Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from IL Date Reviewed: December 29, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$10.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
PRICE! Extreme strength! Stiff as a rock! Bar clamp really is an excellent working design and I trust it more than any other with a carbon bar due to its tight tolerances.
Weaknesses:
Heavy. 260 grams for mine (110mm)
Similar Products Used:
lots of Kore stuff. Headshok crap. Specialized 4 bolt.
Bike Setup:
Magnesium singlespeed with Raceface carbon cranks. Sub 17 lbs.
Bottom Line:
The best deal out there for any stem! Damn good stem if you can get over the extra 100 grams of weight! If not, get a Thompson and let your wallet hate you. This thing deserves 6 chiles for Value!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Evan
a Racer
from Boulder, CO, USA Date Reviewed: March 7, 2005
Favorite Trail:
White Ranch
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$16.00
Purchased At:
Cambria (through eBay)
Strengths:
Bomb-proof stem from a top manufacturer. Dirt cheap.
Weaknesses:
Too heavy!
Similar Products Used:
Trek Icon, Klein MC3, Profile
Bike Setup:
2001 Klein Adroit, full XTR
Bottom Line:
I was looking for a stem to go with my new Fox F80 RLT (the old Klein stem wouldn't fit) and found this gem on eBay at close-out. Not sure why it is so cheap(?). It's a great stem, although, you can find stems easily 100 grams lighter than this. But for $16, you can't go wrong and this thing is probably built to military specs for use on tanks! Super-strong, super-stiff, super-cheap. Get one. It deserves 6 flaming chills in the value department!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
lvm
a Cross Country Rider
from woodstock, md Date Reviewed: January 22, 2005
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Strengths:
strength, weight, dual-pivot faceplate, looks
Weaknesses:
steerer tube height
Similar Products Used:
nuke proof, kalloy, etc.
Bike Setup:
GIANT NRS
Bottom Line:
This is a nice stem, but I'm guessing that Easton realized that the part that clamps onto the fork steerer tube is way too tall, so they are redesigning the stem and selling the current model at a discount. the clamp part of the stem is 2+"", so make sure your frame & fork combo will work with this stem.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Corrieri
a Weekend Warrior
from Chandler, AZ Date Reviewed: November 15, 2004
Favorite Trail:
all over
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
supergo
Strengths:
BUILT LIKE A TANK
Weaknesses:
Maybe if that one bolt broke, you could die...
Similar Products Used:
thomson elite
Bike Setup:
RM TO (non scandium version), with expensive stuff
Bottom Line:
I got it to throw together a Rocky Mountain Team Only frame that was a couple years old so my wife could ride with me.
It was cheap. Got it home. Went gaga. This has got to be one of the most sleeper products in mtb.
The design is amazing, simple, beautiful in gray, and my oh my is it stiff.
Hats off to Easton. Get it on sale for 25.00 just about anywhere now, and think really hard on what you get for three times as much scratch.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Big Boy Truck
a Cross Country Rider
from Seoul, Korea (FL) Date Reviewed: October 2, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Songnam
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$19.00
Purchased At:
Cambria Bike Outfiters
Strengths:
Excellent. Great looks, finish (I have the matching gray handelbar). Love the hinges.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Richey, Kona
Bike Setup:
Kona Kikapu Deluxe
Bottom Line:
Great stem. Go out and get one. I was going to do the all carbon treatment, but with me being a big strong guy, I didn't want to have any issues on the trail, so when these went on sale, I couldn't refuse.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Central Florida Date Reviewed: July 24, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Alafia
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
This is a very strong stem. Very stiff, with no flex. Hinged face plate is the best system I have ever used.
Weaknesses:
Steer claim is 57mm tall. Check your steer tube length to make sure it will work before you buy this stem.
