[Test] Newmen Evolution SL 318.2 stem
Newmen is a young German brand specializing in bike components. Liteville fans will be glad to know the founder is none other than Michi Grätz, who along with Jo Klieber, was the creator of that project. Having left Liteville, Grätz established Newmen.
From Germany, we picked up this stem for testing, and also two new sets of wheels, which we are going to review in the coming weeks.
Details
Material: black anodized aluminum
Available sizes: 50 to 100mm (70mm, tested)
Weight: 69 to 96 grams, according to the size. We measured 79 grams
Angle: 6°
Handlebar diameter: 31.8mm
Fork insertion height: 43mm
Titanium bolts
Warranty: 3 years
Crash replacement program: 3 years
List Price: 99 Euro. Available at your local bike shop and online at Bike Components and Bike Discount
The Evolution SL 318.2 has only two titanium bolts to tighten and secure the handlebar, as you can see in the picture. Therefore, it is called 318.2. There’s also the 318.4 with the usual 4 bolts. The main advantage is its light weight, only 79 grams for the 70mm version we tested, as well as stiffness. The design is modern, oversized in the higher and lower parts, and it is well suited to the frames with squared tubes, like the Stoll T1, on which it has been tested.
The downside of having only two bolts, is that the handlebar has to be installed through the stem clamp, after having placed a metal bar which, pushed by two headless screws (provided in the box), creates a 9mm gap. Our bar with silicon Esi Grips installed went through without any problem.
The stem has been installed combined with a carbon Bike Ahead handlebar. Having to tighten only two bolts makes the installation process very easy even without a torque wrench, since the risk of damaging the part is reduced by half. The 6° angle is a good compromise to keep the bar low, but not too low on a 29er. The stiffness and the steering precision are both excellent, particularly when you factor in the low weight.
Conclusions
A very well thought out product – very light, yet solid at the same time, with an original and appealing design.
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