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Cracked AX Lightness Stem

Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2013 7:51 pm
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.

Cracked AX Lightness Stem

Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2013 7:51 pm
by Weenie

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Re: Cracked AX Lightness Stem

Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2013 7:58 pm
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.

Re: Cracked AX Lightness Stem

Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2013 8:11 pm
by justkeepedaling
Go for the extralite

Re: Cracked AX Lightness Stem

Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2013 9:43 pm
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.

Re: Cracked AX Lightness Stem

Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 3:47 am
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.

Re: Cracked AX Lightness Stem

Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 5:05 am
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.

Re: Cracked AX Lightness Stem

Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 7:58 am
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.

Re: Cracked AX Lightness Stem

Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 10:56 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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Re: Cracked AX Lightness Stem

Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 4:59 pm
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.

Re: Cracked AX Lightness Stem

Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 2:28 am
by mythical
Do you have a photo of the cracks? I'm interested in a visual. Thanks.

Re: Cracked AX Lightness Stem

Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 4:15 am
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.

Re: Cracked AX Lightness Stem

Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 6:51 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 !

Re: Cracked AX Lightness Stem

Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 11:48 pm
by audiophilitis
Thank you for your post, Axel. I will snap some photos and email themto you directly.

Re: Cracked AX Lightness Stem

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 9:00 am
by monchito
Extralite.

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

(and still donĀ“t save grams enough for that prices)

Re: Cracked AX Lightness Stem

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 6:45 pm
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!

Re: Cracked AX Lightness Stem

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 6:45 pm
by Weenie

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