The 2027 international cycling season is under way. Although the European professional peloton will not return to racing for several weeks, the 65th Vuelta a Guatemala has fired the starting gun on the new calendar. That makes the Central American race the first stage event of the season, just days...

Adapted from their proven vibration-isolating motorcycle bar mounts, Australian motorcycle cockpit tuners MSC Moto have turned their talents to mountain bikes to create this Syncro Dampened MTB Stem. Isolating the steerer tube of your fork from the handlebar with eight, wide-set custom polyurethane bumpers, the MSC Dampened MTB Stem promises to diminish impact and vibrations while maintaining prices steering control.MSC Moto Project_Bike Syncro Alloy Dampened MTB Stem(Photos/MSC Moto)Family-owned motorcycle steering damping specialist MSC Moto has reconfigured the same Apex independent handlebar damping system developed to survive brutal off-road desert racing conditions, now refined into a relatively compact all-in-one stem for mountain bikes. And relatively compact is the key word.Because to adapt the same 8 wide-set dampening bushings they put on a motorcycle cockpit setup, the Project_Bike MTB solution effectively gets two complete separate and massive CNCd alloy elements. An extra-wide 4-bolt face plate. And a just-as-wide 2-bolt steerer clamp. With four more bolts and eight conical polyurethane resin bushings to keep all the metal parts from contacting each other.All considered, its surprisingly light (for how beefy it looks!) at a claimed 265g.Why do you need one?Building on the success of our APEX Moto handlebar mounts, our stem features cast polyurethane damper bushes that significantly reduce vibration and impact received through the handlebars, while maintaining a compact, lightweight and strong design. Tested over several years in some of Australias roughest bike parks and trails, the MSC stem has been developed and refined to significantly reduce arm and hand fatigue, keeping you riding harder for longer.The MSC Moto independent damping system completely isolates your bar from your bike, stopping high frequency trail vibrations and impacts from ever making it to your hands. Reduced vibration means reduced hand and arm fatigue, so you can ride longer and maintain better control on the bike. Real-world testing since January 2025 found noticeably less harshness through chattery, high-frequency hits and significantly reduced hand fatigue.MSCs custom-cast polyurethane resin bushings also promise longer service life than natural rubber, while delivering high vibration damping properties. And the wide configuration on the massive ensures that handling stiffness isnt compromised.Tech detailsCNC machined alloy stemfully independent 2-part vibration damping stem: separate bar & steerer clampsshort 34mm stack heightavailable in two lengths: 40mm or 50mmavailable for 31.8mm or 35mm bar clamp diameters4 upper & lower pairs of custom in-house-cast polyurethane resin damper cone bushingsstandard red cones included, softer density yellow cones available separately for reduced vibration100% designed, tested, and manufactured entirely in Australia265g claimed weight (apparently 31.8x40mm, with bushings and all hardware)MSC Moto Syncro Dampened MTB Stem Pricing, options & availabilityTwo years in development, MSC Moto anodizes the new Syncro Dampened MTB Stem in a silver and black combo, with red polyurethane damping cones standard and laser-etched graphics. The stem is available in 40mm or 50mm lengths, and to fit 31.8mm or 35mm handlebars.The Dampened MTB Stem is available now directly from MSC Moto in Australia for A$350 (approximately $245 US or 220). MSC Moto does offer global shipping, as well as a few international distributors who may also be able to get the new stem to you, as well.MSCmoto.com/mountain-bike

Lidl-Trek Future Racing will field a 16-rider squad in 2027, bringing together young cyclists from 11 different countries as the team continues its role as a development structure for the WorldTour outfit. The roster includes several riders moving up from junior racing, alongside returning members a...