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STem suggestions for big guy

DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
Ok guys, in lite of recent breakage of long term parts..... I am going to premptivly replace my stem.....

Suggestions for someone my size please. Been a long time since I have paid any attention to what has been going on in the world of stems......

265 six foot one, DH, clamp style stem..... No direct mount for me. Weight isnt a huge issue for me, strength is my biggest concern....

Very seriously asking....... Whats the new and greatest out there these days thatll hold up to abuse from someone my size?
 

trib

not worthy of a Rux.
Jun 22, 2009
1,458
388
I doubt your Diabolus will break, why not just replace it with a newer model from RF since this one hasn't let you down in anyway?

Other suggestions would be Thomson, see no real suggestion to go elsewhere. If budget is a concern Funn are normally well priced. Easton also make nice stuff but would have Thomson as my preference
 

trib

not worthy of a Rux.
Jun 22, 2009
1,458
388
I'm pretty sure Mike runs a 66, kind of makes mounting a direct mount stem tricky.
 

HardtailHack

used an iron once
Jan 20, 2009
6,637
5,449
I like my Staitline Pinch stem but if you are hard on gear I'd stay away from them, they seem to twist a bit when yanking on the bars.
Also I found with mine I can't use the Straitline top cap as it won't let the top bolt tigthen around the steerer tube correctly, the stem grabs the recess on the top cap before fully clamping the steerer tube, it causes a scary amount of movement in the front end.

As people have said Thomson are great and for what they are the price isn't too bad, I have had absolutely dramas with my FSA Gravity stem it was heavy but brutally stiff.
 
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DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
Just out of curiosity, why? They're probably stronger.
Well biggest reason is I run a single crown...... But I have seen too many DM stems breaking, or causing even more damage... IE twisting the stantions, cracking a frame. Seriously, seen them ripped off the crown.


Works on dirt bikes....
Yes, Yes they do.... Totally different animal though.





SO it would seem the majority of the collectie here says go for thompson, with a sideline of straitline.........


Gimme some pros and cons of each...... I am really far behind on parts like this
 
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trib

not worthy of a Rux.
Jun 22, 2009
1,458
388
Thomson.
Pros. works, Recommended by all, strong, not super expensive, does exactly what you want.

Cons. Not super cheap.

As far as I can tell the only reason not to get a Thomson is if you wanted something in fancy colours, or a stem that matches your bars.
 

4130biker

PM me about Tantrum Cycles!
May 24, 2007
3,884
448
That sunline dh (not dm)that's been on chainlove for $35 or so looks pretty solid and nice. I think there are many options that will be plenty strong. I think pick what you like best and I'm sure people here will give you a heads up if anything is sketchy. Happy hunting!
 

4130biker

PM me about Tantrum Cycles!
May 24, 2007
3,884
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Btw, what long term parts have broken to sketch you out? Bars are about the only thing I replace once a year to defend against fatigue.
 

DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
Btw, what long term parts have broken to sketch you out? Bars are about the only thing I replace once a year to defend against fatigue.
Nothing really, Im not sketched out, but soon to be replacing some DT parts...... figured might as well go for a stem and have new there as well..... cause new parts are fun.......



Ummmm worst part failure I can think of that was scetchy though was snapping an older raceface prodigy crankset. My fault though, was using an XC crankset for DH........
 
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4130biker

PM me about Tantrum Cycles!
May 24, 2007
3,884
448
Nothing really, Im not scetched out, but soon to be replacing some DT parts...... figured might as well go for a stem and have new there as well..... cause new parts are fun.......



Ummmm worst part failure I can think of that was scetchy though was snapping an older raceface prodigy crankset. My fault though, was using an XC crankset for DH........
New parts are fun! I just thought something in particular had happened based on how you said 'in light of recent breakage of long term parts', that's all.
 

punkassean

Turbo Monkey
Feb 3, 2002
4,561
0
SC, CA
No one has mentioned Easton. light, super strong, and available for most configurations. Easton's faceplate distributes clamping forces evenly around the bar eliminating stress risers and greatly improving durability. plus they look killer IMO.



Caveat: Yes, I work at Easton, but everything I've stated is factual and our **** really truly does kick ass.
 

bullcrew

3 Dude Approved
Thomson X4 and a Diety black label... End all combo........ BABBOOOOM!

Theres ALOT of good stems, TONS... ITs good to see such a selection nowadays and especially high end or well crafted stuff...

