The 28 best bike stems brands
FSA, Ritchey and Nitto lead our ranking of 28 bike stems brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Bike Stems brands, ranked
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1
FSA
Sells a broad road and MTB stem range, from the Energy and Afterburner to the Omega, usually at mid-range prices.
Top products: Energy Stem· Afterburner MTB Stem· Omega OS-168
Website: fsaproshop.com |Brands like FSA
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
Ritchey
Long-standing US maker of road and mountain stems with a classic, straightforward design.
Website: us.ritcheylogic.com |Brands like Ritchey
Popularity 9.9/10
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3
Nitto
Japanese stems and bars with a classic, understated finish favoured by touring and drop-bar riders.
Top products: NTC Stem
Website: nittotire.com |Brands like Nitto
Popularity 9.2/10
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4
Race Face
Canadian MTB stems built for trail, enduro and downhill riding in 31.8 and 35mm clamp sizes.
Top products: Chester· Aeffect R35
Website: raceface.com |Brands like Race Face
Popularity 8.9/10
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5
Specialized
Major bike brand whose stems mostly complement its own bikes, including BMX models.
Website: specialized.com |Brands like Specialized
Popularity 8.1/10
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6
Origin8
Budget-friendly stems and quill adapters for older and BMX bikes, plus MTB and trail models.
Top products: Pro Fit MTB Quill Stem· Throwdown
Website: origin8.bike |Brands like Origin8
Popularity 7.9/10
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7
Deda Elementi
Zero stem line covers both road and MTB bars, letting riders adjust reach with several length options.
Top products: Zero Stem
Website: dedaelementi.com |Brands like Deda Elementi
Popularity 7.3/10
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8
Cinelli
Italian stem and bar specialist with a racing heritage, mostly in polished, classic-looking designs.
Popularity 7.1/10
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9
Easton
Carbon and alloy bike parts maker, with stems and bars often used on road and triathlon bikes.
Popularity 6.9/10
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10
3T
Ergonova bars and Arx stems are the 3T lines most riders recognise, mostly in carbon for road builds.
Website: 3t.bike |Brands like 3T
Popularity 6.9/10
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11
ITM
German maker of handlebars, stems and seatposts, with lightweight alloy and carbon options for road riders.
Website: itm.it |Brands like ITM
Popularity 6.2/10
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12
GT
US bike brand whose stems mostly match its own complete bikes, from BMX to mountain.
Website: gtbicycles.com |Brands like GT
Popularity 6.1/10
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13
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14
Industry Nine
Hub and cockpit maker, the A35 stem suits enduro and trail bikes with a machined finish.
Top products: A35
Website: industrynine.com |Brands like Industry Nine
Popularity 5.9/10
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15
Cannondale
Stems mostly fit its own complete road, mountain and kids bikes.
Website: cannondale.com |Brands like Cannondale
Popularity 5.8/10
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16
Control Tech
Aerodynamic shapes and lightweight materials guide the parts that Control Tech makes for motorbikes and road bikes. The brand's catalogue centres on road bike handlebars along with other bike parts and accessories. Its components are built from more than one...
Website: controltechbikes.com |Brands like Control Tech
Popularity 5.7/10
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17
Giant
Giant is the place to go if you love the thrill and adventure of bike riding! Giant is a leader in making professional bicycles widely used in racing and triathlons. They sell Road and Mountain bikes made for riding on...
Top products: Contact AeroLight OD1
Website: giant-bicycles.com |Brands like Giant
Popularity 5.7/10
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18
Zipp
Carbon fiber rims and lightweight handlebars define Zipp, the performance cycling brand owned by SRAM. Its carbon wheels for road, gravel and triathlon riding are built around aerodynamic rim shapes, and handlebars, extensions and cockpit parts are also made. The...
Top products: Service Course SL· Service Course
Website: zipp.com |Brands like Zipp
Popularity 5.6/10
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19
Profile Design
Profile Design is an affiliated clothing brand. They have been the masters of this business for 40 years. Profile Design mainly focuses on manufacturing high-quality performance apparel for all cycling enthusiasts. They aim to be innovative and stylish in their...
