REDSHIFT ShockStop Suspension Stem for Bicycles

This is a review of the Redshift ShockStop Stem and Seatpost. I purchased and installed both products, and they were complete game changers for my ride. I bought the 27.2 x 350 mm Seatpost, and the 90 mm 6 degree stem. I installed them on my Trek Domane AL5 2025. The Seatpost was a bit longer than stock, but my fit is a fairly high seat, so there were no issues. It easily met the minimum insertion requirements. The stem was +/- 6 degree, my stock stem was +/- 7 degree so it was reasonably close. I installed it as +6 and it didn't change my ride geometry enough to be an issue. For the seatpost, a quick read of the instructions made it easy to understand how to setup the preload. I set the preload slightly soft for my weight, greased the stem, and installed it on my bike. I was careful to follow torque recommendations for tightening the stem in place. Installing the seat on the seatpost was a little bit of a challenge. the Redshift seatpost is a 2 screw mount, they are accessible, but not easily. It is a balance act to tighten both to set the correct seat angle, but with some loosening of one screw and tightening of the other, it can be accomplished. I would say that installing the seatpost took about 45 minutes to get it just how I wanted. I expect changing the preload to take me about 5 minutes, and there are clear markings in cm to aid me in installing the seat to the exact height that it was previously installed at. For the stem, a quick read of the instructions identified that I was at the very bottom of my weight group for what elastomers to install. The next combination down was a significant change. The instructions stated that I could go onto Redshift's website and view a complete list of combinations. This was slightly challenging. On the page for the stem there is no information about elastomer selection. On the support page I did find links to a video and pdf for elastomer selection. I elected to view the pdf, and printed it. Sure enough there were 2 combinations between the 2 options listed on the instructions. I selected the stiffer of the two (just below the one recommended for my wight). I mounted the stem on my bike, and mounted my handlebars. Again make note of the torque recommendations, Redshift has had them engraved on the stem, so they are hard to miss. This also took about 45 minutes. To change the elastomers, I will have to unmount my handlebars and remove a retaining plate from my stem. I do not look forward to my expected 25 minutes or so just to change elastomers. I took my bike out for a nice long ride, 20 miles, 15 MPH, and asphalt. The only downside to this trail, and the reason I bought the Redshift parts, is that there are several points where tree roots have pushed up the asphalt and created some very jarring speedbumps. Without the Redshift products, these were uncomfortable at best, and sometimes made me feel like I was on the edge of controlling my handle bars. This ride, with both installed, the seat was easy to manage, and did not hit hard. With the stem installed, I could still feel every twig and root, but it was very much dampened. You do not feel disconnected from the road, but you are very much more in control. By the end of the ride, I felt less fatigue in my arms and less soreness from the seat. While researching elastomers, I read that there is a break-in period, I would say that by the end of my 20 mile ride, the stem did offer better bump dampening than it did at the start, but I do feel that the elastomer selection I made from the support pdf was spot on. Pros: They do exactly as they advertise Clear instructions (with the exception of elastomer selection) Relatively simple installation More control Less shock Well manufactured Clean looking Cons: Neither of these items are what I would call cheap 2 bolt connection for the seat is fiddly, but manageable Elastomers, the best list is online only and not as easily found as I would have thought The listing for the stem is clear that it is a 6 degree stem, but it is hard to identify if it will install as +, - or both They only come in black, not an issue for me as I was replacing black parts with black parts, but some might like other colors Summary: If you have the money, and want a smoother ride, these are quality parts to compliment and soften your ride.

Like others have said, you need to take a little care when installing the stem. But the installation isn't actually difficult, you just need to make sure you don't cross thread a bolt. Otherwise it is easy. I like how the elastometers can be switched out to really dial in what you need. The product includes a guide to get you started, takes your weight and type of handlebars (drop vs straight) and makes a suggestion of which elastometers to use. My bike has drop bars, so I started with the suggestion for my weight. I found that this was still a little too stiff because I don't put as much weight on my hands as I would a more aggressive road bike. So I went down a notch and it is perfect. The range of movement is a bout a centimeter, and if I'm not actually paying attention to it I don't notice that the stem is moving when I'm riding. It isn't enough movement to feel unstable. But the stem practically eliminates the lower end of vibration and makes all the little bumps and cracks in the road completely disappear. And the big potholes and road damage, the stem removes that heavy jaring that used to hurt my wrists. I can certainly still feel these big bumps, it just removes their violence. I'm really glad I bought this stem, it has seriously smoothed out my ride and has made my bike much more comfortable. I highly recommend it to anyone who rides on anything worse than pristine roads. It is a relatively inexpensive upgrade that really pays off.

