SQUIRREL_13203063
Redshift’s ShockStop is impressively stiff laterally, while still being highly active in squashing road vibration and gravel chatter.
Fitting the stem is as simple as a standard stem. However, tuning the stem to suit your riding style and weight is a little more involved than the USE Vybe GR review – its key competitor – because it requires removing the bar and faceplate.
The ShockStop stem is available in lots of options:
- 55mm, 70mm, 80mm, 90mm, 100mm, 110mm, 120mm in +/- 6 degrees
- 80mm, 100mm in +30 degrees
- 1-1/8 inch or 1-1/4inch steerer clamp diameter
This 90mm stem weighs 258.7g, around 110g more than a typical aluminium stem of the same length.
Redshift Shockstop stem setup
The stem is made of two 6061 T6 aluminium sections with a pivot that rotates on two cartridge bearings. The rear section has the steerer clamp and internal pivot anchor.
The front section slides over this. An internal cross-shaped section supports two interchangeable elastomers, which provide up to 20mm of travel.
To adjust the spring rate and damping, you blend a pair of the included 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 durometer elastomers.
Redshift’s set-up instructions offer a suggested range of combinations depending on rider weight, stem length, and bar shape.
Switching the elastomers to suit my weight gave a good balance of smooth cushioning without being overly bouncy. That said, a rider’s optimal setting will be down to personal preference as well as a brand’s recommendations.
Redshift Shockstop stem performance
On paved surfaces, the stem's movement is subtle, while keeping things very comfortable. I'd say it’s akin to having thick bar tape or a larger volume tyre.
The stem's lateral stiffness is impressive. Despite the active up and down movement, I didn’t get a sense of any twist from the stem when sprinting or honking on the bars when riding uphill.
The vibration and bump-absorbing action is always noticeable off-road. On everything from gritty roads right through to lumpy double-track farm roads and rooty, rocky singletrack.
The movement is more pronounced in weight-forward positions when you are on the hoods or drops, which brought about some braking dive when I rode hard. You also get some minor vertical movement when out of the saddle.
Once you’re used to it, it’s not intrusive, though.
Redshift Shockstop stem bottom line
The Redshift ShockStop stem works brilliantly; it's active all the time and squashes irritating bumps and chatter with ease.
The lateral stiffness is impressive, and the only adjustment you need to make to your riding is minor, with the stems' small amount of dive under hard braking.
Product
| Brand | Redshift |
| Price | €220.00, £190.00, $190.00 |
| Weight | 259g |
Features
| Material | aluminium |
| Angle | +/- 6 degree |
| Length | 90mm |
| Features | Travel: 20mm |