Website: profile-design.com |Brands like Profile Design
Popularity 5.2/10
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20
KORE
KORE's objective is to elevate the bar for all riders through innovation, design, and quality. Over the past few years, they have put a lot of effort into realizing this ambition, creating a distinctive portfolio of honor-winning goods that will...
Popularity 5.0/10
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21
Sunlite
Sunlite designs light bulbs, including incandescent, tube and colored filament styles. The brand belongs to Sunshine Lighting. Its catalog covers indoor, industrial and outdoor LED and non-LED fixtures along with LED lamps.
Top products: Adjustable Mountain Bike Stem
Website: sunlite.bike |Brands like Sunlite
Popularity 4.9/10
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22
FUNN
Funn produces mountain bike components such as pedals, handlebars, stems, saddles, headsets and cranks. The parts are built for racers as well as riders who spend weekends on the trail. Funn's components are designed for fast, responsive rides on rough...
Website: funnmtb.com |Brands like FUNN
Popularity 4.9/10
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23
Shimano
Cycles are fun to ride and also good for health. But not every cycle feels good while riding and often has complaints. Shimano Steps presents you with a series of e-bikes that can accommodate any terrain, whether city or hill....
Top products: Koryak MTB Stem
Website: shimano.com |Brands like Shimano
Popularity 4.9/10
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24
Cane Creek
CaneCreek gained popularity after developing the world's first threadless headset. Since then, they have worked tirelessly to create colossally engineered and free from convention cycling parts, including shocks, forks, cranks, seat posts, stems, brakes, and gears. They have pushed the...
Website: canecreek.com |Brands like Cane Creek
Popularity 4.7/10
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25
Syncros
Biking produces the thrill which adrenaline seekers love. Syncros improves the mountain and road biking experience by offering every component and accessory required for a smoother ride. From providing high-performing and bomb-proof hardware to offering wheels and comfortable seats. Syncros...
Website: syncros.com |Brands like Syncros
Popularity 4.6/10
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26
ENVE
ENVE is driven by a love for cycling. According to ENVE, they create the best carbon fiber products worldwide. They incorporate the latest technology and feedback from world-class athletes to develop their bikes which are ultimate in lightness, stiffness, and...
Website: enve.com |Brands like ENVE
Popularity 3.9/10
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27
SPANK
Spank Industries is an exceptionally unique brand for designing, creating, and manufacturing its exclusive components with the in-house concept but not the industrial-based design. Their factory is used to prepare their raw materials from scratch and manufacture and supply their...
Website: spank-ind.com |Brands like SPANK
Popularity 3.8/10
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28
Trek
Trek comes from Waterloo, Wisconsin, and builds mountain bikes, road bikes, and other bicycles. Its cycling clothing includes mountain bike jerseys and full cycling kits for riders who want matching gear on the trail. The brand is recognized for its...
Top products: Extender Quill Stem Adaptor
Website: trekbikes.com |Brands like Trek
Popularity 3.7/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FSA | fsaproshop.com | /Fullspeedahead | fsa_mtb | @visionmy | FullSpeedAheadTV |
| Ritchey | us.ritcheylogic.com | /RitcheyInternational | ritcheylogic | @RitcheyLogic | RitcheyDesign |
| Nitto | nittotire.com | /NittoTire | nittotire | @NittoTire | – |
| Race Face | raceface.com | /RacefacePerformance | raceface | @raceface604 | Race Face MTB |
| Specialized | specialized.com | – | – | – | – |
| Origin8 | origin8.bike | /origin8cycling | origin8cycling | @origin8cycling | Origin8 Cycling |
| Deda Elementi | dedaelementi.com | /DedaElementi | ridededa | @dedaelementi | – |
| 3T | 3t.bike | /3Tbike | 3Tbike | @3Tbike | 3tcycling |
Bike Stems Buying Guide
When it comes to improving the performance and comfort of your bike, one of the most important upgrades you can make is to the stem. The stem is the component that attaches the handlebars to the bike's frame, and it plays a crucial role in your bike's overall fit and handling. But with so many different types of stems available, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. In this guide, we'll take a closer look at the different types of bike stems and what to consider when choosing the right one for your bike.
