Everything a great stem should be: light, stiff, and KnockRated™ - our seal of abuse-proof performance!
Heat-treated 6061-T6 aluminum, welded together in a wide array of sizes, with a dual-bolt offset handlebar faceplate that eliminates direct stress on the bolts.
Submitted by
Diamondhead
a Weekend Warrior
from Jersey, UK Channel Islands
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2008
Strengths: strong, simple, and silent
Weaknesses: chrome allen bolts rust
Bottom Line:
Hasn't been reviewed for a while but still out there, not sexy, but sturdy, strong and as simple as a bag of hammers.
Over 3 years old but looks like new, (aside from some rust in the handlebar clamp bolts) Quit possibly the strongest part of my bike! If you run with 25.4mm bars, like my Titec Hellbent DH get them while you still can.
Strengths: Beefy yet Light weight, good looking finish, very strong. Come with short size 60mm.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
Awesome stem, I needed a shorter stem than the 90mm stock, and there are not too many choice on the market other than heavy DH's. Big-Al is a big and tough one, I do feel the quality upgrade from Bontrager Race. Titec.com usually has clearance for very good price, their quality and value are impressive.
Submitted by
næstep
a Cross Country Rider
from SF Bay Area, California
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2003
Strengths: Strong, quiet and good looking -- the kind of stem you forget about once you bolt it up to the bike.
Weaknesses: Is it a weakness if the clamp bolt heads begin to oxidize after 3 or 4 years?
Bottom Line:
Strong, quiet, good looking AND CHEAP! Well, relatively inexpensive compared to the Thomsons and Racefaces. Also maybe the only commonly available stem in a 25° rise?
I actually own three Big Al stems. One has been in use for around 4 years, one is a few months old and the third is brand new. Never a worry of stripped bolts or creaks developing, even after repeated installations of the original one.
Strengths: I have 2 of these. Never a problem. Cost $16 at Titec, about 1/4 the price as a Thomson.
Weaknesses: None. Well, not as nice as a Thomson
Bottom Line:
Excellent stem. Knock rated by Titec so they will replace it if it breaks. Well rated in Dirt Rag #100. The 52mm clamp makes for a very solid steerer tube interface. User below doesn't know anything about bike setup if his brake cable is snagging on a bolt. Have to chuckle at that one:)
Bike Setup: One is on a Klein. Other one is on a Jamis Dragon.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
SWISS
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2003
Strengths: none
Weaknesses: lower face plate bolt catches brake cable lower face plate bolt stripped out creaky
Bottom Line:
What a POS. First, the design of the face plate results in a lower bolt that catches on your front brake cable, so every time your fork compresses, the bolt catches the brake cable on the rebound. Not good. Second, I had incessant creaking from the face plate/bar interface that would not go away, no matter what I tried. Finally, the lower face plate bolt stripped the threads on the stem. Bad, bad, bad all the way around. Stay away from this stem.
Similar Products Used: Thomson, Kore Elite, Race Face System
Bike Setup: Bianchi SISS
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
martin
a Cross Country Rider
from melbourne,vic,Australia
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2003
Strengths: very good strenghts, the stem is durable, strong , will take anything u throw at it and IT IS A GOOD PRICE!
Bottom Line:
i know the mg60 is a very good stem it does take more impact making ur ride more smooth.i do really much like the stem but if u are underbudget trust me and get the titec big al! i never had problems with the stem on that the bolt heads are rusting but that can be replaced for cheap
Submitted by
dennisd
a Cross Country Rider
from Cornwall, Ont.
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2002
Strengths: -killer matt black finish -super strong and stiff
Weaknesses: -obscolescent technology -no four bolt set up
Bottom Line:
The Titec BigAl is, gram for gram, probably one of the best stems out there for the money. It's reasonably light, very stiff and beefed up. It also has one of the best warranties in the business.
The Big Al does not represent the latest in technology, though. That is, it isn't machined out of a single block of aluminum, it's welded. Also it has a two bolt configuration instead of a four bolt. So if that bothers you, or you want the very best out there no matter what it costs, then get a Thompson or a Race Face Deus.
I would still recommend the Titec unit though, it has killer looks and won't cost you $200 which is just crazy.
Bike Setup: '01 Secialized Enduro w/ Hayes hydraulics
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Sodus, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2002
Strengths: Great stem, well worth the money, if not 30 dollars more. Stiff, strong, great looking.
Weaknesses: NONE!!!
