|
Easton
MG60 Magnesium stem
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
fcaw11
a Weekend Warrior
from SGV, CA
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | El Prieto | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Dampening, dampening, dampening. The original fork was a Judy XC. Small bump sensitivity was poor back in 1998. This stem did the trick. | | Weaknesses: | Magnesium corrosion, but I always keep my MTB clean & rarely ride in wet conditions. | | Similar Products Used: | stock aluminum stems | | Bike Setup: | Trek carbon Y, mountain mix, Fox F80 & Float RC | | Bottom Line: | Originally bought to reduce ETT. I have the DH 50mm 25* rise version. My MG60 has yet to begin to corrode. I have no regrets in this purchase. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremiah
a Cross Country Rider
from West Richland, WA, US
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | Reduces vibrations and the resulting hand fatigue. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Aluminum and steel stems | | Bike Setup: | 17" Litech Magnesium, RockShox Duke SL, SRAM X.0 | | Bottom Line: | This product is worth the money! Out of all the things that you can do to reduce vibrations on the front of the bike this one ranks #2 to the front fork. Gloves, carbon handlebars. grips, don't even come close to the noticable difference this product provides. Awesome product! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hangdog98
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | The Oakes | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | 38 | | Strengths: | Reduces vibration. Does exactly what it says it does. | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | EA60, Azonic O.R.C. Ritchey WCS, Moots Ti | | Bike Setup: | KHS Alite, AMP F4BLT Carbon, Hayes, XTR, Easton CT2 | | Bottom Line: | I can't believe how a lump of super stiff metal can reduce trail vibrations the way this thing does. I rode it for the first time on a very familiar trail and I stopped the bike to look closely at the trail to see if someone had swept it clean. I used to get numb hands and had to frequently pump my shoulder joint to get some blood flow. I haven't had to do this for three months since fitting the mag stem.
I've spent a lot of money over the years looking for comfort because of my many MTB broken bone injuries, even going Ti at one point. Nothing has worked like Magnesium. Now I want a magnesium frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick
a Cross Country Rider
from Monterey, CA
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Fort Ord, CA | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | The stem does indeed damp vibrations. Its light, although only a few grams lighter than my stock Specialized stem. | | Weaknesses: | Its a little larger than I'm used to, since Magnesium is stiffer than Aluminum and less ductile. Not quite as neat-looking as some of the newer stems, or even my stock stem. Takes up a little more space on your fork steerer tube than other brands.
The MSRP is really high for what its worth, but for the discount price I got it at its not bad. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Weyless, Bontrager. | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Specialized Epic, Weyless XC35r riser bar. | | Bottom Line: | Magnesium is known as a "dead" or "ringless" metal. If you tap on a block of aluminum or steel, it'll "ring." Magnesium doesn't. Its also much stiffer than Aluminum and has a lower fracture toughness, hence the larger size of this stem. Oh yeah, and it'll corrode readily too, so the newer version of the MG-60 has a tougher coating to prevent this.
I replaced my stock 6 degree, 110mm stem with the 0 degree, 110mm MG-60. It sits a little lower on the fork steerer as I mentioned before, so I also got a taller riser bar to replace the stock bar. The weights are about the same.
The stem works. Vibrations were reduced as expected, which is what I bought it for. I had tried a carbon fiber bar for the same reason, but creased it during install even while using a torque wrench *carefully,* so I got scared of wasting more money on a second and never tried it again. This seems to be a more reasonable low-risk solution. You have to keep it clean and dry, and watch that the coating doesn't get removed, but if you don't and it starts corroding, its a lot less dangerous than if you accidentally nick a carbon bar and don't realize it. I'll take "gets ugly over time" over "may suddenly snap and cause catastrophic accident" any day.
I give it a score of five on value based on the price I received it for. I'd probably just live with the Aluminum stem if it had been $140... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a Cross Country Rider
from ny
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Point, LI | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | price point | | Strengths: | beautiful looking, finely built, VRS works. | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | many, many stems | | Bike Setup: | NRS custom 24.2 pound race machine | | Bottom Line: | This stem is simply awesome. I recently went out on a familiar ride in NY which has fast and twisty fire-road descents with lots of vibration coming from the pebbles and rocks on the ground. The stem did more than could ever be expected from such an overlooked and unexpected component. The vibration damping put me in absolute control on corners. Instead of the normal wrist bone rattling vibration, the stem reduced it to a mild hum that was completely ignorable and did not affect my riding at all. I was drifting through corners, tires barely holding grip, at times nearly sliding off cliff sides...all the while at unusual ease. The magnesium stem material does what is claimed. It reduces vibrations dramatically putting a stable handlebar in your hands and nearly deafening the vibrations from the bike below. I was and continue to be amazed by this stem.
As far as corrosion...its new and has been dry for its life (except one ride actually) and shows no corrosion of any type. AS SOON AS IT STARTS Ill be posting my experiences with it.
Hopefully it never will.
