TESTED: Vecnum freeQENCE Suspension Stem

Overbiked Randonneuring
30 Jan 202408:48

TLDRThe video script discusses the impact of vibrations and fatigue on long-distance cyclists, highlighting the physical damage and mental exhaustion caused. It introduces the German company vcum's frequence stem, a minimalist suspension add-on designed to reduce accumulated fatigue and physical damage. The stem features a parallel linkage design with 20mm of travel and is tested for its effectiveness in various hand positions and road conditions. The results show significant vibration reduction, especially on rougher roads, and a balanced performance across all hand positions, making it a valuable addition for endurance cyclists.

Takeaways

  • 🚴‍♂️ Vibration fatigue is a common issue for long-distance cyclists, affecting both body and mind.
  • đź’ˇ Traditional methods of insulation from road vibrations have limitations, often sacrificing efficiency for comfort.
  • 🌟 The German company vcum introduces the frequence stem, a minimalist suspension add-on designed to reduce fatigue on long rides.
  • 🔍 The frequence stem features a parallel linkage design with 20mm of positive elastomer travel, maintaining geometry neutrality.
  • đź“Ź It comes in three sizes (90, 105, and 120mm travel) and offers a +3° angle adjustment.
  • 🔧 The stem is made with AL7075 aluminum and titanium axles, with easy stiffness adjustments via an exposed hex key bolt.
  • đź“Š A scientific test was conducted to measure the actual benefits of the frequence stem, comparing it to a rigid stem.
  • 🏆 The test results showed that the frequence stem significantly reduces vibrations on various road surfaces, especially on rougher terrain.
  • 🎯 The stem's performance was consistent across all hand positions, enhancing control and confidence for riders using drop bars.
  • 🛍️ The vcum frequence is priced at €251, with US buyers able to order it for $275 with a discount.
  • 🚀 The reviewer was satisfied with the purchase and plans to compare it with other suspension systems in future tests.

Q & A

  • What is the main issue long-distance cyclists face regarding vibrations and fatigue?

    -Long-distance cyclists often experience fatigue due to the accumulation of vibrations from big bumps and small imperfections on the road surface, which can tire both the body and the mind. This exposure can lead to physical damage, including a condition known as handlebar pausy, which affects the hands due to prolonged pressure and vibration.

  • How does traditional tire choice affect the cyclist's experience with road vibrations?

    -Traditionally, road vibrations have been insulated mostly by the tires. However, tires optimized for performance on the road can be rough and do not effectively dampen obstacles like speed bumps or potholes. While wide, soft tires can improve comfort, they may increase effort, calorie expenditure, and potentially reduce sleep, which are undesirable on ultra-distance rides.

  • What are minimalist suspension add-ons, and how do they benefit cyclists?

    -Minimalist suspension add-ons, such as stems and seat posts, bridge the gap between comfort and optimum tire performance. They can minimize total accumulated fatigue and physical damage on very long rides, allowing cyclists to maintain comfort without sacrificing efficiency.

  • What unique feature does the VCUM Frequence stem offer?

    -The VCUM Frequence stem offers a parallel linkage design with 20 mm of positive elastomer travel, which maintains geometry neutrality during suspension travel. This means that handlebars and controls do not tilt, and steering geometry remains unchanged compared to a suspension fork.

  • How does the suspension performance of the VCUM Frequence vary across different hand positions?

    -The VCUM Frequence suspension performs well in all hand positions since the linkage is unaffected by leverage. This ensures a balanced and consistent suspension response whether on the hoods, drops, or grips, enhancing the rider's control and confidence.

  • What was the base price of the VCUM Frequence stem mentioned in the script?

    -The base price of the VCUM Frequence stem is €251, with US buyers being able to order them through The Bike Sauce for $275 with a discount.

  • What materials are used in the construction of the VCUM Frequence stem?

