Submitted by
Sam Rahder
a Downhiller
from Madison, WI USA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2004
Strengths: Is an extremely strong stem that is also very short which makes it easy to pop a wheelie.
Weaknesses: It's heavy, but that doesn't really matter if you want a extra-strong short stem. Only if your going cross country and you want to keep your bike under a certain wheight.
Bottom Line:
1. If your looking for a cheap, short, durable stem, this is probably your best option.
Submitted by
bob
a Cross Country Rider
from texas, usa
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2002
Strengths: this stem looks to be super strong, has a VERY solid feel to it, and has a badass black color. plus, it has a flip flop design that will either raise or lower the bars, which is nice. the part that wraps around the steerer tube is also very thick, but short. have not done any 10 foot drops yet, and I don't think I will, even if the stem looks like it could take a lot of hits. oh, it's very wide too, and grips a large area of the handle bar
Weaknesses: the only problem is that the part that wraps around the steerer is thick , but maybe a little bit too short. I don't feel like it is grabbing enough of the steerer, but who cares, the chances of it breaking off are slim, if nonexistent.
Bottom Line:
this stem is solid, and will never break off unless you put a gouge in it first. looks cool, feels cool (makes it much easier to raise the front wheel) saves your ass when going downhill, it's is nice. get it, it's cheap and strong (weight is not an issue here if you are looking at a DH stem)
Strengths: Very strong No flex - a stiff little stem! Nice look and graphics Great flip-flop design Kneesaver rear clamp 4 bolt front clamp
Weaknesses: Naff finish Bolts rust after a while
Bottom Line:
This is a great, tough little stem that was surprisingly cheap for a Kore product. It's made in Taiwan and is forged, which explains the cheaper price.
I've already got a kore B-52 stem that was a little too long for my new bike, so I got the last B1B in the UK, you can't really get these stems outside the US so I guess I was lucky. I got a 55mm model in silver.
Overall, it's been flawless. It's superstiff, seems to have taken lots of jumping abuse and is easy to fit. It uses a great +/- 6 degree flip-flop design, ideal for my long travel 5" forks and 24" wheels. I flipped it upside down, and it's dropped the bars about 1.5"
The only downsides is that the finish looks a bit cheap, and the cromoly bolts go rusty after a few rides..but I'd rather have cromoly bolts than weaker stainless steel ones so that's OK.
Great stem for DH and jumpers, if you can find one!
