what do you guys think about this cheap stem?

[yoshirider]

i got a bike fit recently and was told that a 80mm stem would fit me better so i found this stem: http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...68_-1___400207

its cheap and lightweight. the other stem i found that i liked was the ritchey c260 stem but that one costs 3 times as much as this one. what do you guys think about this forte stem?

[AngryScientist]

for a few bucks more, i'd buy this one. 3t stuff is solid.

http://www.treefortbikes.com/home#na...22368686___125

[yoshirider]

yeah i know 3T is awesome, but i'm turning into a weight weenie. must...have... super...lightweight stem!

[Marcusaurelius]

For a few dollars more you could get a ritchey stem (I've never had a problem with a richey or 3t stem).

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by yoshirider

yeah i know 3T is awesome, but i'm turning into a weight weenie. must...have... super...lightweight stem!

in that case,

consider selling your current bike, and get one that fit's correctly. clearly your frame is too big if you need an 80mm stem. the weight savings from going down one full frame size is going to be more than any you'll get out of a stem swap!!

[azrider]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

in that case,

consider selling your current bike, and get one that fit's correctly

this is pretty awesome advice.

that made my day.

[Joe Remi]

It's cheaper because it's a house brand made in China. I doubt there's much quality difference between it and the other name-brands mentioned, which may be made in China, too. Considering that you seem to be going through a "which length works for me?" process, I say go for the Forte. You can always get a high-zoot stem later once you've decided on a length.

[yoshirider]

i run a 90mm stem right now with a EC70 CNT Composite handlebar. i wish i could remember why she recommended a 80mm stem .

@Joe Remi yeah i was just thinking the same thing. i'd like to try this length out before i stick with it

[keevon]

Threadless stem design was figured out a long time ago.

Other than pretty graphics and a few grams, there isn't much to differentiate 95% of the stems out there.

The Forte is fine.

[PaMtbRider]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

in that case,

consider selling your current bike, and get one that fit's correctly. clearly your frame is too big if you need an 80mm stem.

Maybe, maybe not. My wife has a custom Spectrum Ti, and a Spectrum steel coupled bike, both designed by Tom Kellogg. He designed the bikes with longer top tube, shorter stem. I never asked but I assume it was designed that way to avoid / eliminate wheel overlap. Nevertheless, she is thrilled with the bikes and how they handle.

[ultraman6970]

Yoshi, you have a big advantage when picking stuff, I bet you are so light that doesnt matter what you get it will work just as intended. IMO for you will work just fine... for a 250 pounds sprinter probably it wont.

[ngilbert]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

in that case,

consider selling your current bike, and get one that fit's correctly. clearly your frame is too big if you need an 80mm stem. the weight savings from going down one full frame size is going to be more than any you'll get out of a stem swap!!

That's exactly how I got my Serotta...

[yoshirider]

thanks for all the input!

i ended up ordering the forte stem at performance. $29 including tax at the store (10% off lunch and save deal on tuesdays noon-2pm) what a steal!

[Chance]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

in that case,

consider selling your current bike, and get one that fit's correctly. clearly your frame is too big if you need an 80mm stem. the weight savings from going down one full frame size is going to be more than any you'll get out of a stem swap!!

As others have questioned, how do you know the bike doesn't fit correctly just because of an 8 CM stem? It's outside the scope of this thread and may deserve a dedicated thread, but no one to the best of my knowledge has ever articulated how to calculate the correct stem length. There are lots of theories but none that stand alone without taking many other factors into consideration.

[yoshirider]

the bike feels fine to me even with the 90mm stem. as i said earlier, i'm just using this as an excuse to shed some weight. i still cant get over the fact that my boyfriend's bike is lighter ;(