Spring-loaded stems are not really something new. In the early nineties we mountain bikers in our circle of acquaintances were already philosophizing about whether a suspension fork or a spring-loaded stem would make more sense. At some point the spring stems disappeared in the sporty segment, mainly because good, long-travel suspension forks were available. There were a few more representatives, mainly in the trekking and city segments. With the gravel trend, products appeared here and there that should be aimed at cyclists with ambitions. The Redshift stem should be mentioned, or Specialized's suspension integrated in the head tube on the Diverge. We have already ridden various such products, but were not always completely convinced. However, the Vecnum freeQENCE has now helped us to make a clear classification.
The Vecnum freeQENCE in detail
Marzell from Vecnum has already shown us the freeQENCE at the Eurobike. We are always curious about new things and were looking forward to receiving a test sample. We took a close look at it, assembled it and took it for a test drive. 30 millimeters of spring travel are offered, divided into 20 millimeters down and 10 millimeters up. The stem should therefore also compensate for holes downwards. Every freeQENCE comes with 31,8 handlebars and forks with 1,1/8ths of an inch shaft, which makes sense, since that's the general standard. The clamping height is 43 millimeters. We received a test sample that was 90 millimeters long. The stem is also available in 105 or 120 millimeters.
Vecnum specifies the short version at 287 grams, our scale says that's okay. The advantage of the parallelogram design is that the handlebars do not tilt forward. The handlebars move up and down, but do not rotate forward. Especially when you have your hands on the shift brake unit, turning away forwards feels very uncomfortable, as if the handlebars were slipping. I didn't like that on another single pivot spring stem.
What I find very gratifying: Vecnum buys the titanium axles and screws and has them anodised by a partner company, but the development, the CNC machining of the parts made of 7075 aluminum, the assembly and the test all take place at Vecnum under its own roof in the Allgäu. In addition, Vecnum has the freeQENCE tested by the EFBE test laboratory according to their test standards for gravel stems and handlebars.
The assembly of the Vecnum freeQENCE
In principle, the assembly does not differ from that of an ordinary stem, with one small restriction. Since the stem moves while driving, there must be enough free space for it. To ensure this, Vecnum supplies a gauge. This is consistent and makes it really easy. With the steel graveler that we rode in the test, there was really a lot of space, as you can see in the pictures, with a voluminous carbon frame, cables possibly running into the head tube, etc., it can possibly be tighter, then you know the lesson even more appreciate. Incidentally, this is not the case with the two longer stems, as there is always enough space in terms of design.
Of course, just like with any other Ahead stem, you have to make sure that the shaft length is right. The shaft must be short enough to adjust the preload of the bearings via the ahead cap and it should also be long enough to be at least as high as the upper clamp screw of the stem. The handlebars are mounted using four screws and a two-piece front cover, known as the "Face Plate". The stem may be tightened on all screws with up to 6 Newton meters, with greased screws. Of course, it doesn't release you from checking whether the manufacturer of the handlebars and forks is going along with you. Carbon assembly paste definitely makes sense.
Test drive with the Vecnum freeQENCE
As mentioned, we mounted the stem on a gravel bike. Vecnum also sees the part on a trekking bike or unsprung e-bikes, which we can very well imagine. The adjustment of the hardness works remarkably well, there is the right one for every driver. Simply insert the three millimeter Allen into the red screw and turn, try out, readjust. The adjustment range is large and the end stops are clearly noticeable.
I have not undertaken such wild rides as Marzell von Vecnum on the driving pictures. For me, the Graveler tends to be in contact with the ground most of the time. Nevertheless, it is important to iron away blows, from potholes to gullies to roots and loose stones. The Vecnum stem does that very well. Whether 75% of the blows are really eliminated, as Vecnum promises on the homepage, I cannot judge objectively. The fact is that the stem makes the ride much more comfortable and safer. It's really more relaxed on bumpy surfaces, especially when the path doesn't offer any possibility of avoiding sudden obstacles. The 20 millimeters of spring travel make the ride smother, the 10 millimeters of "negative spring travel" apparently also play their part. By the way, anyone who fears it would feel uncomfortable if you accelerate properly is wrong. No uncomfortable bobbing around, not even when pedaling out of the saddle, if the stem is not set too soft. In terms of rigidity, everything is also in the green. Yes, there are certainly stiffer stems, but the freeQENCE is definitely stiff enough for me as a heavyweight. We can't make any statements about the durability, but Vecnum can definitely help, that's the advantage of producing "in house".
