Technique

Test: stem Deda Ultra Carbon

Details

Parent Category: Technique

Category: Dedaelementi

Published on Monday, 20 October 2008 12:56

Written by Luca Salvatelli

Finished with edited and with an aesthetic eye-catching sports a good stiffness while compared with a weight not content

The Company

Deda group is a relatively young company, but that in a few short years has been known to impose its own brand in the world of bicycle components. The secret of success was to have focused right now on technological innovation and quality of its products, which often go to the summit of world production in their respective areas. Currently, the Deda Group is composed of three separate Companies: Deda Steel, Deda Tre and Deda Elementi. Deda Steel is specialized in the production of pipes for frames, steel, aluminium, titanium or carbon, floats, bands as well as complete frames. Deda Tre deals with the production of tires, tubular and accessories for wheels, and finally, Deda Elementi is specialized in the production of seat post, stem, handbar and ultimately also cranks. The range Deda elements is very wide, ranging from track to Mtb, from carbon monocoque to light and is able to meet the needs of all, from the most perfect cyclists who research the best in every detail to the neophyte.

The Range Deda

Deda has divided its product for the bicycle road race in five categories: Special, Professionals, Competition, Amateurs, Enthusiastic. At the top of the range are the products of the series Special, the most refined, the basic products enthusiastic, characterized value for money and always distinguished by an excellent finish. The attack Deda Ultra Carbon belongs to the line Amatori, where occupies the position of head with regard to the attacks. A line that Amatori, who has been performing its aesthetic and its finishes, but where the use of less valuable materials has allowed the containment of the price.

The stem we tried: Deda Ultra Carbon

The stem Deda Ultra Carbon is very common on bicycles series of high-medium range and can be a good choice for those who want to customize their bikes, but without spending madness. Made of light alloy has the peculiarity of being covered in carbon fiber, which helps to make the aggressive look. Indeed, the superficial layer of carbon fiber is fully integrated parts alloy, anodisation black and white graphics and red. It is not, of course, a system that allows a constructive weight saving, in this case, the carbon is only one aspect decorative and not structural, but allows the attack to work seamlessly and to the best in bike frames with carbon or every time you want to give your bike a touch of originality. The attack comes in a wide range of heights: 90-100-110-120-130 mm. For all, the diameter of the curve to match is 31.7 mm (corresponding, for example, the standard curve Newton or rather the curve Deda Challenge Glare belonging to the same line and constructed with the same procedure) and the diameter of the hole tube is 28.6 mm (1 inch and 1/8"). The angle between the steering and the extension is 82 degrees. The height of the dinghy is 42 mm. The steel screws are simple. The weight from Deda said the extent of 120mm is 165 grams, we at the rate of 90 mm observed a weight of 163 grams.

The road test

The stem Deda Ultra Carbon is well done. The carbon fiber is fully extended and the black shade at the edge enables a perfect combination with the parties anodized black. The assembly has no problems whatsoever with, as always, observe the care of couples locking provided by the manufacturer. The shares bend the attack and fork tube amounted to declared to ensure a safe and easy assembly. The weight and stated that we found no record, is not very high, but not content. Is not this an attack suited to assemble a bike that makes the weight reduced his best weapon, however, the aesthetic goes perfectly with all the carbon frames and can be a viable alternative to expensive carbon attacks monocoque. From an aesthetic point of view, then, integrates, in cycling, much better than an attack forged aluminium, lighter and more rigid, but that is too detached from the frame in carbon. This attack, however, does not base its strength only on aesthetics but also on its excellent stiffness. It is not light, that we have already pointed out, but we can not say that it is not hard: could the slightest warning or the slightest decline crunch. This follows the attack as revealed by other higher-end Deda, a witness who was spared in construction materials with less valuable but has not gone, however, to the detriment of the stiffness that is equal if not very similar to top products range alloy forged. Unfortunately, this rigidity and carbon fiber that has only a decorative function effectively prevent absorption of shock, bringing this attack on the typical behavior of alloy components: rigid and not very inclined to absorb vibration and disconnections of the land. However, you can "feel" to perfection the work of the fork and especially tyres, giving a feeling of great control and security that comes to the aid every time the speed increases, such as downhill, or the path is difficult and guided. It should be stressed also that the capacity for absorption of vibrations is not nothing like on other products, say that is halfway between an attack in light alloy forged and a carbon, thus allowing to travel several kilometers with a good comfort even in the presence of bad conditions roads.

Coclusions

The stem Ultra Carbon has been detected for good bill and good dynamics. Rigid, almost like the best running attacks, it also inherits the inability, or almost, to absorbe vibration and disconnections of the land. The weight is not contained, but the aesthetic goes perfectly with the carbon frames.

The price

The attack costs 54,00 Euros. A price proportionate to the quality and technical skills of the product.

Is suitable for

Agonist: is stiff as a agonist would, but the burden is not reduced.
GF turist-cyclist: is the use of ideal cared for this attack and finished in the smallest details, like only a greater ability to filter the vibrations. 
 

Positive aspects

Aesthetics
Construction quality
Stiffness

Negative aspects

Weight not content

For further informations:

Deda Elementi
Via Leonardo Da Vinci, 21/23
26013 Campagnola Cremasca (CR) Italy
Tel.: 039 (0)373 750129
Fax: 039 (0)373 751105
Web site: www.dedaelementi.com
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.