I have used them and currently have one on my gravel bike here in Chicago. They are not light if you are a weight weenie but can really be nice on rough stuff. The trick is to adjust the amount of spring in the stem. At first, mine was too mushy but I switched the elastomers they supply and now it is fine. A limiting factor is that they do not come in many different lengths or angles but have increased the options in the last year or so. They are solidly made as best I can tell. If you hit a small pot hole or similar, the extra give could keep your hands from slipping off the bars and save you from a disaster. That is why I have a Specialized Roubaix road bike also with the built in shock too. It is worth the extra few grams.