Mountain Biking - Best XC stem for the $$$

It doesn't have to be insanely light or stiff, just adequate for XC trails.

Whatcha got?

If you are lucky enough to be able to use a 135 mm then check out this Kore (http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/12948-305_KORLS3-3-Parts-72-Stems/Kore-Lite-3-Stem.htm) for $11.98. Otherwise check out this Titec (http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/14981-305_TITRP6-3-Parts-72-Stems/Titec-Hell-Bent-Rip-3D-Stem.htm) for $24.98.

*edit - The first one is a standard size, the second is oversized. Just noticed that so before you order decide you need to check to see what size bar you have.

Check out the Syncros FL or the FSA OS series. Caveat here is that all are 31.8 oversize.

Thomson. Ritchey WCS. If weight is no object, buy the cheapest one you can find. The bargain bin o' swapped out stems at your LBS will work fine.

I bought one of these Sette Edge stems a while back and it has worked great so far $24.98 at price point

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/12724-305_SETES4-3-Parts-72-Stems/Sette-Edge-Stem.htm

If you want to go real cheap price point has got a Kalloy stem for .98 cents

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/11793-305_KALUN0-3-Parts-72-Stems/Kalloy-MTB-Stem.htm

fsa os stem on ebay can be had for around 40

Ritchey WCS or Axis lightest and most reasonably priced stems on the market.

98 cents!! thats awesome... real cheap eh..

THOMSON period

Race Face or Thomson. The Easton's are pretty nice as well.

THOMPSON period

Come on now, they are the best the least they deserve is to have their name spelled right. ;)

Race Face or Thomson. The Easton's are pretty nice as well.
Agreed. All 3 of them make very nice stems.

Come on now, they are the best the least they deserve is to have their name spelled right. ;)
Bwahahaha, fixed.;)

Best for the money? The "generic" (bike brand like Specialized, Bontrager, etc) ones. These are as strong as any aftermarket ones and a little heavier. They're very cheap and strong. Honestly, unless you're gram counting or want the badge, there's little reason to blow the money on something else. Of course, if you can get a good name brand for that price, you might as well.

Come on now, they are the best the least they deserve is to have their name spelled right. ;)
Why are Thomson stems the best? I've got an Elite, and I prefer most of the other stems I've used.

Race Face Deus, hands down or maybe Thomson or maybe Easton too. Still gonna say RaceFace

Why are Thomson stems the best? I've got an Elite, and I prefer most of the other stems I've used.

Just because of the reliablity factor. I guess "best" is a strong word. How about in my opinion it is the best. Either that or it is one of the best. :D

Just because of the reliablity factor. I guess "best" is a strong word. How about in my opinion it is the best. Either that or it is one of the best. :D

I'll buy that.

I will say, though, I have not yet tried the X4, which looks to be a big improvement over the couple of things I didn't like about the original Elite. And I just so happen to have a new 31.8 bar waiting patiently for a stem. Hmmmm......

Why are Thomson stems the best?

A few things from Thomson's site:

"Early tests showed us that our competitors’ 31.8 stems were heavier and weaker than Thomson Elite 25.4 and 26.0 stems. At Thomson our new stems were not done until they were stronger, lighter and longer lived than the legendary Thomson Elite.

The Thomson X4 is stronger and 30 grams lighter than the Thomson Elite 25.4 mountain stem

The X4 is absolutely the best combination of strength and weight available. Thomson stems are the strongest in the industry, meaning freeride and downhill riders can run Thomson confidently."

Any questions from the neighsayers?

A few things from Thomson's site:

"Early tests showed us that our competitors’ 31.8 stems were heavier and weaker than Thomson Elite 25.4 and 26.0 stems. At Thomson our new stems were not done until they were stronger, lighter and longer lived than the legendary Thomson Elite.

The Thomson X4 is stronger and 30 grams lighter than the Thomson Elite 25.4 mountain stem

The X4 is absolutely the best combination of strength and weight available. Thomson stems are the strongest in the industry, meaning freeride and downhill riders can run Thomson confidently."

Any questions from the neighsayers?
Well, if Thomson says Thomson stems are the best, then Thomson stems must be the best.

And how they were able to make the X4 lighter than the original Elite, I'll never know. What a miraculous engineering accomplishment.:D

Alright, alright. I love my Thomson. So what if it's got a bit of a weight problem. I could stand to lose a few more grams myself.

To the OP, I think the bottom line is that, for the most part, a stem is a stem. Decide how much you want to spend and find the best deal. Don't sweat it a whole lot.

And how they were able to make the X4 lighter than the original Elite, I'll never know. What a miraculous engineering accomplishment.:D

the same way they made the Masterpiece seatpost lighter. It's called carving away weight from places it dosen't need to be for strength/durability purposes. Thomson goes out of thier way to test not only thier own products, but other companies to compare them to. When they say it's stronger/lighter, it's because it's been tested.

the same way they made the Masterpiece seatpost lighter. It's called carving away weight from places it dosen't need to be for strength/durability purposes. Thomson goes out of thier way to test not only thier own products, but other companies to compare them to. When they say it's stronger/lighter, it's because it's been tested.
I was being facetious about the whole "lighter than the Elite" thing. It was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, you know, because the Elite was a bit on the hefty side. Sorry if that didn't come through.

Seriously, man, I think the Thomsons are great. As are the Race Face stems, Easton stems, Ritchey stems, etc etc etc. No need to defend any company to me. Let's keep it lighthearted.

I was being facetious about the whole "lighter than the Elite" thing. It was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, you know, because the Elite was a bit on the hefty side. Sorry if that didn't come through.
It's hard to transmit sarcasm effectively over the internet.;)