Please tell me which stem is better
 

Between a Ritchey Pro Carbon Matrix Stem 4Axis44 and a PRO PLT Carbon Composite Stem. I need to go from a 120 mm to a 110 mm. I thought id go with a carbon wrapped alloy stem for the added stiffness, and cosmetic preference. Do any of you guys have one of these stems or maybe experience with the companies? I can find both stems around 40% off. I can get the PRO about $10 cheaper. What are your thoughts?

Assuming they both fit you and your bike, it doesn't matter. Get whichever one is prettier? Cheaper? Lighter?

Whichever one speaks to you. And doesn't tell you to kill your parents, or course. And least that would be MY criteria. ;)

Never tried the PRO but I did have a Ritchey Carbon Matrix. It was a nice stem.. Light and strong.

They are both pretty ugly and the 3T Arx stems are lighter.

Looks are preference, my preference is the raw carbon look. There are other un-painted raw carbon parts that came stock on my bike. So these stems would not be an eye sore. I mainly concerned with the function between the two because I like the looks of both of them.

Flip it.

Flip my current stem upside down? It's a 6 degree stem, right now its angled up slightly.

I don't think there's going to be a huge difference.

This. Stems are one component where CF probably doesn't belong.

You are new here. Just ignore the "flip"pant comments.

And seriously, consider the 3T stem.

Pro stems are MUCH stiffer than anything else I have tried. Then again I use the Sprint stem that looks like the top of a cobra head so that might contribute to that. If you want a stiff stem just go on bikeradar.com and look at what the sprinters use. I got mine because I love the look and I hate bendy stems.

Which 3T stem do you recommend datlas?

Arx Pro for $50 and optionally get your own Ti bolts off ebay for $10. Or if you're wealthy/lazy and want to pay $40 more for a red stripe and Ti bolts, you can get the Team.

^ This one is good but expensive:

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...0/3tarx3-1.jpg

Too bad they all have the ugly stripe haha.

Not bad if it just so happens that it matches your bike I guess. Too bad it doesn't have a yellow stripe.

I agree ARX pro or team (only difference is Ti bolts).

I used a pencil eraser to get ride of the ugly stripe and now it looks GREAT!

I could definitely tolerate the silver stripe if the only downfall is not having the ti bolts. The thing is though it seams like I'm getting a better deal with the two stems I mentioned than with the 3T. The two I mentioned in the OP normally sell for over a $100 but I can get them for close to the cost of the bottom of the line 3T.

Seriously consider the 3T arx.

I doubt you'll feel a difference with either one. I went through a bunch of stems: Stock System Six, 3T Arx Pro/Team, Deda Zero 100 SC, Zipp Service Course SL, Easton EA 70/90, and now a FSA OS 115. They all pretty much felt the same...with the exception of the System Six one...that felt like a jack hammer.

Get the one that looks best to you.

Eventually when true roadie paranoia sets in you'll want matching bars, stem and seatpost.
See? you want matching bars, stem and seatpost now don't you.

1.125"/31.8mm stems aren't all stiff enough?

Too much weight-weenying, methinks... a stem should be beefy.

Im hoping the 10 degree drop of the PRO PLT stem wont be too much, I'm used to 6 and 7 degree stems.

Yea, your prob right about that, although I def don't want carbon bars. I don't mind going with carbon wrapped alloy stems but thin carbon bars make me nervous.

I have the 3T on one bike and a Thompson on the other. The Thompson is with out a doubt much stiffer than the 3T.