stems

[rich p]

This may be an idiot question but what is the difference between mtb and road stems?

 

[bonj2]

mtb stem is usually shorter. DHers and freeriders usually use stems that are a like a solid block, e.g. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=6229

But there's not much difference between a XC stem and a road stem.

 

[Noodley]

My understanding of it is that there a different diameters for the stem - something like 0.6mm or thereabouts.

Which I suppose is not present if you have oversize bars which seem more common recently. I bought a new stem today for oversize bars and it states suitable for MTB/Road.

 

[bonj2]

normal is 25.4mm/oversize is 31.8mm. I'm not aware of any other sizes. My roadbike is oversize interestingly.

 

[Noodley]

normal is 25.4mm/oversize is 31.8mm. I'm not aware of any other sizes. My roadbike is oversize interestingly.

that'll be 26.0mm, which would correspond with the 0.6mm difference I mentioned.

(edit - "normal" for MTB is 25.4mm, "normal" for road is 26.0mm just to avoid confusion, and oversize for both is 31.8mm)