DEDA Magic

Price Paid:  $2400.00 at Pedal the Planet; co

Favorite Ride:
2004 Cervelo Soloist Team Custom (blue & white)

Bike Setup:
Cervelo Soloist Team frameset: Ultegra group, Cane Creek IS headset, Cane Creek Aerohead wheelset, Deda Newton bar, speedplay pedals, Selle Italia Trans Am saddle.

Summary:
Since I like mashing the hills rather than spinning them (and I'm 6'1"), I needed a stiff stem. The Magic stem has worked quite well in that respect. In combination with the Deda Newton bar, there is little flex when pounding the climb. The weight is resonable, and the shape is unique. I purchased the Deda "Gios" Magic stem (since it matched my bike's color scheme). I was dissapointed that the extra $15 I spent on the "Gios" scheme stem only got me a couple of Gios stickers on the stem, and a tin Gios stick-on face plate. I decided to remove those and the stem is now just a normal Magic stem...sorry Gios! Another mistake I made during purchase was getting a stem that is a bit too long...so I'll have to purchase another. But heck - you can't spend too much money on bike parts, right??!! :-)

Strengths:
Stiffness, weight.

Weaknesses:
The "Gios" customized stem amounts to having a couple of "Gios" stickers on the sides of the stem, a tin stick-on "Gios" face place cover, and a "Gios" head set cap. Not really worth the extra $$$ you pay for the "Gois" emblazoned Deda Magic stem.

Similar Products Used:
Sticks, twine, tape, and a prayer! :-)

Price Paid:  $40.00 at eBay

Favorite Ride:
Hills

Bike Setup:
TREK OCLV, Mavic Open Pro, Ultegra, Speedplay, Koobi (the best) Easton post.

Summary:
Went with large diameter bar after flexing just got to be scary. Had another stem on for a few weeks and it was better, but still would flex when I stood up. The DEDA has been nice and stiff. Mine is long (130mm) and it has been fine.

Strengths:
Reasonable weight. NO FLEX. Not too flashy. Compared to the market, this is even priced well.

Weaknesses:
Kind of odd with the three bolt face ? Would be nice if it was cheaper.

Similar Products Used:
ITM, Bontrager

Price Paid:  $170.00 at Glen Parker cycles

Favorite Ride:
Round the river

Bike Setup:
Bianchi sl with 10spd chorus, neutron wheels and various other quality French and Italian components.

Summary:
A good reliable stem which has so far proved itself to be trouble free.

Strengths:
Strong and stiff, securely clamps to bar and steerer tube. Does not make any creaking or clicking noises.

Weaknesses:
not really a weakness but in my opinion it looks a bit fat and chunky compared to the newton and ITM millenium stems.

Similar Products Used:
ITM big one

Price Paid:  $0.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Too many

Bike Setup:
'02 Pinarello Galileo
Chorus/Centaur Group
WCS bar/stem

Summary:
Stem came on new bik. When making a fit adjustment, after about 1k miles, I stripped the lower steerer clamp threads.

I thought it was just me.... and figured I'd upgrade to a Newton. But low and behold the Newton reviews are full of stipped thread stories, and there are a few here for the Magic as well!

I'll not be getting another Deda stem.

Strengths:
I don't know of any.

Weaknesses:
Apparently fragile threads. This weakness makes the product, at best, a waste of money due to the likelyhood of ruining it during normal adjustments/maintenance... at worst, it's hazardous and could cause a crash. Therefore I'm giving the lowest possible Value and Overall scores.

Similar Products Used:
Now using a WCS.

Price Paid:  $5.00

Favorite Ride:
Hills. fst riding.

Bike Setup:
Pinarello surprise, selcof team seat post, newton handlebar, sella prolink seat.
Chorus hubs and padels all else Dytona, open pro rims.

Summary:
First this is the pinarello version of the Magic, the same stem but with diff logo.
The 1st feel was very strong and non flex stem, it transfer what you think into action.
When I lift my bike the small amount of weight is notable and it feels great.
I believe that the Newton stem is better but compare to the price diff the Magic is a great stem with a small price.

Strengths:
Strong.
No flex.
Looks good.

Weaknesses:
Non I can think of.