Submitted by
Jacob O'Neall
a Downhiller
from Eubank, KY, USA
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2003
Strengths: solid, reliable
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
For over a year, this stem hasn't gave me a problem. That's what a good stem does, it does its job (it holds the bar, and lets you steer the bike) and lets you foreget about it. I really have been misusing this stem, as it was designed as a XC stem, but I use it for freeride, DH, dirtjumping, and trailriding. (thats what it was made for) This review was actually for the Two-bolt Kore Lite 2 stem, not the plain Kore Lite.
Similar Products Used: Syntace VRO, many others (the syntace is my absolute favorite stem and bar)
Bike Setup: 2001 Mongoose Pro Valient, 2002 RS Psylo, complete Kore setup(bar, stem, post, and a Kore Chain Reactor) LX group, WTB Motoraptor 2.4's, Sun Mammoth rims/ WTB Speed disk hubs, WTB XR-2k saddle, Formula Activa Mechanical disks
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Martin Miller
a Cross Country Rider
from Mundelein
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2002
Strengths: Looks good, I dunno, it's a stem
Weaknesses: isn't filled with helium to make my bike lighter
Bottom Line:
I am short so I needed a shorter stem because the 120mm was giving me shoulder numbness, I got this thing bolted it in with a torque wrench, after getting the instructions for the amount of torque at www.kore.com. I like it a lot, go buy one if want
Strengths: Great looks, good fit, lightweight..logo's not TOO obnoxious
Weaknesses: Screwing steel into aluminum..watch your strength!
Bottom Line:
I'm reviewing the Kore Forged stem..no welds..to clarify.
Well....here goes. Bought this stem to replace the OE one that came on my bike after I noticed a small crack around one of the bolt threads. Low and behold, after running the Kore stem for about 6 months, noticed the same thing while doing my every other ride inspection.
I've come to conclude that I just dont' know my own strength while torquing down these parts. I have a cheap torque wrench that I use but make sure if you use a 6" allen wrench or torque wrench, that you don't go TOO tight. I'm thinking I cracked the aluminum around the bolt threads on the lower bolt of the face plate. If you look at it, there's not too much thickness there so do be careful! A break here during a ride could be catastrophic on one's dental health!
Anyhow, What did I do.....go out and bought the same stem again...really had no problems other than this and it wasn't the stem's fault I don't think! Would be helpful to have max. torque levels shipped with the products..I'm gathering after doing some research, that that would be about 7-10 foot/ lbs. for the handlebar clamps, and 20-25 on the stem bolts...
Hope this helps future wanna be bike mechanics out there....
Good luck all! And BUY THIS STEM!! I did..twice! Just be careful with those muscles!
Bike Setup: Gary Fisher Marlin 00' w/ manitou sx-r fork panaracer tires,mavic wheelset ,selle italia century 100 saddle....
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Rod Angler
a Weekend Warrior
from planet of New Orleans
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2000
Strengths: Light. Strong. Easy to install. Looks good. Forged, so no welds to QC, and that's always a good thing. Inexpensive!! What else do you want out of a stem?!
Weaknesses: nada
Bottom Line:
Forged and $25? No welds? Best value on the market I've seen.
Submitted by
Luke
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville,TN,USA
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2000
Strengths: Light, simple, strong.
Weaknesses: No removeable faceplate.
Bottom Line:
The stem is indeed, very light. But the oversized claming surface, big tubing, and beefy welds make me think it is going to last forever. Simple, light functiounal...the perfect part?!?!?! Odd sizes are very cheap online right now, an outright steal. If you are positive you are going to be running a flatbar, pick one up. It isn't the flashiest component around, but I don't forsee ANY problems coming from this stem ever. Do not buy this stem if you intend to use riser bars. They will not fit unless you bend some metal, seriously comprimising the strength of either the stem, or your bar.
Similar Products Used: Generic stems, worldforce, ringle Zooka
Bike Setup: 99 Jamis Dragon
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
de la dave
a Cross Country Rider
from the donut shop
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2000
Strengths: light,looks cool,knee saver
Weaknesses: non-removable face plate
Bottom Line:
you can get these for like $19 on line if the size is right its a sin not to buy it, i rode one for six months and would still be if i hadnt sold the bike
Similar Products Used: titec big al,nukeproof,system 3
Bike Setup: easton superlite frame,titec cockpit(big al/hellbent),lx,sx-r,
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from Lawrenceville Pa
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2000
Strengths: Good looks, light weight, good welds, knee saver butt.
Weaknesses: Same as other review, one piece face plate.
Bottom Line:
Great stem, strong and lightweight, good looking, comes in many colors, the only draw back is to make sure that you're bar will fit, my Ti bar juuuuuust barely fit, makes me nervous of increasing the weakness when i ride, but bottom line great product, get them while they are onsale everywhere for 20.00, i did!!
Submitted by
Brad Hardesty
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Louis, MO
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2000
Strengths: Light, strong, well built, excellent welds, and good looks.
Weaknesses: Decals did not last long. Face plate is not removable so you need to be sure of the correct size that you are comfortable with.
Bottom Line:
This is an excellent light and affordable stem. The only drawback is the non-removable face plate. (That is what makes it so light). The Blizzard that I own is Reynolds 725 so I needed to try to save all of the weight that I could and still not spend a fortune on light componentry. I highly recommend this stem to anyone who wants to affordably save some weight and knows exactly what size stem that they really are comfortable with. The non-removable face plate should not be a factor to you if you fit that bill. It could be the last stem that you ever need.
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