Kinekt Suspension Stem Review

By Rick Schultz

Price MSRP: $189.95 as tested

Source: Bike shops, Websites

Features: 15-20mm travel, 3 different springs, 3 rises and 4 length options

How obtained: Sample from Kinekt

Summary: LOVE IT!

https://cirruscycles.com/products/suspension-stem

Hot

• Wow, this stem really works!
• 4 Options
  • 90×7°
  • 100×30°
  • 105×7°
  • 120×7°
  • New 50° just offered, 1” additional ride option.
• 3 spring tensions – Soft, Medium, Firm

Not

• Weighs more than a regular stem, but hey, of course it does.

First Thoughts

Years ago, I tested the suspension seat post, and it is still on my titanium mountain bike. Love it!

So, when Kinekt sent me a stem to test, I immediately took them up on the offer. I have a friend who was a die-hard triathlete and has had several road bikes converted into triathlon bikes by adding aero bars. Last year he finally took the plunge and bought a Cervelo P3. Now retired, all of his triathlete friends have moved onto gravel bikes, so he found a great deal on a Turner titanium gravel bike. Riding off pavement presents a whole new sensation from rough roads, compared to the silky-smooth roads he has been training on with his triathlon bikes.

He has mentioned a few times of the harsh vibrations, so who better to test this stem than my friend Dennis.

Dennis stopped by and we mounted the stem and set it up with medium spring.

This stem is the 90mm x 7° rise and should be the first choice for most cyclists. Once installed, we set the handlebar orientation and torqued everything to spec. Dennis placed the bike back onto the car rack and said he was looking forward to testing. A week later, Dennis replied …

“The Kinekt suspension stem was an easy install for my gravel bike. It has made my ride smoother and less fatiguing. In addition I’m able to negotiate bumps both up and down, along with moderately rough trail obstacles without the bone jarring impact to my wrists and shoulders that I was experiencing with the stock stem. I’m now looking forward to adding their seat post suspension next.” https://cirruscycles.com/products/kinekt-active-suspension-seatpost

Dennis H.

Summary – Highly Recommended : 5 Out of 5 Stars!

With the option of having 3 springs, this is one of the best innovations for gravel riders whose bikes do not have a front suspension. This stem does everything it’s advertised to do and then some! For only $190, it’s a bargain compared to $800 to $1,000+ for a true gravel suspension fork.

Further Reading – Gravel Bike Suspension Forks

https://www.theproscloset.com/blogs/news/do-gravel-bikes-need-suspension-forks

https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/best-gravel-suspension-forks/

Rick is the owner of Bike Fitness Coaching and is a level 4 fitter with IBFI. Rick also teaches bike fitting to Physical Therapists and his course is accredited by APTA and CPTA.

Dennis is a retired engineer but now consultant and enjoys riding road and gravel.

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Coach Rick Schultz is an avid cyclist who has trained, raced, and coached in Southern California and now resides in Bend, Oregon where he works as a bike fitter and bike fit educator. Rick is an engineer by trade and a prolific cycling product reviewer. He’s the author of Stretching & Core Strengthening for the Cyclist in the RBR eBookstore. Check his coaching site, www.bikefitnesscoaching.com. Click to read Rick’s full bio.