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Submitted by
xmessenger
a Weekend Warrior
from Vic BC CanadaDate Reviewed: November 30, 2010
Strengths: High Quality construction,design and execution.Stiff and light.Weaknesses: zeroBottom Line: First I'd like to point out this is for the "Hinged Cattleprod," NOT the "Cattlehead"(non quill),as described in the title (although with an incorrect photo).
I am very pleased with this stem as it is noticeably lighter and stiffer, delivering an instant and precise steering.This stem borders on art with the amount of thought and detail in the build, like the machined-out alloy wedge.I had always wanted this stem but couldn't afford one, so when I saw this beauty for just $35 I new it would be the best $35 I'd spend.Oh and it just looks so sweet on my retro ride:p
Favorite Trail: Too many to choose
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At: capital city cycles
Similar Products Used: kona velocity, Stock RM steel quill and Answer ATAC Quill.
Bike Setup: Old skool 1992 Rocky Team Comp w/ TB Project2
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Craig
a Cross Country Rider
from Plymouth, MNDate Reviewed: July 26, 2000
Strengths: You tell people your bike has Syncros parts and they think..."oooh, cool!". I like the black color.Weaknesses: Came stock on my GT and wouldn't work correctly right out of the box. No matter how hard I have tightened the hex bolt, the handlebars still swivel with relative ease. Local bike shop replaced with Titec Bil AL. Syncros looks are so-so compared to the big, burly tubing of the Big AL.Bottom Line: When I bought the bike I thought the Syncros stem and handlebars looked real nice. On the trail, however, the stem made for a real cautious ride. Until I had it replaced I was nervous throwing it into corners. I know others really like this stem, but the one that came stock with my bike just wouldn't tighen. Maybe it was just a defective stem.
Favorite Trail: MN River bottoms
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Similar Products Used: Azonic, Titec
Bike Setup: 2000 GT Zaskar w/ XTR crankset.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Victoria BCDate Reviewed: April 25, 2000
Strengths: no bolts to bash knees
highly polished flashWeaknesses: real pain to install
unique angled top capBottom Line: Like the previous reviewer, lots of grief getting this to work. I got mine used and I have a flat bar so minus the nause about bending the stem but the clamping bolt contraption wouldn't properly hold the steerer tube. I had to buy a new mechanism ($30 CDN) and the PLASTIC!?! top cap ($16 CDN) which were a bit of a costly surprise. The headset loosens up and tightening it is no small evolution. The stem is really tight on the steerer so you have to completely remove the bolt mechanism and hammer on the stem to get it down the steerer. I have pulled the star nut out and now have had to watch the shop struggle every time I need the headset tightened. Now the company is owned by GT and they spec Syncros on even their cheapest model FS bikes I am really disapointed. Used to be a sexy Cdn company in Vancouver and now is a cheap house brand that GT doesn't even really stand behind. Had a Syncros post that needed to be warrantied. The GT rep tried to convince me that a THOMSON should be sent back to me because they are "better". A sad end to what was a decent company.
Favorite Trail: Mt Tzhuhalen
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Similar Products Used: Ritchey stem, RF SYStem
Bike Setup: 98 RM Element Race, mostly original parts
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Andy Orr
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort COllins, ColoradoDate Reviewed: March 22, 2000
Strengths: ReputationWeaknesses: Difficult to install, impossible to place riser bars onBottom Line: Decided that my wife would benefit from a more prone position than what was allowed with the upright stem that came stock on her TREK. Bought this stem (SYNCROS CATTLEHEAD) on PricePoint.com for a great price - like $35.00 as opposed to its list price of $90.
First of all, it was the biggest hassle to install this on to her AHEADSET. They (SYNCROS) recommend you lose the starfangled nut and replace the guts with their internal stack. Their stack just would not fit correctly. I eventually got it to work but, I am pretty sure that the one piece that dind't go in was designed to go in. SO...
The stem is now on. It seemed a lot more complicated than it needed to be but what the hell... I start to lace the easton riser (a meager 8 degree sweep) bars through and they will not budge past the bend. I practically ruined both the stem (by prying it open) and the bars (by jamming them through) to make it work. They are on but they (stem and bars) look like they were dragged on the asphalt for a couple of miles.
First of all, there should be a GIANT DISCLAIMER on this product that they are not compatible with the increasingly popular riser bars. Second, this thing seems to be way overbuilt for absolutley no good reason and finally, what's with the cheap looking, stick-on SYNCROS label?
I just hope it works. I'll assume it does and deduct two chilis for my installation hassles.
Favorite Trail: Serenity, Winter Park, CO
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Similar Products Used: Titec, Specialized, Kore
Bike Setup: This was for my wife's TREK 6500
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
derek
a Cross-Country Rider
from delawareDate Reviewed: December 14, 1999
Bottom Line: It works. My handlebar is always where i expect it to be. It doesn't bite off skin, if my knee hits it in a crash. It doesn't creak or moan. Looks cool. And the alum. head cap doesn't break like plastic.
Favorite Trail:
any singletrack
Duration Product Used:
more than 3 years
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from PhiladelphiaDate Reviewed: October 30, 1999
Strengths:
Not aware of anyWeaknesses:
Customer ServiceBottom Line: I feel that Syncros does not care about their cutomers at all. They are very unprofessional and unorganized. If you intend on doing business with them beware, it is almost impossible to get help from them. Do yourself a favor and buy Kore as they are always there when you need them.
Favorite Trail:
Valley Green
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Similar Products Used:
Kore, Easton
Bike Setup:
Cannondale
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Fred
a Weekend Warrior
from MalaysiaDate Reviewed: July 20, 1999
Bottom Line: PLEASE SYNCROS change the top cap.....make it from aluminium....anything, accept that so called glass fibre crap. As long as you don't redesign your stem a lot of other manufacturers like ControlTech (Team Issue Stem) or Easton are going to out sell you.
