The Crossfire cannot be faulted in performance. Truth be told, not everyone digs this look but if you do, we can safely say that this stem is really, really good from a performance point of view as well. That aesthetic is one of flowing lines and organic pseudo-muscly shapes. Funn stuff has a definite aesthetic and vibe to it. Pro: The very definition of a modern MTB stemĬon: Sculpted aesthetic won’t suit everyoneįunn are a brand to go to when you’re a bit bored of the trad brands and boring black, squared-off everyman safe anti-style. Price: £59.99 | Weight: 129g | Colours: Red, orange, blue, black, grey, green | Lengths: 35, 50mm
#Bike chain too long or too short full#
Read our full test review of the E*thirteen Base stemįunn Crossfire Funn Crossfire Offers a different style The bar is held by a wide clamp and all the edges are softly rounded off.
#Bike chain too long or too short install#
It’s easier to install and it more evenly spread the loads. The gapless face plate means you cinch down the top bolts until the gap disappears, then torque the lower bolts to the recommended setting. It comes with opposing stem bolts, that are nicely recessed to keep them away from knees, and use T25 fasteners for less chance of rounding. Suitable for 35mm bars, this is a great option if you’re looking for a snappier cockpit without breaking the bank.įunction is brought to the fore with this excellent e*thirteen Base stem. Opposing stem bolts with T25 heads are just one such feature, while the gapless faceplate is something normally reserved for much pricier models. Top value for a stiff, good-looking stem available in stumpy 40mm and 50mm lengths, the e*thirteen Base really impressed us with its function and detailing. Pro: Does everything you need for minimal cash
Prie: £45 | Weight: 155g | Colours: Black | Lengths: 40, 50mm Read our full test review of the Race face Turbine R 35 stemĮ*Thirteen Base 35 E*Thirteen Base 35 Best value Even with a matching 800mm Next R bar fitted, the steering feels precise and immediate, with just the right amount of resilience. This system eliminates uneven clamping and creates a stiffer union between bar and stem. This gets the company’s Top-Lock clamping system, where the top two fasteners are clamped fully, with the bottom two then snugged up to close the gap. It’s crafted from a lump of 7075 aluminium billet and is oversized in the midriff as well as having an oversized Overbite faceplate.
What we really like about the Race Face Turbine R35 is that it’s pretty stiff for a lightweight machined stem. Its gapless clamp holds bars securely and spreads loads evenly, while the rounded-off edges of the steerer clamp keep the opposing bolts away from your knees. Whether you choose to go mild or wild, the sturdy forged and CNC’d body is stiff enough for the widest of bars and burliest of builds and even comes in a stubby 32mm length if you’re looking for a truly direct steering response. With a rainbow palette of anodised colours, the Race Face Turbine R stem indulges your creative side. All bolts were greased as necessary, and tightened to the recommended torque settings using a torque wrench. The first track blended man-made g-out berms with technical, twisty, rock gardens that demanded plenty of body language to stabilise the bike. The stems were tested on a Giant Reign with a 800mm Spank Spike Vibrocore handlebar and an aluminium Renthal Fatbar, also at 800mm, to generate maximum leverage an torsional forces.
The testing process was topped off with a final round of back-to-back analysis on our test track. With plenty of stems to evaluate, we initially spread them between a mix of test bikes and trusted testers to put the early miles in and assess long-term durability. How we tested the best mountain bike stems If you’re looking at giving your cockpit a wholesale refresh then head over to our best mountain bike handlebars group test page. It’s not easy, but keep all the components the same, and ride the same trail over and over again with different stems, and the nuances begin to become apparent. But it is possible to measure differences in weight between models of stem, and if you’re really in tune with your bike, there are subtle differences in stiffness to evaluate. With no moving parts and a simple function, even the very best mountain bike stems have a modest effect on the performance of your bike.