Look Ergo Stem

Price Paid:  $150.00 at Local shop

Summary:
Great stem for dialing in your TT position.

Strengths:
Very adjustable

Weaknesses:
Need a removable front plate clamp design to allow for aero shaped bars to be used. At 180 lbs sometimes the stem shifts if I hit a bump hard.

Price Paid:  $180.00 at Bicycle Sport, Charl

Favorite Ride:
Blue Rideg Parkway

Bike Setup:
2004 Trek 520 Stock
Conti top touring 2000 tyres
Tubus racks front & rear
Lone Peak Panniers

Summary:
I tried all the stems on the market, This one has fulfilled my needs, I require a more upright position for touring, This stem provided that. I was worried about slipping and put the stem through all the paces, No slipping. The stem also offers me better front control(steering). Will not go back to a nonadjustable stem.

Strengths:
Solid, Very adjustable, No torque, The new black looks great. Fully loaded w/panniers (65 lbs) No problems.

Weaknesses:
None so far.

Similar Products Used:
Ritchie, Salsa, Bonti, Deda. None compare

Price Paid:  $180.00 at Excel Sports

Bike Setup:
Concorde w/Columbus SL
Campy Chorus

Summary:
I just started serious riding again after a 7-year layoff and was contemplating buying a custom-made Seven. My old racing bike has decent components, and the frame is in good shape, but the set-up is more for crit racing and fast training (i.e., not that comfortable for long, slower rides). Anyway, my LBS did a custom screening on the Salsa stem system to find my optimal position. I wanted my stem rise to be high enough for comfort, and I couldn't exactly dial-in to the position I wanted.

I heard about the Ergo stem, so I bought and installed one. For anyone who can't seem to find the exact riding position they feel comfortable with, this product is the solution. Just leave enough slack in your cables and you can adjust the stem to just about any position available. Although expensive and heavy, the comfort I experience while riding now more than offsets its weaknesses. The stem won't fully compensate for a frame that is too big or small, but it will allow you to get that perfect position if you're between sizes. You will never regret spending the money on this product.

Strengths:
Infinite adjustability

Weaknesses:
Heavy
Depending on adjustment, may flex during sprints or out-of-the saddle climbs.

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $189.00 at Chain Wheel in Little Rock AR

Favorite Ride:
Touring through the Ozarks

Bike Setup:
Road Racing: Lite Speed Clasic, Ultegra, Rolf Pro wheel set
Touring: Waterford Adventure Cycle, Mix of Ultegra and XTR components

Summary:
This is a G R E A T stem. I have used both the quill and threadless version of this stem on my road bikes for several years now. The ability to change the bar position, up, down, in, out, etc on the fly is unsurpassed.
The stem is very stiff, I have never had a minutes problem with it. They use high quality bolts for the pivoting part of the stem, which lock down tight and stay put. I've used lots of non-adjustable standard stems, and have found once
you have the option of fine tuning your ride the stem provides you will never go back to the old style.
The quality and finish of the stem is first rate. The old style is a shinny aluminum, while the new style is metalic gray. They weigh more than a standard non-adjustable stem, however the small increase in weight is a small price to pay for the increased comfort.
In addition the price is a little steep, however you pay for quality, and with this stem it delivers. Compared to the adjustable Zoom stem, this one is much more adjustable, much stiffer, weighs a litte more, cost more, and looks better.
I highly recommend this stem, once you set it up it will be as stiff as any high quality fixed non-adjustable stem. In either Threaded or Threadless configuration. It's a great addition to any serious bike.

Strengths:
Easy to setup and change angle / height of stem for a true
custom fit.

Weaknesses:
Weighs more than most stems.

Similar Products Used:
Zoom

Favorite Ride:
Bluebonnit Trail Plano, TX

Bike Setup:
Litespeed Appalachian titanium frame, Shimano Ultegra triple group with XT V-brakes, Aerospoke carbon fiber wheelset, Look ergo stem (threadless).

Summary:
The only "full-circle" adjustable stem on the market. High quality product frequently pictured on the bicycles of the top ranked international riders. I have personally observed these stems used in actual competition by track racers at the Frisco, TX Superdrome. Grade 12.9 Socket head cap clamping screws are strong enough to be tightened to the point where they will not loosen. I have them on my 2 best bicycles to easily adjust my way through the season and will use no other until something better comes along!

Strengths:
Full-circle adjustability. Comes in threadless and quill mountings, and I use both types.

Weaknesses:
Can be somewhat flexible during out of saddle pulls. The farther the reach is adjusted outward and upward, the greater the flex. I wouldn't object to a model with a removable bar cap to make it easier to swap handlebars.

Similar Products Used:
Zoom adjustable rise stems.