bianchi10

Currently have a thomson X4 stem. With my new cannondale SS build, my goal is to make it as light as I can financially afford. I love the stiffness of my thomson, but it is heavy (166g). I HATE the look of the X2, so that is out of the question. I like a stem that has more of a closed cap instead of just 2 little pieces that wrap around the bars. The cannondale C2 stem will come with my bike (supposed to be the C3 but they are gonna swap it out) and weighs 120g. At the risk of sounding vain....I dont want to sport a stock stem. not sure if the decals can be rubbed off with goo gone or something.


I'm thinking about using a thomson masterpiece seatpost, but I kind of want the stem to match. since I hate the look of the X2 I was thinking about 3T but I dont know much about their stiffness. I like the ritchey stuff but I have heard all around that even their stiff stems are like having your bars attached to a limp penis.

3T ARX Team Black Stem(120g) matched with a 3T Doric LTD Seatpost?

If I can rub off the cannondale decals, maybe I would just keep that and run the masterpiece seatpost.

what other set options would you recommend?

jsutkeepspining

fool u silly. im sorry thats all i can say to this topic haha

bianchi10

I'm not a weight weenie. just want as light of a bike I can get out of a cdale SS for bragging rights. I am the first person to say its silly though....get in line!

jsutkeepspining

okay at least u accept the silliness. and on the idea of stiffness. I'm "viewed" as a pretty good sprinter, and ive never noticed a stem not being stiff (same with handlebars) so i would say if u want super light just go with super light.

Minion1

Ritchiy's (I think) C260 stem, or the one you have to thread the bars through? Pro have used a similar stem design with their puzzlelock stem and if people think those are noodly then you're hanging out with pro bodybuilders.

jmX

Competitive cyclist has C260 stems for $93 right now. I use a C260 on my mtb, what can ya say...its a stem. It's light. Some people don't like the 260 degree wrap around, but in reality it's just not a big deal unless you're constantly changing stems out.

TrojanHorse

They have meetings for people like you.

I think you need to get the vukas sprint and whatever clamp will hold that puppy on. It's the only way to roll.

mazdaspeed

I don't see the need to use anything besides a 3T arx pro, well, besides wanting a silver stem.

Matt Gaunt

I have one of those that hasn't been fitted yet (bought at a very good price) but I read very good things.

I have an Profile Design Lava OS stem and that thing is rock solid and pretty light (150g ish for a 100mm version).

canam73

It doesn't pass your 'closed cap' stem criteria, but I have a Syntace post, stem and bar set that is very stiff and fairly light weight. P6 post, F119 stem and 7075 bars.

merlinextraligh

120g for the Cdale stem is close to as light as you're going to get. And I don't really get why you wouldn't want a Cdale stem on a Cdale.

Howevr if vanity is an issue Zipp service course stems are reasonably light and they say Zipp on them.

halfspeed

Note that some of the 3T stems use Ti bolts and spcify a MAX torque of 5Nm. They are designed to effectively clamp at lower torques so don't use a 5Nm torque key and start another thread here about broken bolts.

jesspal

If you get the green/blk/wht SS buy the FSA STM and seatpost that come with the EVO.

topflightpro

Ritchey WCS 4-Axis stems are like 120g and plenty stiff.

The newer C260 stems are like 110g and supposedly even stiffer.

teamtrinity

I love my Extralite stems. Feels stiff...very very light.

garciawork

Ritchey C260. All I use, and I have noticed no stiffness issues.

Banzai

Fsa os99

milkbaby

Cannondale C2, hard to beat the weight and stiffness for price...

UCF Eric

Haven't had any issues with my C260

zigmeister

Ritchey WCS C260 Carbon Matrix stem. Light/stiff...they only come in 6/84 degree if that is a problem for you though. But otherwise, great stem. Right around 103-105gms. The aluminum version is a little less stiff, still stiffer than the older model, and 105gm for the 100mm I believe.

One thing to note, the stem is taller on the steerer. I mean, literally about 5mm taller than your average stem. So think about that if you have spacers/cut fork. If you are slammed, you might not get the stem on the steerer and it could hang off the top of the steerer. If you have spacers and room, shouldn't be a problem.

Also, another stem I had was the Shimano Pro Vibe 7S aluminum. Really stiff, puzzle lock system for just 2 bolts clamping, reasonably light. Good value also.

I just happen to have an all Ritchey cockpit, bars, stem, headset, top cap etc..that is part of my bike...soo...I'm actually running a 4-Axis Matrix Carbon. Easier to install. The WCS C260 is a pain because you need to unwrap your bars to the narrow section out near the mid point of the bar, then slide the bars through the stem. You can't just mount it straight up. Kind of annoying. That, and the two lower bolts aren't the easiest to tighten/torque due to head tube/cables. Lastly, they swtiched from a hex bolt to a torx setup. The steel hex was soft and stripping. You can email them and they will send you new torx for free within 5-7 days...good customer service. And they don't strip and work fine.

robncircus

Forte stems are light and super cheap. I think they claim 111g (100) and it's 29.99. https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...68_-1___400207

I've also scored some cheap PRO stems online with a littel hunting. The Thor Hushvod edition from a few years back is light and super stiff.

lechat

Hard to top an EA90. The boom is something like 36mm. I saw them somewhere online recently for ~ $30. For that price you could grab a Ti bolt kit and have a very light/stiff stem.

bianchi10

If I can swing it, I'm thinking.....

Zipp Vuka Sprint Short&Shallow bars with a zipp service course SL stem.

whatcha think guys?

jesspal

Expensive bars, and not super light. They have 3T rotundo LTD on amazon for 200 bucks.
The zipp are like $360, or maybe I saw a carbon version of what your looking at.

bianchi10

the carbon zuka sprints are on ebay for $270 free shipping. they are rated at 210g matched with a 120g stem.