For value I will give it a 5...mostly because it WAS $150 now its $50...for overall a SURE 5 for outstanding performance and build quality. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DAVE EAGLESON
a Downhiller
from BELFAST NORTHERN IRELAND
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | MABIE SCOTLAND | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | DID WHAT ALL STEMS DO, HOLD YER BARS | | Weaknesses: | CORROSION, EXPENSIVE PRICE | | Similar Products Used: | MARIN OWN BRAND, RF DIABOLUS | | Bike Setup: | 2000 MARIN ROCK SPRINGS | | Bottom Line: | LOOKED GOOD TILL IT STARTED TO CORRODE, EVEN WHEN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY THE REPLACEMENT WAS NO BETTER. UNLIKE THEIR MONKEYLITES, THIS PRODUCT NEEDS A LOT MORE THOUGHT TO GO INTO IT. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from St Louis
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | chubb | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | looks kinda cool, i bought mine used about a year and a half ago and have had zero problems with corrosion. To the best of my knowlege, mine is a first generation greenish brown puke colored before they started making them corrosion resistent, and the little rubber nut saver is cool. yeah i know its for vibration dampening | | Weaknesses: | always scared i am gonna strip the threads | | Similar Products Used: | titec, salsa, kona | | Bike Setup: | old fisher with some modifications | | Bottom Line: | mine has had no corrosion probs. i have ridden in all conditions. Its always humid here in st louis, but i dont know if that would really affect the mag | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter Hughes
a Cross Country Rider
from New Forest UK
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Snowdonia UK | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin Cycles Preston Lancs UK | | Strengths: | Nice clean looks, looks very high quality (again ata first) | | Weaknesses: | I called Easton to ask if they offered cheamotherapy sessions for their MG60 stems, when they asked me what the hell I was on about, I told them that my stam was infected with cancerous looking growths. It now looks like something my 3 year old daughter made in pottery class, although it's still on the bike, and performs the same. | | Bike Setup: | Airborne Lky' Strike, Pace RC36 EVO 3's, Easton, XTR, Mavic Crossroc | | Bottom Line: | If the notorious 'stem rot' could be controlled, then this would be a sweet, pucker stem. However 'don't judge a book by it's cover', this stem still performs, with good weight, it's just a pity it's got a surface about as smooth as the caves of drach!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay Auxier
a Cross Country Rider
from Muncie, Indiana US
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Horse | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | B&B/Kirks Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Strong, light and beautiful | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Icon | | Bike Setup: | STP 400
xtr,Avid sd mags, Easton ct2 & mag stem, raceface headset | | Bottom Line: | I have had this for 6 mo. no problems, mine is black in color
get it, if you want the best | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Leo
a Racer
from Dallas, Tx
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | light
easy on the arms | | Weaknesses: | corosion | | Bottom Line: | I have 2 of these stems and had the same corosion problem
as everyone else. I e-mailed easton and they sent me
out 2 new ones with a new and improved coating!!
Very good customer service
Thanks Easton | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dani Mor
a Racer
from Nofit ,Israel
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Galilee Mountains,Israeal | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Rosen&Meentz ,Israel | | Strengths: | Light and looked good at first | | Weaknesses: | Corrosion.Grayspeckles are emerging under the paiting coat.
It looks terrible ! | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Marin mountvision pro 2001 | | Bottom Line: | Not recommended | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
warren pryer
a Racer
from israel
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | garden of eden south africa | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | light and looked good at first | | Weaknesses: | it now looks like a piece of sh------------t grey cancerous spots growing by the day very pathetic easton we all dont live next door to an eastern agent where you cane just walk in and change it. | | Similar Products Used: | koski titec | | Bike Setup: | diamondback xr-8 british version full xtr hayes hydraulic | | Bottom Line: | just tell me what to do with it now; Iam very pleased with peformance of the stem but I hope this corrosion is noy weakening it in any way lets just say between us its a poor show the other easton parts I have used ;bars seat post have been great so what happend | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fox
a Cross Country Rider
from Chico, CA
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | All of them!! | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Strengths: | It looks cool for a while... I Didnt't really notice if it was a any stiffer than an aluminum or chromoloy stem, maybe if was installed on rigid bike the vibration damping that easton claims would have been noticeable. Sure its light but sometimes saving weight in certain areas is not a good idea, ie.stem, BB,seatpost. | | Weaknesses: | I have been using this model of stem for almost a year, and I sending my second MG60 back to Easton for corrosion problems. Maybe I will ask for new pair of bars intead of a $140 Mag stem that corrodes after only a few months of use. When I recieved my second stem the kind folks at easton assured me that they had fixed the problem but obviously not, even though the finish looks different than the first it still corroded only after a couple of months of moderate riding. I am going back to my Kalloy Uno stem that cost me $15 yea sure it is not as pimp as the MG60 but its 3 years old and does not have any weaknesses other than being cheap.
| | Similar Products Used: | PZ DH, Titec, Kalloy Uno, Kona Taiwanese Interlock | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Stinky 5 not stock, not light | | Bottom Line: | My Hayes brake lever perches are made of Magnesium and they haven't corroded. Maybe they should get together... and fix easton little expensive problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy Rixon
a
from Oxford, Uk
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Bottom Line: | I've just been to Bike 2001 in England. Nigel Page had his new Tazer. This was BRAND NEW. It had the new Manitou Black forks on it. I saw him at the end, with a broken stem.
