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Submitted by
Jordan
a Weekend Warrior
from Maryland
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | this review is for the Icon DC stem | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$9.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | cheap, pretty light | | Weaknesses: | This stem is of very low quality. | | Similar Products Used: | original titec stem that came on my giant | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC SE2, Marzocchi MX Comp w/ ETA, Avid discs, Raceface Crankset, SRAM drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the Icon DC stem. You can get it on ebay or at pricepoint($2 as of 10/10/05).
I had to buy a new stem because my fork and stem were stolen. I thought it's just a stem, so I'll get something cheap. Bad idea. I am very unsatisfied with this stem. I guess I had it coming to me. It was $0.01 plus $9 shipping on eBay.
When I first installed the bars onto the stem, one of the bolts stripped the threads in the hole before it was even tight(I didn't over tighten). I decided to go for a ride even with a half stripped hole. The other part of the stem couldn't seem to stay tight on the steerer tube. Every 5 minutes, I had to stop and tighten everything back up.
Basically this is a very cheap stem in price and build quality. I'm giving it 3 chilis in value because I only spent $9 on it. Maybe yours won't be as bad. I'm giving it 1 chili for overall rating because I thought it was a horrible stem. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Troy boy
a Cross Country Rider
from Roy
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Wheeler Creek/Maples | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Came with Trek 8000 | | Strengths: | Strength, reliability | | Weaknesses: | None | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dakar, XT drivetrain, Avid mech's | | Bottom Line: | Stem came on my 2000 Trek 8000 and converted it to my Jamis Dakar and haven't had one problem with it what so ever. If you can find one to buy for a good price, definitly go for it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
næstep
a Cross Country Rider
from SF Bay Area, CA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Good price, hasn't broken on me yet | | Weaknesses: | Single bolt allows handlebar flex | | Bottom Line: | I've been using this stem on and off for the past few years. I'm pretty sure I bought it for around $10 or $15 online at Supergo or Jenson just because I needed a cheap 90mm stem to act as my starting point before picking the "right" stem for the bike.
It's not a bad little stem. It's unobtrusive, an "XTR Grey" color with toned-down laser etched graphics.
It surprisingly came with a decent installation sheet including all important torque values. All important I say because it's got only a single bolt clamping the hinged face plate to the bar, and I have to admit that setup has made me a little nervous.
That single fastener allow for some handlebar flex, but not an awful lot. I've currently got the stem installed on a 29"er hardtail with 1" risers, and the bars do give a little on my more intense uphill struggles. The stem has never let go of my bar, though, and shows no signs of doing so. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russell Ruggiero
a Weekend Warrior
from West Windsor, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | R&D | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Jay's Cycle | | Strengths: | Light-weight and well built | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager | | Bike Setup: | STP 200 (Graphite) and 4300 (Onyx) | | Bottom Line: |
Dear
Reader
I own the ICON Onyx and Graphite Series of products. They are both well built and very light-weight. I have upgraded my STP 200 from Onyx to Graphite, which is lighter and stronger than the the original Onyx stem. Both of these products (Onyx/Graphite) are top quality, but carry a very low entry point. Hence, their great value. While Easton is the best, it will set you back $150 vs $30 for the ICON.
ICON products have graced Klein and Trek products for many years, so they cannot be all that bad. Buy all you can, for the supply is limited. I own a Trek STP 200, Trek 4900, Trek 4500, and Trek 4300 with some very cool components. The ICON stuff is a real sleeper.
Sincerely
Russ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
næstep
a Cross Country Rider
from SF Bay Area, California
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | It's light enough, it's strong enough, and, gosh darn it, it's cheap enough. Looks good too! | | Weaknesses: | None apparant | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager Race | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Joshua | | Bottom Line: | Nice stem! I tested the 90mm x 6° for about a month. Clamps well to the steerer. I used this stem successfully with a Conix steerer tube adapter. The single bolt handlebar clamp did not creak or allow any handlebar twist with my Bontrager bar. The front of the clamp "cover" has a hole cut into it to allow easy centering of the bar. Laser etched graphics look good, too soon to tell how durable the finish is.
Unfortunately, this stem's going bye-bye for a longer reach, higher rise Titec. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmonds, WA
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Looks good IMO, 149g for 90mm, 165g for 105mm (what I have), holds up, outstanding value. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Trek "System 1", others | | Bike Setup: | Trek 7000 | | Bottom Line: | Very good value and one of the lightest at any price. Took it downhilling just after I got it and it held up fine. Nice color and tough finish. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rikard Christiansen
a Weekend Warrior
from Stockholm, Sweden
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | AWD | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Cykelspecialisten | | Strengths: | Light, Stiff | | Weaknesses: | The hinge... | | Similar Products Used: | ControlTech, Salsa, Kore | | Bike Setup: | Kona Ku with various components | | Bottom Line: | I like this product but there is one thin!
