The Best Stem I Ever Had Was...

[Carson]

My Specialized +40 stem is my favorite. I get lots of comments on it.

Lou...that bike looks legit. Damn.

 

[clarkenstein]

the best stem i ever had was the one that didn't catch fire and torch everything in the bowl at once

 

[Carson]

^^Clark wins. Close the thread.

 

[Karate Monkey]

Machined? Nah bro.

 

[stb222]

I try to be more of a practical baller....

For example, I wouldn't buy the blue ano hubs...cause when I try to sell them in a year, blacks will be easier to unload.


Back on topic though, if I was building a bike from scratch, Id get a thomson, or hope, but I wouldn't upgrade to one for no reason.

It is such a shame to buy some nice frame and them put like an EA70 stem on it. Like put some junk stem on my EWR, I minus will leave it in the backyard and let it rot.

But to your other point, Thomson stuff, in good condition doesn't loose value and has high resale value and will be the last stem you will buy given your fit doesnt change. You are missing appreciating the art of machining as well.

 

[qclabrat]

liked the functionality of hinged stems like this Syncros, Easton also had one (thought won't win beauty contests)

 

[qclabrat]

for retro, always liked the 1R, still have one on a Ciocc

 

[Mountain Bike Mike]

I never been a cockpit guy. I fancy blingy hubs and polished or ano bits

 

[stb222]

I never been a cockpit guy. I fancy blingy hubs and polished or ano bits

One word. HYBRID.

 

[rick81721]

It is such a shame to buy some nice frame and them put like an EA70 stem on it. Like put some junk stem on my EWR, I minus will leave it in the backyard and let it rot.

But to your other point, Thomson stuff, in good condition doesn't loose value and has high resale value and will be the last stem you will buy given your fit doesnt change. You are missing appreciating the art of machining as well.

Out of curiosity I checked my bikes because I had no idea what stems were on there. My mtb has a raceface - is that a piece of crap? And my evo has a "stock?" cannondale - I assume that's garbage too? No wonder I can't snag those KOMs!

 

[Patrick]

other than light and not ready to break when all my weight is going over it, and maybe some matchyness,
haven't really thought about it. although i have one of these....we don't need no stinkin stem.

 

[Norm]

I've never once noticed one stem out performing another. If you put a bag over it, you couldn't tell the difference between a OEM bontrager and a Thomson.

Yeah. Of all the Best Ofs this is like talking about your favorite shoelaces.

 

[Juggernaut]

I thought the correct answer was always Rapha. 🙂

 

[The Kalmyk]

what else is there? 😀

Rotor makes nice looking stems

 

[The Kalmyk]

Yeah. Of all the Best Ofs this is like talking about your favorite shoelaces.

In regards to functionality yes. But for the sect of people who like good looking bits then not all are equal

 

[stb222]

Yeah. Of all the Best Ofs this is like talking about your favorite shoelaces.

No, that would be seat post clamp, or bottom bracket. Stem is actually a place to make a statement.

 

[Mountain Bike Mike]

 

[soulchild]

Yeah. Of all the Best Ofs this is like talking about your favorite shoelaces.

Holy shit I swear that this was my idea to make fun of the 'best of'... damn you!

BTW, stem, post, and bars must match (as well as seat clamp and stem cap if available) for maximum swaggificationess!

 

[Jeremy]

Actually, laces on bike shoes make a much bigger impact. Boa, clips, velcro, old school laces....

 

[jumpa]

BTW, stem, post, and bars must match (as well as seat clamp and stem cap if available) for maximum swaggificationess!

rockshox hydro stem and bars to match my seatpost 🙂 exactly what i need, more non reliable parts on my bike