbon but is only a few grams heavier than the AX and Fairwheel has them in stock. It also has a fully detachable clamp on the front so I won't have to remove the shifters in order to install the bar. Need one with a 26mm clamping diameter.

Any other recommendations would be appreciated. Thx.
Last edited by audiophilitis on Sun Sep 29, 2013 9:14 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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53x12
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Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 6:02 am
Location: On the bike

by 53x12

Syntace F99 with Ti bolt upgrade? Depends what size you need but should be in mid 90g range. Plus will spend <$90 for the whole thing.
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justkeepedaling
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Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2008 6:14 am

by justkeepedaling

Go for the extralite

mnmasotto
Posts: 581
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2011 7:16 pm
Location: Irvine, CA

by mnmasotto

Definitely go for the Extralite. Only a few grams more and they can really take a beating! I have them on all my bikes. Never had a problem.

EvoUltimate
Posts: 38
Joined: Fri Sep 06, 2013 1:21 am
Location: Canada

by EvoUltimate

Yep....i would definitely go for the Extralite. I've had my share of problems with the older Zeus stem both road and MTB version and it took 2 months if not more to get a replacement from AX.

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kac
Posts: 361
Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2010 5:31 pm

by kac

Another vote for Extralite. Zero problems but be alert to torque specs: they differed (not sure about present status) between printed instructions and information direct from company.

konky
Posts: 830
Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:26 pm

by konky

My Zeus cracked as well and I replaced it with an Extralite. 3g heavier and no slippage problems like I had with my Zeus. I agree Extralite is definitely the best alternative. It's a beautiful looking bit of kit too.

serbelo
Posts: 76
Joined: Fri May 06, 2011 6:31 am

by serbelo

Just wondering if the stem cracked in the body or at the head where you connect the handlebar?

If it's just the head you could probably have a bar stem combo done by a qualified maker.


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audiophilitis
Posts: 479
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2012 12:49 am

by audiophilitis

Thanks for all the feedback. I will go with the Extralite as suggested by the vast majority.

Serbelo, the crack developed around the section that clamps the bar -- near the location of the bolts. They look like stress cracks and are on both sides. I will retire this stem and chuck it up to cost of doing business. There are downsides to building an uber lightweight bike and this is one of them -- but I still think the advantages far outweigh the few disadvantages.

I'm just very thankful that this did not result in a crash as I would have taken down at least 5 other riders.

Ride safe everyone.

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mythical
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by mythical

Do you have a photo of the cracks? I'm interested in a visual. Thanks.
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OwenJames
Posts: 166
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 3:16 pm

by OwenJames

Not on your 'want-list' but you may also want to consider the new Deda SuperLeggero stem. I have one and have given it a beating with no complaints.

It is also in the 'very light' range of stems, and once you scratch off the Italian flag it looks great.

AXAxel
Shop Owner / Manufacturer
Posts: 58
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 6:24 pm

by AXAxel

audiophilitis wrote:Hit a bump on the road yesterday -- a gap on the pavement transitioning from smooth asphalt to a concrete overpass section. The impact resulted in a crack on my AX Lightness stem. Luckily, the stem still held the bar in place and did not cause an accident. It was an older model -- not the latest version of the Zeus.

A new AX stem will realistically take a couple of months to obtain (door to door from Germany to the U.S.). Can anyone recommend an alternative lightweight stem? I was thinking the Extralite Road UL3 stem -- it's not carbon but is only a few grams heavier than the AX and Fairwheel has them in stock. It also has a fully detachable clamp on the front so I won't have to remove the shifters in order to install the bar. Need one with a 26mm clamping diameter.

Any other recommendations would be appreciated. Thx.


Dear Audiophilitis, i feel sorry for the crack in your stem. You said, it would be a earlier version ? May i ask you to send me a picture of the crack with infos about its age ? We might be able to help you. My adress is: axel.schnura@ax-lightness.de

Thank you !

audiophilitis
Posts: 479
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2012 12:49 am

by audiophilitis

Thank you for your post, Axel. I will snap some photos and email themto you directly.

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monchito
Posts: 50
Joined: Mon Apr 16, 2012 7:46 pm
Location: Barcelona

by monchito

Extralite.

Carbon stems still scares me :scared: :scared: :scared:

(and still don´t save grams enough for that prices)

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tyro13
Posts: 69
Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:21 am

by tyro13

Last year i ride the combo ax lightness roadbar with the Zeus stem. I mount it with carbon pasta...but every time there was a bad road (i life in Belgium) like kobbelstones it give a hard "crack" and the roadbar turn down! Not happy when you pay more than 1000euro for that combo! I ride now a syntace f99 with Ti bolts without issues and the f99 is a fraction of the price of a zeus stem!
And to test the new stem "rigid" i won't pay again almost 600euro...also it is oversized and i like the shape of my ax4000 wich is diam 26!

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