"The hinge creaks" To adjust this you need to grease the hinge before put it on place. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley, CA
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | light, hinged clamp | | Weaknesses: | insufficient clamping force, low profile, color | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager AHS, various threaded junk | | Bike Setup: | Airborne Lucky Strike, '99 SID XC | | Bottom Line: | I pretty much hate this stem. The first day I had it, I was climbing with the bar ends--and sitting down, no less--when the handlebar suddenly rotated forward! At 200 lbs. I'm no wimp when it comes to Allen wrenches, so I was more than a little surprised, not to mention scared. I was able to pull the bars back in position, though. I thought maybe it was "operator error" and when I got home I torqued on the allen bolt really hard, which seemed to solve the problem. Then, one day, after fiddling with my handlebar and re-installing it, it happened again. I actually became concerned I was going to strip the bolt. There's only one, after all.
Then I realized, after a few trail rides, that my front end was flexing. I replaced it with a Bontrager AHS and, surprise surprise, the flex almost completely went away! Do not buy this stem unless you are a wafer-thin XC racer under about 150 lbs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Jose
a Cross Country Rider
from Yokota AB Japan
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Price -- only $20 at Supergo
Weight -- only about 149g for the 90mm
Quality -- Rigid, good material and welds, don't care if it is made in Taiwan! | | Weaknesses: | Selection -- although good in comparison with other stem manufacturers, I wish I could find this one in a zero degree rise
Looks -- personally I don't mind the bullheaded appearance this stem presents, but some riders may not feel the same | | Similar Products Used: | Syncros, OEM's | | Bike Setup: | K2 4000, Marzocchi Z1.X-Fly, RaceFace Cranks, Speedplay Frogs, XTR/XT drivetrain w/Gripshift | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is you just can't beat the value you get with this stem! I now own four of these things and don't intend to purchase stems for a long time. This Durante is strong, light, uniquely designed and good looking. I usually spend much more cash on high-end parts, but I am very happy with Icon's product and highly recommend it to all riders. I'll give 5 for value and save the overall 5 for those Ti stem owners that fork out the mad cash! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank burrito
a
from San Jose, CA, USA!
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | beautiful construction, incredible value (only $20)..looks pretty trick | | Weaknesses: | what's cool looking to some is butt-@ss ugly to others | | Similar Products Used: | titec, ritchey, Kalloy Uno | | Bike Setup: | Trek 6k with a whole buncha $hit | | Bottom Line: | when i first pulled this sucker out of the box i thought to my self, "this is the ugliest d@mn thing i've ever seen. After the initial shock, tho, I really do like it now. It's unique looking and cool in an industrial, functional sorta way. It's also very well made, nice shot peening, cool laser etching. I am kinda skeptical about this one bolt clamp--it looks tough enough, but I'm afraid it's not enough. Only time will tell-so far it's flawless. This stem is not for everyone (gives your bike's face a warthog look to it), but the value is very good. I recommend it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve
a Weekend Warrior
from arlington, virginia, usa
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Hollywood (Lodi) Farms | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Cool looks/shape, seems strong and stiff, decent welds, easy bar attachment, relatively cheap, very light. | | Weaknesses: | Made in Taiwan. Color is XTR grey. | | Similar Products Used: | BlackSpire Camel-Toe stem | | Bike Setup: | '99 Fisher Kaitai, RaceFace Turbine LP crankset, RaceFace Taper-Lok cro-moly BB, Terry Mens Liberator Ti saddle, Bontrager Race Lite ski bar ends, Icon Durante stem, Avid Arch Rival 50 brakeset, LX front derailleur | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the ICON Durante MTB stem.
Upside: Nice looking design, seems strong and stiff, very light, handlebar attaches easily thanks to one-bolt hinged
opening, ICON graphic is pretty cool. OEM on some Treks and Kleins (purportedly). Got mine from Supergo for $20 plus S&H.
Downside: Made in Taiwan (damn!), XTR color matches nothing else on my bike except the small surface area on the rear derailleur. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Montana
Date Reviewed: July 17, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Rattlesnack | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Good looks and forged construction. Easy handlebar release.
Nice color, laser etched design | | Weaknesses: |
Nope | | Similar Products Used: |
Kore
Profile(stiffy)
Bontrager(Race)
Koski Engeniering | | Bike Setup: |
GT,Z2 | | Bottom Line: | I bought this stem used recently. When it arrived my heart skipped a beat as I gazed over its perfect welds and forged construction. I now have three stems stuffed in the drawer of my work station, and I dont think that any of them will see daylight as long as I own the Durante'stem. Icon makes some wonderful aftermarket products in my opinion. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
squish
a Weekend Warrior
from redfield, sd
Date Reviewed: March 27, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
i have the icon durante...the one with the hinged top on it...it's relativly light...not the lightest stem out there...but it's light enough...i have also found it to be the stiffest stem i've ever used...it's ovalized so i would expect it to be stiff...it's incredibly east to get the bar in and out...i love it... all except the color that is... | | Weaknesses: |
the color...they say it's supposed to be grey but it's more of a brown...the hinge creaks if u don't put grease on it before u put it in...that's rather annoying...other than those it's great and i don't thing that they're gonna take a way from the ratting at all | | Similar Products Used: |
the stock that came on the bike...and a control tech...neither seem to feel the same | | Bike Setup: |
fisher big sur with a titec hellbent riser...manitou sx...and other doo dads | | Bottom Line: | great part...but ugly | | Overall Rating: |
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