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    Is it worth upgrading a stem for the sake of safety

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    12 Comments

    1. jimiznhb on

      “Is it worth upgrading a stem for the sake of safety” …

      ABSOLUTELY 100% WITHOUT A doubt YES!!!!

    2. meldirlobor on

      For the sake of safety, and “upgrade” is not an upgrade, but a “necessary replacement”.

    3. thedentrod on

      I had a stem brake loose & the bar snapped in half . I had a full view of the bottom of the fork & the wheel before I realize what happened, I soon hit the ground. I still had a handful of brake. The bike stopped. I didn’t, & because I still had my hand on the handlebar and brake tight I snatched the bike right into me and hit me in the face. Knocked out a tooth, scratched up the nose. Shoulder hit the ground real hard, ribs hurt like hell & couldn’t ride for three weeks after that.

    5. Able_Youth_6400 on

      Same bike, same thoughts! I had an old Funn stem hanging around that I threw on. It’s more than double the weight of the stock stem, but it gave me some peace of mind.

    6. WhyMe7B on

      Yes… and while you’re at it you need to get a new frame and components for”safety” also. Your wife wants you safe, right?

    7. TedWazowski on

      If you want a stronger one for safety, look at getting a forged stem like a Chromag Hifi.

    8. No_Jacket1114 on

      It’s fine I promise. It’s nothing you’ll break. By the time you can break that stem, you’ll already have a different nicer bike.

    10. RoboJobot on

      Go for it. Stems are not something you should skimp on for weight.

      You stem is probably fine but a bigger and stronger stem will give you peace of mind

    11. FightinABeaver on

      What makes you think that a stem from one of the biggest bike companies in the world is unsafe? I’d trust a stem from Bontrager (Trek’s components brand) has undergone significant testing more than almost any other stem out there.

      Is it worth it to upgrade if you have an unsafe stem? Yes
      Is Bontrager putting out products that aren’t safe? Extremely unlikely

    12. Fun_Apartment631 on

      Man, “safety” can be such a third rail in this kind of discussion.

      Unless I’ve heard about a specific commercial stem breaking, I really don’t worry about it. I get that it’s a little disconcerting that the front plate is just those two strips of metal. They’re the only part of a larger front plate that does anything and you have two of them. And, it doesn’t sound like anything’s damaged.

      So while safety is a great reason to fix something, I’m not sure you’re at increased risk now or would reduce it by changing.

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