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Ritchey
WCS Mountain Stem
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Submitted by
Ryan Baumann
a Cross Country Rider
from Madison, WI
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Blue Mounds St Park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Strengths: | Lightweight. Strong. 4-Bolt Clamp. Looks Great too | | Weaknesses: | The four bolt face clamp with two seperate hinges is not as carbon friendly as I'd like. Could be stiffer, but not an issue unless in a longish legnth (>120mm) | | Similar Products Used: | Thompson elite, Easton EA 50, Specialized flip-fop | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Giant XTC Composite, 21', SRAM X.o and FSA/Easton/Ritchey WCS components. Stan's wheelset, Kenda Karma tires. | | Bottom Line: | A great lightweight, strong stem for the money. If you plan on usin carbon bars, email Ritchey and ask them to send you a small shim to make the clamp more carbon-friendly. It's a decently stiff stem, but you can definatly tell that a Thompson Elite is stiffer.
Overall, for the weight, it is a great XC racing component. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paulo
a Cross Country Rider
from Coimbra, Portugal
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$85.00 | | Strengths: | Very light, great looking, strong enough for XC. The WCS colours are awesome! | | Weaknesses: | The paint comes off too easily | | Similar Products Used: | Icon, RaceFace, ITM | | Bike Setup: | Trek 9.8, Sid Race, XTR transmissions and disc-brakes, Mavic CrossMax XL, Ritchey WCS OS Stem, Ritchey WCS OS Carbon Handlebar, Bontrager X-Lite Carbon Seatpost, Ritchey V3 pedals | | Bottom Line: | A great stem for weight-looneys: 75 grams less than my previous RaceFace. Beautifull, stylish, combines great with Ritchey handlebars. No problems of lack of stiffness yet whatsoever, despite some complaints I heard from some downhillers wanna-be. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
michael clancy
a Cross Country Rider
from louisville ky
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | cherokee park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | from a friend | | Strengths: | light, strong, does exactly what it's supposed to. | | Weaknesses: | none so far and i have abused it for a year or so | | Similar Products Used: | bontrager garbage | | Bike Setup: | gary fisher tass. yeti grips, marzocchi comp fork, wtb. speed-disc wheelset, hayes mx-2 brakes, ritchey comp clipless pedals, panaracer fire xc-pro tires, deore shifters/derailleur. | | Bottom Line: | i have really abused this stem. nothing higher than five or six feet so far but it hasn't shown me any reason to worry. like i said, it does exactly what it is supposed to and it is very light. i am more worried that i am going to snap my cranks or break my bottom bracket than i am the stem is going to break. anyway, i am sure i will do it one day, but thats another review. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Graham
a
from Perth, Australia
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Bottom Line: | Further to my review below, I regret to say that Dirt Works - Ritcheys Aussie distributor - have declined to stand by their product, implying that I damaged the stem in a stack.
Unfortunately this is par for the course. It's not for nothing that my LBS refer to them as 'Dirt Jerks'.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Graham
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth, Australia
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Lightweight, looks 'blingy' | | Weaknesses: | Inaccurately made
| | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey Pro stem, Ovation (Marin) stem, Non-brand OEM stuff | | Bike Setup: | '99 Mount Vision with Fox Vanilla fork and shock, XT, Ritchey, Easton CNT Bar. | | Bottom Line: | I bought a 110mm WCS after-market a while ago now and though I felt the handle-bar/stem interface looked a little 'out', I attributed it to the vagaries of carbon bar manafacturing.
Recently I bought a new 660mm Easton riser and noticed,due to the extra length that something was definitely 'out'.
On placing a steel set-square on the inner face of the bar clamping area of the stem, I realised to my horror that it markedly offset i.e. the handle-bar was NOT perpendicular to the stem!
My LBS where I originally bought the stem have confirmed my discovery and returned it to the supplier.
As I have had the stem for nearly three years now, we await with interest their response.
If they choose not to replace it free of charge, I shall buy a Thomson - this seems to be the best out there.
I will post a brief update on the outcome. In the meantime if you're thinking of buying a WCS stem, have a damn good look at it first!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Does what it's supposed to, and it's light. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized OEM stem | | Bottom Line: | A stem is a stem. This stem has changed my riding for the better, but any other stem of the same geometry would have done the same.
