Stem qualities?

[zealot_53]

Hey guys, I put a stem on my bike a while ago, a no-name brand. I took it off of a crappy Zellers (department store) bike, and it's 100+ x 15 or something. My question is, am I running the risk of breaking this one than if I got a higher quality one? It's just that I haven't really seen stems break, but people seem to value some brands higher than others. Thanks.

[Elan]

stems do break. more often than you would suspect. id say look at a high quality name brand stem if youre worried about it. roox, thomson, ritchey..names like that are usually safe to go with.

[toyota200x]

Yeah I have also wondered this. Good to know.

[ChrisB]

thomson stems are really nice. i like the try-all stems i've used to. i find with trials most of the time its good to stay away from the no name stuff. theres a reason it has no name.

[cp101]

You have a pretty good chance of breaking one, get a downhill stem that is fairly long, and has a good rise, but then again, that is hard to find. What I suggest is taking out your chrome screws, and replacing them with a material weaker than the material of your stem. So your screw would get messed up, and not your stem. Happened to me, too much stress, but that is a different story.

[eturt9]

If it is the difference of getting something like a good bottom braket or hub, or new chain -- stick with the shit stem, those are more important. but yea.. stems are important.

[eturt9]

oh, i just saw department store stem.. yea take that shit off now.

[zealot_53]

Ok thanks guys. Will do :)