Road Cycling - Road & Mountain stems?

Is there any difference between corresponding models of "road" and "mountain" stems from the same manufacturer, or is ithis a marketing thing?

For example, several of Ritchey's "Mountain" and "Road" stems both come with 25.8 or 31.8 mm clamp sizes, are available in similar lengths and rise angles, and work with 1" or 1-1/8" steerers. The same thing is true of a number of other manufacturer's offerings.

Obviously, some mountain stems are more beefy, but a lot of stems designated "mountain" seem to be pretty much identical to their "road" counterparts.

Originally posted by roadster

Obviously, some mountain stems are more beefy, but a lot of stems designated "mountain" seem to be pretty much identical to their "road" counterparts.

It appears to me that you may have stumbled upon the answer to your own question.

If you put an ATB stem on your road bike, effete roadie snobs will chatise you mercilessly.
If you put a road stem on your ATB, grungy mountain bike snobs will chastise you.
Other than that, the only difference is probably in the thickness of the metal...

The answer:

Mountain bars are 25.4 mm. Road bars are 26mm (or sometimes 25.8 mm). Although the difference is small, it kinda makes a difference.

So, if you use a mountain stem with a road bike, your bars will have a tendency to slip when you hit bumps.

- Maurizio

Originally posted by Maurizio
The answer:

Mountain bars are 25.4 mm. Road bars are 26mm (or sometimes 25.8 mm). Although the difference is small, it kinda makes a difference.

So, if you use a mountain stem with a road bike, your bars will have a tendency to slip when you hit bumps.

- Maurizio you have to match stem and bar clamp diamters.A bad mismatch can result in more than slippage,it's called faceplant. There ae road bas with 25.4mm clamp diameter, but road bars have ranged fro 25 to 31.8mm,so watch out and measure if you aren't sure.

31.8 is the oversize road standard. This year, MTB stems have also come out with 31.8. There is no functional difference. Style and weight might be the only differences.

The difference between 25.8 and 26 is not a big deal as many people combine those with different stem/bar combos. Ideally, you want to use the same company's bar/stem combo -- Like Deda Netwon bar with Deda Newton stem.

But you're right, much of it is marketing but if the diameters match than it is compatible.

I have cavalierly interchanged threadless atb and road stems when trying different combinations of bar height and reach. I detected no difference in the clamping and no apparent effect on the bar. I do prefer the more streamlined look of road stems on my road bikes.

Thanks all.

My suspicions have been pretty much confirmed- the differences are for the most part in the ad copy, not the product.

-r

Originally posted by RainmanP
I have cavalierly interchanged threadless atb and road stems when trying different combinations of bar height and reach. I detected no difference in the clamping and no apparent effect on the bar. Don't forget to tell us about your faceplants.The 25.4/26.0 mismatch can appear to clamp ok.Depending on materials, and specific designs involved you can get failure that you don't want to experience.Nothing I would ever do or recommend.

Originally posted by pokey
Don't forget to tell us about your faceplants.The 25.4/26.0 mismatch can appear to clamp ok.Depending on materials, and specific designs involved you can get failure that you don't want to experience.Nothing I would ever do or recommend.

When it happens I promise you will be the first one I tell.

Originally posted by roadster
Thanks all.

My suspicions have been pretty much confirmed- the differences are for the most part in the ad copy, not the product.

-r Not really.You appaently don't get the difference in clamp diameter.

Originally posted by pokey
Not really.You appaently don't get the difference in clamp diameter.

I didn't really think the obvious diference in clamp diameter required restating, hence my "...for the most part..." qualfier.

However, for your sake Pokey, let me put it more succinctly:

My suspicions have been pretty much confirmed- the differences, apart from the obvious ones of clamp diameter and strength, are for the most part in the ad copy, not the product.

-r

:beer:

Originally posted by roadster
I didn't really think the obvious diference in clamp diameter required restating, hence my "...for the most part..." qualfier.

However, for your sake Pokey, let me put it more succinctly:

My suspicions have been pretty much confirmed- the differences, apart from the obvious ones of clamp diameter and strength, are for the most part in the ad copy, not the product.

-r :beer:

C'mon folks, you should know by now that it's best to just quickly scroll past "pokey" replies, paying no attention to them and certainly not responding (You won't miss anything and it might reduce his irritating "get the last word in" comments).

Now back to "roadster's" thread. In the past 25 years, I, and many others, have successfully mixed most every brand, make, and model of road and mountain bars and stems (Except, obviously, the 31.8). Sometimes it takes a bit of effort (Making shims, carefully spreading the clamps, testing before riding, etc.), but whatever the combination, it'll usually work just fine. As always, the key to such experimentation is prudence.