Gotta put in another vote for New Ultimate, took off some 70g from my old USE Race stem. It's a little flexier, but that's very little. Nowhere near what I expected and I would say on par with Syntace F99 as far as I can tell. My only slight concern is that the hex bolt heads (takes 3mm allen key) are a bit big for the tool. Even with a spanking new ParkTool. Strangely I don't have that concern with a New Ultimate seatpost but it goes for all six stem bolts... Tried several allen keys too.

Not really a problem unless one undo the stem often, or uses worn out tools, that might easily round off the bolt head.

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Roadbike
Kinesis RaceLight T2

Mountainbike
Van Nicholas Zion Ti

Hi,
I take part in many cycling races and I like finishing on the steep climbs.
So I need a very stiff stem/handlebar combo. In this moment I have Ritchey WCS 4-axis stem and 3T Rotundo LTD handlebar (i know, it is very expensive), but this set is to soft (flexible) for me, because during sprints I feel my cockpit shudders.

I read that very stiff handlebar is alu version so I choosed FSA traditional bedn alu handlebar like many pros.
I want to buy very stiff stem, and I dont know which one will be the best - Aluminium or Carbon ?
The weight is not important because I have a very light other parts.
I consider several(carbon) options:
http://reviews.roadbikereview.com/wp-co ... me-110.jpg
http://cdn2.media.cyclingnews.futurecdn ... em_600.jpg
http://rmcycles.co.uk/wp-content/upload ... t-stem.png
http://pasadenacyclery.com/images/libra ... m_08_m.jpg
http://cdn2.media.cyclingnews.futurecdn ... qm_600.jpg

And aluminium version:
http://www.nexternal.com/reparto/images/slk-stem.jpg
http://www.ritcheylogic.com/dimg/thm/t4 ... e90bb7.jpg
http://windinmyface.com/images/gear/Shi ... y-stem.jpg
http://www.velonews.pl/userfiles/image/3t/arx%20pro.png
http://media.nashbar.com/images/nashbar ... -ANGLE.jpg
http://www.rocknroadcyclery.net/images/ ... d_08_m.jpg

I think that better will be the Alu version. I saw that e.g. Phillipe Gilbert, Tom Boonen or Peter Sagan ride on Alu stems.
In my opinion FSA SL-K will be stiffest (heaviest and largest faceplate) What do You think?

I'd pick between the PRO Vibe 7, Easton EA90, or Ritchey WCS c260 based upon your preference of 0,6,10 deg

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Felt FC: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=116061

I think you want the Pro Mark Cavendish Star Series Bar & Stem.

I doubt it will help you get up a hill any quicker but it will be stiffer and they look cool.

fwiw the Thomson x2 has to be the stiffest stem I've ridden. It's a boat anchor, but it's the best looking stem that is -17° (also available in -10°)

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2011 Cannondale Flash F1
2010 Cannondale Caad9
2000 Cannondale Caad 4 aero
1999 Cannondale Caad1
???? Concorde SS

That was going to be my advice, something the sprinters use as those guys must put some real flex through their cockpits.

I don't want pro cavendish's edition bar because I prefer CLASSIC bend handlebars like 3t rotundo. And Thompson's design I do not like, it is too bare. ,, I doubt it will help you get up a hill any quicker'' - I don't think I will be quicker but I want to feel my bike while attacking. And degree may be between 6 - 12, it is less important. Any other ideas?

This one and the Enve Stem are pretty darn stiff.
I like the look of the Thomsons more, but I think the Enves yield a better ride quality due to their dampening characteristics.

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http://www.zencyclery.com

http://www.wheelbuilder.org

Enve stem is ok, but I can spent max $150.

I hear good things about the new Deda 35's
worth checking out.

http://www.dedaelementi.com/index.php?p ... 90&lang=en

Or Syntace F109….

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I Will make the leap

If you like Classic bend bars and want a stiff setup, get the Pro Vibe Carbon round drop (or the aluminum if you don't care about a bit of extra weight). Those are very stiff and well made.

Pair it with either a Pro Vibe 7s stem or a 3T ARX pro (the white stripe looks great with the Pro bar's graphics) stem. That setup is rock solid.

+1 on the Pro Vibe 7S stem.

I use it with a Ritchey WCS Curve alloy bar (compact, Ritchey makes a WCS traditional bend alloy bar also). Very solid.

Louis

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http://www.ccsalma.com

Try an 1/8" allen. 1/8"= 3.175mm

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r o y g b i v

I'm going to be fitting a Zipp Service Course SL in Beyond Black in a couple of weeks, it's about 127gm so on a par with my FSA. But that's going to be a stop gap until I get a another stem next year that I'll be pretty excited about once it goes into production.