The Cane Creek eeSilk stem is a fresh take on a proven design. It offers greater comfort than a regular stem on rough terrain, while a lockout switch lets you firm it up for smoother tarmac sections.
In this review, we’ll inspect the details of the eeSilk CS suspension stem, what it’s like to live with, and how it rides. I’ll then strap my vibration-measuring equipment onto it to find out how its comfort compares to two similar suspension stems: the USE VYBE and Redshift ShockStop.
Let’s check it out.
The Cane Creek eeSilk Stem
The eeSilk ranks among the top-performing suspension stems, delivering noticeable comfort gains on long rides.
US $229 (MSRP)
The eeSilk is a single-pivot, elastomer-based suspension stem. With 20 mm of travel at the brake hoods, it’s designed to take the edge off vibration and repetitive chatter. Think of this as a comfort upgrade rather than a true suspension system.
There are two versions of the eeSilk. The eeSilk SL is the simpler option, functioning like a typical suspension stem. The model I’m testing, the eeSilk CS, adds a small switch that lets you adjust compliance on the fly. You can set it to “firm” for smooth tarmac, or “soft” for gravel and cobbles. The switch is easy to use, though it’s best not to adjust it while putting weight through the bars.
Weight is in line with other suspension stems. Depending on the version and length, it comes in at around 230 grams. That’s just 80 grams more than a high-end rigid stem. Interestingly, pricing varies by size, with the 90 mm version I tested retailing for US $229.
An optional out-front computer mount is available that connects to the stem face plate. It’s angle-adjustable and includes the components to fit both Garmin and Wahoo computers. There’s also an optional extra part that will allow you to attach a light or camera underneath it. It’s worth noting that this computer mount kit is also directly compatible with the Redshift stem, and many people prefer it over the computer mount that Redshift offers.
The eeSilk is available in a single steerer size (1 1/8″), bar diameter size (31.8 mm), and stem angle (-6°). If you’re after a higher front end, you’ll need to pair it with a riser drop bar. It comes in lengths ranging from 70 mm to 100 mm, in 10 mm increments.
Elastomer Tuning
One of the best features of the Cane Creek eeSilk stem is its simple and easy tunability. It comes with three interchangeable elastomers of varying stiffness, letting you fine-tune how much compliance the stem provides. If you can’t find what you like, two additional elastomers are also available from Cane Creek.
Lighter riders or those riding less aggressively will generally prefer the softer elastomers, while heavier riders or those pushing their bike harder will benefit from the harder options.
Swapping the elastomers is quick and straightforward:
- Loosen and remove the retaining bolt
- Slide out the existing elastomer
- Insert the new elastomer
- Reinstall the bolt and tighten it to the recommended torque
The whole process takes just a few minutes and, unlike some designs from Redshift or USE, there’s no need to remove the handlebars. That makes dialling in the ideal spring rate much faster and less of a hassle, as you can swap elastomers between test rides without repeatedly taking your cockpit apart.
Design and Aesthetics
The Cane Creek eeSilk stem is clearly a very well-constructed product. It’s made of forged aluminium, then it’s polished and anodised with a glossy black finish. The edges are smooth, and the overall look is quite refined.
That said, I find the exposed elastomer and visible pivot create a busier appearance than other suspension stem designs, such as the USE VYBE. There’s also extra bulk around the steerer, and the compliance switch makes it immediately clear this is no ordinary component.
One of the more unusual aspects is the externally-mounted elastomer. This makes swaps incredibly easy, but it also leaves small gaps where dirt, sand, and mud could potentially work their way inside. According to Cane Creek, this isn’t an issue in normal use, and replacement parts are easy to source if anything does wear over time.
Even so, it’s probably wise to occasionally remove the elastomer and clean the internal areas from time to time as a bit of preventative maintenance.
From a performance perspective, the layout makes a lot of sense. The elastomer sits low and close to the pivot, giving it strong leverage over the elastomer. I believe this design advantage shows up in the vibration test results below.
Compliance Switch
The compliance switch (CS) is what really sets the eeSilk apart from other suspension stems.
You can run the stem in “soft” mode, with the full 20 mm of travel available, or switch it to “firm,” which significantly reduces the amount of movement. Even in the firm setting, it’s not completely rigid. There’s still a small amount of give, though you’ll mostly only notice it when pulling hard on the bars, such as during a sprint.
I also experimented with positioning the switch halfway between the two modes, but in use, the knob tends to drift toward one of the extremes while riding.
One tuning trick I’ve seen is to install a softer elastomer than you’d normally use, then keep the compliance switch in the “firm” position for most riding. This effectively gives you access to “medium” and “extra-soft” settings, rather than the usual “firm” and “soft”.
Personally, I was happy running mine in the “soft” setting for the majority of my riding.
Ride Characteristics
The Cane Creek eeSilk stem performs particularly well on fast gravel roads. With its large elastomer positioned low and close to the pivot, it delivers a very smooth movement and a clear reduction in vibration.
Bike handling remains sharp in typical gravel riding conditions. There’s still a sense of being connected with the road, steering feels predictable, and there is no noticeable flex in the pivot.
