Flex Stems - do they make any difference?

[gerryattrick]

This year I've built up a bike with front suspension for the first time and I'm finding an improvement in the condition of my wrists following long rides. This isn't just off-road but also because of the terrible state of the roads in my area.

I'm in the process of re-building my 93 Eldridge Grade and want to keep it rigid, but am thinking of fitting a flex stem.

What are the views of those of you who've used them?

Do they make a difference, and are there any makes that can be recommended?

Thanks

 

[WD Pro]

They are not suspension - more of a vibration damper. They take some of the 'buzz' out

WD

 

[Iwasgoodonce]

I have always quite liked them and found they do make a difference. Keep your eye out for the Softride sort of stem as well. I have one with an internal spring that gives more movement than a Flexstem and due to the parallelagram nature of its design the controls stay in the same plane during any movement.

 

[lewis1641]

i have always been a sceptic but fecently bought an early pro flex - elastomer rear, rigid fork and a flex stem.

in many respects i think it is a better option than a cheap sus fork. i really like it

 

[orange71]

I went back to using one recently and while it did its job, I found powering up hills using bar ends the lateral movement got annoying so I got rid in the end. This may not apply to all people though.

 

[rc200ti]

I found powering up hills using bar ends the lateral movement got annoying so I got rid in the end.

Ed forgot to put in the words 'singlespeed', '29er', 'virtually seized freehub' :roll:

I'm with Lewis, WD Pro and Iwasgoodonce.

 

[Iwasgoodonce]

When Ed gets out of the saddle and sprints, there is an earthquake on the other side of the world.

 

[mikee]

i always found that they sort of pitch you forward when they compress
a bit un-nerving when crossing ruts ,sort of throw you over the bars feeling
and i agree with what ed said about climbing

do take the trail buzz out tho

 

[velomaniac]

I like them, I have three although not keen on the third. The first two are Girvins Flexstems, simple, tough, no lateral movement if you keep bolts tightened up. Number three is a JD Components job in anodised blue, it has more movement and has height and rebound adjustment apparently. Problem is the springs not stiff enough and the bolts keep working loose plus elastomer damping is poor. I'd say avoid JD Components but if you can source a Softride stem I'd go for it, heavey but more sophisticated than the others. There are numerous other cheapo alternatives that operate broadly similar to Girvins.

 

[jimo746]

If you just want something to take the sting put of some of the smaller trail/road bumps then a flexstem or softride stem is worth a try.
It's not suspension, you get nowhere near as much travel as you do in a sus fork, but then it's lighter and simpler.