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Product Review: Easton EC90 SL Road Stem

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Easton didn’t set out to make the lightest stem in the world. No, they set out to make the lightest stem in the world that they’d feel good about you riding on or off road in any ‘normal’ circumstance.

The new EC 90 SL stem weighs just 110-grams in the 100mm length thanks to Easton exclusive TaperWall technology and a touch of titanium hardware. Because they wanted to be sure the EC90 would never leave you wanting more when it came to handling or durability, they have used proprietary DST or Distributed Stress Technology and Top Lock faceplate to maximize the handlebar/stem interface.

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Features:

  • Finish: Matte Carbon
  • Weight: 110g (100mm)
  • Degree Rise: +/- 10°
  • Clamp Diameter: 31.8
  • Length: 80mm, 90mm, 100mm, 110mm, 120mm, 130mm
  • Material: Matte Carbon

Easton Ec90 Stem Review:

I’ve often said that Easton is a company that sticks to its guns in terms of design philosophy. They are not ashamed to put out a product that may not win a side-by-side comparison with any one product out there. Instead, Easton are content knowing that their product has been designed for a niche market, that it’s actually lighter or stronger than any other product out there and will stand up to whatever you throw at it. Besides, doing more of less is not only how it’s done but actually is a good thing. It just means that your product was designed for a specific purpose and it’s fulfilment is not diminished by trying to do more. Weighing in at just over 110 Gram’s and at 110Grams it is by no means heavier than any other stem on the market. But the question is, ‘Is it stronger?’

Easton Ec90 Stem Review:

For the past year I have been using a Thomson Elite X2 on my road and a Reba RLT 100 Road Stem on my Gravel Bike. Both stems are extremely nice stems, both very well made with a classic aesthetic. They are both pieces of jewellery for the handlebars. They are also, not so coincidentally, the two lightest stems on the market coming in at 95-grams and 105-grams respectively. These products have been so thoroughly and completely built for weight loss that they have little to no serviceability at all. I can not seem to get the Thomson Elite X2 short enough, strong enough or stiff enough to suit my riding style and survive the demands of daily commuting and training. So in my opinion they are a bit shit. They are just too easily snapped off by all but the lightest of hands. I also want the ability to over rotate them a few degrees due to my particular handlebar configuration.

The Easton stems trump the competition when it comes to serviceability. 90-percent of the stem is serviceable. The length is easily adjusted via an oversized steerer cup. The faceplate can also be removed ensuring proper alignment. With the Easton stem there is virtually nothing preventing the stem from being tailored to you and the conditions you ride it in. Its faceplate makes it tolerant of impacts that could easily cause a failure for other stems. No, it will not hold up to repeated hits, but these instances are few and far between in real world riding conditions.

Easton’s DST Techology is designed to encase the bar clamp completely and shield it from the surrounding elements, that means a few extra grams, but it also extends the life of the stem. With a non-serviceable stem, I have no idea what you are dealing with when you receive it. Besides tuning the mechanics of your bike, to me, nothing is more rewarding than a stem that has been aligned properly and tuned to your bike and riding style.

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Easton Ec90 Stem Review:

At the end of the day do I like this stem? Absolutely I do. Will I use it everyday. No. I’m not a pro rider and don’t put my bike through hell. The Easton EC90SL is a dream to use off road because it is bomb proof and feels like nothing is on your bars. On road, it does feel slightly less stiff then the aforementioned competition but I think this is more due to the way it is cut rather then the material it is made off. I think that at this point it is much better to have a stem that can take a beating then one that will break instantly forcing you buy a new one every few weeks.

Easton Ec90 Stem Review:

I think Easton did an incredible job with this stem. Not only did they create a serviceable stem that is strong and stiff, they also addressed a very specific niche, that being the guy who rides their bike twice a week on the road and once on the weekend on the trails. That means the majority of riders need to be looking for a stem that isn’t intimidated by hard use. This stem will fit the bill and then some.

Easton Ec90 Stem Review:

Performance

There comes a point when reviewing products where I feel the need to step back, remove myself from the piece and ask myself what I would pay for the product. Does it do what I need it to do? Does it make me want to push the limits of my bike? I have no hesitation saying this stem is worth more then it costs.

Gone are the days of a stem being one dimensional. No longer are you forced to choose between a rigid stem, a stiff stem or something forgiving, available today are stems that can accomplish all three. This stem fits into the third category. It is stiff enough to hold your line, but forgiving enough on the trail that it won’t shatter if you should happen to catch the end of your handlebar on a rock.

Weight:

At just over 110-gram’s the EC90SL isn’t going to weigh your bike down much. This is especially impressive given the increased strength and durability that comes along with the weight saving. The ability to adjust the length of the stem cuts the weight down even more, the highest weight rating for the stem is just under 4-point’s but I could not find a 110-gram stem that offered the same durability, that shows just how strong they are. Ultimately the stem saves weight by having extremely minimal hardware, the stem does still contain titanium including the face plate.

Looks:

This stem makes minimalism work for it. Easton has done an excellent job ditching the logo for a classic anodized finish. The stem really goes very well on a modern black gruppo with a subtle orange ‘Mavic’ sticker. If this was the 90’s and the everyone had a ‘Dura-Ace’ sticker you can be sure this stem would be sporting one. Modern styling gives off a more subdued vibe then the aggressive stickers that have been popular. Beyond the functional appeal of this stem, it’s design is appealing to the eye.

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Written by Jahanzaib

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