Stems - vibration dampening?

[PK]

What is the vibration dampening like with various stems... which is best stem for this and low weight?

Are carbon stems best in this respect?

At the moment I'm looking at trying an F99 but was wondering if it might be worth gaining a few grams for something which might absorb more road noise??? (I'm getting old and like my creature comforts!!)

[chicane]

I've got an el-cheapo Token aluminum/carbon stem with a carbon tube running between CNC'd aluminum sections for the bar and steerer tube clamps. Not recommended for sprinter types probably, but has a nice amount of flex for those of us interested in smoothing out the harshness of crappy roads. I think it's about 175 grams though

Chris

[PK]

Do you actually feel a difference in road dampening between this type of stem and an alloy version?

[TheFatGuy]

I don't know that I'd trust a carbon stem.

[chicane]

Yeah. I am light, but there is still considerable movement in my front end. Probably 1/4" of damping between my carbon bars and stem on that particular bike.

Chris

[bobbyOCR]

That tiny amount of carbon would make bugger all difference. It is like 100mm of carbon tube and whatever in alloy. Excluding the true full carbon stems.

[bike_add1ct]

For comfort I'd go for a 26mm stem such as an Syntace F99 and a 26mm carbon handlebar like Kestrel, Easton (if they have one) or Schmolke. People often rave about the comfort of a CF bar, not so much about CF stems.

[MattC]

Girvan FlexStem.

[dm69]

Specialized bar phat bar tape and Specialized BG gloves...If your still not comfy put two layers of the bar phat on.

I wouldn't trust a light carbon stem and if you crash on carbon fibre bars you should REALLY! Throw them away!

Your front should be stiff IMO anyway...maybe a tanky carbon stem but often carbon stems are still flexier than aluminium and MUCH heavier anyways so I dont see the point when you could just wear gloves.

here is an ideal combo of stiff/ light/ comfy: ec90 SL, Deda Newton bar and stem, Bar Phat tape! There you go. enjoy!

[six 13]

Girvan FlexStem.

Oh sweet! You would need a GT RTS full Suspension bike to go with that! And maybe some Proflex Forks!

Bright Pink Local Motion or Cosmic Trail clothing and accessories anyone?

Stylish Era!