ones I would buy if they weren’t expensive:
thomson
syntace
ones i don’t like:
shitty take-off ones with bike company’s name on them that are machined poorly
ones I’m not sure about:
race face?
truvative?
cheap ritcheys?
what else?
Ritcheys are nice, I actually came to suggest them. I’ve used them a good deal though, never in a competitive setting so I can’t really comment on flex, stiffness, or anything like that as I’ve never really payed much attention to that. I like em. A lot of companies ship bikes out with Ritchey posts and stems so take offs are pretty available.
Same goes for a any shop that is a Specialized dealer. I cannot tell you how many boxes of Specialized stems and posts we have scattered about the shop. I don’t know if these fall into the category of shitty take offs.
What stem dimensions are you looking for?
Also Easton, Deda, and many others can be had very cheap via Ebay if that’s your thing.
take offs from a bike shop would work too. it’s all i’ve ever used and i’ve never had any problems.
edit: nvm, just reread op.
Origin8 is the EXACT same thing as Syntace - the ti bolt option. We sell them for $40… I’m sure there are plenty of places that sell them for half that out there in internet land.
The Truvativ “Team” is a pretty nice looking stem in silver for around $30.
Ritchey WCS is nice. Personally, I’d just search ebay for the cheapest thing in the length you need and buy that.
Truvativ and Race Face both make some cheap OS stems in a wide variety of lengths. They hold the bars and are strong. Some of them look better than others, some of them weigh more than others, but it seems like a good option for this situation, since you might need a different length or angle (if you are moving to drops that are shallower and/or have less reach) or that you don’t like the bars and want to go back to your old setup.
+1 on the origin8
I hate to be that guy who starts the thread and then says ‘ehhhh, nevermind,’ BUT… it seems like the 42 and 44 size omega compacts are sold out.
and these syntaces that I have on another bike are real cheap. They’re light; I’ve used 'em; I like 'em; it would be nice to get 46s for my cross bike.
and just say ‘fuck it’ and not buy a new stem and stick to 26.0 on all my bikes.
edit: and I was bored yesterday and was hoping someone would say ‘OMG, this stem is the best deal you will ever find in 31.8!!!’ and link to some crazy deal.
double edit: I should just get this EA50 for $12: http://cgi.ebay.com/EASTON-EA50-EA-50-ROAD-BIKE-STEM-120mm-120-31-8-31-8mm_W0QQitemZ310190795852QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item4838cfec4c
[quote=sneaky viking]I hate to be that guy who starts the thread and then says ‘ehhhh, nevermind,’ BUT… it seems like the 42 and 44 size omega compacts are sold out.
and these syntaces that I have on another bike are real cheap. They’re light; I’ve used 'em; I like 'em; it would be nice to get 46s for my cross bike.
and just say ‘fuck it’ and not buy a new stem and stick to 26.0 on all my bikes.
edit: and I was bored yesterday and was hoping someone would say ‘OMG, this stem is the best deal you will ever find in 31.8!!!’ and link to some crazy deal.
double edit: I should just get this EA50 for $12: http://cgi.ebay.com/EASTON-EA50-EA-50-ROAD-BIKE-STEM-120mm-120-31-8-31-8mm_W0QQitemZ310190795852QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item4838cfec4c[/quote]
2 bolt faceplate is ehhh. You could get a nice generic stem at pricepoint for about $20-25.
[quote=sneaky viking]
double edit: I should just get this EA50 for $12: http://cgi.ebay.com/EASTON-EA50-EA-50-ROAD-BIKE-STEM-120mm-120-31-8-31-8mm_W0QQitemZ310190795852QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item4838cfec4c[/quote]
Yes. Whatever the guy above me wrote about 2-bolt stems, fuck that guy. You’re not a pro or a heavy sprinter and it’s good to have all shapes and sizes of cheap ass stems lying around to fit yourself, others, and to give away when needed. The nicer it isn’t, the better. Any aluminum forged stem that you can find will be more than strong enough.
I bombed a bunch of trails (~40mph downhill) and did some 5ft drops on my jackass bike with a $4 2-bolt bottom of the line Bontrager stem and I’m still alive to talk about it.
Agreed. I’ve done so much stupid shit on and ridden the hell out of a bike with a 3 year old, 2 bolt ea70 that I got out of the used bin at the lbs. Who knows what was done to it before I got it.
+1 on the 2 bolt easton. I have had one on my track bike for a year now and standing starts feel super solid. 4 bolt > 2 bolt is marketing baloney.
There are Easton EA70 6º stems on chainlove.com right now, if you need one in 90, 110 or 120mm.