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Submitted by
Fatman
a Cross Country Rider
from Bavaria
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | yes | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Looks nice | | Weaknesses: | isn't nice | | Similar Products Used: | Syntace, Race Face, RooX, Amoeba, Kore, Syncros older'n 1998,Icon, Salsa | | Bike Setup: | TREK 8500 1998, full XTR, Marzocchi Atom 80 2001 | | Bottom Line: | Yesterday, I bought six steel screws for my FSA XC 120mm stem, since I have ruined two of the six original titanium screws (else a good thing, this FSA, even for a guy of 240 lbs with a moderate style of biking). As is my unevitable habit, I sniffed around a bit in my LBS’s junk box. Last time, I found a very nice old Concept stem, made out of that magic substance, steel. This time I got hold of this Tahoma stem. At a first glance, it looked nice and solid. Not heavy, either. So I took it out and asked “how much”. The guy in charge smiled a contemptuous smile and said: “it’s for free, take it”.
Back home, I tried it out. Result: you can’t put it on correctly. It isn’t plane. EITHER you can stear and the fork is loose OR the fork is correctly fixed vertically and the rotations is nearly blocked……….. No, it’s a Chris King. No excuses from that side. All other stems don’t have that problem except the Kore. So there is where the money goes with the more expensive parts: precision, and perhaps no nasty surprises (one remembers old Tom Ritchey's saying: cheap, durable, light: choose two of three). As I got it free, value is obviously good for me, though it takes up room in my garbage can now. But I would not buy it for any amount of money.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn Sr
a Cross Country Rider
from Southern California
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Pacific Crest Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | Cheap, not too heavey, not bad looking, face plate design allows easy bar changes. A good cheap stem to buy for dialing in your sizing. | | Weaknesses: | Noticed Creaking. I personally dont like Aluminum stems. They have the potentail to be hit or miss in regaurds to fatigue life. Also aluminum transfers a lot of shock and vibration to the riders hands. | | Similar Products Used: | The Specialized A1 stem | | Bike Setup: | Moots YBBeat, Z1 X-FLY fork, Moots Layback post, Brooks Swift saddle, XT/XTR drivetrain. | | Bottom Line: | You can't beat this stem for the 15 bucks I got it for. I'm using this stem to dial in the reach and rise of My Moots YBBeat. This stem is remarkably simualr in construction to the Specialized stem that came on My Stumpjumper. Anyway I personally don't like the feel of Aluminum Bars, Stems, Frames or seat posts. They feel too stiff and just jar you to pieces. Also no Aluminum chassis components are safe after 3 years of heavey use. Face it Aluminum is light cheap and easy to work with. If you overbuild it I will rival steel and Ti for awhile.I guess for 15 bucks you could buy 2 a year and change it every 6 months. For value a 5 makes sense, but overall get real this stem bearly squeeks a 3. Get it squeek squeek squeek. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from IL
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$22.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | Light, very durable, no stripping of threads No matter how much I have taken it off. It is the one part I don't think about or worry about. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Titec | | Bike Setup: | GT Avalanch, XT, Judy Race, Sun R. Lite, Ritchey | | Bottom Line: | I bought this stem on the most part based on reviews. It was a good buy at $22.00 and as in earlier reviews, it is a sharp looking stem. The picture on the SuperGo web page doesn't do it justice at all, I got the black one and it's been solid. I had some problems with the headset I had staying tight, found out it was the star nut. Anyway I had to take the stem off and put it back on several times, no problem with nuts striping or staying tight. I recently cracked my frame and GT was nice enough to send me a new Avalanch frame and new fork ( Thanks for the excellent customer service guys! )I will have to buy a new stem due to the geometry change. I am going to buy another one of these with a different rise, it works, it's solid, no stickers to come off, it's sharp looking and for $22.00 it's a steal. If you need a durable stem and don't have $100 to spend on one, this is the one I woulkd recommend. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rod Munch
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Rosa, California
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Super Berm, Bel Air | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Price | | Weaknesses: | Mine failed | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized M2 | | Bike Setup: | 1993 M2 Stump, '96 EFC, '96 XT | | Bottom Line: | I am constantly looking for underdog/down-labeled products at reasonable prices. I think MTB riders get ripped off regularly, and all too often we are apt to spend big buck$ for products simply because of a silk-screened logo that wears off in a season. I was hoping for such a find in the Tahoma stem. I bought mine for $20 from Supergo because it was advertised as being or sturdy, forged construction. Mine, however, and all I've seen, have a large gap between the faceplate & body, and I could see that the 2 bolts holding the faceplate on were subject to much torquing and shear force. I weigh 190 pounds and like to jump, and in one season I noticed play in my stem. I removed it, and discovered two hairline cracks--one from the bottom bolt hole into the body, and one from the centerline of the steerer tube hole into the body. The cracks almost met, and I probably saved my collarbone by finding them early. Maybe others have had better luck, but now I shy away from all detachable-faceplate stems that don't have a very solidly engineered mounting system for the faceplate. The Specialized M2 stem I bought as a replacement (also on sale at Supergo) is in its 3rd year now, and still going strong. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dougie E
