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Submitted by
lebikerboy
a Weekend Warrior
from north VancouverDate Reviewed: March 12, 2012
Strengths: Lightweight, strong and beautiful.Weaknesses: Requires the installer to possess a modicum of mechanical aptitude.Bottom Line: A great stem that requires correct installation to guarantee satisfaction.
Also, this is a stem that should only be used for cross-country...
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Similar Products Used: Too many to list.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
ihaveagibsonsg
a Cross Country Rider
from san diegoDate Reviewed: April 3, 2011
Strengths: Weight, bragging rightsWeaknesses: Poorly made, too expensive.Bottom Line: I cracked the underside of this stem from normal riding. It was properly installed and torque by a lbs. I did not crack the face plate like 90% of people do. I was just doing a normal xc ride and I go to wipe my bike down and I found a 2 in crack on the underside of them stem. Severely disappointed in a product that's supposed to be unbreakable. I only weigh 130lbs. It should not break being used by someone of my stature.
Favorite Trail: mission trails
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Bike Setup: 07 specialized FSR xc comp, Thomson seatpost, Easton xc monkeylite bars.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
BeerBikeBerm
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Collins, CODate Reviewed: October 7, 2010
Strengths: This is reviewed as an XC and AM stem.
Strong & stiff, light enough, ages well.
Weaknesses: I can't say anything bad about the weight, I consider it a light part, and the weight makes sense considering the design intent.Bottom Line: Never slipped, never creaked. More than I can say for many stems I've ridden.
I have a few of these stems, and some have been installed and reinstalled so many times I feel guilty, but there is no change in performance. No flaking colour. One which is a few years old only has wear at the bolts from installation and putting the bike updsidedown during trailside repairs.
If you want a stem that will outlast the latest bike fad you are on, this is it. Transfer it frame to frame with no ill effects or style issues. If you are into style.
If you want one that will outlast your frame, this will be it! Keep in mind I am riding rigid SS and hardtail with drops no larger than 5'. Not sure how it will perform in FR and DH conditions, but that is not exactly what it is for. Not what I am for either. Who actually does that w/ an XC stem?
Favorite Trail: Earls Trails
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Similar Products Used: Many, from steel threaded to carbon fiber threadless (uhg)
Bike Setup: This is on most bikes I own, what a snob!
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mutantclover
a Cross Country Rider
from the trailsDate Reviewed: September 18, 2010
Strengths: Stiff, beautiful, strong enough for any type of riding, bolt heads on steer tube clamp are recessed so you don't slam your knee into them, made in a country with environmental standards and living wagesWeaknesses: Weight weenies probably wouldn't use itBottom Line: I guess this is one of those parts I've never thought about, which explains why there are so many out there and the only people that review it are those with cracked faceplates.
At least no one has stripped theirs out. You can always buy a new faceplate.
I just want to add that I have slammed my knee into the pointy steer clamp bolthead on a ritchey stem and my knee hurt for days, not to mention I was rolling on the ground in pain when it happened. It's worth the extra money to not have that happen. My new truvativ stem is practically a clone of the thomson (probably without the strength but we'll see) and is 1/3 the price. Looks cheap in comparison though.
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$60.00
Similar Products Used: Thomson Elite, Ritchey Pro, Truvativ Stylo Race
Bike Setup: It has been on 3 bikes
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dan McKenzie
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson, AZDate Reviewed: May 30, 2010
Strengths: Beautiful Construction, lightweight, strong enough to be abusedWeaknesses: sensitive to torque specsBottom Line: I'm a big guy, 6'3 250 lbs, and I ride my bike hard. I had a shorty stem and wanted more room in the saddle. I got the elite x4 at a 120 length with 10° rise, and a matching thomson elite setback seatpost. I couldn't be more happy with them both. I had my bike at the shop having a couple things done, when I got it back, I noticed the faceplate of the stem was cracked next to the screw hole. The shop gave me the runaround, and the place I bought it from gave me some bs about not carrying that stem any more. I was frustrated to say the least, 3+ years no problems, and now a mysterious crack? I contacted Thomson, sent them the broken piec, and had the new part at my house 6 days after sending the broken one out! Awesome warranty dept!
Favorite Trail: Fantasy Island
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At: performance bicycle
Similar Products Used: titec big al, truvative hussefelt 31.8
Bike Setup: 04 P.2, 8 speed
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
sean salach
a Racer
from palmer, akDate Reviewed: January 24, 2010
Strengths: it's a stem.... If it doesn't break, and you ordered the right length/angle, it's good. This is a good stem.Weaknesses: Slips on the steerer tube on the occasional crash. I suppose this is better than breaking, but no other stem has done this one me.Bottom Line: While riding, I don't have to think about it. It works as a stem should. My only complaint is that it has slipped a handful of time when I've crashed, which isn't necessarily a bad characteristic for a stem. I don't use a torque wrench, but worked as a mechanic in a shop for quite some time, and consider my hands to be fairly well 'calibrated'. I do admit that I prefer the beefiness of downhill/AM stems that generally are overbuilt in the clamp area to deal with being over-torqued, and NEVER slip. The light weight in comparison to that genre of stem is probably worth it though, and I will continue to ride my X4. 4 chilies because you can get no-slip performance for less money and ballpark+ weight.
I wish I could type a review for my spell check, which tagged "overtorqued", but not "wrneched"....
Favorite Trail: herning
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$85.00
Purchased At: webcyclery
Similar Products Used: in 15 year? too many to list.
