Best Bike Stems in 2022

Last update: December 14, 2022

Are bike stems universal?

Most bike stems are universal, meaning they will fit on any type of bike. The exception to this is if you have a road bike with a carbon frame, as some stems are not compatible with carbon frames. If you're unsure whether a stem will fit your bike, it's always best to check with the manufacturer or your local bike shop.

Can you flip a bike stem?

Yes, you can flip a bike stem. This is a common adjustment that riders make to their bikes. By flipping the stem, you can change the bike's handling characteristics. For example, flipping the stem will make the bike more responsive to steering inputs.

Do all handlebars fit all stems?

There are three main types of handlebar clamp diameter: 25.4 mm (1"), 26 mm (1-1/8") and 31.8 mm (1-1/4"). The stem clamp diameter must match the handlebar clamp diameter. In other words, a 25.4 mm handlebar can only be used with a stem that has a 25.4 mm clamp diameter, etc. Some stems are available in two clamp diameters to enable the use of either size handlebar. It is also possible to use an adaptor to fit a stem with one clamp diameter to

Does a shorter stem affect handling?

A shorter stem will affect handling, but it is not necessarily a bad thing. A shorter stem will make the bike more responsive to steering input and can make it easier to maneuver in tight situations. However, a shorter stem can also make the bike feel less stable at high speeds and can make it more difficult to keep the bike in a straight line.


MBP Alloy Tubeless 40mm Bicycle Presta Valve Stems Fits Most Rims with 2 Types of Grommets Included for Each stem. Review:


Although I am a mechanically oriented analytical type, I am not a bicycle mechanic. I must offer a recommendation for this product, I feel obligated to. In the past, I've utilized standard stems that seal to the stem hole with a molded rubber end or stopper. My issue with those is that sometimes when I tighten them down enough such that they don't squirt air when I attach my air hose, they tend to pull through the hole.My favorite aspects of it are as follows:* The incorporated flange on this stem acts as a ridged element to stop the stem from pulling through. The "O" rings are replaceable and come in conventional sizes. Another "O" ring is held captive by the retaining nut's depressed bottom (the side that touches the rim), preventing it from squirting out when the nut is tightened. The retaining nut features two square sides so that, even while it is mostly knurled for finger tightening, a wrench can be used if necessary. once screwed in, stays sealed. When I applied pressure to my air hose, no air leaked.



FOMTOR 31.8 Stem 60mm 70mm 80mm 90mm 7 Degree Light Weight Bike Handlebar Stem MTB Stem Suitable for Mountain Bike Road Bike BMX MTB Review:


To install on this, I purchased a Wake 780mm aluminum bar, and it fit well. My mountain bike is a huge box Schwinn 29er with dual suspension, a steel stem, and handlebars that were much too small. The only problem I had was that to get everything to tighten down, I had to grind approximately 1/4 inch off the top of my steering tube. My hand position is considerably more ergonomically pleasant because of the 60mm rise, which is half as long as the stock stem was. This stem comes highly recommended.



Wake 25.4 Stem 32mm 60mm Bike Stem Mountain Bike Stem Short Handlebar Stem for Most Bicycle, Road Bike, MTB, BMX, Fixie Gear, Cycling (Aluminum Alloy, Black) Review:


Since my dad also borrows it, it's a nice start to a review that it hasn't broken off. I completely understand why these don't allow you a lot of wiggle room when it comes to overtightening them. Not that you shouldn't toque them to the right specifications, but if you try to "feel it out," be cautious if you've recently consumed spinach. They employ exceedingly brittle metal. It's attached to a weekly used 29er hard tail and hasn't warped or lost its ability to securely hold the handlebars in place. While riding it, I'm gradually becoming more at peace with myself. Initially a little worried from the few who claimed that it simply collapsed worse than Charlie Scheen.