This is a very reliable stem. I wish more stems used the same hinged face plate. Very easy to adjust, or change bars, and provides a very secure grip on the bar.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SGT. ROCK
a Racer
from Grande Cache, AB Date Reviewed: June 7, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
Price Strength
Weaknesses:
Weight Very tall steerer clamp
Similar Products Used:
Titec, Bontrager, Syntace, Kore
Bike Setup:
2003 Ventana Pantera
Bottom Line:
Good stem, stiff, well finished. The hinged clamp is cool, makes centering the bar a little easier (but how often are we changing bars?). The steerer tube clamp is much taller than any other stem, so beware if you're using a pre-cut fork, it may be too short. It's a little heavy, looks overbuilt, so don't put it on your 20 lb. hardtail.
Great price at Price Point - $19.98.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joehat
a Weekend Warrior
from Home of the White Stripes and The Pistons Date Reviewed: June 6, 2004
Favorite Trail:
The one that doesn't run through my office
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$10000.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Looks great on my bike, Strength, Easton Reputation, fit-n-finish
Weaknesses:
Awful sticker. For the retail price, they could have at least used a silk screen logo. C'mon Easton! Oh yeah, it's a little heavy, but I'm not a gram counter.
Similar Products Used:
Azonic ORC, Trek OEM on my Old 8000, the stem on that Huffy BMX bike that I got when I was 10
Bike Setup:
Jamis Diablo, Brahma Bars (old skool, but if you like bar ends, this bar is the sh$%!), LX Fr Der, XT Rear, EA50 Post...blah blah blah...
Bottom Line:
This stem rocks! It's not as light as my old Azonic Stem, but the clamping system is nice! I'm putting it through it's paces and it seems pretty bombproof.
If you want a rigid stem from a respected manufacturer, look into this one; I'd bet that it'll give some of the more esoteric brands a run for the $. The single bolt/hinge setup works really well. If you're a weekend warrior like me who likes higher-end stuff, but would rather not spend a hundred bucks on a stem, buy this one.
5 Flaming Phalluses in both ratings, since MTBR doesn't hit 10
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jw
a Cross Country Rider
from kentucky Date Reviewed: May 14, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
local bike shop
Strengths:
amazingly stiff, love the double hinge, has virtually 0 flex-very rigid, very sleek looking ,this stem was worth every penny i love u easton
Weaknesses:
NONE
Similar Products Used:
BONTRAGER RACE LITE, THOMSON, RACEFACE
Bike Setup:
TREK LIQUID 55
Bottom Line:
wowwwwwwwww
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Detroit, MI Date Reviewed: April 26, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Price point
Strengths:
It's strength
Weaknesses:
It is large and heavy
Similar Products Used:
Thompson
Bottom Line:
I got a deal on this stem and was skeptical about its welded nature and the one bolt face plate design. After installing and using it I love it. It does not flex one bit, grips the bar very well, and looks good. I thought I should save up and get the Thomson stem but this one is better and Price Point was clearing them out. I could have bought 3 EA70s for the price of the Thomson they are very nice. The only down side is it does weight more than the stock one (Bontrager Race) but you have to really be counting the grams for it to bother you and does not flex nearly as much.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
andthereyouare
a Cross Country Rider
from Bear, DE Date Reviewed: February 10, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Fairhill, MD
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Stiff, no creaks and holds the bars in place.
Weaknesses:
It ain't titanuim, HA!!!
Similar Products Used:
Control Tech, specialized
Bike Setup:
Klein Attitude Race built for serious trail pounding.
Bottom Line:
This stem is awesome!!! There are no creaks and it's bomb proof. Very stiff stem, which is why I got it. Almost got the Magnesium stem but read the nightmares from people that have it. So I opted for this one and am really pleased with it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steven
a Cross Country Rider
from Maine Date Reviewed: January 21, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Easton quality, built strong, hinged faceplate
Weaknesses:
A little on the heavy side
Similar Products Used:
Kore, Titec, Bontrager, Control Tech
Bike Setup:
Klein Palomino, Duke SL, XT drivetrain, Avid brakes, levers & cables, Oury grips, LP Composites HB, Thomson seatpost, Hadley hubs laced to velocity rims with Specialized tires converted to tubeless with Stan's Notubes, Speedplay frogs
Bottom Line:
This stem is a work of industrial art. It just looks good. Granted it is not the lightest stem on the market, but it isn't flimsy either. The wide, hinged, single bolt, faceplate is great for use with carbon bars.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Erik
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA Date Reviewed: December 17, 2003
Favorite Trail:
the one to the coffee shop
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$39.00
Purchased At:
Cambria Outfitters
Strengths:
Strength, excellent bar clamp mechanism, long/tall steer-tube clamping section makes for a strong interface, grey color version matches Fox forks real well.
