Salsa Pro-moto stem

[pw_pw_la]

Funny things, bikes. We all like different ones and different things about them!

And we’ll all probably defend the ones we like from the ones who don’t!

All that said, not sure how much engineering I personally want or need on a stem. It’s mostly length and angle, dependent on the size and geo of the frame and the rider, that matters, surely? So, as with all things, I may as well choose the one that brings me the most joy once I’ve established that side of it.

I’m trying to think of a stem that’s truly progressive from and engineering point of view? Other than maybe a Girvin Flex!

Now craftsmanship and aesthetics? Sure! I can think of a bunch. But I suppose that’s also subjective. To a point.

Oh, and when did steel became such a dirty word in the vintage MTB community anyway!? ; )

A funny sidenote: the main thing the guy who sold me my Salsa said to me when I bought it was how well the design worked for setting up and getting the most out of the front brake! True story. I can quote him, if you like!

 

[Tootyred]

But.....its hardly like im immune from this type of thing....ive just paid good money for an early front hub.....wide, crack prone flanges, terrible bearing seals (basically non existant) and solid axle boat anchor weight....but it makes me happy.

Should have used a 1995 stx one, which is a much better hub, but where's the joy in that.

 

[Chungu]

Salsa is great. Look where you look.

 

[manc_lad]

For some reason Marin seemed rare while also coinciding with a love for all things US/Cali based at the time (around 92 for me). Not sure if it's the same for other UK collectors on here and why they're sought after on this forum.

Geography certainly plays a big part in scarcity depending on what was imported. Also, you would drool over a MTB magazine and sometimes you just couldn't get hold of the parts/bike.

I miss those days. But it helps not just having a paper round to fund an expensive hobby.

 

[pw_pw_la]

But.....its hardly like im immune from this type of thing....ive just paid good money for an early front hub.....wide, crack prone flanges, terrible bearing seals (basically non existant) and solid axle boat anchor weight....but it makes me happy.

Should have used a 1995 stx one, which is a much better hub, but where's the joy in that.

Atta boy!

 

[Elfman]

Well, that doesn't add up to me.

I get the Marin and GT part (larger manufacturers, Etc), not boutique, independent, handcrafted companies like the others you mentioned. But Salsa?

Not drooled over or drool worthy?

Judging by the big NorCal collectors and their collections, Salsa seems just as lusted over as any of the other builders you mentioned.

And Ross has to be one of the funniest, seemingly personable dudes in the industry... or was, when he was still part of it.

Weird to compare it to Bontrager, and negatively, when they basically go hand-in-hand, too...

View attachment 611863

As for the stem: I think they trade for just as high a value over here.

As I say, mine cost more!

Oh, and lastly, yeah, it's the motherland of MTB, but there is more to vintage mountain bikes than just what was popular in the Bay Area at the time. I say this as someone who loves bikes from that part of the world over all others, and finds that GT's especially leave me cold.

The reason people are drawn to different bikes from different places is what I think makes this collecting thing interesting. My assumption is that people's feelings towards certain manufacturers has a lot to do with distrubtion: either you saw stuff at your local shop or beneath the arse of a local legend and wanted the same, or you didn't and wanted it for the opposite reason anyway! Because it was hard to find and thus elusive.

So let me reiterate...

1) I'm not trying to offend, and I respect everyone's personal decisions about what floats their boat
2) I was just explaining my perception, which could be far from reality
3) And like @Tootyred I'm just curious why people lust after these stems so much
4) I trust you're correct that Ross is good humored and fantastically nice (how else would chili peppers get on bikes?), but I've never met the guy and not quite sure what this has to do with a quality part.

At any rate, it sounds like it is a combination of things that make folks drool over this stem, and more power to ya! Not drool-worthy to me, but then again, I have my own unexplainable drool worthy components that probably confuse others plenty. As with the thread on what constitutes our unicorns, there's probably as much engineering as emotional fantasy and nostagia involved in selecting parts, so to each their own!

 

[slackboy]

Relisted at £150. Went for £156 so must be some issue with the buyer

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Retro-Sa...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

 

[mk one]

Relisted at £150. Went for £156 so must be some issue with the buyer

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Retro-Sa...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

Or just fishing for a price, could have offered it to the second highest bidder which would have only just been under the end price if they were happy to sell at that price.

 

[Chungu]

Relisted at £150. Went for £156 so must be some issue with the buyer

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Retro-Sa...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

I went for him. But without shipping to Spain and the seller canceled the purchase.

 

[Elfman]

Maybe the buyer saw this and thought, "I'm not going big enough!"


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Salsa-Moto...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0