i did the Softride flexible stem thing decades ago with a flat bar bike. Never again! Flexible stem/moving handlebars over bumpy terrain is not a desirable trait for me. Regular road vibration I can deal with in better ways. This is an old idea being recycled thru the current trend that a 'pillow smooth ride' is superior. If they start to squeek it's even worse.
yeah, yeah, yeah - this new design overcomes all the previous problems of earlier versions that are in the junkpile of innovative products.
edit Willing to sell the Softride stem at 1/2 the price of the Redshift product. Evaluate floppy bars for yourself.
re-edit: after reading the below comments, I would add to my post by saying - If you are riding roads/gravel with significant sections of wash-board or wash-out, that are beyond the tire's ability to mostly absorb, then you probably don't need a road bike geometry bike with shock stem. You would be better served with mtb tires or fork / rear triangle suspension.
imho = floppy/bouncing bars in irregular terrain produces diminished steering control and leads to sketchy situations, unnecessarily.
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 01-06-20 at 12:08 PM.