No-one, and I mean no-one has ever mentioned that I have a $30 Forte stem on my Cannondale R1000. I think since the frame and bars are matte black, unless you really look, you can't even notice it.

It was on-sale, I needed a stem, and I believe its about as light as any of the $80 stems that Performance had at the time, maybe there are more expensive lighter ones, maybe there are lighter ones for $80, but for $30, you can't go wrong. The beauty is, if you decide you want a different size, rise, or whatever, your only out $30.

Buyer beware, mine came as a 10 degree rise/drop, not 7/8 or whatever it was that was advertised. Slightly more agressive or slightly more elevated depending how you hang it.