The Best Stem I Ever Had Was...

[ChrisG]

I'm gonna back the idea that aesthetics and design matter, and that Thomson stuff really can't be beat on those criteria.

But I'm also going to add that there absolutely is a functionality variable with stems: Stiffness. Some of the "lighter is better" stems are definitely less stiff torsionally.

 

[rlb]

Paul McCartney had a favorite stem, until he got divorced

 

[Patrick]

Don't forget nipples....gotta have some matching nipples

 

[SmooveP]

 

[soundz]

 

[Carson]

Paul McCartney had a favorite stem, until he got divorced

Please explain. If I don't get it, @pearl certainly doesn't.

 

[Magic]

Transition Temple Lite. I don't think they make them anymore, but this thing is fairly light for how beefy it is and has a downhill, direct mount vibe to it. I got it for my old hardtail when I wanted to go wider and closer on the bars, then I bought a Transition frame to match the stem. Looks sweet in purple. Should have scooped up some extras.

 

[rlb]

Please explain. If I don't get it, @pearl certainly doesn't.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heather_Mills

 

[The Heckler]

QUILL 4 LYFE!

 

[Steve Vai]

Thomson everything, all day, everyday.

 

[mattybfat]

I do own a syntace 109g on my misfit.
Very good lite stem.

 

[pooriggy]

Scott Thomson everything, all day, everyday.

You mean Woody?

 

[Zaskar]

Best stems ever!

 

[WinTaper]

I have been using a 50mm Syntace Megaforce 2 stem - lightweight, strong and inexpensive (and comes with the cap!). It replaced my Thomson X4...

At the time I got mine, they were one of the few making really short stems (like 30mm). More info on their stems can be found here... http://www.syntaceusa.com/index.cfm?pid=3&pk=2050

-Dan

 

[The Kalmyk]

Best stems ever!

View attachment 26306

Been doing some inoculation? Those look like personal home photos

 

[UtahJoe]

2 requirements for a stem...

Correct size
Free

Don't think I have ever actually paid for a stem

 

[Norm]

Don't think I have ever actually paid for a stem

Technically you actually ONLY paid for the stem on Ted. Rest of the bike was free.

 

[UtahJoe]

Nope, that was free too

 

[mstyer]

I run a Thomson X4 on the mountain bike, but the road-going bikes all get Zipp Service Course SL stems. There's some subtle sculpting that makes them blend nicely with a carbon frame.

 

[The Kalmyk]

I run a Thomson X4 on the mountain bike, but the road-going bikes all get Zipp Service Course SL stems. There's some subtle sculpting that makes them blend nicely with a carbon frame.

Berry nice