a Weekend Warrior
from Brighton, MI
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Backyard | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Cheap, light, simple | | Weaknesses: | Borrrring | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager, Ritchey, Haro | | Bike Setup: | AMP | | Bottom Line: | The best value out there for a stem, for the cost of one high end stem you can get four or more of these from Supergo and try different lengths and rises. The Ritchey's are exactly the same forging as the Tahoma's. I do have one Tahoma stem with bad machining in the steerer tube clamp, so beware. I weighted them, they are lighter than most if not the majority of the high end stuff - the weights that Supergo claims are accurate. And of course its really tough to get better metal than a forged part. Five nuclear Godzilla turds even with one bad machined clamp. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Weekend Warrior
from Imlay City, MI
Date Reviewed: September 30, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Looks GREAT
Inexpensive
Good workmanship
Lots of sizes | | Weaknesses: |
None so far | | Similar Products Used: |
Profile Boa | | Bottom Line: | I ordered this thing because I needed a new stem, and cheap. Like everybody else, I got it for $22 at Supergo. I wasn't too thrilled when I ordered it, as the catalog picture didn't make it look that great. But once it is on the bike, it looks just beautiful....it is nicely polished, and it's lines are about as sexy as a stem can get, nice curves and all. The workmanship is top-notch, and as far as functionality, it has been on a couple of pretty rough rides already, and doesn't noticably flex or loosen (I did tighten the bolts just a bit after the first ride, but I have found this to be necessary for anything made of aluminum. I would highly recommend this thing.......... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed A.
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington, D.C.
Date Reviewed: September 17, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Inexpensive
Excellent-Looking Design
Several Sizes
Brushed Silver or Black Colors
Low Weight | | Weaknesses: |
Absolutely None | | Bike Setup: |
'98 Marin Mt. Vision
'98 Specialized Rockhopper FS
'93 Giant Iguana | | Bottom Line: | One of the best deals in mountain biking parts, period. These stems are made from one piece of aluminum for strengh, durability and weight savings. I have them installed on all my bikes in different sizes - 120 X 5 degrees, 110 X 17 degrees and 120 X 40 degrees. They are all finished beautifully in brushed silver. The overall design is simple and tasteful - two fork bolts, two handlebar bolts. For 1998, Marin used them on several of their bikes - inluding bikes over $2000.00. Since there are no markings on the stem, many bikes have them, but most people don't know it!All of my bikes have been dumped many times and the headsets and handlebars have yet to loosen. The stems still look like new and the bolts show no rust.Don't bother wasting money on name-brand stems, www.supergo.com has these in over one dozen sizes and your choice of silver or black - for $22.00. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roy cameron
a Cross-Country Rider
from Meaford, ON
Date Reviewed: July 25, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Bruce Trail | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Light
Strong
Simple | | Weaknesses: |
Nothing | | Similar Products Used: |
Kore 3D Lite
Crappy old Threaded ones | | Bike Setup: |
Kone Fire Mountain | | Bottom Line: | Sweat Stem | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Garan Sink
a Cross-Country Rider
from Roanoke, VA
Date Reviewed: June 12, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Explorer Park | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Superlight, looks great, stiff | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Similar Products Used: |
stock stem | | Bike Setup: |
Univega DS 900, Manitou Pro | | Bottom Line: | Get it! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wes nelson`
a cross-country rider
from duluth, MN
Date Reviewed: March 8, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Bought this stem from supergo for $20 when i got my new bike. i've had several stems and this one is the best. looks nice, it's cheap, it's strong and they have lots of sizes. i do some trials and i've never noticed it flex that much. if you need stickers go buy some at the bike store. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a cross-country rider
from So. Cal
Date Reviewed: January 29, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Good forged, non weld design. To the idiot that only gave it 3 chilis for quality, WAKE UP! You can pay more money for a name brand, but that does not mean that this stem is of bad quality. To the idiot that stripped his threads,
STUPID...DON'T OVER TORQUE! To the idiots that think Kore stems are light, WEIGH IT AND COMPARE IT TO THE TAHOMA! Tahoma is only beat by the Race Face in weight. Best of all, you can buy a Tahoma stem from Supergo for $20.
