syntace megaforce 2 stem

[sir crashalot]

This may be the only negative stem review ever. I have a syntace megaforce 2 40 mm stem. Today riding to work, I went down a few stairs and the bars twisted out of straight with the fork. Meaning the stems clamp on the steerer tube slipped. I checked the torque on the bolts, 8 NM just like specc'ed. What. The. F#%k. Imagine if that happened on one of the 4 dh's i rode the other day. ive had it for 6 years, but it has a 10 year warranty. But their warranty is they just replace it, and now i dont trust syntace.
Found a raceface respond 45 mm stem in my parts bin, close enough!

 

[herzalot]

Hmmmm, guess what kind of stem I have?

I had two Thomsons that cracked - one on the faceplate, one on the stem itself. My Syntace has been flawless so far (about 4 years - two bikes and countless fork changes). I don't own or use a torque wrench, so I probably over-tighten it, which invites material failure.

 

[sir crashalot]

I seem to remember that in a few crashes ive had with that stem, the bars were rotated afterwards....hmmn.
Yeah I hafta use a torque wrench, otherwise I’m sure I’d overtighten everything!

 

[herzalot]

Yeah I hafta use a torque wrench, otherwise I’m sure I’d overtighten everything!

I've seen those guns and I concur...

 

[Danmtchl]

Try a Hit N Run stem. The best stem I have had.

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1086516/

 

[Runs with Scissors]

Isn't a stem one of those things we should not have to think about??? Kinda like airbags...wait, never mind.

 

[mike]

Aside from being the correct size and rise, what makes a stem good? Any that doesn’t fail and is not unfriendly to accessories works for me. Syntace, Raceface, Thomson, Truvative, Ritchie.

 

[Oaken]

I seem to remember that in a few crashes ive had with that stem, the bars were rotated afterwards....hmmn.
Yeah I hafta use a torque wrench, otherwise I’m sure I’d overtighten everything!

Same here. Stem is one part I’m pretty strict about using the torque wrench on.

 

[sir crashalot]

Aside from being the correct size and rise, what makes a stem good? Any that doesn’t fail and is not unfriendly to accessories works for me. Syntace, Raceface, Thomson, Truvative, Ritchie.

well. now id say clamping to the f'in steerer tube is what makes a stem good!
mustve just been a lemon.

 

[rossage]

well. now id say clamping to the f'in steerer tube is what makes a stem good!
mustve just been a lemon.

Yep. Just hold the steerer and hold the bars. If it does that and can be lightweight great. If not... Fail.

 

[mtnbikej]

Stems are the one part that I no longer weight weenie out on.

 

[rossage]

Stems are the one part that I no longer weight weenie out on.

But it doesn't have to be OEM boat anchor heavy either...

I'm not a weight weenie either, but have I told you about the Ti bolts on my Thomson Masterpiece seatpost?

 

[mtnbikej]

But it doesn't have to be OEM boat anchor heavy either...

I'm not a weight weenie either, but have I told you about the Ti bolts on my Thomson Masterpiece seatpost?

I agree. Middle of the road weights are acceptable.

I used to weight weenie out on stems....but on the SS it is scary how much you can see them twist and flex when you are really cranking on the bars.