[Closed] Superstar stems for DH/FR use?

Truvativ husselelt/holzfeller, often heavily discounted. I had one a few years ago, it was well-ard and rather a lot lighter than the blingy RF diabolus that I replaced it with (for vanity purposes! 😳 )

Was after something lightweight really, think the Truvativ stuff is perhaps a little on the portly side?

Funn

Ti bolt kits available if weight matters

245g for the funn, 124g for the SS Zenith AM Stem fair old difference

imagine if your stem snapped. I wouldn't run one on an xc bike let alone anything more heavy duty!

Yes was after opinions on whether if would or not, the zenith says AM use whatever that means. Has anyone had a stem snap? Would being 50mm make it stronger than a longer stem?

One of the ss stems is a rebranded sunline one, so 'imagine it snapping' comments are a little misplaced, they might take a child's face right off too!

which one?

One of the ss stems is a rebranded sunline one

no it's not.

if it is the same, it just means that sunline and superstar are buying from the same factory.

OP, are you riding downhill as in full-face, jumps/drops/rocks at speed?

A 124g 'proper-downhill-rated' standard clamp (as opposed to boxxer direct mount)stem? For cheap? Moon on a stick! The SSC one seems great value for what it is (fairly light, holds your bars on) but I wouldn't put it on a freeride or downhill bike. A SSC 'proper' downhill stem is also available for similar money and more weight: if it was me I would go beefier and heavier, after all you can save 200g elsewhere just by changing your tyres or tubes.

I've got one of the Zenith stems on my AM bike - it's nice and light and doesn't feel too flexy despite the the faceplate being fairly narrow, but for proper FR/DH I would use something beefier. The slight weight penalty will be worth the peace of mind.

One of the ss stems is a rebranded sunline one
no it's not.
if it is the same, it just means that sunline and superstar are buying from the same factory.

Fair enough, only going on what dirt had to say about one in one of its reviews, I know you're well versed in how these factory's work.

Be interesting to know how many of Ss items are from the same factory's that people swoon over, might be quite telling.

 

The Zephir Pro is the same as the sunline and on one CNC stems.

Fine for XC but I would go beefier for what you want. No idea about their other stems.

Controltech FX Stem and pro frs second hand might be the best options? Any other suggestions

What about an OnOne stem , cheaper and lighter again. When you look at a std. 1 1/8" alloy steerer that these stems will bolt to, its the steerer that looks to be the weakest link 😉

yep saw them but no 50mm in stock

I've the On One on my bike, but feels strong and flex-free (711mm bars).

Light too, 113g for 70mm if I remember correctly.

fivespot, as Brant points out, it isn't a 'rebranded' on one stem, but the zephyr and the on one you posted would seem to be manufactured in the same factory. [img] [/img]
and for £15 more:
[img] [/img]

[s]For dh/fr, I'd still go for the FSA Gap that On-one have for £18 less and 70 grams more though. [/s][EDIT] actually scratch that, only available in 90 and 100mm 😯

So zephyr more or less the same as the on-one, both look quite nice to be honest. Would be interested to know what testing goes in to stems in general, do they get tested to breaking point as such?

So zephyr more or less the same as the on-one, both look quite nice to be honest. Would be interested to know what testing goes in to stems in general, do they get tested to breaking point as such?

I can't say it's exactly the same, but it is spookily similar and I know which factory they use for them and it's the same that on-one used for those.

Stems are EN tested, to usually double the load/fatigue case.

Would be interested to know what testing goes in to stems in general, do they get tested to breaking point as such?

there shall be no visible cracks or fractures in any part of the handlebar and stem assembly

Many components are made in the same factories. Like many other manufacturing processes from microprocessors to LCDs to nuts and bolts, the first items to come off the production line when the tooling is new and accurate are the 'XTR' versions. As the tooling wears but the components are still 'within tolerance' so we get the SLX, Deore versions etc.

Really interesting thanks. So this boils back down to part of the original question, are short lightweight stems e.g. on one and superstar going to hold up to the test of DH use?

I've been using a KCNC S33 on the big bike for ages, it weighs just a hair more than these and shows no signs of not being strong enough. (it was on the bike when it fell off the fort william gondola and landed on the bars, so signs are it's pretty strong)

the first items to come off the production line when the tooling is new and accurate are the 'XTR' versions. As the tooling wears but the components are still 'within tolerance' so we get the SLX, Deore versions etc.

you were doing quite well until you said that.

I'd get one of these while they're cheap...

[url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=19263 ]http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=19263[/url]

Really interesting thanks. So this boils back down to part of the original question, are short lightweight stems e.g. on one and superstar going to hold up to the test of DH use?

I wouldn't use an "ultralight" stem for "dh" use. no.

rocketman - Member

the first items to come off the production line when the tooling is new and accurate are the 'XTR' versions. As the tooling wears but the components are still 'within tolerance' so we get the SLX, Deore versions etc.

Um. No.

I'd get one of these while they're cheap...

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=19263

I have a 1.5 one of them. it might be light (pale?), but it's not particularly low mass.
but it is stiff as funk & I can't see it ever snapping before anything else on the bike.

FWIW I think Jedi had one on his bottlerocket (last build), and he puts a bit more through his bars than i do 😉

I had one of the On-One CNC stems which suggests it can be used for XC and AM. These are the same as the SS Zephir stems.

My On-One stem snapped on a fairly gentle ride through my local woods. I was luckily not injured, my bike however was not so lucky.

With that in mind I would certainly [b]not[/b] recommend it be used for FR or DH, unless you have a death wish 😆

I use sunline. Never used anything from superstar

I use sunline. Never used anything from superstar

That's what I said!

From the EN tests: apply fully reversed forces of 270 N at a position 50 mm from the free end each side of the handlebar for 100,000 cycles.

That means nothing. How wide are the bars?

As for the op I wouldn't run a light weight xc stem for downhill use, get something designed for the job like the Sunline one posted above.

lol@crotchrocket 🙂

Thanks for the heads up on the sunline, good value, SOLD!

Like many other manufacturing processes from microprocessors to LCDs to nuts and bolts, the first items to come off the production line when the tooling is new and accurate are the 'XTR' versions. As the tooling wears but the components are still 'within tolerance' so we get the SLX, Deore versions etc.

eh?

It's nothing to do with the tooling wear. It's the technology and designs.

eg for product technology: the extra tension thing on the new XTR rear mechs will filter down to XT next year and so on.

for product design: they will do more optimisation on the high end stuff. This gives the high end stuff the advantage and allows for the higher price. They then make back all/some of the investment with that higher price. Then they filter down the lessons learnt to lower end stuff and the high end stuff gets new optimisations.

Manufacturing technology: They may invest in a new machine/technology for manufacturing. This is normally for the high end stuff (but could be for better bulk processing for low end stuff) eg a new casting method. This ties in with the above and as such will filter down to lower priced stuff in due time.

XTR etc may be made to higher tolerances but that is for performance and life and that is part of what you pay for.

The on one, SS stems that all look the same have quite a different in RRP. eg On One normally want £70, SS £45 and someone else wanted even more for it. Sometimes On One have them for £30, sometimes SS do too. SS do make different colour face plates now which is quite nice. No one else seems to do that. £15 though is a bit steep.