Are All Bike Stems The Same Size

MTB Stem Buying Guide (Everything You Need to Know!) [Video]

Words by: Max Morgan

In this MTB stem guide, we are going to breakdown everything you should consider before buying a new stem for your mountain bike. The stem's sole purpose is to clamp the handlebars to the steerer tube. Most stems are available in different length and rise options and are manufactured with different materials using different processes. In a nutshell, there are plenty of options available for aftermarket stems and can exist used to punch in the fit and ride characteristics of your bicycle.

Race Face Turbine Stem Mounted With Race Face SIXc Carbon Handlebars

Stalk Length

The first thing to consider when buying a new stem is the length. Non only does the stalk length impact the fit of the bike, just it plays a large role in how the bike handles. Using a shorter stem gives the bike quicker treatment characteristics and a more than responsive feel. A longer stem shifts your body weight towards the front of the bike and puts you in a better pedaling position, specially on those steep climbs.

With the trend present leaning towards longer and slacker bikes, for a lot of people using a traditionally shorter stem makes sense. For those aggressive trail bikes out there, we recommend using a stem in the 50-60mm length range. Of class, this may not piece of work for everyone. In some cases, sizing up a frame size and using a 35mm length stem may requite you a more than comfy fit. It is of import to consider both the fit and part of different length stems.

Size XL Yeti SB45c With A 32mm Length Race Confront Turbine Stem

Stem Rise

The stem ascent refers to where the handlebars are placed relative to the stem, measured every bit an bending in degrees. Think of drawing an imaginary line from the bottom of the stem to the bottom of the handlebars. Some common stalk rises are 0° and six°. With a 0° rise, the stem does not raise the handlebars at all. With a vi° ascension, the handlebars will be raised higher relative to the stem. With virtually stems, they can be flipped over to besides get the aforementioned amount of drop. Go along in mind that using stalk spacers can be used to modify handlebar peak too.

What Stem For Which Bike?

This is sort of a loose MTB stem guide considering getting the correct fit and function you are looking for is most of import when choosing the correct stem. A full general rule of thumb is that the more aggressive the cycle gets, the shorter the stem can be.

• Cross Land Bikes:A cross-state race stem is normally anywhere from 80-120mm length and may use anywhere up to 30° drop. Using such a long stem puts the rider more than over the front of the bike and allows for more efficient power transfer fifty-fifty on steep climbs.

• Trail/Enduro Bikes:For today's modern trail bikes and big mount capable enduro machines, most of the stems you will notice are 50-70mm in length and will use either a 0° or 6° rise. As the bikes become more aggressive, the fit and handling characteristics become more important than a more efficient pedaling position.

• Downhill Bikes: Most downhill bikes will exist seen using a 40-50mm direct mount stem. A direct mount stem bolts "directly" to the top crown of the fork and non to the steerer tube. Some ascent options are also available but a 0° rise is a rubber bet.

Race Face Atlas Stem Mounted With Renthal Fatbar Low-cal Carbon Handlebars

31.8 vs 35 Clamp Bore

Over the last couple of years, we have seen the industry pushing more than 35mm clench bore handlebars and stems. The two different standards certainly have tradeoffs. 35mm clamp diameter handlebars and stems can potentially increase overall stiffness and durability. Go along in mind that more stiffness isn't e'er the correct answer! Having a handlebar and stem combination that is likewise compliant to the vibration of the trail is important. The 35mm handlebars, when done correctly, can actually be lighter than its 31.8mm counterpart while maintaining the same strength. On the contrary, information technology is possible that the two handlebars could exist the same weight, one being stiffer than the other. In the end in that location are a lot of variables that come in to new mount bike "standards" and everyone has there own preference as to what works and what doesn't.

Renthal Apex 35 Stem Mounted With Renthal Fatbar Lite Carbon 35 Handlebars

Our 5 Favorite MTB Stems!

ane. TruVativ Hussefelt Stem

The TruVativ Hussefelt stem might exist one of the most iconic stems out there when it comes to modern mountain bikes. I call back I had this on my dirt jumper x years agone and information technology hasn't inverse much, and that is a adept matter. It has proved to be able to take a beating and is notwithstanding one of our all-time selling stems, especially in 31.8mm bar clench variety. There aren't many stems coming in that length and I really prefer to run 31.8mm handlebars, which makes this stem a great selection. Information technology's a bit heavy, but for the toll, you go an amazing stem. Information technology comes in a few lengths, just our nearly commonly sold model is the 40mm length x 31.8mm clamp.

