New Stem and Bars

[drcarlos]

The finishing kit on my Kona Kula was given a bit of a panning in reviews for being a bit basic for a bike that cost nearly £1000 so I have a bit of birthday money and was thinking of upgrading the stem and bars to something a bit nicer (the WTB Stem and Bars will go nicely on the wifes trek too). I know little about the modern kit really (was caught out thinking that Deore was only just below XT and above LX like BITD). So some advice would be appreciated. I want to keep with the 90mm reach and a similar rise (currently 15 degrees) so was thinking this:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=21384

or

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28648

or

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=7222

With

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28851

or

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=51042

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=50591

I guess the other question is are these bit better than the WTB CXC parts that I was swapping them for as well?

Carl.

 

[stewlewis]

Easton and Easton.
Raceface and Raceface for more aggresive.
White bars if you have white forks.

As for better, beats me?!?
Lighter maybe, looks maybe.

I guess same lengths and rise won't make it better or worse.

 

[drcarlos]

Forks are black so it would be black. WTB kit was criticised for being basic and a bit heavy but I can't find weights of it to compare to the other kit.
If I don't spend it on the Kona I will end up spending it on the wifes trek and she has had a new STX shifters and levers, saddle and new bombers recently. I think it's my turn.

Carl.

 

[tintin40]

Modern kit all looks the same to me. Answer looks different from BITD. When buying modern i always buy british. So either Hope, USE, Royce and Middleburn.
Support British industry (not much left) Keep the UK work force in jobs. Look on Google maps and look at were Hope & co are made. It's tiny. If you go buy kit that's made in China or other countries of cheap labour. You are putting Hope & co out of business.
Just bought a lovely Hope stem. They still makes a stem that fits standard bar. Middleburn chain rings/bolts are beautiful. My Hope Pro3 rear hubs are lovely. As good Hugi. No more second hand modern for me.
Buy British. It's the best. You know it makes sense