Weaknesses:
Beefy and a little heavy. Not an ultralight part. Tall steertube clamp might exclude it from use on big bikes...not enough steer tube to clamp.
This is a bionic, stable and safe stem that looks good.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Hiatt
a Weekend Warrior
from Minneapolis, MN. USA Date Reviewed: August 7, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Long and winding road
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Nashbar
Strengths:
Strength!! On sale it's an excellent bargain. Ease of installation.
Weaknesses:
NONE! (okay if it's not on sale it's a bit pricey).
Similar Products Used:
N/A
Bike Setup:
2003 Trek 4100 with LX, XT upgrade, Easton EA70 bars and stem. Bontrager Mustang rims and Panaracer Fire XC tires.
Bottom Line:
You know the Bulldog hood ornament they put on a Mack truck? That's what this thing reminds me of. It's got durability written all over it. This one will last!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Patrick M
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia Date Reviewed: February 5, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
A Malaysian Bike shop
Strengths:
Looks, strength, stiffness, and virtually indestructable.
I've read a few reviews indicating that the welded design of this stem makes it weak. Get real!! This stem is virtually indestructable. I would like to actually hear of real experiences where this stem breaks during a ride. NOt theories.
This stem is also super stiff ... once it clamps on to the handlebar, it will remain clamped and expect no movement from the bar at all.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Harris
a Cross Country Rider
from Burlington, NC, US Date Reviewed: August 7, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
BeyondBikes
Strengths:
Looks, design, weight, strength, and composite friendly!!
Weaknesses:
none (price, most everyone sells this stem for $100
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager
Bike Setup:
2002 Trek Fuel 80, Prolink seat, Thompson Elite seatpost, Easton MonkeyLite Riser bar, EA70 stem (100mm x 10de. rise). Haven't had chance to upgrade anything else yet.
Bottom Line:
This is a great stem both for looks and performance. One thing to look out for is if you are using something like an Easton composite bar. The instructions say the max. torque for the handlebar clamp is 60-70 in.-lbs. TOO MUCH!! I talked to an engineer at Easton and he said torque the clamp to 30 in.-lbs. first and then see if the bar moves. Then gradually increase as needed or you may crack your composite bar. This is a great stem for xc riders looking to maybe upgrade to a composite bar in the future.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Phil
a Racer
from LA Date Reviewed: July 23, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
MTBR Class
Strengths:
Holds the bar
Weaknesses:
very stiff ride, can I say too stiff?
Similar Products Used:
Kore, Thomson, etc.
Bike Setup:
Superlight
Bottom Line:
I was trying out some different stem sizes and cam across the easton. It looked cool, seemed cool, and did the job. My only gripe is that it felt SOOO stiff that it affected the comfort of my ride. I never thought that I would be able to notice the stiffness of a stem, but this stem proved me wrong. There is very little to no vibration damping with this puppy, and you can feel it. I have since changed back to my KORE which dampens much better. Delicate wrists beware!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave Harvey
a Cross Country Rider
from San Marcos Date Reviewed: January 5, 2002
Favorite Trail:
A bunch
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Easy too mount, bar removal is fast and east. Fairly light,rigid. Handlebar clamp stays clamped!
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Kore,Proflex, Manitou,
Bike Setup:
Lightspeed hardtail
Bottom Line:
It is a good value, performs like it should and looks good on the bike!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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