Types of Bike Stems
There are several different types of bike stems to choose from, each with its own unique characteristics and benefits. Here are the most common types:
Quill Stems
Quill stems are the most common type of stem found on older bikes, and they were standard on most bikes until the late 1990s. These stems feature a long bolt that runs through the middle of the stem and threads into the top of the fork steerer tube. Quill stems are adjustable for height and angle, which makes them a popular choice for touring and commuter bikes. However, they can be difficult to adjust on the road and are heavier than modern stems.
Threadless Stems
Threadless stems are the most common type found on modern bikes, and they are lighter and easier to adjust than quill stems. Threadless stems attach to the fork steerer tube using a headset, and they come in a variety of lengths, angles, and materials. One of the benefits of threadless stems is that they allow for more adjustability than quill stems. Additionally, they are easier to install and remove, which makes them a popular choice for competitive cycling.
A-Head Stems
A-Head stems are a variation of threadless stems, and they are commonly used on road and mountain bikes. A-Head stems are designed to blend into the headset and fork, creating a more streamlined appearance. They are available in a range of angles and lengths, and they offer a comfortable and responsive ride. A-Head stems are easy to install, and they are a popular choice for riders who want to upgrade their bike's look and feel without sacrificing performance.
Adjustable Stems
Adjustable stems are designed to provide greater versatility and adjustability than standard stems. These stems feature a pivot point that allows them to be adjusted for height and angle, which can be especially useful for riders who are looking to improve their bike's fit. Adjustable stems are usually heavy, so they are not recommended for competitive cycling or weight-conscious riders.
Direct Mount Stems
Direct mount stems are designed to provide maximum stiffness and strength, and they are commonly used in downhill and freeride mountain biking. Direct mount stems attach directly to the fork crown, which eliminates the need for a steerer tube. This results in a stronger and more secure connection between the handlebars and the frame, which is essential for rough terrain and high-speed descents. Direct mount stems are not suitable for road or commuting bikes, as they are heavy and make adjustments to the handlebars more difficult.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Bike Stem
When it comes to choosing the right bike stem, there are several factors to consider. Here are some of the most important:
Length
The length of your bike stem plays an important role in your bike's fit and handling. A shorter stem will provide a more upright and comfortable riding position, while a longer stem will place you in a more aggressive and aerodynamic riding position. Longer stems are generally recommended for road cycling and competitive riding, while shorter stems are better for touring and commuting.
Angle
The angle of your bike stem also plays a role in your bike's handling and comfort. Stems are available in a range of angles, with 0 degrees being a straight stem and +- 10-17 degrees being a more angled stem. A more angled stem will provide a higher riding position and better visibility, while a straight stem will place you in a more aggressive and aerodynamic riding position.
Diameter
The diameter of your stem will also impact your bike's fit and handling. The most common stem diameter is 31.8mm, although there are other sizes available. It's important to choose a stem that matches the diameter of your handlebars and the fork steerer tube.
Material
The material of your stem will impact its weight, stiffness, and durability. Common materials for stems include aluminum, carbon fiber, and titanium. Aluminum is the most popular material, as it is lightweight and relatively affordable. Carbon fiber and titanium are more expensive but offer more stiffness and durability.
Budget
Finally, your budget will also play a role in your choice of stem. Stems can range in price from less than $20 to several hundred dollars, depending on the type, material, and brand. It's important to choose a stem that fits your budget and provides the performance and comfort you need.
Conclusion
Upgrading your bike stem can make a big difference in your bike's fit, comfort, and handling. By considering factors such as stem length, angle, diameter, material, and budget, you can choose the right stem for your bike and riding style. Whether you're a competitive cyclist or a recreational rider, a good bike stem is an essential part of a comfortable and enjoyable ride.