PLEASE SNYCROS...listen to these critism and DO SOMETHING. If you don't listen, other manufacturers will.
PLEASE SYNCROS....do not behave the way other rich successful corporate giants behave....all talk and hype but no action.
Signed a very disappointed Synros fan.
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bradon
a Cross-Country Rider
from RenoDate Reviewed: June 28, 1999
Strengths:
It's light and . . . . that's it.Weaknesses:
Slips a little and the plastic cap can slide around.Bottom Line: I'll agree with Chuck's posting below. The plastic top cap slips off the angled top of the stem and hangs over the rear. Yesterday I went over the bars and slammed the family jewels into this exposed plastic cap. One inch lower and . . . . . you get the picture. Don't buy this stem! The angled top is dangerous and can cause serious injury (especially with the plastic cap).
Favorite Trail:
Peavine
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Similar Products Used:
Control Tech
Bike Setup:
Ti frame w/SID and xt stuff.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MikeD
a Racer
from CalgaryDate Reviewed: June 15, 1999
Strengths:
everything. I have had this stem on my last four bikes and it hasn't broken, I broke my last bike a Rocky Mtn Vertex but I still have the stem, now I'm on a Kona He! He! with all the vertex parts, but it has been through everything.Weaknesses:
nothingBottom Line: Light, Strong, and I think I'm going to have it forever. I have had the stem for almost 5 years and it isn't showing any hints of breaking yet. I run a riser bar and I like to be realy agrresive on all technical downhills and I like to do trials and go to the BMX track once in a while, I ride 6 times a week on the mtn bike. It will be the last stem you'll ever need to buy. Try the rims too they are just as sweet.
Favorite Trail:
Milstream
Duration Product Used:
more than 3 years
Similar Products Used:
not too many, Titec ti, control tech, icon, but they were all on my buddies bikes.
Bike Setup:
Kona HE! HE! with all xtr and a 98 Z-2 Bam with Syncros rims ( XLR's ) and all race face parts.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross-Country Rider
from St. Louis, MODate Reviewed: May 31, 1999
Strengths:
Unique Looking, seems very strong. Like the new 3 piece cotter systemWeaknesses:
Stickers? Come on, paint it or engrave it please - for this price!Bottom Line: Really unique looking, very burly and very stiff. Nice overall design, but.... I have a non-hinged stem - which is fine, but it took an incredible amount of prying on the clamp to just insert my bar - causing the bar and stem to get a little nicked. For the price I paid for the bar and stem - 39+29, it was a really good deal so I can't really complain. The sticker logo nonsense could be improved though. Overall a great product.
Favorite Trail:
Berryman
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager Ahead
Bike Setup:
Klein, White Bros SC90
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gary
a Cross-Country Rider
from Murfreesboro, TNDate Reviewed: March 18, 1999
Strengths:
Very stiff. I felt safer on this stem than the one that came stock. Also, very aesthetically pleasing. All in all, it's superpimp.Weaknesses:
None yet.Bottom Line: Buy this...it is badass! There's not much else to say. It works well and looks cool.
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Bike Setup:
I have a Trek Y bike. The stem hooks to a Syncros rise bar, supported by a Manitou SX.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
wade
a downhiller
from s.e mass. usaDate Reviewed: February 8, 1999
Bottom Line:
I have one of these almost brand new, still have the box and all the papers. retail is $120, best offer like aaaa aaa a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a alike 75 or so?
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a cross-country rider
from UKDate Reviewed: January 21, 1999
Bottom Line:
I have a hinged ahead stem. The workmaniship and finish is excellent. The only two duff bits are the plastic stem cap, which broke, but which Syncros replaced with a alu cap free of charge (thanks guys!!), and also the wedge loc is a bit duff, but again Syncros replaced it with their new clamp, which allows safe use of a star nut. The stem is stiff, the hinge clamp really good. Overall fantastic. One grip though - the stickers are a bit naff - how about laser etching them guys ??? (But Syncros sent me new ones anyway). The website is also very good, with tons of info. Syncros = quality.......
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chuck Stein
a cross-country rider
from PittsburghDate Reviewed: December 27, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have the hinged Syncros stem - it doesn't stay tight all the time, which is a pretty basic thing for an ahead stem to do. THE WORST, though, is the cheesy top cap (plastic) on the sloping top edge. If I tighten this enough to keep my headset solid,the cap slides on the angled top, and Voila! INSTANT KNEE SLICER!
Well executed machining, but a part that can harm you ? Nah, we don't need this.
BTW, if you really believe any stout aluminum stem will dampen ANYTHING, then I've got a sweet downhill corse to sell you in the Everglades. 1 chile for danger, and putting a slope in the top of an otherwise sweet piece (why, oh why did you do this?)
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JASON H.@ SYNCROS
a downhiller
from canadaDate Reviewed: December 23, 1998
Bottom Line:
If you have a loose headset/stem when using a Syncros stem, here are a couple of things that you should look for to help remedy the situation. Most likely, the situation is occurring with the use of a star-fangled nut with our old 2-piece cotter clamp assembly, in particular with an alloy steerer tube.You should inspect steerer tube for a divot where the cotter clamps. If you have a divot, you should contact your dealer or our service department (jhaycock@syncros.com) to arrange to get a '99 three-piece cotter clamp which now does not require the use of our wedge-lock and is compatible with any star nut.You should always be sure that your stem and headset are moving freely and that your fork is moving up and down through the headset before preloading your top cap. No amount of torquing a top cap will unstick a seized steerer tube and headset. This will save the top caps of the world.Ride on!
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