Specs:

• 31.8mm bar clamp
• 50mm Length
• 0 Caste bending
• Forged 6061 aluminum
• 203g

2. Race Face Chester 35 Stem

Side by side upwards is the RaceFace Chester stem, which despite being a slightly newer option, has been selling like crazy. This is due to ii things: the price is virtually unbeatable for a loftier quality 35mm clamp stem, and it looks practiced besides. It's equally at dwelling as an upgrade on a slightly older bike or to throw on your brand new high end dream build. The Chester takes its design from its bigger blood brother the Turbine R, and comes in a more affordable package using forged alloy instead of beingness machined. This stem also comes in a few different lengths, or equally you could say, different strokes for different folks, but our nearly popular selling stem is the 40mm length ten 35mm bar clench.

Specs:

• 35mm bar clamp
• 40mm length
• 0 Degree Angle
• Forged 2014 alloy
• 150g

3. RaceFace Turbine R 35 Stem

Mentioned above, the Raceface Turbine R stalk finds itself at habitation on most of the bikes belonging to our beloved founder Jeff. While he prefers a unlike length than our virtually popular seller, there are a few reasons he loves this stem more than others. First is the square, CNC machined block of the stalk. Information technology takes peak honors in the looks game, while likewise coming in 2nd out of five on our list for the lightest stem. Yes, Jeff has been known to be a weight weenie, especially on his trail bikes. The best selling version of the Turbine R stalk is the 50mm length x 35mm bar clamp, however, Jeff likes to ride the 32mm length x 35mm length on almost of his bikes.

Specs:

• 35mm bar clench
• 50mm length
• 0 Caste angle
• CNC machined aluminum
• 138g

4. OneUp Components Stem 35mm

The OneUp stem works great with their handlebar, looks good, and can be used with or without the EDC preload. While almost all stems do the same job, the OneUp stem is the outlier, with its own way to preload your headset bearings, OneUp has innovated one time over again. Every bit many are familiar with OneUp'due south EDC tool organization going into the steerer tube of your fork, it used to crave threading your steerer tube for this to work, which is a bit of a pain. The EDC stalk has the ability to use a preload wedge on the inside of the stem during installation. You tighten your stem, and then hit the preload screw until the headset does not take any play. In addition to the super innovative preload organization, the stalk itself is too very practiced. Looks are not bad with a practiced square block to the stalk, it's right at home on whatever trail or enduro bike. It'southward made from durable forged 6061-t6 aluminum. While it's not quite the lightest, it's also non the heaviest, and will allow yous to apply your EDC tool without threading your steerer tube!  Note that the preload kit is sold separately from the stem, and the stem can be used every bit a traditional stem as well.

Specs:

• 35mm Bar Clamp
• 35mm Length
• 0 Degree angle
• Forged 6061-T6 aluminum
• 157g

five. Renthal Noon 35 Stem

I recall the Renthal Apex stalk might be 1 of the most popular stems on the marketplace in general. It also happens to be ane of the lightest in the trail/enduro category as well. Those might not be related, merely I wouldn't add together weight to my bike on purpose. The Renthal Apex stem features some astonishing CNC machining from a solid 7075 cake of aluminum and a ii piece faceplate design as well. The ii faceplates are also anodized aureate-ish and look amazing when paired with their alloy or carbon handlebar. This stem besides happens to exist the just stalk with a positive or negative ascent to it, which is becoming less common to encounter in this style of stem. Some people will bask this feature, some will be indifferent, and the remainder won't know the departure, and that is ok. The best selling version of this stem is the 40mm length x 35mm clamp.

Specs:

• 35mm bar clamp
• 40mm length
• +/- vi Caste angle
• CNC machined 7075 aluminum
• 122g

Final Thoughts

At the terminate of the day, we all need a stem to ride our bikes. While you might exist looking to upgrade your stock stem, trying to make your wheel await merely a flake amend, or y'all haven't thought about it at all, we hope this will guide you to make the best decision for you. From the good looking affordable Chester, to the lite and amazing looking Renthal Apex, and the innovative OneUp EDC stem, yous take all the options hither to choose from.

This commodity was written / authored past Max Morgan . Max has been a professional person downhill mountain bike racer for the concluding 10 years, competing in the UCI Globe Cup downhill series and U.S. Pro GRT series. Having ridden all unlike kinds of bikes on trails all over the globe, Max'southward experiences being out on the circuit give him a unique perspective on what makes for a quality cycling component . Max also has degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Physics, and and then if you don't run into out on the trail, chances are he is probably in the garage tinkering on the next projection.

Are All Bike Stems The Same Size,

Source: https://www.worldwidecyclery.com/blogs/worldwide-cyclery-blog/mtb-stem-buying-guide

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