After reading some of the negative reviews and comments I wasn't sure what to expect. This is definitely working for me on my new Cannondale Topstone gravel bike. My commute to work is 8 miles (one way) and the bike path and roads are not even. Especially roots pushing up the pavement is common on the bike path. It is rather painful when going 20mph and hitting them unexpectedly (e.g., in the dark). I am also going on an unpaved trail through the woods. The before and after are astonishing to the point that I am still impressed even after riding this for a couple days now. The movement of the handlebar is substantial. I didn't expect that. The quality and craftsmanship of the stem are excellent. The installation was easy (unless you are as stupid as I am and remove the original stem with the magnetic brackets falling down to the bottom of the fork inside the carbon fiber tube - duh). Overall, a much smoother experience now and a lot less impact on my hands and arms. So much more fun! One little side effect that is somewhat annoying is that my rearview mirror is shaking quite a bit due to the dampening effect :). I followed the weight table, and it seems to be just right. I wouldn't want it any softer or harder at the moment. Once the weather gets better, I'll try out a mountain bike trail with it. I am very impressed

I've been using an older 80 mm model for years, absolutely love it. But I built a new bike and needed a shorter stem, and this was the shortest option at 50 mm. I thought it might not function as well due to the different design, but I'm convinced it's actually better. The older longer one feels like it has too much travel at times. If I put in denser elastomers it doesn't feel as effective. This newer style feels firm but had just enough give to absorb small bumps and vibrations. It's miraculous. Worth the sizeable cost investment.

When I first saw the video for this, I HAD TO HAVE IT!!! I'm riding a hybrid Cannondale Bad Boy lll. It's known as a commuter, with no suspension. I ride bike paths, not roads, daily, trying to lose weight and stay in shape. With the numerous cracks and uneven payment, I thought this would be a game changer, especially when I saw the video advertising it. The bike's handlebars were flexing significantly up and down, softening the rider's ride... THATS NOT WHAT MY EXPERIENCE WAS IN THE BEGINNING! Let's be clear, and keep expectations in check. It's a bike, not a car, or a car suspension... But with that said, the stem arrives with the highest setting, and there's zero flex or cushion! Why anyone would spend so much money on this product for it to be the same as when the product is not installed and using the original OEM stem, I have no idea. It should also be noted and clear, you're GOING TO HAVE TO GO TO the manufacturer's website and watch the video on how to disassemble it to adjust and change out the "cushions", that allow a harder or softer ride. The instructions that come with it are garbage, and I have a PhD from an ivy league school. This is where it gets tricky... When you disassemble the stem, there's two little cushions, that look like oversized gummy bears. The system comes with a few of these cushions from harder to softer. You add the appropriate cushions for the type of ride you want. The problem was, even with the 2 softest "cushions", the ride wasn't even close to what was in the advertised video, or what I would consider to even justify the expence to ride quality. So, what I did was simply put in JUST ONE of the cushions (the softest), instead of two of them! It didn't say to do this, but it also didn't say not to🤣. Look, you don't want it too soft where you're bouncing, or too hard that you feel the bumps of the trail/road/surface travel up the front forks and continue abruptly through your hands and arms... Using just one cushion is what I call "GOLDILOCKS"... ITS JUST RIGHT!! I've ridden about 500 miles, and at this setting, there's been no issues. The best way to describe this product, isn't that it'll eliminate the bumps, but simply it'll smooth out your ride and make it more comfortable... To the manufacturer... If you're reading this, you have a good product, but to have a GREAT one, eliminate the cushions, and use springs. The seat post version of the suspension system IS AMAZING!! THE BEST EVER!! But it uses a spring system which is more adjustable and a softer ride. Obviously, everyone is going to have their own opinions and preference. I hope this helps you make the decision to get it or not. I highly recommend this product.

