Stem suggestions for CAAD9
#1
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Stem suggestions for CAAD9
I have a very nice CAAD9. 60 cm size. Does have 9 speed brifters. I need a shorter stem, like 70 mm or so. Preferably under $50.
I got an inexpensive one on Amazon because I bought one previously for my wifes flatbar bike. Works great with flat bars. The second fits the CAAD and me fine, but with the extra leverage of drop bars, the bars slip. Tried tightening, adhesive on the stem & bars, still slips. That said, I don't really want a $125 stem on a 14 year old bike.
Any suggestions? Thanks.
I got an inexpensive one on Amazon because I bought one previously for my wifes flatbar bike. Works great with flat bars. The second fits the CAAD and me fine, but with the extra leverage of drop bars, the bars slip. Tried tightening, adhesive on the stem & bars, still slips. That said, I don't really want a $125 stem on a 14 year old bike.
Any suggestions? Thanks.

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#2
Clark W. Griswold
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Thomson makes great stems right here in Murica not the cheapest but good quality and wont' be likely to slip like some no-name Jeff Bezos crap. However you local bike shop probably has stems that they can sell for pretty cheap that might be take offs or brand new stems.
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Cannondale C1 and C2 stems would be a good option
high quality - lightweight and priced relatively low
I believe the C1 and C2 stems are both 7000 series alloy (as opposed to 6000 series on the C3 and C4 stems) ... the C1 stem might also be forged - ? - not sure ... ? ...
high quality - lightweight and priced relatively low
I believe the C1 and C2 stems are both 7000 series alloy (as opposed to 6000 series on the C3 and C4 stems) ... the C1 stem might also be forged - ? - not sure ... ? ...
Last edited by t2p; 12-09-22 at 08:56 PM.
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I got an inexpensive one on Amazon because I bought one previously for my wifes flatbar bike. Works great with flat bars. The second fits the CAAD and me fine, but with the extra leverage of drop bars, the bars slip. Tried tightening, adhesive on the stem & bars, still slips.
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The pictured stem comes with thick shims for use with flat bars. In theory, you simply omit the spacers to use the stem with drop bars, but I have a couple of similar stems that are very slightly oversize for drop bars.
To fix the problem of slipping drop bars, I use aluminum foil as a very thin shim. Aluminum foil is great in that application because it both fills the gap and provides a non-slippery mating interface.
To fix the problem of slipping drop bars, I use aluminum foil as a very thin shim. Aluminum foil is great in that application because it both fills the gap and provides a non-slippery mating interface.
Last edited by Trakhak; 12-10-22 at 08:44 AM.
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