Bike Setup: SS, 29er, sometimes 26" fat wheels in the winter
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Joe Nation
a Weekend Warrior
from EnglandDate Reviewed: January 12, 2010
Strengths: It's a Thomson. Suberb machining, incredibly stiff, what more could you want?Weaknesses: Maybe a few more sizes? And why can't oversize bar users have the nifty knee-friendly clamp the standard stem gets?Bottom Line: If you want a great stem, buy one of these.
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
teecat
a Weekend WarriorDate Reviewed: October 30, 2009
Strengths: "Strength" says it all. Still light.Weaknesses: Hard to apply the word "weakness" to this part. Did'nt think the 4mm fasteners would be up to snuff, but they have'nt budged 0.001" in over 1000+ hard dirt miles.Bottom Line: The Thomson replaced a cracked Truvativ stem with a single-screw steerer tube clamp that chronically shifted and required re-tightening. This thing is so much stiffer (just look at the diameter compared to anything else on the market). The extra stiffness is apparent in handling even to a hack like me.
Beautifully crafted by machinists that know what they're doing. Would not rate this an exceptional value because of its cost, except that it is still an exceptional value at list price. Never ever worry about my stem failing again, just other stuff now.
Anyone whose cracked this stem makes me suspect the installation. This stem requires meticulous torquing with well lubricated fasteners (follow the instructions, that is!) Install it carefully and never touch it again till you move it to a new bike.
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At: pricepoint
Similar Products Used: Truvativ Team stem (broken)
Bike Setup: Fezzari Cascade Peak; stock Truvativ Team 7050 alloy bars; Rockshox Revelation fork
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
amano
a Cross Country Rider
from Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDate Reviewed: May 1, 2009
Strengths: very nice finishing, all black and looks very strong!Weaknesses: clamp cracked horizontally two thirds acrossBottom Line: I don't know when its cracked, is it after I make a few feet drop or after I fall just a few feet high! But the bottom line is the stem is not so strong enough and not as I expected! Very disappointed when seeing the small cracked on clamp horizontally two thirds across!
Favorite Trail: Dream Trail, FRIM, Malaysia
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At: R.N Samy Bikes
Similar Products Used: sunline, KCNC
Bike Setup: Santacruz Heckler with XC setup
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Joe_Jitsu
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, ORDate Reviewed: April 27, 2009
Strengths: Light, strong, good-lookingWeaknesses: None so farBottom Line: This stem has worked like a champ for years in both full-rigid and front-suspention setups. It is light, it is solid, and I have 100% confidence in it.
I would buy this stem again in an instant. Like a King headset, it should be on every bike you own.
Favorite Trail: Anything dirty...
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Similar Products Used: Thomson Elite
Bike Setup: Quiring 29er singlespeed
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Oliver
a Weekend Warrior
from SD, CA, USDate Reviewed: October 24, 2008
Strengths: LooksWeaknesses: Strength, Face plate has cracked twice, and yes I used a torque wrench to install it.Bottom Line: Love their seat posts, but I have no faith in their stems.
Favorite Trail: San Juan
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$65.00
Similar Products Used: Race Face, Titec, Specialized, and FSA
Bike Setup: Vassago Bandersnatch, with all the trimmings
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
roachy
a Weekend Warrior
from united kingdomDate Reviewed: October 2, 2008
Strengths: strong, light , good looking and superb craftsman shipWeaknesses: can not think of oneBottom Line: superb nothing comes close bye this and the seatpost and join the club
Favorite Trail: whites trail afan wales
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$75.00
Similar Products Used: specialized stem
Bike Setup: specialized epic comp 08
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
jubbster
a Cross Country Rider
from UKDate Reviewed: August 11, 2008
Strengths: handsome finishWeaknesses: clamp cracked horizontally two thirds acrossBottom Line: Beware! My bikes never been looped (forwards or backwards) and the crack appears to be a stress fracture
Favorite Trail: Hylands Park
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$89.00
Purchased At: Evans Cycles
Similar Products Used: race face bars
Bike Setup: mint Klein Palomini full XTR
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
pedalitup
a Cross Country Rider
from Ashland OregonDate Reviewed: July 10, 2008
Strengths: Machining is a work of art, Stiffness to weight ratio, ValueWeaknesses: NoneBottom Line: This is the best stem I have ever used. Immediately noticed the increased stiffness. The 90mm, 31.8 version only weighs 161 grams. Like the seatpost, this is a masterpiece. To purchase any other stem for anything short of DH use would be a mistake. Read the rest of these reviews and believe 'em in this case.
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At: craigslist
Similar Products Used: Titec pluto carbon, Race Face Deus XC, Ritchey WCS, Easton EA-70 and lots of others. . .
Bike Setup: Salsa El Santo with Reba and XT drivetrain
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
mtbnachos
a Cross Country Rider
from San DiegoDate Reviewed: June 23, 2008
Strengths: Light, pretty, strongWeaknesses: PriceBottom Line: This is the best stem I've used so far. This is a set and forget component on your bike. I was hesistant spending over 60 bucks for a stem but it's hella worth it! Beautiful craftsmanship by Thomson all for under $75. I've beaten it up either fully rigid or suspension and it keeps ticking. Mountain or road you probably cant go any better for performance and price.
Favorite Trail: Noble Canyon, CA
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$65.00
Similar Products Used: Titec, Race Face
Bike Setup: Soma Juice rigid
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