I want to add more rough terrain capability to my bike but don't want a full suspension fork as I think for really long tours (3-6 months) they will be a pain.
Anyone use a https://cirruscycles.com/products/suspension-stem or similar double pivot stem on H-Bars? Does it help any on rougher tracks or is it just nice-to-have vibration damper? Are they bullet proof? I don't want to maintain them a lot.
The single pivot Redshift not an option, I believe. No good on sweep bars.
Ps I know I don't 'need' these, but my dream is a tourer that is at least capable on pretty much anything bar technical tracks, while being low maintenance. You never know what you might hit, like unbuilt roads, partial landslides etc
by Consistent_Length608
7 Comments
No experience but Alee did a video on sus stems on his YT channel “cycling about”. I would think a quality dual pivot stem would be good. I would probably go elastomer.
I’ve been using Redshifts suspension stem and seatposts on my touring and gravel bikes for years. Highly recommended.
I run a H-loop and have been wanting to do the same thing. I’ve seen some much cheaper options out there that I’ve been curious to see how well they work without committing to something this expensive. I think if you keep the stem fairly short it would work quite well. I would think a longer Redshift stem might feel a bit too “bouncy”
I use a 60mm single pivot Redshift on flared drop bars and I think it’s maybe ok for your sweeps. The geo changes from hoods (most flex/least spring rate) to drop ends (least flex/highest spring rate) but in a pretty subtle way. If you’re likely to be on the ends of the bars during gnar and the middles during flats/speed, it’s optimized in that direction. Longer stem mitigates this.
Huge fan of the suspension stem overall, becoming an automatic add for rigid bikes that touch dirt or do long miles. No downsides.
The redshift stem is awesome. I used to get electric shocks up my wrists and forearms on endurance gravel events or long days of bike packing. Thing of the past with the redshift
I know it’s not an option for you, but they are great for anyone else reading.
I’ve got a cheap Chinese pivot suspension stem on my drop handlebars.
It’s noisy and all the springs apart from the lightest are far too stiff (but easy to swap out).
However, on the bumpy sections of my commute, it does take the sting out.
A lot depends on how much weight you’re putting through the bars though. If you’re in a mostly upright position with little weight on the bars, it will make little difference.
Maybe try the 50 bucks MEROCA off AliExpress first?
looks very very similar to the linked one.