road stem or mountain stem
09-21-10 | 10:03 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Sheik Yerbouti
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 716
Likes: 2
From: in the state of Confusion, formerly from state of Denial
Bikes: 2006 Trek Pilot 2.1, Jamis Sputnik 2009
road stem or mountain stem
Aside from measurements, is there a difference. If the size matches my needs, does it matter if it's road or mountain?
09-21-10 | 11:49 PM
#2
Low car diet
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,407
Likes: 4
From: Corvallis, OR, USA
Bikes: 2006 Windsor Dover w/105, 2007 GT Avalanche w/XT, 1995 Trek 820 setup for touring, 201? Yeah single-speed folder, 199? Huffy tandem.
No, it doesn't matter.
However, most road stems now take 26.0mm bars whereas MTB stems use the old 25.4mm (1") standard. 31.8mm (1 1/4", "oversize") bars are becoming more common for both road and MTB and will fit in any stem with 31.8mm handlebar clamp diameter.
However, most road stems now take 26.0mm bars whereas MTB stems use the old 25.4mm (1") standard. 31.8mm (1 1/4", "oversize") bars are becoming more common for both road and MTB and will fit in any stem with 31.8mm handlebar clamp diameter.
09-22-10 | 12:44 AM
#3
Likes to Ride Far
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,354
Likes: 15
From: Switzerland
Bikes: road+, gravel, commuter/tourer, tandem, e-cargo, folder
Even some stems that have the same dimensions are now marketed as "road" or "mountain". Often, the ones marketed as mountain versions use a beefier construction and so are a bit heavier and stiffer. The differences range from minor to quite dramatic. Using a super feather-weight road stem for some serious MTB'ing might not be a good idea in terms of durability, and using an overly chunky MTB stem on a road bike might make for a harsh ride. However, in between the extremes the differences are often very small.
