When delivering the Scott Addict SL superbike, the folks at Scott sought out the best components that were stiff and ultralight. Ritchey’s Superlogic Carbon C260 Stem was a natural match and has some unique features among all the other high-zoot carbon stems.
Ritchey Superlogic Carbon C260 Stem Features:
- C260 bar clamp creates a larger stem-to-bar interface, drastically reducing bolt stress
- 4 x T-20 faceplate bolts and patented 260 degree bar clamp design reduces weight, increases stiffness and distributes stress more evenly
- 3 x T-20 steer tube bolts and curved clamp slot reduces weight and steer tube stress
- Fits most road and mountain bars
- Material: Carbon with 2014 alloy faceplate
- Lengths: 90 – 130mm
- Angle: 84/6 degree
- Steerer Height: 42mm
- Faceplate width: 40mm
- Steerer: 1-1/8″ or 1-1/4″ (International only)
- Matte UD carbon fiber finish
- 125g (110mm)
- MSRP: $299.95
Unique design sets the Superlogic C260 apart
At first blush, the Sueprlogic appears to be a simple block of carbon. These days, carbon is everywhere and unidirectional carbon stems are common enough that most will overlook some of the fine details of this stem. The primary details I’m talking about are in the clamp mechanisms — both for the steerer and the bar.
First, all the bolts are Torx bolts, which allow for greater surface area and reliability over the long haul. And, since any modern cyclist should have Torx wrenches aplenty, it’s all good. Just keep in mind the proper torque ratings all around and you’ll be golden. I have both a torque wrench and the Ritchey Torqkey for all my bolts.
I’m not done with the bolts just yet. The steerer clamp features three bolts instead of the standard two. I’m liking this since it spreads the clamping forces more evenly across the steerer tube. I’ve seen some steerer tubes bulge in he past and the increased surface area of the stem will maintain a more consistent clamp over time and maintain increased stiffness when a couple of 10mm of spacers are required for the proper fit (as I have).
I can’t go much further without calling attention to the C260 bar clamp. This is unique in that it wraps around the bar a full 260-degrees instead of a standard 180. When tightened, it acts more like a wedge, pressing itself against the 260-degree clamping surface, instead of against a 180-degree surface. Theoretically, this should spread out the forces across more of the bar and put less stress on both the bar and the stem.
There’s no way to tell in the real-world just how effective this clamping system is, but on paper and in person, it makes complete sense. As you can imagine, the increased diameter then also wreaks havoc on bar installation. Getting the bars in place does require a little bit of trickery and may not function with all bars on the market — so Ritchey bars are most certainly what I’d recommend.
How about cockpit fit and adjustability?
The Superlogic Carbon C260 features a 6-degree drop. It’s reversible, so flipping it up for the proper fit will still retain the same high-quality look. This kind of drop puts the stem in the wheelhouse of most riders compared to say, the Zipp SL Sprint’s 12-degree drop. At 6-degrees, I’m able to get the proper cockpit fit without too much fuss — so should most riders.
I will say that the two bolts on the underside of the C260 faceplate are quite challenging to reach — especially with a large torque wrench or even the Ritchey Torqkey. The angle and force required is quite difficult to achieve and stands out to me as the biggest drawback of the SuperLogic and has made the small torx bolts start to get stripped. I fear that the head of the bolts will get stripped if I move the stem around much more — reading other reviews, that’s a common weakness.
The Good
- Large surface area for holding steerer and bars
- Remains extra stiff while reducing road chatter
- Triple steerer bolts spread out clamping pressure
- I quite like the blocky look
- Cool, limited-edition hi-vis yellow version is available
- Adds stiffness when running extra spacers (I had 20mm underneath)
The Bad
- C260 is not compatible with all bars
- Reaching underside faceplate bolts is tricky and has caused the heads to get a little worn/stripped
- One of the most expensive all-carbon stems available
The Bottom Line
For the discerning cyclist who notices minute stem flex or who simply must have the latest carbon fiber bits, the C260 SuperLogic stem is really fantastic. With noticeable road chatter reduction and no flex whatsoever, the SuperLogic delivers on its super price tag — just limit your adjustments to prevent extra wear on the bolts.
Buy Now: Available at CompetitiveCyclist.com