Mike Ill go on a limb here and say parts will suffer less if you lose a few.... Im a solid 238 and can be hard on parts so I cant imaging 265...

XC cranks to begin with even I wouldnt try that, thats a bit rough and sketchy, Had good luck with XTs though they did flex but wont run them on my DH rig at my weight...

Build accordingly, a bike can be built light and take a beating too so its possible but XC stuff is stretching it on a ride with a 200lb+ rider...
 

DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
Thomson X4 and a Diety black label... End all combo........ BABBOOOOM!

Theres ALOT of good stems, TONS... ITs good to see such a selection nowadays and especially high end or well crafted stuff...

Mike Ill go on a limb here and say parts will suffer less if you lose a few.... Im a solid 238 and can be hard on parts so I cant imaging 265...

XC cranks to begin with even I wouldnt try that, thats a bit rough and sketchy, Had good luck with XTs though they did flex but wont run them on my DH rig at my weight...

Build accordingly, a bike can be built light and take a beating too so its possible but XC stuff is stretching it on a ride with a 200lb+ rider...
HA.... was at 335 for quite some time.... was down to 240 for a bit....... Then this last year happened.....Even at that most of it is in the legs.

The prodigy cranks was an adventure....... Put them on my old climber.... got into more gravity riding, starting swapping frames.......... Moving parts ETC...... Eventually they went boom.... Was awesome




What I am seeing in this thread though..... Seems like stem choice really isnt very crucial anymore these years........ Thats good news
 

gemini2k

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2005
3,526
117
San Francisco
What I am seeing in this thread though..... Seems like stem choice really isnt very crucial anymore these years........ Thats good news
I think that's pretty accurate assessment. IME there are about 50 different companies making quality stems. As long as its not some super light 100g stem (or an out of spec e13) you'll be just fine.
 

juanbeegas

Monkey
May 6, 2008
355
2
Singapore
Another vote for Straitline. Wider clamping area on the face plate than a Thomson and I prefer they way they're clamped on. Essentially, you do up the top 2 bolts first before torquing down the bottom 2. I don't know the proper technical terms for it, but it minimizes the chances of unequal forces being placed on the face plate when you torque down your bolts. From what I've seen, Easton is also doing this with their newer stems.
 

marshalolson

Turbo Monkey
May 25, 2006
1,770
519
another thomson vote. not *that* big, but used to be 228 (back down to 210) and never ever ever had a problem with any thomson on single crown dh bikes, freeride bikes or dj bikes.

you really need to look for a reason to NOT get a thomson (ie color) or some super over analytical deal that is in the real world semi-irrelevant.
 

buckoW

Turbo Monkey
Mar 1, 2007
3,777
4,700
Champery, Switzerland
I liked the Thomson until I started riding wider bars, lower BB's with slacker head angles. Now I feel like it can't clamp the steerer well enough with the 4mm bolts to deal with sweet drifts. I like to roost the front tire sometimes and have been having troubles with a couple different stems with 4mm bolts. I recently decided 5mm bolts on a stem is better for me.
 

roel_koel

Monkey
Mar 26, 2003
278
1
London,England
I run Thomson X4 stems on all my bikes

50mm with Sunline V-1 745mm bars on my short travel freeride bike

70mm with Renthal 750mm bars on All-Mountain Bike

90mm on my road bike with Easton drop bars




Thomson = perfect industrial design

quality is always worth paying a little extra for


run their legendary Elite seatpost on my bikes too ;)
 

marshalolson

Turbo Monkey
May 25, 2006
1,770
519
I liked the Thomson until I started riding wider bars, lower BB's with slacker head angles. Now I feel like it can't clamp the steerer well enough with the 4mm bolts to deal with sweet drifts. I like to roost the front tire sometimes and have been having troubles with a couple different stems with 4mm bolts. I recently decided 5mm bolts on a stem is better for me.
interesting feedback. did you ever put a little grease on the threads of the bolts? get them suckers more tight.
 

