Strengths: Looks, Strength, Wide Clamping Area, Colour scheme same as my ride, Black, Red, White.
Weaknesses: The price !! OUCH
Bottom Line:
I hope Ernesto never sees this article, hehehe.
With almost 40 years of experience in a saddle, and a hard man to fit to a bike (just ask the bike store owners in this city they will tell you a story or two!!!) I found the CLX Colnago to be the best at the time but I had small issue with the stem rise as good as it was , after looking at this stem I asked the store owner and the set up technician to bolt this stem on and see how the fit was. After dropping the stem down one spacer the drop onto the bars felt better than perfect, after the set up I took the bike for a test ride, it just worked 100% with the rest of the components and the bike as whole.
I have had this stem on my bike since I bought the clx this time in 2008, 5 years ago now..This stem has been without fault and I am as comfortable now as I was than!! The retention bolts are still at the same torque setting as they were when first set up. The road feel from the forks into the bars is superb , light yet very precise, and I really cant explain this part but for some reason I seem to have better control of the bike when I am out of the saddle and hard on the pedals when climbing.
If any of these stems are still available and you are considering buying it, DO SO !! You will not be sorry.
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Burlington, VT, USA
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2011
Strengths: light
Weaknesses: its a piece of poo made by a poo company. This stem came with my Ibis mojo. After riding it for 3 years the faceplace started to crack, due to corrosion from sweat dripping on it. This is a >$200 stem, and they put a crappy chrome faceplate on it which wore out after 3 years. I contacted Bontrager/Trek about this, asking them if they could somehow help me get a new faceplate. It took them a week to get back to me, and they told me I could buy a new carbon stem for $200, but that I was otherwise out of luck. I will never buy anything from Bontrager/Trek again and encourage everyone to do the same. They make crappy products and they have terrible customer service.
I have this stem on two of my bikes, I like the 12deg. rise which helps correct the frame geo to give a nice comfortable feel. It isn't cheap, but it is probably the best looking stem on the market! Granted this is subjective, but it is one great looking step, and past the looks, it performs. I have had no problems with either one and they compliment my bikes and add a little extra "bling".
Similar Products Used: Thompson, Race Face Deus, 3T, and Truvativ
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz Tallboy 29er Med. w/ Rockshox Monarch RT3
Roval Control EL 29 w/ 36T upgrade, Maxxis IKON EXO front and rear
Rockshox Reba Team Tapered 120mm 20mm T/A
SRAM X9 2x10 Shifters
SRAM X9 2x10 Fr. Derailleur
SRAM XO 2x10 R. Rerailleur, med cage (red)
SRAM S2200 (XO) 2x10 38/28 crankset w/ carbon bash
SRAM GXP bottom bracket
SRAM XX 11-36 10 speed cassette
SRAM PC-1091R chain
Easton EC90 Zero seatpost
Fizik Alianta Gamma XM saddle (K:ium)
Bontrager XXX Lite Carbon Stem (Ti hardware)
Truvativ Noir WCS Carbon bars, low rise
Crank bros. XC foam lock-on grips
Cane Creek 110 Tapered headset
Shimano XT 770 pedals
Hayes Stroker Gram Carbon disc brakes (Ti. Hardware)
Alligator Serration 160mm (Ti. Hardware)
Jagwire Ripcord shifter cables (red)
Specialized bottle cages (red)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Al Garcia
a Cross Country Rider
from ft. lauderdale, florida, usa
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2010
Strengths: design, carbon fiber, weight
Weaknesses: squeeks at the point where the stem meets the furnished carbon fiber spacer rings.
Bottom Line:
i mounted the stem using supplied bontrager spacer rings on chris king headset at the recomended torque using calibrated torque meter. after a bit of usage the stem develops annoying squeeking noice. i dissaembled the stem and noticed a rub mark on bottom of stem were it meets the carbon spacer rings. i remounted stem making sure its seating was absolutely flush and again developed squeeking sound like two pieces of plastic rubbing each other. at this point it appears that the only solution is to install some kind of rubber of plastic seal at that location in hope of eliminating the rubbing. asides from this annoying issue, the stem appears strong and gives the front end a stiff and responsive fealing. it also adds lot of bling factor to the ride however, i would not pay the $250 retail price for it as the cost outweights the benefits it offers.
Similar Products Used: other carbon fiber stems from fsa, ritchey, etc.
Bike Setup: ellsworth truth, all sram XO drive, mavis crossmax sl, elite cr braking, reba team front fork.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
pipelayer671
a Cross Country Rider
from Michigan, USA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2009
Strengths: Light and stiff, Looks great
Weaknesses: Retail is outrageous!
Bottom Line:
Matched with carbon bars the bike looks great! A little excessive, maybe. Seeing how I could have had the new Bontrager RXL Aluminum (which is oversized, four bolt, and lighter) for $10. It just wouldn't have looked as good. So so far this splurge is doing its job. But I definitely would not pay retail for this so only 3 chilis for value.
Submitted by
Thor
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2008
Strengths: Strong, stays tight, light, (very bling), works well with my Bontrager XXX Racelite bar.
Weaknesses: Too bling? Cost.
Bottom Line:
I have two of these (100 and 120). They are great. They are gorgeous and light, and they are strong. I'd recommend them to anyone but they aren't exactly free.
Similar Products Used: numerous stems, including some good ti stems
Bike Setup: Seven Sola ti, Raceface, XTR hubs, SRAM shifters
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Lawn, SC
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2007
Strengths: CARBON CARBON CARBON
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
What can you say about a carbon fiber stem other then It's alot of BLING!!! its very stiff, extremly light, looks great, and stays put!!! If you can afford it get one!!!Its a little on the high price side but carbon ain't cheep.
Similar Products Used: Easton EA70, EA50, EA90, Bontrager race, racelite
Bike Setup: TREK EX 8 (see at...)http://gallery.mtbr.com/showphoto.php/photo/92181/cat/500/ppuser/248316
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Lancaster, PA
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2007
Strengths: Comfort, stiff, weight savings
Bottom Line:
WHen mated with the XXX carbon bar and carbon switchblade fork, the bike rides amazingly! I am a 6' and weigh 220. I have total trust in my front end. Confidence inspiring for railing turns. Front end feels noticably lighter.