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Reviews
Thomson SM-E125 stem
By Paul Mirtschin
When it comes to bike stems, and mountain bike stems in particular, there are a few categories that most stems will fall into.
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Stems are either:
- Light, flexy and expensive.
- Heavy, stiff and expensive.
- Light and cheap.
- Heavy and cheap.
The Thomson SM-E125 (A.K.A. a 50mm, zero rise MTB stem) is none of those. Machined from 7000 series aluminium, the stem utilises the tried and true one-piece design that Thomson is known for, and doesn't it look the goods.
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As soon as the drawstring bag is in your hands (yes, it comes in a drawstring bag, just like the seatposts do), you know it's not your run of the mill stem inside. And you need no more proof of the stem's quality than what your eyes give you. A rich black anodized finish, cleanly machined surfaces and Thomson's "two clamps in one" design all shout quality, and you know its been money well spent. The fit between stem and steerer tube on my Marzocchis was tight to say the least, but presented no problems in fitting. The twin clamp design does take a little longer to tighten than normal stems, but the lack of protruding bolt more than makes up for this, as does the clamp's ability not to crimp light steerer tubes. And once fitted, it's a work of art to look at.
Matched up against the collection of stems at home the Thomson sits about midway between the heavy and the lighter stems. But with the lighter stems all being welded units, and the problems with alignment that occur during the welding process, I don't think the little bit of extra weight is a problem. And since the stem is a mere 50mm long, there will be absolutely no problems with flex. Any stem that length that flexes should be immediately junked.
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Once fitted, you can forget its even there. No bolts to smash your knees against, no lightweight clamps that allow the stem to twist about, and the only time you should notice it is when someone comments on its looks. And the four bolt face means your bars will be clamped nice and tight.
The only downside to its design is a minor one. And I mean minor in a "try to find something annoying, oh that will do" way. The machined section of the back of the stem is actually thinner than most steerer tube spacers, so you have a small lip at the spacer-stem interface. But since rectifying this would mean adding unnecessary weight to the stem, I can live with this.
The Thomson SM-E125 is bike porn, good bike porn, the kind that you won't have a worry buying.
Price guide: US$89.95
Sizes: 50mm-140mm, 0° - 15° (50mm, 0° reviewed).
Weight: 161g
Pro: Clean design, well made.
Con: On the expensive side.
More information: Thomson's
website
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