Why did you pick this product vs others?: A must have stem for gravel, and commuter cycling. I bought this stem because I wanted my gravel cycling experience to be fun. I built up gravel bike to see what all the craze was all about. I can say that it’s rough when not having suspension or something to soften the fire road, and single track terrain. You feel everything, I have a full rigid aluminum bike with a steel fork. Well I can say that you can feel EVERYTHING. I went out for a shakedown ride at my local bike trail and it was a rough ride. Carbon would dampen some of the blows from the terrain but it would still be rough. No amount of carbon, titanium, air pressure in the tires, gel inserts with the most comfortable bar tape will compete with the experience of a bike that has suspension. I bought the redshift shock stop stem and satori harmony suspension seatpost to give me some type of help with rough dirt roads and trails. It helped a lot. The shockstop comes with directions and a graph to select which combo of elastomers you use. I’m 190lb but I went with the 180lb elastomers because the 190lb elastomers were too stiff and provide very little suspension. The elastomer combo one step down provide really good suspension feel and movement. The shockstop is a single pivot suspension stem so it will take a couple of rides to get used to the motion and the feel of the bars dipping. You get the most suspension when you ride the brake hoods and the least when you’re on the drops. After getting used to the single pivot movement. It becomes natural and now the fire roads and single track trail turbulence are much less. The impacts are greatly reduced and you can ride faster with confidence. I got through a 15 mile trail still feeling fresh. This stem would be a huge compliment to your multi thousand dollar gravel bike, cyclo cross, flat bar gravel, full rigid mountain bike, etc., etc. There are different suspension stems out there, I chose this one for the weight difference compared to the competing suspension stems, ease of installation, technical support, and yes looks. It looks like a standard bike stems. The other suspensions stems that I tried were very heavy, were easy to install, but the visual look was not my cup of tea. I wanted to ride not get looks or anything that would be an attention magnet. The redshift stem design is very minimal and would accomplish what it was built to do.

Review from an aging cyclist here. I have been riding bikes like lots of people since I was a kid, but more seriously for the past 35 years. Mostly in the Philadelphia area, I bought a house in the Manayunk section to be near the trails in the Wissahickon. My first ride with the Redshift ShockStop stem was through the aforementioned Wissahickon along Forbidden Drive and along the Manayunk canal towpath. This stem worked great, Forbidden Drive is five miles of gravel and the towpath isn’t very smooth either. This stem is probably the best bike part I’ve ever bought along with the Redshift ShockStop seat post I’ve been using for a year or so. Both work exactly as advertised, smoothing out the overall roughness of unpaved and paved surfaces. I am looking forward to use the stem on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, my Redshift seat post works great smoothing out that ride. Redshift is going to to help extend my riding riding life.

Love this thing. On hard rocky dowhill with the gravel bike, even with 50s, it is the difference between ending with numbed arms and fresh arms. I have a Grizl but I treat it as an XC with front suspension. I was worried about the angle of flex, but it feels very natural. No torsional flex side to side. Very stable. In fact, you gain stability because the dampened vibrations. You can make small jumps and all. The different elastomers do work. You want to combine them with the tire pressure. If you ride low PSI, you want softer elastomers and vice versa. Good customer service. I broke the plate because I over-torqued the screw, and they sent me a new one for $10 + shipping. You need to contact them directly because they are not available otherwise. In summary, if you like riding hard through rough trails, get one. You won't regret it.

