Redshift suspension stem

Do I want one on my gravel bike? Seem to get decent review from consumers, maybe a bit less from the cycling media. Anyone using one?

I’m more tempted by the Cane Creek stem. Any reason you’re not considering it?

Yeah would say it does take edge of general chatter. Not really noticeable in use but think I get a bit less hand pain and numbness since putting on.

Whether it’s worth the money or is in reality any different than say thicker bar tape or lower tyre pressure I don’t know.

Don’t expect miracles or visible active suspension. What it does is very subtle and hence marginal benefits.

I don’t have one  but believe their suspension seatpost is a much more active suspension and more noticeable in use. Stem very different.

I really like mine. Never notice it’s on the bike until I ride my Hybrid (same tyres, tubeless, pressure) through the woods and realise how much the stem soaks up.

I reviewed the std and pro versions, currently got the cane creek EE-silk version fitted for test

I’d say go pro if you know what elastomer setting you need.

The EE-silk wins with ease of elastomer swap outs and the stiffening lever

Redshift

Redshift Shock Stem

EE-silk review to follow when I’ve written it but it’s looking good for it to come out on top so far

Interesting, I hadn’t come across the crane creek / EE-silk solution. Would be very interested to hear how they compare in terms of ease of set up and effectiveness. The EE is more expensive – but that’s ok if it’s better vfm…

Calling the Redshift stem suspension is probably overstating its ability but it definitely takes the edge off, similar effect to running a bigger tyre at low pressure. What I do like about Redshift over other makes is it looks like a standard stem at a glance, so goes under the radar.

I have a redshift stem on my bombtrack hook extc. It really does make our rough uk gravel nicer to ride. It looks like a normal stem which is good on a nice bike and isn’t too much of a weight burden, the pro one less so. The only downside as far as I can see is it sometimes dives a bit under heavy braking unless you control things a bit. Maybe I need to swap up the elastomer. That eesilk one looks a bit overbuilt compared to the redshift. The beauty of the redshift is the clean lines and simplicity. I got mine with a really good discount on a Black Friday sale. I prob posted it up on here.

Another user here. I like mine for reducing some chatter and think it works well for intended purpose, accepting it is dampening rather than suspension.

I also didn’t pay current RRP and had some vouchers-really not sure I’d pay full price for it unless I had money to burn.

They do work, a shorter stem needs softer elastomers .

The EE-silk wins with ease of elastomer swap outs and the stiffening lever

I though poopscoop had a titamium one…

@what frame is that, @rOcKeTdOg? It’s a very nice colour.

I’ve got two redshift stems (commuter bike and gravel bike). They work great – I landed up using a softer elastomer than the recommended one.

The main difference between the Redshift and EESilk is the lockout on the latter. The EESilk also can’t be reversed and is a -6 degree angle. Spare Elastomers for all of the Cane Creek stuff are very hard to come by.

I have one on my Warlock.

Took just a few minutes to get used to and nothing like a Girvin Flexstem ( this is a positive note )

Difficult to tell when stationary what impact its likely to have but in use its noticeable but in a completely unnoticeable fashion.

Mine is the regular one ( the only one available at the time) and I think I’m using the firmest elastomers.

We both have them on our On-One Free Rangers, amazing piece of kit, can ride all day off road and hands / forearms are fresh as a daisy at the end of the day.

I even have my bike computer mounted on it…

On-one Free Ranger by Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr

I had a weird experience with mine but I think it all boiled down to the position on my bike. I badly thought I needed one due to discomfort at the bars on longer rides. Initially it did seem amazing, although almost too active, so I swapped to harder elastomers, at which point it became too stiff and felt like more of a jack-hammer effect, if you hit something hard enough to move the stem it then rebounded quite hard so there didn’t really seem to be much benefit. Final straw was on bigger compressions/tussocky or rutted terrain where I really felt a lack of control or confidence in the front of bike which would dive or rebound too hard.

I went back to a normal stem and gradually rectified my position on the bike, realised I had been sitting too far forward (saddle forward in rails) which was tipping my weight onto the bars. I would have been glad to try the stem again but had sold it 🙄

So yeah, I’d be inclined to say they are worth it but I would make sure you have your position dialled in, try the whole ‘riding in the drops then taking your hands off the bars while still pedalling’ test, if you have the saddle far enough back and with the right tilt you should be able to manage this, means the Redshift stem isn’t trying to suspend too much of your body weight and is just protecting your hands from vibrations.

The main reason I’ve not invested in either is that I actually quite enjoy the challenge/sensation of riding rough ground at speed on the gravel bike. That’s why I opted for the 47mm tyred version of the Topstone. Adding any other “suspension” gets me closer to the 29er hardtail I also own. Never say never though. I stil have an interest.

I have been looking at these in a ‘take the edge off’ way for the grovel bike.
To those using them,what are they like on hill climbs?
I stand up a lot when climbing and any extra movement/flex would annoy me 🙂

@13thfloormonk – I was thinking about the “riding position” aspect you mention while actually out riding my gravel bike (currently on coffee and scone break). I’d expand it a bit to cover all the folk who ride along straight-armed with their elbows locked-out. That must induce an inevitable harshness on the hands and wrists and is also symptomatic of a poor position and/or a weak core.

To those using them,what are they like on hill climbs?
I stand up a lot when climbing and any extra movement/flex would annoy me 🙂

Never notice it moving if I’m honest.

My winter roadbike is a Diverge, which also has a 20mm thing (in the steerer tube) and you can’t feel that either (or at least I never notice it unless I actually look at the thing and see the dust cover flexing away).

I used to have one. Sold it after I sold the bike it sat on. Now awaiting the new 60mm version promised (via email from Redshift) this summer to fit to the new bike. They’re a real benefit to me and my aching old bones!

Drill some holes through a standard stem. From side/side, not the bottom/top, as you want vertical and not lateral compliance. (This is obviously not a serious suggestion, but if flex stems are back, why not drillium too?)

I’ve used one on my gravel bike for about 3 years. Hard to remember what it was like without the stem tbh but I would call it a success. Done Dirty a Reiver twice and the gralloch without feeling beaten up. I do think it removes enough vibration to be effective.

what frame is that, @rOcKeTdOg? It’s a very nice colour.

It’s a Sour bikes purple haze in autumn gold, looks like the colour of a 70s Granada

Climbing on these stems does feel different but you get used to it. First rides feel like you’ve got a soft front tyre/puncture after back to back riding with a rigid stem but you soon adapt

Another thumbs up for me..love mine

Yes, i like mine (80mm version) on the gravel bike, now paired with eeSilk seatpost. As per @specialisthoprocker, have waiting for their 60mm version to come out for a while to put on the rigid 29er, but seems the release date keep gets putting back (am sure they originally told it might be out last May…)

If we are talking seat posts too I e got this USE Dura on test ATM

I tried the redshift stem and have just had a refund after it failed after 3 rides.

When fitting the stem, there’s a single bolt you have to tighten into an aluminium part to compress the elastomer. There’s no clear stopping point on tightening this bolt. The instructions say something like “tighten 32 turns while compressing the stem down”.  This is a little tricky, at least it was for me.  But, there was no feeling of having stripped a thread and the stem seemed to work in the way that redshift and people on here describe.

Anyway, after 3 rides, I rode off a curb and the stem suddenly disappeared from under me.bit disconcerting!

While the stem was still attached to my bars, it was pointing at the ground.

Took it apart to find bits of aluminium in the, now loose, steel bolt.

Bit crap having all your bumpy weight pulling on one bolt into aluminium if you ask me.  I’m back to my rigid stem and feel much safer!

I do also have the seat post though and that is very different and very lovely.