ARX II Team Stem = ugly imho

[yoshirider]

"It’s a subtle refresh of this classic design."

the arrangement of those bolts ruin the look of it. yuck

http://www.3tcycling.com/i/p/arx-ii/STEALTHTEAM/790/PM-ARX_II_TEAM_STEALTH-01.png

http://www.3tcycling.com/stems/arx-ii

[rice rocket]

Zipp does that too.

http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2011-zipp-speed-weaponry-service-course-speed-sl-stems01.jpg

[kramnnim]

http://www.cambriabike.com/images/product/large/RC1347.JPG

[tigoat]

They are all copycats. No innovation at all. Nothing can beat Ritchey's C260 in terms of everything. Let's see how long will it take for others to copy it.

[fuzzalow]

I use lots of 3T ARX stems. Hmmm, only one cinch bolt at the steerer tube? Not great. But if they stop making -17 stems, then I've really got barney.

[yoshirider]

They are all copycats. No innovation at all. Nothing can beat Ritchey's C260 in terms of everything. Let's see how long will it take for others to copy it.

wow that looks like a pain in the butt to install! amazingly light though. weight weenies forum must be drooling

[phcollard]

wow that looks like a pain in the butt to install! amazingly light though. weight weenies forum must be drooling

I agree. Still looks killer though. I am a fan of Ritchey stuff. They know how to innovate on simple things like stems or seatposts and their components just work.

[Shoeman]

I am a fan of Ritchey stuff. They know how to innovate on simple things like stems or seatposts and their components just work.

+1 on this!!!!!!!!!

[Kirk Pacenti]

wow that looks like a pain in the butt to install!

I really like Ritchey stems, and bought a few of the new C260 and C220 for both road and MTB, after the install and some minor adjustments decided to take them off. Bolts are too small and the ones on the bar clamp are way too difficult to access. Fwiw, I think the concept of a 260* wrap is great and the stem looks fantastic, but the backward bolts ruin it for me. ymmv.

That said the standard WCS stuff is great, all my bikes sport Ritchey stems and posts.

Cheers,
KP

[mike p]

SHIMANO PRO VIBE S7

Mike

[tigoat]

wow that looks like a pain in the butt to install! amazingly light though. weight weenies forum must be drooling

The patience of someone installing a c260 stem is what separates boys from the men. Can't imagine anyone would need to change a stem very often, especially not an awe inspiring c260 stem. Most of these copycats are close to junk and can't believe people are still buying them.

[thirdgenbird]

Is a c260 any worse to install than a quill stem?

[FlashUNC]

Is a c260 any worse to install than a quill stem?

I found the 260 really easy to install. Wasn't like some of my tougher quill stems at all.

I've got the Alloy 260 on all my threadless bikes. Great stuff.

[oldpotatoe]

They are all copycats. No innovation at all. Nothing can beat Ritchey's C260 in terms of everything. Let's see how long will it take for others to copy it.

Including price. It's just a stem. The weight 'savings' is teeny, the $ is huge. Backward teeny bolts not a plus. I agree with Kirk P. on these stems.

PLUS they are a PITA to get onto some handlebars w/o scratching them.

[thirdgenbird]

I found the 260 really easy to install. Wasn't like some of my tougher quill stems at all.

I've got the Alloy 260 on all my threadless bikes. Great stuff.

In comparison, I thought it looked pretty simple. Nothing like getting a compact bar (tight bend) through a quill.

[lhuerta]

the arrangement of those bolts ruin the look of it. yuck


...not to mention that the consistently out of round clamps found on 3T ARX stems, makes them unusable for carbon bars. Lou

[#campyuserftw]

I use lots of 3T ARX stems. Hmmm, only one cinch bolt at the steerer tube? Not great.

+1 and that was the issue for me. One bolt for the steerer tube. I bought the ARX Team Stealth:

http://www.3tcycling.com/stems/arx

ARX II Team Stem es no bueno.

[Pete Mckeon]

after installing the first will not get a 2nd or recommend to others:mad:


Including price. It's just a stem. The weight 'savings' is teeny, the $ is huge. Backward teeny bolts not a plus. I agree with Kirk P. on these stems.

PLUS they are a PITA to get onto some handlebars w/o scratching them.

[enr1co]

"It’s a subtle refresh of this classic design."

the arrangement of those bolts ruin the look of it. yuck

http://www.3tcycling.com/i/p/arx-ii/STEALTHTEAM/790/PM-ARX_II_TEAM_STEALTH-01.png

http://www.3tcycling.com/stems/arx-ii

I just got one combo w/the Team stealth bars- love the Ergonova bars
:cool:

[soulspinner]

I really like Ritchey stems, and bought a few of the new C260 and C220 for both road and MTB, after the install and some minor adjustments decided to take them off. Bolts are too small and the ones on the bar clamp are way too difficult to access. Fwiw, I think the concept of a 260* wrap is great and the stem looks fantastic, but the backward bolts ruin it for me. ymmv.

That said the standard WCS stuff is great, all my bikes sport Ritchey stems and posts.

Cheers,
KP

+1 the 260 is a pain got the new WCS and its fine as are my 247 gram 42 cm Evo bars.

[beeatnik]

Widely spaced bolts carry a bigger load and are more prone to breaking. With the new design you lose stiffness but wont break as many bolts (for 3T stems at least). Just learned that yesterday:

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=119466&start=15#p1022143

[rice rocket]

Ti bolts are all around a bad idea. Not sure why people consider it a valid "upgrade".

[thunderworks]

After breaking several Ti bolts, I replaced all the bolts with regular stainless steel. The Ti bolts are a pain . . . especially on my travel bike that gets packed into my case regularly. It was a lesson learned the hard way.

[yoshirider]

How does one break titanium bolts?

[shovelhd]

How does one break titanium bolts?

Even if you torque them to spec, the 3T bolt heads will pop off at some point. I have replaced mine with better quality Ti bolts and have no issues with those.

[enr1co]

Even if you torque them to spec, the 3T bolt heads will pop off at some point. I have replaced mine with better quality Ti bolts and have no issues with those.

Yep- snapped one last year on a team stem even with torque to spec- definitely a PITA.

Will likely just change these bolts on this one to steel on a next adjustment/as needed.


http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/3577307/view/photo5.JPG

[shovelhd]

The bolts on the ARX II are different. They may be stronger.

[zap]

Newer 3T Team stem that I have has a different bolt design than an earlier Team stem I have on the tandem. New bolts have a shoulder (thicker than threaded section) that leaves room for a lock washer. Looks like the ARX2 has the same bolts.

I have not broken any ti bolts but I have heard from different sources about problems….so there must be something going on. I usually torque bolts about 20% lower (my torque wrench) than the max printed on stems/manuals.

[yoshirider]

Lame. You would think for $100 they would give you high quality stuff. Luckily I purchased mine from Backcountry so they should replace it no problem if it breaks.