    -The VCUM Frequence stem is made in Germany with Al7075 aluminum and has titanium axles. These two dissimilar metals on the galvanic scale raise concerns about potential galvanic corrosion over time and exposure to water and salt.

  • How does the VCUM Frequence stem adjust for stiffness?

    -The VCUM Frequence stem's stiffness is dampened by four elastomers, and an exposed hex key bolt allows for quick and easy stiffness adjustments to suit the rider's preference.

  • What was the testing protocol used to measure the effectiveness of the VCUM Frequence stem?

    -The testing protocol involved riding a series of 1.5 km flat loops with controlled body position, cadence, and speed using only one gear. Acceleration data was measured in m/s^2 using the Physics Toolbox sensor suite, and the data was analyzed in spreadsheets, split into representative buckets according to course conditions.

  • How did the VCUM Frequence stem perform in comparison to a rigid stem?

    -The VCUM Frequence stem significantly reduced vibrations on tarmac and was especially adept at mitigating sharp impacts and hard hits. The benefits increased with rougher road surfaces, and all hand positions felt significant improvements.

  • What was the conclusion regarding the purchase of the VCUM Frequence stem?

    -The conclusion was positive, with the tester being happy with the purchase and recommending the VCUM Frequence stem due to its compelling benefits for long-distance riding and its ability to provide comfort without sacrificing performance.

Outlines

00:00

🚴‍♂️ Impact of Vibration on Cyclists and Introduction to Minimalist Suspension Add-ons

This paragraph discusses the fatigue and physical damage that long-distance cyclists experience due to vibrations and exposure to big bumps. It introduces the concept of handlebar palsy and the traditional methods of insulation from road vibrations, such as tire choice and touch point padding. The paragraph emphasizes the limitations of these methods and presents minimalist suspension add-ons as a solution to bridge the gap between comfort and tire performance. The German company vcum is introduced, which has developed the frequence stem with a parallel linkage design allowing for geometry-neutral suspension travel. The advantages of this design include consistent steering geometry and effective performance in all hand positions.

05:01

🧪 Testing the vcum frequence Stem and its Impact on Vibration Reduction

The paragraph presents a detailed testing protocol to evaluate the effectiveness of the vcum frequence stem in reducing vibrations and its impact on cycling performance. The test involves riding on a variable surface course and using a physics toolbox sensor suite to collect acceleration data. The results show that the frequence stem significantly reduces vibrations on different types of terrain, with the most notable benefits on rougher surfaces. The stem's ability to maintain handlebar level during suspension travel is highlighted, improving control and confidence. The paragraph concludes with the author's positive experience with the stem and plans for further testing and comparison with other suspension systems.

Mindmap

Keywords

đź’ˇFatigue

Fatigue refers to the tiredness or exhaustion that builds up in the body and mind due to prolonged exposure to physical stressors, such as vibrations experienced by long-distance cyclists. In the context of the video, fatigue is the enemy as it can lead to physical damage and decreased performance. The video discusses how traditional methods of insulation from road vibrations, such as tire choice, can be rough and inefficient, leading to increased fatigue.

đź’ˇVibrations

Vibrations are the oscillatory movements that can be felt when riding a bike, particularly on rough surfaces. They can cause discomfort and fatigue, and in the case of cyclists, can even lead to a condition known as handlebar pausy. The video discusses the impact of vibrations on the body and mind, and how the right equipment can help reduce their negative effects.

đź’ˇSuspension

Suspension in the context of bicycles refers to a system designed to absorb shocks and vibrations, improving the rider's comfort and control. The video discusses minimalist suspension add-ons, such as stems and seat posts, which aim to provide a balance between comfort and optimum tire performance without sacrificing efficiency.

đź’ˇGeometry Neutral

Geometry neutral refers to the design of a bicycle suspension system that maintains the steering geometry (angle and position of the handlebars) constant during suspension travel. This feature is important for maintaining consistent handling and control of the bike, as it ensures that the rider's position and the bike's responsiveness do not change as the suspension moves.