The only major difference I can think of is that this stem does it in one of the lightest possible ways, which is always good. I'm a lightweight rider so lighter components are more important for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sam gaver
a Cross Country Rider
from boonsboro, md
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | quality (worked in a shop) | | Strengths: | even if you paid msrp ($90), for its weight(110g @100mm), it is one of the best values if you are a gram counter.
simple and beautiful | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | lots, especially for my road bikes, ti, mag, alum, steel, carbon, you name the material, ive tried it. | | Bike Setup: | c-dale 21.25lbs dual susp. | | Bottom Line: | it's an excellent stem if you like light weight. ritchey makes excellent stuff period. maybe a little flex, but it's so hard to tell when your shakin down a rock garden. i also have the road version (26.0 clamp diameter is the only difference) and it's solid, cost about half the price of my other similar weight stems. it's a beautiful thing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Racer
from Interior,BC, Can
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | OEM build | | Strengths: | Light, holds well, looks ok | | Weaknesses: | Those little 4mm can be tough to torgue properly (not so tight). The treads on the stem bolts can be knee shredders if yours come sticking out | | Similar Products Used: | Easton, raceface, pazzaz, titec, ... | | Bike Setup: | Epic Ti 'Tirant' with Manitou, X.O., Martas (retch), Am Classic stuff | | Bottom Line: | Good stem, don't overtighten the bolts. Strange bar clamp but it works fine. If the bolt threads stick out at the back of the stem, put some duct tape over them to save your skin. Thems sharp! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rex
a Cross Country Rider
from Palo Alto, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Purissima | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | City Cycle of San Francisco | | Strengths: | Once it's on the bike, I forgot about the stem, and never have to worry about the stem. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey Force Comp | | Bike Setup: | Seven Verve, XTR, Fox F80RLT, Avid Ultimate Brakes, Speeddream wheelset, Easton EC90 bar, Chris King headset. | | Bottom Line: | This stem is one of the lightest stem you can find, and it can handle everything a cross country rider throws at a bike. The stem is supposed to be inactive. The fork and the front tire is absorbing all of the front end forces, so the stem just need to turn accurately and not flex. This stem certainly does not flex. The bar will flex before the stem moves. It provides a solid feel to the bike when I grab the stem to push the bike up the hill or when I need to turn the bike around. I am very happy with this stem.
The only theoretical concern is that aluminum can get catastrophic failure without warning. In that regards, a ti stem might be more reliable since it will bend, but not break. However, I had my old aluminum Ritchey stem for 12 years and it is still holding up my old Bridgestone. I am counting on the Ritchey to do the same for my Seven. Perhaps I can upgrade to a titanium stem once Seven or Moots make a lighter and more affordable stem. Until then, this is one of the most solid light stem you can get on the market.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
HTail
a
from SF Bay area
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light, stiff, strong. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Answer, Specialized | | Bottom Line: | As previously posted, surprisingly stiff,and strong. It defies it's weight and whispy looks. If you're not a huge person and freeriding, I think this makes for a great trail riding XC stem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Newport Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Shop two years ago | | Strengths: | High quality stem with good stiffness. Install and forget part. Exceedes expectations for strength -- in XC use... | | Weaknesses: | Bar clamp bolts are 3mm and require a little caution. | | Similar Products Used: | Kore, Thompson, Race Face | | Bike Setup: | Turner Stinger, Avid Disc, Race Face Cranks, King ISODisc 317s, Easton Carbon Bars, Thompson Post, Manitou Skarab Super | | Bottom Line: | I would purchase another one. My riding style is on the more extreme side of XC with lots of big climbs and technical decending. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mervin Jumawan
a Weekend Warrior
from Quezon City, Philippines
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | VELO CITY | | Strengths: | One of the lightest MTB stem I've used; very stiff, very beautyfull nice styling.
