Which stem?

Hi all, I'm looking for some stem advice / recommendations. I'd like a rising stem (10-17 degs) which is quite short (50-80mm) and silver in colour. In terms of aesthetics I would prefer it to be rounded rather than too blocky which some BMX / MTB stems tend to lean towards.

Have done the rounds on various sites but it's always nice to canvas opinions, after all somethimes it's hard to gauge how big/small the product looks on an internet page... Suggestions?

a-head, or quill?

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread14407.html
This might help if a-head.

Sorry, was just typing ahead...

Nice one on the other thread!

The main problem I'm finding is getting a stem to fit my 25.4 bar, which has a shim on as it is! How risky is a double shim?

Shouldn't be too risky, why not just get a thicker shim? Most Road stems are 26, most MTB are 25.4 or oversize (which is 30 something). I think you'd be quick lucky to find a road looking stem in 25.4mm clamp size... though i could be wrong.

Ahh, I see, thanks for the advice. I guess I need a shim to make the leap from 22.2 to 31.8.

Cool, problem solved, I can get a Thompson stem now!

Ahh, I see, thanks for the advice. I guess I need a shim to make the leap from 22.2 to 31.8.

Cool, problem solved, I can get a Thompson stem now!

Surely 22.2 to 31.8 is a unshimable (well it might be a word).
The Thomson Elite somes in 25.4 and lots of lengths. Officially available in silver, might be hard to find though.

PS. If you're not too concerned with weight and want something strong, Salsa do a steel stem in 25.4 which looks nice and has removable decals.

ED: Safety recall notice for these on Salsa site!
http://www.salsacromotostem.com/

The HOPE stems are good - I had one on my IRO - and would solve your problem. Cheaper than Thompson.

+1 for the Thomson Elite. They are a work of art and bombproof! Im using them on all my bikes.

Thanks for the advice chaps. Looked at the Elite and Salsa stems; prob with the Elite is they don't do stubby versions with a rise, Salsa look a bit ugly to me.

Will investigate the Hope ones...

Just remembered that On-one have started doing silver stems. They are 25.4 and come in a fecking mad range of sizes.

http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_On_One_3d_forged_stems_382.html

I've got a (black) 80mm, 35deg rise (effective length 60mm, effective rise 70mm), coming for my utilty bike, which I'm fitting with midge bars :)

If only they came in all silver! Think I managed to Source a Thomson Elite x2 70mm 10deg 31.8 anyhow. Expensive and double shimming but fuck it!

If only they came in all silver! Think I managed to Source a Thomson Elite x2 70mm 10deg 31.8 anyhow. Expensive and double shimming but fuck it!

They're doing them in what they call 'raw' now, but not in so many sizes in this finish though.
If you can get the shimming to work (sounds like a lot of shimming to me TBH) then a thomson stem, is a worthwhile investment (especially a 31.8). Its a stem for life :)

sounds like a lot of shimming to me TBH

Tell me about it. Was thinking of using a single shim, one provided with my bars, and then making one myself out of can cut exactly to size.

EDIT

Just saw the raw version, pity this doesn't have a rise, so cheap for a nice looking stem!

strip this with caustic soda
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DDG-H-BAR-STEM-RED-ANODISED-70-mm-NEW-25-4-bar_W0QQitemZ350179494693QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR?hash=item350179494693&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1688%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

@Dogs. I just stripped a black bontrager stem to silver finish and the bastard soda dethreaded one of the screw holes. I couldn't believe it! £7 for that DDG one though, I shouldn't complain really...

This £18 at Hubjub. 80mm with a 45deg rise (i make that roughly a 57mm effective length)
http://www.hubjub.co.uk/etc/etc.htm#si

@Dogs. I just stripped a black bontrager stem to silver finish and the bastard soda dethreaded one of the screw holes. I couldn't believe it! £7 for that DDG one though, I shouldn't complain really...
doh!! if using hot water and caustic soda, only need 30-60s, once water starts to change colour. too much fizzing and its eating the metal

Yeah, stupid I know. I actually found it quite difficult to remove the final residual layer of anodise, hence the last gasp wack with caustic, obviously too much.

At least it wasn't something expensive!

i use those cheap washing up scrubber things