đź’ˇElastomers

Elastomers are materials with elastic properties that return to their original shape after being stretched or compressed. In bicycle suspension systems, elastomers are used to absorb impacts and dampen vibrations. They play a crucial role in determining the performance and comfort provided by the suspension.

đź’ˇAdjustability

Adjustability refers to the ability to modify or customize a product's features or settings to suit individual preferences or requirements. In the context of bicycle suspension systems, adjustability allows riders to fine-tune the stiffness and performance of their suspension to match their riding style, terrain, and comfort needs.

đź’ˇPerformance

Performance in the context of cycling refers to the efficiency, speed, and handling of the bicycle. It is influenced by various factors, including the bike's components, the rider's skill, and the conditions of the ride. The video discusses the balance between comfort and performance, emphasizing the importance of not sacrificing one for the other.

đź’ˇImpact Absorption

Impact absorption is the ability of a system or material to lessen the effects of a forceful collision or impact. In bicycle suspension design, this refers to the capacity of the suspension to absorb and dampen the shocks from obstacles like speed bumps or potholes, thereby reducing the stress transmitted to the rider and the bike.

đź’ˇRide Comfort

Ride comfort refers to the physical ease and pleasure experienced by a cyclist during a ride. It is influenced by factors such as the bike's fit, the quality of the suspension, and the surface conditions. The video emphasizes the importance of minimizing fatigue and physical damage to enhance ride comfort, particularly for long-distance cyclists.

đź’ˇTesting Protocol

A testing protocol is a systematic method or procedure used to evaluate the performance of a product or system. It typically involves controlled experiments, measurements, and data analysis to assess the effectiveness and reliability of the subject under test. In the context of the video, a testing protocol is developed to consistently measure and analyze the comfort benefits provided by different bicycle components.

đź’ˇHandlebar

The handlebar is the part of a bicycle that the rider uses to steer and balance the bike. It is an essential component that directly affects the rider's control and comfort. The video discusses the importance of maintaining a level handlebar during suspension travel, which contributes to a consistent and confident riding experience.

Highlights

Exposure to vibrations and fatigue negatively impact long-distance cyclists, both physically and mentally.

A specific condition, known as handlebar pausy, has been identified in cyclists due to the physical damage caused by vibrations.

Traditional methods of insulation from road vibrations have relied mainly on tires and to a lesser extent, padding in the seat post.

The German company vcum has introduced a new suspension stem, the frequence, featuring a parallel linkage design with 20mm of travel.

The frequence stem's design maintains geometry neutrality, meaning handlebars and controls do not tilt, unlike single pivot stems.

The suspension's performance is not affected by leverage due to the parallel linkage, benefiting all hand positions.

The frequence stem is priced at €251, with US buyers able to order it for $275 with a discount.

The stem is made with al7075 aluminum and titanium axles, and its claimed weight for the 105mm stem is 299G.

The design offers a plus 3° angle and comes in three sizes: 90, 105, and 120mm travel, dampened by four elastomers.

The stem allows for quick, easy stiffness adjustments using an exposed hex key bolt.

The vcum frequence claims to absorb up to 75% of impacts and vibrations, with a testing protocol developed to measure the actual benefit.

The handlebar remains level during impacts, enhancing control and confidence, especially when using Arrow bars.

All hand positions benefit significantly from the suspension, with balanced performance across different riding styles.

The vcum frequence suspension stem was found to significantly reduce vibrations on tarmac and is adept at mitigating hard hits.

The benefits of the frequence stem increase with rougher road surfaces, making it particularly useful for long-distance rides.

The test results indicate that the vcum frequence performs comparably to changes in tire pressure, offering a similar reduction in vibration.

The reviewer personally found the vcum frequence suspension stem to be a worthwhile purchase, noting compelling benefits for long-distance cyclists.

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