Cinelli Groove Nero

Price Paid:  $20.00

Summary:
Looks fantastic. I first fitted it with an Italian shallow drop, and then changed to some ergo things. It was just superb. So reluctant to replace it by an 120mm ITM BigOne for some more reach (the Groove was a 110). Didn't notice any flex, but maybe it's that I hadn't got the power. Weight? Who cares!

Strengths:
Super cool, makes every handlebar looks classic.

Weaknesses:
Sticker on the front clamp went off on purchase. And a little tricky to get the bar clamp tightened... tends to need more torque getting those screws done over time. Bits of aluminum came out with screws, showing the threads damaged. No I didn't bother using torque wrenches, but with something this heavy, you'd expect it to be over engineered. That's the reason for a 4 points.

Similar Products Used:
3T THE stem, which is dull, if not ugly!

Price Paid:  $35.00 at eBay

Favorite Ride:
A rainy century through northern Kentucky

Bike Setup:
90's Bianchi SL (handmade Columbus steel baby!) with new 105 group and all the high-zoot carbon and so on. Built it from the frame-- originally a project bike, but fell in love.

Summary:
My first impression of the stem was that it is too narrow at the bar clamp and too heavy. But it really has some monster grip at both clamps, and has stiffness to match the weight. I think this is probably the stiffest 26.0mm stem available. I am told it is hideously expensive at retail price. You can typically find a new one on eBay for $15-40 and it is most definitely worth the price.

Strengths:
-Solid clamp design!
-STIFF
-Smooth edges and aerodynamic profile
-Slightly out-of-vogue, so easy to find used or NOS

Weaknesses:
-A little on the weighty side, but not terribly so.
-Absurd retail prices, but hey, we're cyclists. We don't worry about that kind of thing, right?

Similar Products Used:
Deda Zero
Bontrager Race Lite

Price Paid:  $45.00 at Bike Source

Favorite Ride:
Independance Summit Pass

Bike Setup:
Cinelli starlight, campy record 10, Ksryium SSC SL, Thompson seat post, serfas aria seat. 3T 199 bar

Summary:
I like it. It is stiff and stylish. I;d rather the face plate be black like the rest, but it is nice none the less.

Like I said, the stem is stiff and relatively light. It inspires confidence. A nice touch is the "groove" on bith sides of the stem. It is a really comfortable resting place for your thumbs as you climb with your hands on the top of the bars.

Strengths:
Stiff and stylish

Weaknesses:
Could be lighter.

Similar Products Used:
Coda stuff

Price Paid:  $26.00 at e-bay

Favorite Ride:
rt120vt

Bike Setup:
fort aero,look lds III,105 group,mavic wheels,conti 3000,

Summary:
a very solid stem,good looking,no production flaws.I just switched from a crap front end(steel)to look with threadless,everything is totaly different for the better.

Strengths:
good looking on my ride,

Weaknesses:
the wieght is almost as much as my fork,about the same as other stems

Similar Products Used:
first time threadless user