kalloy dirt drop stems...

[Patch T]

Hi Bunch,

I have a Nitto dirt drop stem on my QB with NItto 135 and I of course love everything about it...

That said, I'm building up a slightly-budgety all-rounder from an '85 Trek 850. I want it all black. Because all my other bikes are silvery. And just because.

Question, how are Kalloy stems? Specifically, http://www.treefortbikes.com/product/333222363230/1519/Kalloy-Dirt-Drop-Quill-Stem.html

I am clearly not expecting the quality of Nitto, but about how much quality (or more importantly, strength and integrity) can I expect from a $12-$15 stem?

Thanks!

Patch

[drew]

ive used kalloy stems and seatposts on a number of budget bikes over the years. never had a problem. i dont think i ever took those bikes on any crazy trails or anything, so they werent pushed to any limits. aesthetics are what you would expect.  i actually think they are a pretty good deal for the price. 

[Garth]

Don't let the price fool you or sway you, thinking either high price makes for better quality than lesser price, these stems have been around a long time and are just fine,

.

[Richard Rios]

I like kalloy products. Not specifically tried that stem but never had an issue with any of their products. If I'm not mistaken seatposts that come on Sam's and Chevoits are kalloy. Surly specs their stuff to. Not bad endorsments from a durability perspective. I'd use it in a heart beat and not worry bout it one bit for reasonable rough stuff riding.

[Mark Reimer]

I've been running a cheapo Kalloy single-bolt seat post on my Atlantis for 3 years. About 7,000km later, much of that off road, it hasn't slipped once and is doing just fine. 

Nitto products are beautiful and well made. Kalloy isn't quite so pretty, but in my experience hold up well.

[EGNolan]

The only difference in my experience is in the bars the Kalloy will accept. If you're going alba or boscoe style, you'll be fine. If you're going dirt drop or other drop bar style bar, the Kalloy won't work (at least in my many attempts). The Nitto is much more versatile in this respect, but if you're going upright bar, the Kalloy can do the job.

Best,

Eric

Indpls, IN

[Jack K]

I've had what appears to be that very same stem (though silver) on the MTB-turned-urban-assault-vehicle I built up in grad school (about 1997). I used that bike tons for about a decade, though I rarely ride it now. The Kalloy stem is obviously a cruder piece than the Nitto Dirtdrop, but it's been perfectly functional and doesn't look bad at all. I wouldn't hesitate to use the one you pointed to in your build.

-Jack

Raleigh, NC

 

On Thursday, October 6, 2016 at 3:05:07 PM UTC-4, Patch T wrote:

[masmojo]

I've used the Kalloy or similar (they've been sold under various names over the years) with no problems. I had the SR "dirt drop" on my XO-1 for 22 years and the current owner is still using it!
There is a nice stem, I don't recall if it's Kalloy or not, but it's a dirt drop style, it's very nice, but the thing I really like is it has a removable face plate so you can easily remove the bars! Comes in silver & black, but I've only ever seen it in 80mm extension.

[ian m]

I purchased a Kalloy dirt drop stem to experiment using drop bars on my Bianchi MTB. Works fine with dirt drop bars (these are Origin 8) w/ 25.4 stem clamp diameter. I will probably go Nitto both for stem and bars in the future but have no worries as to the stem not holding up on serious off road riding

On Thursday, October 6, 2016 at 3:05:07 PM UTC-4, Patch T wrote: