Stem Testing Round 1, 19 Stems

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madcow
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by madcow

We've finished testing and have posted the results from the first round of stem testing.

http://fairwheelbikes.com/c/forums/topi ... -review-3/ (PLEASE NOTE, FOR SOME REASON THERE HAVE BEEN ISOLATED PROBLEMS VIEWING THE REVIEW, IF THIS HAPPENS CLICK ON A PICTURE OF A STEM AND THEN USE THE BACK BUTTON TO RETURN TO THE REVIEW.)

If anyone has suggestions for other stems they'd like to see tested in round 2 please feel free to mention them.

Road handlebar testing is currently underway to be followed by mtb bars, brakes and wheels, but if there are suggestions for other components you'd like to see tested, let us know.

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Last edited by madcow on Fri Feb 28, 2014 8:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.

ultyguy
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by ultyguy

Interesting stuff thx for posting! I've rocked the X4 for a long time, love the stiffness vs cheapness :lol: :lol:

by Weenie


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drainyoo
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by drainyoo

Nice! Looking forward to reading it.

HillRPete
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by HillRPete

Interesting, many thanks Madcow & FWB.

What's not obvious to me, however, is what the results mean for real world riding. Does a stiffer stem make you measurably faster?

quattrings
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by quattrings

Little bit surprised about the Thomson X2, which I perceive as the stiffest I've ridden so far. It's a minus 17 degree, 120mm, so maybe that accounts for it.
Would have liked to have seen Zipp in there and the popular Uno 69. :P

But a very nice and objective shoot-out yet again. Jason and the guys at FWB are the best!

drainyoo
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by drainyoo

wassertreter wrote:Does a stiffer stem make you measurably faster?


Curious about this as well. What are the benefits of a stiffer stem other than "feel". Does a less stiff stem affect power transfer to the pedals?

Imaking20
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by Imaking20

I'm going to say that will forever be subjective.

nathanong87
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by nathanong87

i tried a pro vibe sprint stem and just installing it, instantly in my mind was like 'this is the stiffest stem i've ever felt'. Forreal that thing is just a block of carbon, wicked. Too bad i didn't keep it! =(

crimsonbadger
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by crimsonbadger

First of all, this is fantastic--thank you for conducting these tests!

It'd be great to see results for the Bontrager XXX lite carbon stem.

Also--and I realize this would incur significant cost--but it would be fascinating to see results of a third-party test on forces necessary to cause stem failure. I tend to obsess over stems a bit and would use an Extralite if not for my (unreasonable?) concerns about strength. I use a Ritchey c260 instead.

vinceflynow
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by vinceflynow

Excellent information. I would like to see the popular Deda stems for part 2 of your test.

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micky
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by micky

Great info as usual!
A Deda and few other common stems would be great to see in next review.

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SolidSnake03
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by SolidSnake03

Would be awesome to see some Zipp Service Course SL stuff and some Deda. That said awesome job guys!
Looks like I made a new 90 Proof friend

martinko
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by martinko

I am disappointed with Pro Vibe which I am planning to put on my bike.
But when I look which stem Marcel Kittel rides, I am not that worried.
Yes, it is not Pro Vibe with 2 bolted front clamp. Little offtopic: Does anyone know what model of stem he rides? I can't find it on Pro website.


I would be interested to know the stiffness of Cannondale C2 stem. It is cheap, aluminium and quite light for the price (approx. 125g).

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LouisN
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by LouisN

quattrings wrote: Would have liked to have seenthe popular Uno 69. :P

But a very nice and objective shoot-out yet again. Jason and the guys at FWB are the best!


+ 1 :thumbup:

But I would be surprised to see such items getting some coverage over there...

@martinko, my personnal experience with the Pro Vibe is different form the test. Noticeably stiffer than the 3T ARX Team (6°), with the same bars.

Louis :)

donald
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by donald

Great test and appreciate the work everyone at FWB puts into it. I prefer a stiff stem but I'm not sure that I can tell if any of my stems flex. I don't feel any flex, even with my 56.5 gram stem which is 105 mm. long

by Weenie


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