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top vs. front load stems

Old 02-23-06, 08:07 PM
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(did a search, no find)

hey guys...are there any pro's or con's to having either a front load stem vs top load stem? or not really?

thanks for input
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Old 02-23-06, 08:11 PM
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They'll grip your bars all the same, but I find it a lot easier to adjust a frontload stem than a topload, because your allen wrench won't run into the handlebars while tightening them down on a frontload.

I also think that frontload stems look a lot better.
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Old 02-23-06, 09:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Beerman

I also think that frontload stems look a lot better.

yeah...me too. although i came across a couple that were angled more like 45 degrees that i kind of liked as well. i will most likely get the Chock full of nuts because it has a cool name AND is front loaded. what more could one ever really ask for?

i guess i just want to make sure one didn't prevent bar rotation over another or something. i am not too keen on some of the novel clamping systems i have found in different brands. something is making me want the classic two bolt stem clamp

okay coolio...more questions to come for sure!!!
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Old 02-23-06, 10:05 PM
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front load will usually put your bars higher.
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Old 02-23-06, 10:19 PM
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Because you can't flip the stem over or anything.

And the most popular frontloaders ever, the S&M Rednecks are drop stems. As is the CFN that he's looking into.
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Old 02-24-06, 07:01 PM
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Both types of stems can look good depending on which one you get...


for example an S&M redneck (any version) looks just as good as a Fit S2 or S3 Stem..(im my opinion...)
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Old 02-24-06, 08:19 PM
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i personally hate the look of the series 2 and 3 stem.
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Old 02-24-06, 11:34 PM
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the series 3 looks a little weird but it still has most of the clean look of its fatter, older brother, the series 2

but for now i have a Redneck LT so, no more cheating on it for me...i stand by Rednecks becuase mine has NEVER slipped....
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Old 02-25-06, 09:37 AM
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my haro fusion stem never slipped either...it probally weighs a ton though
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Old 02-25-06, 09:40 AM
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I had a Haro stem as well, but i sold it...

it never slipped either...but they are pretty heavy for todays "standards" of weight weenies...(like myself...)
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Old 02-27-06, 01:38 AM
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the fit sereis 2 and 3 are nice, the superstar elect looks the same aswell i like them
ive got the 45 degree coalition one its a good stem nothin gone wrong
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Old 02-27-06, 12:03 PM
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You can also sink threads deeper into a front-loader, making it harder to strip. And front-loaders don't have holes going all the way through the body for the faceplate, making them less likely to crack at the inserts.
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