MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Followed the link on the 'what pedal for under £40' thread and noticed that carboncycles sell carbon stems from exotic. Has anybody tried one or a carbon stem in general? Any good? Did you die, yet live to tell the tale? I'm tempted to get one as I'm looking for a 60mm stem, but would be interested in any views before committing.
I have had an FSA carbon stem on my 29er XC bike for 3 or 4 years, no death as yet, and it does not get an easy life!
Enve 70mm stem on my 5010 (1 year)
Bontrager RXXXL 100mm on my Madone (3 years)
Got the enve because there was one cheap (relative term) on the classifieds, and the bontrager to match the finishing kit on my summer road bike, because I'm a tart like that.
As for actual function, errm, theyre stems... they clamp the bars to the steerer tube. Not sure of any vibration damping benefits as they are bolted to carbon bars. Haven't died yet, and have no reason the believe these will be the cause, when I eventually do.
Cheers guys. I have a distrust of carbon for no discernible reason. I've now got carbon bars so may take the plunge!
The problem with carbon stems is that they're rarely lighter (and often heavier) than an aluminium equivalent due to the nature of loading which stems are subject to.
Saying that, I've ran nothing but Bontrager and Easton carbon stems since 2007 and haven't had a singe failure of any type.