It’s only when the terrain gets especially rough that precision starts to fade, as the stem becomes overwhelmed by constant impacts and begins to bounce more. But that’s really outside its intended use. This is where a suspension fork makes more sense than a suspension stem.
Like other single-pivot designs, there’s a slight amount of handlebar dive under compression (seen in the gif above). The bars move subtly downward when loaded. It’s not dramatic, but you’ll want to tilt your brake levers upward to compensate. Try to make it so that your hoods are where you like them at the sag point.
When pulling up on the bars, you can both feel and hear the suspension topping out slightly. This is typical for single-pivot stems. Redshift ShockStop stems behave similarly. It’s simply a reminder that the system is active, rather than disappearing beneath you. Designs from USE or Vecnum cut top-out entirely by using a secondary elastomer to smooth out that sensation.
The big drawcard compared to other stems is the Compliance Switch. While I found it does work as intended, I rarely found myself using it. Perhaps that’s down to my familiarity with other suspension stems. The total travel is only 20 mm, so the few millimetres of movement on a smooth surface were of no concern to me.
It’s now time to move on to my vibration tests.
Test Bike and Comfort Test Method
I conducted this vibration test using my Mondraker Dusty gravel bike, fitted with a carbon fork and Lauf Smoothie 44 cm wide carbon handlebars.
The bike was running Bontrager Girona Pro 42 mm tyres (41 mm measured) on Spank Flare 24 Vibrocore wheels. Tyre pressures were set to 34.5 PSI at the rear and 33 PSI up front, based on the Silca tyre pressure calculator. These pressure values are what I typically use for my 87 kg body weight on gravel roads.
For the test, I compared four stem setups: a standard rigid stem, the Cane Creek eeSilk suspension stem, the USE VYBE suspension stem, and the Redshift ShockStop suspension stem. Each stem was 90 mm in length, fitted to the same bike, and tested under identical conditions. The spring rates were also tuned to suit my weight and riding style.
I then performed a high-frequency bump test over a controlled obstacle at 25 km/h, designed to replicate the repeated impacts you’d encounter on a rough gravel road.
You can read more about my vibration measurement procedure HERE.
Vibration Test Results
| Stem | Average Acceleration (G) | Vibration Reduction Compared To Rigid Stem |
|---|---|---|
| USE VYBE Suspension Stem | 1.55 | 16.2% Less Vibration |
| Cane Creek eeSilk Suspension Stem | 1.67 | 9.7% Less Vibration |
| Redshift ShockStop Suspension Stem | 1.73 | 6.5% Less Vibration |
| Alloy Rigid Stem | 1.85 | – |
In my lab test simulating fast, repetitive bumps, the Cane Creek eeSilk stem performed very well. If you’re coming from a rigid stem, you can expect roughly a 10% reduction in vibration at the handlebars on a gravel bike.
Against its competitors, the eeSilk damped about 3.5% more vibration than the Redshift ShockStop, which is the most popular suspension stem out there. However, it didn’t quite match the top performer, the USE VYBE.
The VYBE reduced vibration by an additional 7.2% compared to the eeSilk, largely due to its dual-elastomer design. By using both a top and bottom elastomer, it does a better job of controlling top-out, whereas most other suspension stems rely on a single elastomer.
Even so, it’s a strong result for the eeSilk and firmly places it among the better-performing options available.
How Does It Compare?
The Cane Creek eeSilk CS is a very good suspension stem overall. Its biggest advantage is how easy it is to swap elastomers; it’s significantly quicker than other single-pivot designs. The Compliance Switch is also a nice touch for riders who split their time between smooth tarmac and rougher surfaces, and the gravel performance is genuinely impressive.
That said, the USE VYBE has the edge in several areas. It’s lighter, delivers better vibration damping over fast, repetitive bumps, and offers preload adjustment for more precise tuning. Purely in terms of ride feel, it’s the best in this category.
The Redshift ShockStop suspension stem shouldn’t be overlooked either. It’s available in a much wider range of lengths (55–120 mm), making it easier to dial in your fit. It’s also typically over 20% cheaper, is available for 1 1/4″ steerer sizes, and offers a broader selection of elastomers for fine-tuning the feel.
On top of that, the Redshift can be run in either a positive or negative orientation to better match your handlebar height preferences. There are even two 30° tall-rise options available.
Summary
Overall, the Cane Creek eeSilk stem ranks among the top-performing models, delivering great comfort gains on long rides. With the right elastomer installed, it proves to be a highly effective upgrade for reducing fatigue.
The best features on offer are the easy elastomer swaps and the Compliance Switch. That said, while the switch works as intended, I found myself leaving the stem on “soft” most of the time. That likely comes down to my familiarity with suspension stems and the fact that I don’t often ride roads that call for a “firm” setting.
If I were choosing a stem again, I’d likely go for the SL version instead of the CS. It has a cleaner look, weighs a bit less, and comes with a lower price tag.
Speaking of cost, I know the eeSilk isn’t exactly inexpensive, but compared to a suspension fork, it’s relatively affordable. So, if you’re chasing extra comfort on a drop-bar bike, it’s definitely worth considering.
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