
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.


Coach Rick Schultz is an avid cyclist who trains, races and coaches in Southern California. Rick is an engineer by trade, and in addition to being a coach, he’s a bike fitter and prolific product reviewer. He’s the author of Stretching & Core Strengthening for the Cyclist in the RBR eBookstore. Check his product reviews website, www.biketestreviews.com, and his coaching site, www.bikefitnesscoaching.com. Click to read Rick’s full bio.
Wondering how this stem feels when standing and ginding up a hill or sprinting?
Hmmm? Flex stem all over again, what comes around goes around. We all know how “well” Flex stem worked thirty years ago, and don’t forget the Pro Flex “full suspension” bike. Ha!