| | Weaknesses: | None at the Moment | | Similar Products Used: | Amoeba, KORE. | | Bike Setup: | GIANT Xtc frame, all XTR2000, Asonic handle bar Mavic wheel set | | Bottom Line: | For XC rider and Touring this Stem is really good because its so light and Stylish and tough enough for a 75 KGS guy like me jumping and going rough. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Can't decide | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$73.00 | | Purchased At: | Beyond Bikes | | Strengths: | Probably lightest MTB stem available; nice styling; unique diagonal clamp slit with opposing bolts for even stress on steer tube; four-bolt removable front clamp with open center; low profile clamp (adds very little to stack height). | | Weaknesses: | None. It just stays there doing its job and looking good. | | Similar Products Used: | assorted generic | | Bike Setup: | '01 Homegrown Pro frame (mini-metallic bass boat blue); custom built Am Classic/Mavic X317; Avid Mech discs; mostly XT components w/LX crank; SX-R fork (less boots, + enduro seals); Easton 3/4 rise carbon bar. | | Bottom Line: | Was looking for light weight stem with adequate strength and good looks. This stem shines in all those areas. I really like the look of the Thomson, as well, especially since it would match my seatpost, but this was lighter and the older Thomsons (without the serial number printed on the front clamp plate) were reported to be scoring carbon bars and causing them to fail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bruno Abreu
a Cross Country Rider
from São Paulo, Brazil
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Pico do Gavião Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Pedal Power | | Strengths: | Light, very stiff, very beautyfull | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | coda stem, zoom original(a great stem!), tranz-x cheapo crap arghh! | | Bike Setup: | 22lbs hardtail :Alfameq Tirreno, Pro Shock hr 70 fork, full XTR/XT, Chris King headset(the best),Titec carbon seatpost, Selle Italia SLR and other goodies... | | Bottom Line: | As any other product from Master Tom they´re just fabulous, they´re stiff, strong, light and look very nice on the bike. I just cant imagine a better XC stem, congratrulations Tom, you did it again! Five flamin´chilis for these goodies! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dick Schaertl
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Devils Gulch | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Gregg's Aurora Cycle | | Strengths: | Wide contact with bar
Strong, 4-bolt face plate
Rigid interface w/ bar
Attractive | | Weaknesses: | Cost | | Bottom Line: | rigid, 4-bolt pattern face-plate and wide mating surface with bar makes this stem superior | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Uk
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | As with most of Ritchy WCS products it is light, performs well and looks good. This stem has a very thin wall thickness at the stem clamp, an therefore can be used on the 1" steer forks (with specer) without looking out of proportion with the headset bearings, spacers etc. | | Weaknesses: | Ritchy claims that the stem is 125g for the 110mm stem, I have purchased the 100mm stem which should be lighter but the actual weight of the stem is 138g! | | Similar Products Used: | Ringle, Raceface | | Bike Setup: | Ritchey Plexus, Crossmax UST, Raceface cranks, Chris King, Monkeylite carbon, Time, Avid & XTR etc. | | Bottom Line: | This is an excellant stem, minimal flex, looks good, but they may not all be as light as Ritchey claim. I have requested the supplier to confirm if this stem is within the manufacturing tolerances, even so is is still 50g lighter than the Ringle stem with titanium fixings, and half the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Graham
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Bottom Line: | This is a beautiful, lightweight stem that is readily available here in Oz.
Use it in conjunction with a matching seatpost to satisfy all your style and cycling needs! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andreas Klauser
a Cross Country Rider
from Feldafing
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Rabe Munich | | Strengths: | Light, non-bulky design, well priced | | Weaknesses: | not super stiff | | Similar Products Used: | Syntace, Syncros, Easton, Kore, Race Face | | Bike Setup: | DeKerf Generation 96, Shimano XT/XTR, Marzocchi Atom 80 '00, Mavic, tune hubs, | | Bottom Line: | Verrry light, so necessarily not the stiffest, as, e.g. Syntace. The slight giving inspires hope for a long life span of this stem (as Uli Fahl from tune said: if it is to last, it should not be super stiff; as in nature: a tree that bends will not break that easyly). Top quality, fair price. Super for a CroMoly frame, where the thick aluminium stems always look a bit out of proportion. If you want a good light one, buy this stem. If you want a good strong one, buy the Syntace or the Easton. If you want one that is a pain in the neck to install and indents your fork, buy the Syncros. If you want one that fits uneven, buy the Kore, and if you want one that makes funny noises, buy the Race Face. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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