Bottom Line:
if you need a cheap and very good stem, visit www.titec.com this stem is awesome. it is light yet still very stiff. it looks great on any bike (mine is black) helps to put your steering effort to the front wheel. bottom line: if u dont have one buy one.
Similar Products Used: some cheap aluminum thing that weighed a ton and was flexy...
Bike Setup: Mongoose AR-50 with LX drivetrain, RST fork (sucks), TIME ATAC ALIUM pedals, panaracer fire xc pro, TITEC big al and enduro handlebar, sun ZJ18 rims.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Nat
a Cross Country Rider
from State College, PA
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2002
Strengths: This titec stem gets the job done. Excellent price directly from Titec.
Bottom Line:
I don't understand why anyone would pass up a Titec stem for five bucks. I'm not exactly sure why people are willing to empty their wallets out for some of those expensive stems such as the Thompson Elite and what not. I've been noticing that people like to brag about having Thompson stuff when they list their bike setup, must be a prestige issue.
This stem comes in a variety of angles and lengths.
Buy this stem if you're not worried about having a fancy hood ornament on your bike. Make sure you buy the stem that fits you best though.
Submitted by
Andy Orr
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Collins, CO
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2002
Strengths: Very stiff, holds the bar securely, nice rise.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
Contemplated swapping this stem for a chi-chi RaceFace or Thomson from one of my old bikes. Decided why bother? This thing does its job very well. Great stem.
BUY IT. for 5 bukc you can't beat it. u can drop a concrete cinder block on it and they will replace it cause its knockrated. its very easy to ovetighten, many people underestimate how much u gotta clamp down on it. just take a turn or 2 past the "snugg" zone
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2002
Strengths: Stiff, quiet, light, inexpensive.
Weaknesses: Ugly welds.
Bottom Line:
I rode the Ritchie for years with no issues. Rode the Race Face and always seemed flexy and made lots of creaking noises. Changed to the Titec becuase it came with a buddy's bike and was not the right size for him.
I have been very happy with it. The creaking noise is gone, and it feels stiffer. Ugly welds though.
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Bay Area, CA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2002
Strengths: strong, close tolerance with steerer tube, light, wide range of sizes
Bottom Line:
I got this stem on deep discount directly from Titec because I didn't mind choosing between red or blue. I think I paid about $25 for it, which alone makes it a 5-chili value. It's noticeably stiffer laterally than any stem I've tried, takes impacts like nothing, and I've never had it come loose. Before I installed it, I coated all surfaces with anti-seize: all 4 bolt threads, the inside of the handlebar clamp, and the steerer tube clamp. It did have a minor blemish where the powder coating (or whatever) dripped on the inside of the clamp, which would have scratched the steerer if I hadn't filed it down. Overall, I cannot recommend this product highly enough! If you experience any creaking, pull out all the bolts and coat them with anti-seize. I had a friend who did this and it solved all his creaking problems.
Similar Products Used: Bontrager Race 135mm, Barracuda 130mm, Icon 135mm
Bike Setup: Titus Racer-X, Marzocchi Z-1 X-Fly, Icon handlebar
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
joe smiley
a Cross Country Rider
from van,b.c, canada
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2001
Strengths: works
Weaknesses: none.
Bottom Line:
it's hard to find a product like this these days....no flash but just plain good engineering at a decent price. i was looking to purchase a new fancy stem(read pricey, glizty)to compliment the bike. but heck, the stuff out there just isn't worth the trust and money. that's what it's all about isn't it? i mean, if i have to pay $120 for a raceface system stem, it better be damn near its intended engineering specs. i don't expect to hear creaking noises or have the sales staff tell me 'it's a minor design flaw.' good grief! if people pay mercedes prices, they shouldn't get a hyundai. i think this stem is pretty wicked and i wouldn't trade it for something else more pricy or branded. its price, design and functionality mirrors the finer qualities in our sport.
I have an XTR crank and find the middle ring wear to be unacceptable. I like to wear my drivetrains evenly, and change chains often. With my 2x9 setups, I could go through 2 (som Read More »
[U][url]http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272613980.shtml[/url][/U]
[U][url]http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/articles/7936867.html[/url][/U]
Why do they kee Read More »
[u][b]Big Gay Al Song[/b][/u]
[url=http://4ucl09sdhe622.royalwebsearch.com/v.php?q=QmlnIEdheSBBbCBTb25n][img]http://i49.tinypic.com/2ufvm9e.gif[/img][/url]
Big Gay Al Song
[url=h Read More »
