Yes! The Redshift Shockstop Suspension Stem IS THAT GOOD!

ICYMI two things are going on right now: (1) Gravel riding has exploded, and (2) nobody has any gravel bikes for you to buy. But if you’ve already got a road bike with generous tire clearance and disc brakes - I may just have a solution for you: the Redshift Shockstop Suspension stem

At first glance, this thing may seem a bit gimmicky - almost like too simple to really work well. It’s one of the most “why didn’t I think of that” ideas I’ve seen since EARLY versions of suspension stems way back in the mid 90’s. For the record, I had Allsopp’s version on my Bridgestone MB1, and I LOVED IT. And a few years later I proudly rocked the Cane Creek Thudbuster for MANY years so I kinda came into this knowing the idea was pretty legit and I had super high hopes that the guys at Redshift had pulled it off. And I’m happy to say they did. So let’s back up and talk about how they did it for a second.

In the 30 years since those early designs, suspension (and what we know about it) has come a long looooong way. One important lesson is that a suspension stem doesn’t need a lot of travel to be effective - 20mm is enough. And the ShockStop also utilizes modern best-practices for suspension pivot design, including the same fully-sealed cartridge bearings that are used in high-end full-suspension mountain bikes. So there’s No slop, no play, AND no maintenance. And because the travel is minimal, and the pivots are perfect - the design can be too. Redshift placed the adjustable elastomers inside the stem, out of sight, which makes it indescernable from a regular stem at a distance.

If you’ve seen feedback from other reviewers you already know this thing is nearly flawless. My first install was on the gravel bike, and it couuldn’t have come at a better time because I was having a bit of a problem with a really stiff fork. The front end was punishing me on descents, and I needed something to soften things up - and after a few test rides with different elastomer combos I’m never taking it off. 20mm is just enough to take the edge off washboards and trails that are littered with horse or cow tracks and when you’re blasting across the flats or downhill at speed, you get a nice level of cush that helps smooth out even higher amplitude bumps. But suspension - and good suspension - isn’t JUST about eliminating bumps - it’s also about improving handling and reducing fatigue without sacrificing efficiency. You’re handling will improve because you get JUST enough spring to keep your front tire in contact with the road or trail in a choppy corner, and on the efficiency front: as long as you get the elastomer setup right it doesn’t bounce up and down like a pogo stick when you’re out of the saddle. In fact, I hardly notice it’s there when I’m standing up and yanking on the bars. And of course, like any good suspension, it dramatically reduces the amplitude of any bump you hit - which makes it easier to ride for much longer periods without feeling like you’re holding onto a jackhammer.

And that brings me back to my original point - I was lucky enough to snag a gravel ride before COVID hit, but a lot of you weren’t. So, I tried the shockstop on my R5 and basically transformed it from a light duty dirt road bike to a medium duty gravel bike. If you’re wanting to tackle tougher routes on your road bike but just need a LITTLE something extra up front, this is the ticket. I just checked their site and stock levels appear good, which means you can expand your riding options for less than the cost of a pair of decent bib shorts. In other words, if you’ve been on the fence about a Shockstop stem - it’s time to grab one because all the rave reviews you hear are true and I might just get myself one of their seatposts too.