Stems- carbon or aluminum?

[Mark McM]

There's more than just material in regard to vibration damping/comfort. In regard to whether carbon handlebars or stems are more comfortable, not even the manufacturers agree. In a VeloNews Technical FAQ article Lennard Zinn posed the question of whether a carbon handlebar and stem combination would add damping and comfort, to ITM, Deda, Easton and Stella Azura - one said they would add comfort, but three said they would not (and suggested other ways to seek damping and comfort).

https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/...n-that-ride-2/

In a test done by Cervelo, they found there could be more compliance in handlebar tape than in the handlebars themselves. For example, a new tape called OneTouch 3D by Prologo was features on several bikes at this year's Parix-Roubaix:



With the recent rise of gravel riding, several companies are making shock absorbing bar tape.

[fourflys]

Hmm, interesting.. I'm not overly concerned with grams, but if there was a plus for comfort.. Hmm, maybe I'll just stick with aluminum.. thanks!

[CAAD]

Ill let you know my findings. I think the Extralight is a hair lighter but the MCFK is stiffer. Doing it to match the bars, all that UD carbon looks cool. Extralight going on another bike.

[robertbb]

Not worth it on a stem.

As far as handlebars though, just like all carbon is not created equal, nor is all aluminium created equal.

Giant D-Fuse aluminium handlebars are pretty damn good. They genuinely flex where you want them to while not being susceptible to damage in the same way as carbon.

I was shocked that the d-fuse bars on a bike I tested were aluminium, I said to the store owner you could really feel the compliance in the carbon bars and he was like: "especially since they're aluminium".

Since, I went and got a pair for my drop bar bike.

[Talrand]

If you want some really flexy 40cm bars I can recommend the $10 brand-X alloy ones I've bought to test fit. After I was satisfied with my new position on the bike I've replaced them with carbon ones which are much stiffer

[robertbb]

Controlled or "tuned" flex is different to flex because a component's crap

[steelrimbrake]

Aluminum is so light now, I'd take the stem bling money and put it to the bars. These are worth the price for comfort, ergonomically - check out the Coefficient bars.

[Ralph]

Originally Posted by NHAero

Kalloy Uno for sure, make sure you get the 7075 version, the cheap ones are 6000 series aluminum. For bars I ran the Whisky 6f on my Firefly and liked the small amount of flare. Fave bars these days are Zipp XPLR, more flare but all below the shifters so they aren't angled.

Good point! I only use 7075 aluminum bars and stem. I see no advantage of CF bars and stems (for me) over the 7075 series aluminum.

[whatshubdoc]

Stem material is inconsequential.

Bar material, however, I think, is perceptible. More importantly, IMO, is bar shape. If it fits nicely, you will feel less discomfort no matter what kind of terrain you are riding over, as your body will be in its natural position to absorb the shocks.

My favorite bars are EC70/90* with the MCD - mainly because the tops fit my hand perfectly, and the drops are shaped where I can use 95% of the bar surface; I am able to fully grip no matter how close or far from the ends they are. My other favorite is the Parlee handlebar, but they only come in 35mm clamp size, so you are pretty much locked into using their stem (PL helped me find out that Specialized and Bontrager make 35mm clamp stems also, outside of Deda Trentacinque). Those bars also have a sweet diameter up top, and long drops for maximum grip area.

The opposite end of the spectrum is the Roval Alpinist bar. It is way too small in diameter for larger hands.


*I also have a set of EA70 in the same width, and with MCD. The tube diameters are smaller on the tops than the carbon variant. They also feel less "soft" aka do not cancel out buzz as much as the carbon ones.

[Robot870]

I like metal for stems and seatposts...... Thompson X4 up front and Masterpiece out back! But my bars of choice are those ITM X-One's!!

[deluz]

I am a big fan of Ritchey C220 stem.
Its light, reliable and I think it is the best looking stem out there.
It also comes in silver if you want.
Having said that I have tried a few carbon handlebars.
I had 3T Superergo and initially liked them because of the slightly ovalized tops, but after time found the reach was too far and they are as stiff as aluminum so no vibration damping that I noticed.
Recently I switched to Pro PLT ergo carbon and sized down from 40cm to 38cm and love them. Shorter reach and much better shape on the tops. Also noticed less road buzz immediately.

[Old School]

.delete

[wallythewhale]

I've always been a steel guy, but tried carbon. Correct torque and everything in mind, I've always had carbon stems fail me (ie. cracks). Never had that problem with alloy even if you over tighten. Went right back to alloy.

[ridethecliche]

You can buy thin gel pads to add under the top section of the bars to add some dampening. Need to be careful with this as if it's too soft it might cause pressure points unless you're changing hand positions very very frequently.

[Epicus07]

Whisky Spano Bars + Redshift stem + Comfy tape = Bliss

My new ride came with a Ti stem and it’s taking all of my willpower not to swap it for a redshift.

For the back end, Ergon post