Ritchey WCS Road Stem

Price Paid:  $70.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Enchanted Circle

Bike Setup:
Full carbon, standard road bike.

Summary:
This review is for the newer version with two piece front handlebar plate.

I have used Ritchey WCS stems on all my bikes for many years and they have all performed great. However, this newer version does not appear to be made of the same quality. My stem developed a crack on the steerer tube clamp portion after about 10 months. This is the first stem that I have ever had crack on me. I don't know if this is just bad luck, or a sign that the material/design used for this version is not very durable.

Aesthetically, the front 2-piece stem clamp plate doesn't have a nice clean look. (It doesn't blend into the stem very well, leaving some open gaps showing where the handelbars attach.) The one piece face plates look much better.

Strengths:
Good value for a stem of this weight.

Weaknesses:
Cracked after less than one year of average usdage. Two piece face plate doesn't adequately cover the gaps in the stem where the handebars clamp on.

Similar Products Used:
WCS - previous version.

Price Paid:  $60.00 at Performance

Favorite Ride:
the road

Bike Setup:
Moots VaMoots frame, Reynolds Ouzo fork, Easton bars, Campy drivetrain, FSA Carbon Cranks, DT Swiss custom built wheels

Summary:
I chose this stem because of its light weight and Ritchey's reputation. After a little more than a year of use, I discovered a small crack in the stem. Before the crack, the stem performed great - felt stiff enough, was very light, and no slippage. But the crack scared me enough to remove it immediatly. I don't ride what I'd consider "rough" roads (no cobblestones or anything), but New England roads are not the smoothest in the world, either.

Strengths:
Light weight.

Weaknesses:
Thin aluminum leads to failure.

Similar Products Used:
Salsa Moto Ace, Bontrager

Price Paid:  $65.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Michigan country roads

Bike Setup:
Bianchi Freccia Celeste aluminum/carbon w/Campy Chorus parts

Summary:
This review is for the WCS OS stem (110mm)with two faceplates (not the 4 axis). I use this with a full carbon steer tube and carbon handlebars.

I love this stem. I'm 6'4" and 210-220lbs, and a strong rider. Despite being so very light, I never feel any flex in this stem. Recently re-installed (flipped) the stem based on fitting recommendation--no creaks before or after, and no damage to carbon steer tube or bars. Really, really good stem -- I feel no need for carbon stem after using this one.`

Strengths:
light, strong, does not damage carbon parts, reliable--even looks good.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Specialized; 3T

Price Paid:  $35.00 at second hand czech re

Favorite Ride:
country roads with low traffic & mtns.

Bike Setup:
Duratec Cool R10, Veloce, Ritchey WCS, SLRxp, Rodi Black Jack wheels, conti 4000tires

Summary:
I have the "old version" with polished two-pieced front. I had a 110mm comp stamp and I decided, that I needed longer. So I bought a 120mm WCS from one guy. The comp wasn´t bad; 155gr. WCS has under 120gr, like it´s design and there was no problem with mounting, neither with squeaking during the drive. It´s just a little bit less stiff, so the ride is more comfy and in agressive attack, there is some flex, but not fatal.

Strengths:
price, weight, design, comfort

Weaknesses:
not rock-stiff

Similar Products Used:
ritchey comp

Price Paid:  $0.00 at gottaridebikes

Summary:
This is a review for the WCS 4-AXIS. I had the older design(read my old review)which tended to creak when climbing. This 4-AXIS with the new faceplate design is substantially better as it does NOT creak. I think this is due to a larger contact area from the facebolt to the handle bar. It is super stiff(stiffer than the previous design) and very light. The new graphics are high class and look great.
I feel no flex when climbing, sprinting, cornering, or flying up a roller after a long and fast descent. Some stems will flex a little when you hit the intitial incline of a roller or hill after screaching down a descent at very high speeds. This stem has no flex and is very stiff.

Strengths:
No creaking!(better facebolt design)
Super Stiff
Very Light
Looks much better than the previous model.

Weaknesses:
NONE

Similar Products Used:
previous WCS
Bontrager Race Lite
Felt