REDSHIFT ShockStop Suspension Stem for Bicycles, Shock-Absorbing Bike Handlebar Stem for Road, Gravel, Hybrid, and E-Bikes

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 advertiseClear instructions (with the exception of elastomer selection)Relatively simple installationMore controlLess shockWell manufacturedClean lookingCons:Neither of these items are what I would call cheap2 bolt connection for the seat is fiddly, but manageableElastomers, the best list is online only and not as easily found as I would have thoughtThe 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 bothThey only come in black, not an issue for me as I was replacing black parts with black parts, but some might like other colorsSummary:If you have the money, and want a smoother ride, these are quality parts to compliment and soften your ride.

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.

Well made bicycle part, I have both the stem and the seatpost from Redshift. They are light, very well made and finished, do just the right amount of vibration dampening, easy to install and setup. I enjoy riding my bike on gravel trail along Delaware River canal a lot more with these accessories. Best possible bike upgrade you can have.