50mm stem on Trance

[Pebble]

I've tried a few different stem lengths on my Trance (16" with 5ft7" female rider).
Long story short I really liked the feel of the short stems (40mm, 60mm) but in the end settled with a 90x 0 Thomson for fear of having a cramped cockpit. I noticed the 90mm gave the bike a more balanced feel in regards to weight distribution between the rear & front wheels with noticeably more weight on the front making it less likely to wander or feel light into the corners.

Anyway I'm giving more (small) dirt jumps a go these days and have never really been into serious xc - just get out & ride on the trails for an hour or so at a time. And it's already been converted to a 1x9 with bashie & inner ring set up to keep the chain from falling.
In that light I have thought stuff it, time for a change & I'm going to get the Syncros 50mm stem. Thought of going down to 70mm but in the end I figured if I'm going to make a change may as well make it drastic.

What do you guys reckon - is it a wise decision and likely to make the bike a great fun trail machine?

This is the beauty of a stem I speak of - nearly 100g heavier than the thomson but who cares, and I'll be getting an all black version as I'm not really into the white fad.

http://www.syncros.com/images/stem_fr_wht.jpg

[sanjuro]

I think if you are not doing much climbing, going with a shorter stem is not a bad idea.

The best idea would be to get a slightly longer frame to maintain the front center you had with your 90mm stem, but going shorter should only affect your climbing.

edit: I would also think about a lighter stem. Unless you are a huge thrasher, I believe any 50mm stem will hold up fine.

[Pebble]

I'm definitely no heavyweight, 240g is pretty reasonable, I know a thomson would be lighter (173g) but apart from that I don't think many other 50mm stems would be considering their targeted application. The other thing I like about the syncros is the rise - bringing the bars closer but keeping relatively the same height (well maybe something like 2mm higher then they are at the moment) which would be good as I have a few spacers underneath to play with should I need to go lower and my bars are only 1" rise.

I guess there is the option of the Syncros AM 60mm x 12deg stem which would be significantly lighter (175g for 100mm). It looks a bit nicer I suppose but I'm a bit unsure of the open face plate design, just more places to accumulate dirt and water to try & penetrate. Same thing with the thomson - the only thing that really bugs me is the open parts on the steerer clamp - it's not a weak product by any means just looks it in that area.

http://www.syncros.com/images/stem_am_wht.jpghttp://www.syncros.com/images/stem_fr_wht_sm.jpg

As far as pedalling up hills, there is bugger all where I live at the moment, but we will move again in a few years so who knows what's around the corner. Regardless I think that riding style could be adapted to compensate anyway.

The Syncros AM stem really has the looks but I'm still drawn to it's uglier & heavier brother the FR!

[Pebble]

Well since I posted them side by side the AM does look more appealing asthetically!

What is the general opinion of ope face plates like that though? I know I've read some negative reviews of the Race face stems that have that feature.

[sanjuro]

I am using a Ritchey (which owns Syncros) open face place stem right now on my XC bike. No problems...

[Pebble]

Ended up ordering the FR stem.

[sanjuro]

Nice job. Get back to me if your stem breaks at the faceplate!:clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

[Pebble]

Ha ha, yes I highly doubt it would happen with either.
For a moment I thought I wasn't going to get one at all - supply issues from the local distributor, so even considered a bear hug old style basically.
My Thomson didn't either so now I'll have it ( 90mm) and they Syncros 50mm to go between as I please which sounds pretty good to me.

Anyway I'll post pics up when I get it for those who are curious what the all black ones look like - I haven't seen any pics of them on the web yet, seen the white/black combo only.

[w00dy]

If you'll be jumping, go as short as you dare. Hanging over the front while climbing is way safer and more comfortable than jumping with an XC stem.

[Pebble]

If you'll be jumping, go as short as you dare. Hanging over the front while climbing is way safer and more comfortable than jumping with an XC stem.

Thanks for the advice, sounds like I made a good choice then.
Only thing to work on now is getting the dare devil out of me - or putting one in there!

Still keeping the 90mm in the meantime will be good in case I decide to go back to being more of an xc chicken most of the time LoL.

[Pebble]

Okay, finally finally got my stem .

Anyway the Syncros FR 50mm all black version came in at an actual 236g (claimed 240g). Haven't had a test ride yet so first impressions only here.
It's uglier than a Thomson X4. The face plate doesn't come flush with the stem (there is a small gap).
Clamp height is 50mm this was a difference I wasn't really expecting - just means I had to run one less spacer on the steerer.
Rise stated on box is 15mm & not 25mm (maybe 25mm rise is only for the 1.5 version).
Oh & the bolts are big - 6mm istead of a thomson 4mm.
Get to do a trail test on Wednesday to see how the bike handles.
Got a new workstand as well, look forward to doing the next fork service now!

http://forums.farkin.net/photo/data/500/medium/Feb07_Downloads_052.jpg
http://forums.farkin.net/photo/data/500/medium/Feb07_Downloads_051.jpg
http://forums.farkin.net/photo/data/500/medium/Feb07_Downloads_061.jpg

[Pebble]

http://forums.farkin.net/photo/data/500/medium/Feb07_Downloads_055.jpg

[Pebble]

If you've seen the "firstbike" type bikes, the kids have one similar each & she does actually get some thrills freewheeling down the jumps with legs up in the air and sometimes gets the speed wobbles at the bottom. Kind of funny to watch.

Start them early!

http://forums.farkin.net/photo/data/500/medium/Jan07_Downloads_035_3_1_1.jpg