Options for titanium stems?

[MattTuck]

I think I'm going to be getting an Eriksen SweetPost (http://kenteriksen.com/seatposts/) for the upcoming Kirk. I am thinking I might like a Ti stem to match it.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4083417385_ab958d7792.jpg

I've found that Moots makes a stem, but is on the very pricey side at $395. Link here. (http://moots.myshopify.com/collections/components/products/moots-open-road-stem)

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0049/1612/products/2010_OpenRoad_Stem_Grey_large.jpg?17


Anyone else make something like this, in the ~200 range?

[tuscanyswe]

Nobody will make as nice a stem for much less. Ti stems are expensive and moots are the prettiest (11/8 at least) imo.

Theres seven cycles, firefly, kish, moots with similar prices.
Van nicholas makes a cheaper ti stem that you may or may not like for abit less. Personally i like when the part that goes around the steerer is not cut but a complete round tube (as on the moots). Makes for a cleaner look.

Heres the van nicholas for 120ish gbp. Looks better in the pic than in reality imo.
http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/20720/products/van-nicholas-3al-2-5v-titanium-stem.aspx

If you are picky about matching ti you will need to brush the finish on the moots stem to get an exact match to an eriksen sweetpost. I actually run that combo with a brushed moots stem, so i say go for it!

[donevwil]

That's pretty much the going rate for a domestic 31.8 ti stem ±$25. They are often $100 or so less if you buy them with a frame (Kish). Most sell used for more than $200. Steve Potts is building me one with a frame for the mid $300's.

You'd have to look used 26.0 or new offshore (China or Russia) stems on ebay to hit your pricepoint.

You really want to know who welds you Ti stem, stay with a name.

[54ny77]

shop long, shop smart, shop paceline-mart!

[MattTuck]

Alright, well thanks for the info. It atleast confirms that I'm not missing something obvious.

Guess it is time to look for an alloy alternative.

[tuscanyswe]

Alright, well thanks for the info. It atleast confirms that I'm not missing something obvious.

Guess it is time to look for an alloy alternative.

You will be able to find a moots stem for 200 if you are not in a rush. Used or new doesent matter. I have 3 (ti geek) and i cant tell the used one from the new if not for decal wear and its prolly 3 years or so now.

[phcollard]

Not necessarily related but Lynskey announced today (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151356258458512.458891.35832143511&type=1) that they have a new Ti seatpost with setback available. Pictures of it in the making only but it looks like an Eriksen. They say the clamp was designed by or is from Enve.

[eddief]

http://www.monster-bicycles.com/parts/stems.html

[Tony T]

http://images.ecwid.com/images/1027454/42596158.jpg (http://fireflybicycles.com/store#!/~/product/category=2217525&id=10124821)

...but not in your price range.

[54ny77]

http://shop.budnitzbicycles.com/products/brushed-titanium-stem?gclid=COPJ6dL8orUCFQyZ4AodDAcA9A

[buddybikes]

I just got a gray polished deda element (118 grams 110cm) that will seem to match nicely with my firefly. They don't make them anymore, but if you can find your size on ebay, may be able to pick up for 75.00 reg 175,

[bingomck]

If you live in the Bay, I think Steve Potts could be a nice option.

donevwil what is Mr Potts got going for you? I have a ti road coming eventually.

[RkyMtn]

Why not get the Moots Stem and Seatpost as a set and have the anodized parts to match as well?

I have both on my Serotta Meivici and the seatpost is AWESOME!!! When you hit a big pothole, the post can take the brunt of the hit and you don't get launched out of your saddle. The stem works as it should. I don't really notice the difference between a aluminum, carbon and ti stem. BUT, the Moots stem is solid and doesn't twist under loads.

[Joachim]

http://images.ecwid.com/images/1027454/42596158.jpg (http://fireflybicycles.com/store#!/~/product/category=2217525&id=10124821)

...but not in your price range.

Got the same one for my Ottrott.

[AngryScientist]

not what you asked, but my opinion:

if you're getting a kirk and willing to spend some coin on a stem, it would be a huge missed opportunity to not have Dave just make you one to match the frame...

[MattTuck]

not what you asked, but my opinion:

if you're getting a kirk and willing to spend some coin on a stem, it would be a huge missed opportunity to not have Dave just make you one to match the frame...

Yeah, I had thought about this, or having an alloy stem painted to match the bike. To my mind, a stem is pretty much a stem... I'm not tremendously worried about weight, so as long as the stem is solid, the only important characteristics are price and cosmetic. I'm more interested at this point in the value/affordability dimension right now.

[Louis]

I think I'm going to be getting an Eriksen SweetPost (http://kenteriksen.com/seatposts/) for the upcoming Kirk.