roel_koel

Monkey
Mar 26, 2003
278
1
London,England
I made the mistake of running titanium alloy bolts on the face clamp of my Thomson X4 and experienced horrible flex / creaking noises when I went dirt jumping on my short travel bike last year

after that scary session, I switched back to the Thomson original steel bolts and never experienced this problem, ever again

if you use quality grease, a torque wrench and tighten all 4 face-clamp bolts to the correct / equal torques, you should not experience any "flex" in Thomson X4 stems even with crazy wide bars ;)
 

DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
Another vote for this combo! If you like a higher rise the Deity Dirty30s

No.... no crazy rise for me.... Hell my current bars are a little less than an inch of rise as it is......... I would almost be willing to go flat if my brake levers didnt hit the top tube
I made the mistake of running titanium alloy bolts on the face clamp of my Thomson X4 and experienced horrible flex / creaking noises when I went dirt jumping on my short travel bike last year

after that scary session, I switched back to the Thomson original steel bolts and never experienced this problem, ever again

if you use quality grease, a torque wrench and tighten all 4 face-clamp bolts to the correct / equal torques, you should not experience any "flex" in Thomson X4 stems even with crazy wide bars ;)
Absolutly.... I am the epidimy of over anal when it comes to using a torque wrench.... Hell I put a torque wrench on my bleeder screws when done with a fluid flush....
 

quickneonrt

Turbo Monkey
Apr 8, 2003
1,611
0
Staten Island NY
No.... no crazy rise for me.... Hell my current bars are a little less than an inch of rise as it is......... I would almost be willing to go flat if my brake levers didnt hit the top tube
.
the Dirty30s aren't crazy rise at all. just a little higher then the Black Labels.

Black Label
Our flagship World Cup downhill handlebar / Featuring our all new two tone black anodized finish / Made from custom double butted 7075 T6 aluminum / 787mm length (31 inch) /15mm rise to keep the front end low / 9 degree bend x 5 degree upsweep / 31.8mm clamping diameter / Bead blast black anodized with polished black anodized accents / Podium ready handlebar which must be seen in person / Weight: 295 grams
.
Dirty30
Improved for 2010 with all new finishes and a lighter weight / Made from custom double butted 7075 T6 aluminum / Featuring a 25mm rise / 760mm length (30 inch) / 9 degree bend x 5 degree upsweep / 31.8mm clamping diameter / Graphics positioned to clear race plates / Featuring bead blast anodized finishes with polished ano grip surfaces / Available in Red ano, Black ano, and also White powdercoat with Black ano grip surfaces / Weight: 289 grams
.

So 1" for the Dirty30 and 1/2" for the Black Label
 
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manhattanprjkt83

Rusty Trombone
Jul 10, 2003
9,644
1,214
Nilbog
Thomson.
Pros. works, Recommended by all, strong, not super expensive, does exactly what you want.

Cons. Not super cheap.

As far as I can tell the only reason not to get a Thomson is if you wanted something in fancy colours, or a stem that matches your bars.
spoken for truth!

4 Bikes, 4 Thompson Stems, 4 posts, 2 seatclamps

the stuff is amazing.
 

davet

Monkey
Jun 24, 2004
551
3
Those do look good, I like the clamp style on it alot.

No pricing on the answer site..... what are those running as far as price???





Oh for those interested, Im running 30 in bars, so nothing crazy oversize.
Jenson lists the stem at $57.99 and bars at $53.99
 

WBC

Monkey
Aug 8, 2003
578
1
PNW
I've been running DM mostly since like '04 on the DH bike, but in 2008 I rode an X4 Thomson on my '08 40 with full-length Gravity 800's and definitely had the stem twist under hard cornering.

On my trailbike I have the Sunline AM stem with uncut Atlas FR bars and the stem sometimes twists under hard cornering, too.

Stems don't need to be fancy, but the thing that I have found over and over again with many years riding, many years working in shops, and lots of close friends that ride harder than I do, is that non-standard split clamp stems simply don't work very well. All these stems with wedges like that straitline, the old thomsons, etc, all don't grip the steerer worth a damn.

From now on, I'm going to stick with M6 (5mm allens) or larger hardware, like you find on the Eastons, Truvativs, etc. I've never seen a heavy duty stem break (Sunline AM not included), so I wouldn't worry much about the quality, as long as it's a name brand. Maybe the new Chromag if you want to go baller? Also, I don't think HD stems need to be replaced every season like bars do (I also replace my bars every season).