You can spend more money to impress your friends with some fancy logo, and a heavier stem, but why? I don't want to see some peddling billboard for the latest and greatest with the most money....Just ride!Five billion flaming turds for Tahoma! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy B
a racer
from Ellington, CT
Date Reviewed: November 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I love this stem. I had to buy it cause I need a stem and a headset cause I purchased a Manitou Pro LT fork. It's Light, Easy to Install, and it's made out of Aluminum which makes it stong!!!!!!! Excellent!!!!!!1 | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
degear
a cross-country rider
from ny,nyc
Date Reviewed: September 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had the Tahoma stem on my bike for six months. I have wrecked numerous times and raced about ten times or so. I have nothing but praise for this stem it is a bit flexy but has notcome close to breaking. For twenty dollars you have a great stem and some $'s in your pocket, for cross country purposes this stem is the bomb. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a weekend warrior
from Orange County, CA
Date Reviewed: September 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got the Aheadstem Sonne4 with a 40 degree rise. For the $20 price at SuperGo, these things can't be beat. You can pay a lot more for a few grams less, but for me it's not worth it. There's not much more that needs to be said, but since these posts require 50 words, here it is. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke
a cross-country rider
from Umass
Date Reviewed: May 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
You guys have to be kidding me, there is nothing wrond with the stem, it doesn't flex, the design is very durable. I ride hard do a lot of maintanance on my bike and this part never needed any. If you are looking for a good stem this is the one. Unless you want to dish out serious money for a nice label and weight savings of 2 grams. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lancer
a
from Northridge, CA
Date Reviewed: December 9, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The Tahoma was stock equipment on my Schwin 96.1. I replaced
it with a Control Tech because it looks stronger and more durable.
Tahoma certainly feels a void with low cost stems at $20.00.
I would look first to Bontrager and Ritchey eventhough they will
be a few dollars higher. 5 chilis for Tahoma's pricing but
2 1/2 for quality. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gabriel Temmy
a cross-country rider
from INDONESIA
Date Reviewed: May 17, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Have one from the original of my KONA KOA, good one, have a little more flex than Control Tech in same size (135mm, 5deg). Just note, KONA KOA is a rigid bike (without front and rear suspension)! | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JR
a cross-country rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: April 4, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a good looking stem but it leaves a lot to be desired in durability. The pinch bolts stripped after only three months. Would not reccommend this stem to anyone who does a lot of maintenance on their bike or to anyone who rides hard. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nelson Ho
a cross-country rider
from Potomac, MD
Date Reviewed: June 3, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought the Tahoma QR Aheadstem as a replacement for the broken stem on my bike (threads stripped).
This stem is a work of beauty. No cut-n-weld here. This is cold forged and hand polished, then silver
anodized. Some expensive bikes use this stem as OEM part, The handlebar mounting is a 2-bolt quick-release
cap. The steerer mounting has 2 outboard allen bolts. The bolts rest in a nice and smooth housing, rather
than some ugly protrusion with big welds. Very classy looking stem.
Comes in a variety of lengths and degrees of rise. For $25, you can't go wrong!
| | Overall Rating: |
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