That's what I got for my Terraplane. I like the way the curve of the post matches the seat stays.

[eddief]

have you ridden it?

That's what I got for my Terraplane. I like the way the curve of the post matches the seat stays.

[Louis]

have you ridden it?

I've stuck the seatpost in the ST, and put the crown race on the steerer, but other than that, it's not yet rideable. (as I'm sure Jack Brunk could tell you :) ).

[eddief]

so i can wait for that :)

I've stuck the seatpost in the ST, and put the crown race on the steerer, but other than that, it's not yet rideable. (as I'm sure Jack Brunk could tell you :) ).

[velotel]

Kent is now, or will be very soon, building his own ti stems. They guy, whose name I can't recall at the moment, who welded all of the Moots bikes for years left Moots quite some time ago, maybe going on a year, and is now working with Kent. Probably to take over when Kent retires. Anyway the two of them have expanded things with the ti stem plus a ti rear suspension. All of which will be shown at the handmade bike show. Kent said his stem is going to be nicer looking that the Moots stem, nicer front plate.
Cheers

[esldude]

not what you asked, but my opinion:

if you're getting a kirk and willing to spend some coin on a stem, it would be a huge missed opportunity to not have Dave just make you one to match the frame...

+1000 on this. Let Kirk guide you. You won't go wrong doing that. How I wish I was in a position to get a Kirk made for me. Do it right and don't mess it up in the end. Let Kirk decide for you.

[Hls2k6]

+1000 on this. Let Kirk guide you. You won't go wrong doing that. How I wish I was in a position to get a Kirk made for me. Do it right and don't mess it up in the end. Let Kirk decide for you.

Agree with AngryScientist bigtime. If that proves not an option, which seems unfathomable, Firefly's stem is so awesome.

[velotel]

Should have written Kent Eriksen, not just Kent, for those who might not have caught the link between the Eriksen seatpost and the name Kent.

[happycampyer]

Kent is now, or will be very soon, building his own ti stems. They guy, whose name I can't recall at the moment, who welded all of the Moots bikes for years left Moots quite some time ago, maybe going on a year, and is now working with Kent. Probably to take over when Kent retires. Anyway the two of them have expanded things with the ti stem plus a ti rear suspension. All of which will be shown at the handmade bike show. Kent said his stem is going to be nicer looking that the Moots stem, nicer front plate.
CheersYou may be referring to Brad Bingham. I called the shop recently to order a custom sweetpost and learned that Chris Moore (the original legendary welder who left Moots to join Kent when Kent first started up 6 or 7 years ago) had mooved on, and Brad, who is not only a welder extraordinaire, but also has strong design/engineering background (I understand that he designed the clamp mechanism for the Moots cinchpost), had joined Eriksen about a year ago.

[Stan Lee]

Steve does nice work!

[Mikej]

Kent is now, or will be very soon, building his own ti stems. They guy, whose name I can't recall at the moment, who welded all of the Moots bikes for years left Moots quite some time ago, maybe going on a year, and is now working with Kent. Probably to take over when Kent retires. Anyway the two of them have expanded things with the ti stem plus a ti rear suspension. All of which will be shown at the handmade bike show. Kent said his stem is going to be nicer looking that the Moots stem, nicer front plate.
Cheers

Never did find the stem, Katie said to "stay tuned"

[dekindy]

Lynskey has titanium seat post and stem; $369 for stem and $199 for post.

[DRZRM]

Bike Island seems to be one of the only discounters for Moots. I've bought stuff from them in the past and they seem legit. They have run out of seatposts and handlebars, which they used to carry, and seem not to be restocking so they may be cut off and just selling out their stock, but their pricing is good. $269 for both road and MTB stems.

Moots at Bike Island (http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=List&SubCategory=Brand:%20Moots)

[thirdgenbird]

Bike Island seems to be one of the only discounters for Moots. I've bought stuff from them in the past and they seem legit

Bike island is Bikes Direct.

[Peter B]

Previously there were only a small handful of builders offering ti stems; Moots stands out as a domestic producer. A bit over a year ago IIRC Paragon Machine Works started offering stem parts (http://www.paragonmachineworks.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&category=0012) to builders. As a result your chosen custom ti builder should be able to easily offer a custom stem to match your frame. You'll notice a striking resemblance between current custom ti stem offerings. It's the machined PMW steerer & bar clamps/faceplates.

[RkyMtn]

If budget is a concern, my second favorite seatpost is Thomson Masterpiece. It has some deflection characteristics that help take some of the road bite and big bump saddle launch out of the way. Find a stem you like the look of and send both to Kirk to paint and match to your frame.

[rphetteplace]

Mike DeSalvo just told me today how impressed he was with the weld quality he saw at NAHBS on the Moots stems & seatposts that were done by a former UBI student of his.