Carbon Fiber Stems?
04-16-20, 07:20 AM
#1
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Carbon Fiber Stems?
If carbon fiber forks are used to dampen vibrations, how about carbon stems? They might be too short-- you could always get a smaller frame and a longer stem to make up for it.
Or any other ways to reduce vibrations in stems? Like, wouldn't it make sense to put dampeners in stems?
Or any other ways to reduce vibrations in stems? Like, wouldn't it make sense to put dampeners in stems?
04-16-20, 09:35 AM
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I think carbon seatpost can be worthwhile, but carbon stems have no benefit over aluminum,
can be heavier, and don't even look good. I have one on my bike- it came that way, & is the right size.
There have been various things invented for this.
can be heavier, and don't even look good. I have one on my bike- it came that way, & is the right size.
There have been various things invented for this.
04-16-20, 09:45 AM
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The fork is a big, long thing...If it's well-designed, it will smooth out a bike's ride slightly.
A stem is short and designed to firmly hold the handlebar in place. Not much compliance there.
A cf stem won't be any lighter than one made of aluminum, won't provide a smoother ride, and will generally be less attractive. Oh, and it will cost big bucks, too.
A stem is short and designed to firmly hold the handlebar in place. Not much compliance there.
A cf stem won't be any lighter than one made of aluminum, won't provide a smoother ride, and will generally be less attractive. Oh, and it will cost big bucks, too.
04-16-20, 09:47 AM
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The dampeners for your stem (and other parts) are called tires and tire pressure. 
NOT a joke.
NOT a joke.
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04-16-20, 10:17 AM
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If carbon fiber forks are used to dampen vibrations, how about carbon stems? They might be too short-- you could always get a smaller frame and a longer stem to make up for it.
Or any other ways to reduce vibrations in stems? Like, wouldn't it make sense to put dampeners in stems?
Or any other ways to reduce vibrations in stems? Like, wouldn't it make sense to put dampeners in stems?
04-16-20, 12:42 PM
#6
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My 2006 Trek 7.5 FX came with a aluminium fork, stem, and bars. I eventually swapped the stem and bars for carbon fiber stem and bars. The feeling of the ride was changed dramatically. There was much less vibration transmitted through the bars. The difference was most notable on the local chip sealed roads. So IMHO it was well worth the cost and effort to make the swap. It made the ride much more comfortable.
04-16-20, 08:21 PM
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https://redshiftsports.com/shockstop-suspension-stem
This is actually a nice little item for those who need some vibration help beyond what normal sized tires (for whatever bike you're using) and padded handlebar tape. I put one on my wife's gravel bike because she has an arthritic elbow. I installed it last fall and for the few rides she used it, she likes it. Since I have two arthritic elbows, I'm going to get one for myself.
Not the lightest thing in the world, but in the big picture of bike+rider weight, might be worth it to many of us, even those of us (mea culpa) with weight weenie tendencies.
This is actually a nice little item for those who need some vibration help beyond what normal sized tires (for whatever bike you're using) and padded handlebar tape. I put one on my wife's gravel bike because she has an arthritic elbow. I installed it last fall and for the few rides she used it, she likes it. Since I have two arthritic elbows, I'm going to get one for myself.
Not the lightest thing in the world, but in the big picture of bike+rider weight, might be worth it to many of us, even those of us (mea culpa) with weight weenie tendencies.
04-16-20, 09:52 PM
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https://redshiftsports.com/shockstop-suspension-stem
This is actually a nice little item for those who need some vibration help beyond what normal sized tires (for whatever bike you're using) and padded handlebar tape. I put one on my wife's gravel bike because she has an arthritic elbow. I installed it last fall and for the few rides she used it, she likes it. Since I have two arthritic elbows, I'm going to get one for myself.
Not the lightest thing in the world, but in the big picture of bike+rider weight, might be worth it to many of us, even those of us (mea culpa) with weight weenie tendencies.
This is actually a nice little item for those who need some vibration help beyond what normal sized tires (for whatever bike you're using) and padded handlebar tape. I put one on my wife's gravel bike because she has an arthritic elbow. I installed it last fall and for the few rides she used it, she likes it. Since I have two arthritic elbows, I'm going to get one for myself.
Not the lightest thing in the world, but in the big picture of bike+rider weight, might be worth it to many of us, even those of us (mea culpa) with weight weenie tendencies.
04-17-20, 09:46 PM
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My Culprit from 2013 has carbon stem, bars, frame, seat post, rims. It's not a comfy bike, but a pretty stiff wannabe race bike. Its a fun bike, but I wouldn't go touring on it. Old school steel provides a better touring platform. On a 40 or 50 lb loaded touring rig, a few grams saved with carbon components hardly matters.
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04-18-20, 07:28 PM
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My Culprit from 2013 has carbon stem, bars, frame, seat post, rims. It's not a comfy bike, but a pretty stiff wannabe race bike. Its a fun bike, but I wouldn't go touring on it. Old school steel provides a better touring platform. On a 40 or 50 lb loaded touring rig, a few grams saved with carbon components hardly matters.
