Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Stiff 80mm stem with 15-20 degree rise?

On my recently converted to single speed '91 Rockhopper comp, which I'm loving, I've got a Ritchey Fatbone stem and Ritchey Risers with one of those threaded to threadless converters. Despite tightening the hell out of everything, the front end flexes and creaks when I'm accelerating with my weight forward. I really like the position of the stem (80mm with 17 degrees of rise), but I can't seem to find something to replace it with that would be stiffer and stronger.

I tried an Azonic Shorty but at 75mm and only 10 degree rise I didn't like the position however it was stiff as hell and made a big difference. Anyone know a strong 80mm stem with 15-20 degrees of rise? Closest thing I've seen is a Thomson 90mm with 15 degree rise. Either threadless or threaded 1 inch quill will work.

Are you sure the creaking and flexing isn't a result of the converter?

Those things aren't exactly made for performance.

Not sure but it doesn't happen with a stiffer stem (Azonic shorty). I don't see why it would really make a difference since the connection between that and the stem is pretty much the same as if it were a threadless fork. Going to try a little grease on the bolts and between the stem and bars as sometimes that remedy's metal on metal creaking.

The Fatbone was marketed as a "downhill" stem so theoretically it should be stiffer but it's really light so I assume it's cast out of thinner aluminum. By contrast the bars are so thick that the tubing narrows so much you can't stick end caps in them.

I've looked at a bunch, was just looking for one that someone here had used and liked. Didn't want to buy another one that looked good but was actually flexy.

Also I'm not sure about the 1" to 1 1/8" comment as I have a 1 1/8" adapter from the 1" quill so I could use either. Unfortuneatly the quill Salsa's are 26 rather than 25.4.

get a bmx stem.

the quill Salsa's are 26 rather than 25.4.\


That's another reason they make shims