Prodotto ottimo, semplice da montare. Toglie molto bene le micro vibrazioni. Ad esempio argini/strade sterrati Da ricordare bene il tuo peso e la dimensione. Se carichi borse sul manubrio forse va ritarato Saluti RS

Ich hatte vorher schon eine Redshift Shockstop Sattelstütze verbaut (auch SEHR zufrieden damit) und wollte am neuen Gravelracer ein wenig Komfort für die Handgelenke. Was soll ich sagen, ich bin 100% zufrieden mit der Entscheidung. 1. Habe ich im Vergleich zum Serienteil 10 mm kürzer gewählt, jetzt sitze ich besser auf dem Rad und auch das Lenkverhalten ist etwas zackiger. Die Federung beeinträchtigt das Lenkverhalten dabei kein bisschen. 2. Das Wesentliche ist aber, daß der Vorbau den Schotter fast komplett wegbügelt (in Bremshebelposition) ! Wurzeln, Kanten und Schlaglöchern wird der Schrecken genommen, unten "zappelt" das Rad und auf den Hoods herrscht fast Stille. In der Unterlenkerposition ist der Effekt etwas schwächer ausgeprägt, aber immer noch deutlich vorhanden. 3. Wiegetritt ist kein Problem, der Vorbau "geht" nur in die Richtung, die er soll, und auch unter Belastung funktioniert die Federung weiter. Top. Natürlich ersetzt der Vorbau keine gut eingestellte 80mm+ Federgabel, aber WAS er leistet, ist echt enorm. Elastomer-typisch spricht die Federung bei kleinsten Stößen bereits an, und genau das macht die Fahrten mit dem Redshift so entspannend. Das wenige an Zusatzgewicht, was die Stütze und der Vorbau mitbringen (zusammen ca. 500 Gramm verglichen mit regulären Aluteilen) machen sie meiner Meinung nach dadurch um ein Vielfaches wett. Die Montage war in der Beschreibung vorbildlich erklärt, die Auswahl der Elastomere passte auch (ich, 75kg, habe 50/70 eingebaut bei 90mm Vorbau und -6° Einbauposition, die 40/70 Kombi, die ich wegen des kurzen Vorbaus angedacht hatte, war mir zu weich). Die Verarbeitung ist vorbildlich. Abweichend vom Produktbild bekommt man schönere (finde ich) Klemmschrauben. Alles in allem bin ich richtig glücklich mit dem Teil und empfehle es jedem, der auch nur gelegentlich seinen Renner/Cyclocrosser/Randonneur oder Gravelracer über auch nur moderat schlechten Belag steuern möchte. Ein echter Peacemaker für die Handgelenke!

The Shockstop stem has all the benefits of suspension with none of the drawbacks. I was concerned that it would be too heavy, would not absorb enough shock or would negatively impact the ride. The ShockStop is brilliant. On my flatbar road bike it works exactly as advertised. It is a very stiff bike with narrow wheels and I felt every bump. The 10mm of travel completely absorbs most bumps and saves so much pain and numbness in my hands. I’ve changed from cautiously avoiding bumps to actually aiming for them! The stem does add a small amount of weight but I absolutely did not notice it. My concern that it might effect performance or ride negatively was also unfounded. I previously had significant pain in my arms when riding but the ShockStop stem has removed it. It’s made it feel like a completely new bike and I could not be happier.

Non mi posso che accodare al mare di recensioni positive :D....di recente sono passato a nuove ruote in carbonio e devo dire che la mia gravel è diventata più "leggera" sopratutto nella pedalata (gran bel miglioramento) ma più dura|rigida nel trasmettere le asperità .... montato l'attacco manubrio miglioramento netto e sinceramente insperato .... consigliatissimo ;D

Lors des premières sorties avec mon gravel (Giant Anyroad), j'ai ressenti de suite un manque de confort, surtout de l'avant ! 30 ans de vélo tout terrain sans jamais monté sur un vélo de route ça laisse des traces ;) J'avais possédé , à l'époque, une potence amortie "Flexstem" sur l'un de mes VTT sans fourches télescopique. Du coup, l' idée dans mettre une sur mon gravel. Recherche sur internet puis achat de ce modèle. Super ! J'ai trouvé le réglage qui me convient. Adieu les vibrations et l'inconfort à la fin de longues sorties, et pas de changement de conduite du vélo. J'utilise mon gravel dans 50% des parcours que j'emprunte en VTT ainsi quand velotaf. Construction solide de la potence (roulement à billes) et plusieurs élastomères pour le réglage.