Importance of Stem, Seatpost and Bar quality?
08-06-14, 03:58 PM
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Importance of Stem, Seatpost and Bar quality?
Just curious. I know weight matters (to some degree..) Though under around 18-19 lbs for someone who's not racing seriously I don't see it being a large factor. Other than that how much of an impact do the quality of these components have? I have recently done a pretty big overhaul on my bike and pretty much replaced everything but those mentioned items (though drop bar I got as used part..I believe it is aluminum other than that can't be sure of the quality). They are cheap stock **** haha. Does it really matter? Thanks!
08-06-14, 04:06 PM
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Not really, what matters more is that the stem is the right length and handlebars the right width for you.
08-06-14, 04:35 PM
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...and that they match! I prefer all three - but at least the stem and bars if possible.
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08-06-14, 04:38 PM
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Agree, the difference between entry level and top of the line is modest. Maybe a slight difference in weight. Not worth it usually.
That said, some of the bargain basement bikes have steel bolts instead of stainless and they rust up quickly. That has happened to my budget SS commuter that I got from some online seller whose name you can probably guess.
That said, some of the bargain basement bikes have steel bolts instead of stainless and they rust up quickly. That has happened to my budget SS commuter that I got from some online seller whose name you can probably guess.
08-06-14, 04:52 PM
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Comments above about rusting bolts is valid, but stainless ones are readily available from a good hardware outlet. So that shouldn't be a problem. If your stuff is comfortable to your taste and sturdy enough to be safe, nothing much else matters.
Some folks care about the "cockpit" parts matching, but that has never concerned me.
Some folks care about the "cockpit" parts matching, but that has never concerned me.
08-06-14, 04:55 PM
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Just icing on the cake.
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"The older you do get, the more rules they're gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin', man, L-I-V-I-N." - Wooderson
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"The older you do get, the more rules they're gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin', man, L-I-V-I-N." - Wooderson
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08-06-14, 05:08 PM
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08-06-14, 05:23 PM
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one other thing is the bars need to fit your hands in addition to the width. comfy bars all the way
08-06-14, 05:28 PM
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08-06-14, 05:32 PM
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08-06-14, 05:37 PM
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08-06-14, 05:45 PM
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quality and weight are not the same thing. I've heard stories and seen pictures of people with cheap Chinese carbon stems and seatposts that have failed and those are not parts of the bike that you want to fail while you are riding.
08-06-14, 06:48 PM
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08-06-14, 06:52 PM
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08-06-14, 06:52 PM
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Just curious. I know weight matters (to some degree..) Though under around 18-19 lbs for someone who's not racing seriously I don't see it being a large factor. Other than that how much of an impact do the quality of these components have? I have recently done a pretty big overhaul on my bike and pretty much replaced everything but those mentioned items (though drop bar I got as used part..I believe it is aluminum other than that can't be sure of the quality). They are cheap stock **** haha. Does it really matter? Thanks!
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