I know this guy is a World Cup rider, but doing a small INDOOR Duel track shouldn't break a stem. For your information, it broke near the front cap.
Buy if you are a poser. If not, get a solid alu stem | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel Chua
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$139.00 | | Purchased At: | Gotham Bikes N.Y | | Strengths: | Sleek design and feels a lot lighter than it looks!
Very unique color. Make your bike looks cool and that pretty much what this stem is good for.
My handlebar(CT2 Monkeylite) hasn't slipped yet.
Not sure if its stiff though...
But I like that it is not as jarring like an aluminium stem.
| | Weaknesses: | The bolts look cheap and cheesy. They had to! Because overtightening may ground out the threads! This magnesium compound is very soft!
Corrosion!
Grey speckles are emerging from under the painted coat.
See review below by Grant! He can atest to it!
| | Similar Products Used: | None! | | Bike Setup: | DS specific frame and set up. | | Bottom Line: |
I am sending my stem in to stake my warranty claim...
After paying US$139.00 and getting a stem that's beginning to rot in less than 6 months is disgusting!
Who would've thought that a big player like Easton to come up with a product of such inferior quality.
My advice to you all is to seek out metals of a less exotic kind for now...
I am skeptical even if I do get a replacement, it will be the end of my problem.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven Barnhisel
a Cross Country Rider
from Aurora Colorado
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | White Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike World | | Strengths: | Light,four point face plate. | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Similar Products Used: | Aluminum | | Bike Setup: | Klein Mantra Comp | | Bottom Line: | The color isn't as bad as I thought, actually looks good with my LP carbon bar ends. I have not worked it all that hard yet, but so far so good. Holds very tight my monkey lite carbon bars without the fear of over tightening and pinching bars. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grant Hodges
a Cross Country Rider
from Winfield KS
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Horizon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Can't tell | | Strengths: | Cool looking, Many shorter lengths (90) with 0 rise
Never have to tighten, holds bars like a crackhead holds his last hit. | | Weaknesses: | Oxidation! there is a gray rust like oxidation forming were ever the outer coating is penetrated. It is apreading slowly and i fear it will weaken the stem. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale, Kore. | | Bike Setup: | G.Fisher supercaliber, Race Face, Spinergy, Thomson, XTR | | Bottom Line: | This stem is very cool especialy with some Easton carbon risers. It hangs on to the bar no matter what i throw at it. It takes some of the roughness out of your ride but don't buy the hipe. If i didn't need the 90mm and no rise i would have stuck with Al. The oxidation is a problem and I'm on the phone with my dealer right now. I will get another and hope that this problem goes away. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bennett
a Cross Country Rider
from New York, NY
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | City Park, Austin | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Actually dampens vibrations. Really! | | Weaknesses: | No 135 or 150 mm. No rises available | | Similar Products Used: | Kore, Control Tech | | Bike Setup: | Bow Ti and everything that goes with it | | Bottom Line: | My top tube is kinda long, so I got the 110mm length. And damn if I didn't actually notice this thing working. The damping is subtle, but definately there. My hands didn't ache or feel numb after longer rides like they did before. That could be because of a better hand position with this shorter stem, but either way, it smooths out some rough stuff. Expensive, but doesn't weigh more than other stems, and it gives something extra. It would be hard to back to just a plain aluminum tube after this. 4 Chilis because of price | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Syracuse, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Gore Mt. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Stiff, light for a "downhill stem. | | Weaknesses: | The bump stop rubber insert fell out. The glue evidently wasnt good enough. | | Similar Products Used: | Coda stem(s), several other | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale SV2000 Freeride, Hope Discs, Hope Hubs, Mavic X317 | | Bottom Line: | This stem works, yeah it holds on to my bar real tight, too. Mostly I like it because it puts my bar where I want it, any stem can do that if you pick the size correctly. The MG60 is light, considerably lighter than my Coda stem. I read a review of this product in, I think, Mountain Bike, and they claimed that Easton claims that they use a vibration damping insert (VRS) that is supposed to help reduce high frequency vibration and thereby help eliminate hand fatigue. It seems to work, but I'm not yet convinced that it's not my imagination or just good cockpit positioning. Given the price of this thing, i was disappointed when the rubber (God I hope that thing isnt the proprietary VRS insert) bumper on the back of the stem fell off. There is residue of some adhesive on it and the stem, evidently it wasnt a very good "glue". Luckily I found the thing and i will have to glue it back on. That definitely knocks my rating down. 4 chiles because of the "glue" problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Arthur Gaillot
a Weekend Warrior
from Paris, FRANCE
Date Reviewed: July 7, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Alpe d'Huez | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
stiffff, good looking, holds on tight to my bars !! | | Weaknesses: |
some might not like the color | | Similar Products Used: |
Kore B-52 | | Bike Setup: |
Gt sts2, Z1, full XTR, race face, D521 | | Bottom Line: | A great stem for the hardcore rider ! you'll be the only one on the block to have it !! holds on to my stem damn tight ! | | Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$ 139.95