RaceFace Respond Mountain Bike Stem Review:


When I returned to my local trail after switching from my 70mm stem to the RaceFace Respond 45mm, I could instantly tell the difference. Turning and rounding corners is a lot simpler, and the stem is just extremely nice to look at. Additionally, I have noticed that I am standing up straighter and that I feel like I have more force when cycling, which has made climbing much simpler. I was surprised by the second section because I had assumed that longer stems were designed to gather more speed and facilitate climbs (XC). My stem was shortened more for better control than for power or climbing. Additionally, it made it much simpler to lift my front wheel. My one minor criticism is that it only provides the torque values for the two bolts that clamp on the steerer tube, not for the four M4? bolts on the face plate ( 12 and 13.6Nm). Both the manual and the stem don't mention anything. A 4 bolt RaceFace handlebar clamp costs 6.2Nm, according to a recent web search on Bikeride.com. Additionally, I paired the stem with an Atlas handlebar that I had previously shortened to 760, giving my bike a brand-new look and feel.



Wake Bike Stem Riser Bike Fork Stem Extender Bicycle Handlebar Raiser Head Up Adapter Suitable for Mountain Bike, Road Bike, MTB, BMX, Fixie (Aluminium Alloy, Adjustable, Black) Review:


This is just what I required to stop having half-numb hands throughout a bike. For me, it wasn't either too short or too long. I'm 6'2" and riding a fat bike with a huge frame, but after adjusting the pedals, the handlebars were at the same height as my seat. This fixed the bad geometry and restored riding comfort.Regarding the quality, it is quite solid and does not creak at all. I put some pressure on it while weighing 280 lbs, and it held up just fine. It has greatly thrilled me.



31.8 Stem 45mm Bike Stem Wake Mountain Bike Stem Short Handlebar Stem for Most Bicycle, Road Bike, MTB, BMX, Fixie Gear, Cycling (Aluminum Alloy, Black Blue Gold Red) Review:


How shall I put it? For $10, a really decent stem. I ride a hard tail cross country bike on desert single track. Nothing too difficult, however there occasionally are dropoffs into washes of 3 to 4 feet. This was going to be a test stem to see if I got along with the closer to center position with the goal of acquiring a "better" one if it worked for me. I wanted to bring my bars in a little closer for improved comfort and control. Installing was simple, however because the new clamp was a little bit narrower than the old one, we had to increase the stack by 5mm. Additionally, I used the better-quality, black fasteners from my last one. It took me a few tries to get the bars where I liked them, so until you find your sweet spot, go easy with the torqueing. After a few rides, I really don't see the need to spend any more money because this stem is working well and looks excellent. Time will tell, but there are no issues in my opinion. Try it out. functional and affordable.



OUTERDO Bike Fork Stem Extender Bicycle Handlebar Riser Adaptor New MTB Aluminium Alloy Head up Adapter Flexible Easy Installation Review:


I'm back to riding comfortably. It is more difficult to reach the handlebars if you are large or obese, like I am. It is simpler to reach because to the extender's added height and set back. helps my back and prevents numbness in my hands. It takes some getting used to, but even if I lost enough weight to not require it, I would retain it.I've had this for a long and couldn't be more pleased. This addition has contributed to a truly pleasurable journey. I commute and go on tours on my bike, which both require me to be upright to view traffic. This add-on aids in that. It was simple to put on and has held up well. One thing to keep in mind is that the change in riding posture may require you to adjust your seat position. I strongly advise you to try this first if you are considering buying a new bike to ease your discomfort.



FOMTOR 31.8 Stem 35 Degree 70mm 90mm 110mm Bike Handlebar Stem Riser MTB Stem Suitable for Mountain Bike, Road Bike, BMX, MTB Review:


I purchased this stem so that my flat bar setup on my hybrid bike would be more comfortable. My 7 degree, 90mm stem was not functioning properly. Although the frame size was ideal, I kept sliding forward in my seat, which was killing my neck. I kept shifting my seat forward, but it was never enough; I had to alter how far forward I was leaning. I purchased this 35 degree, 70mm stem, and it surprised me by making a significant difference by raising and bringing the handlebars closer to me. I was more comfortable overall and my seat wasn't sliding forward any longer. I've read that adjustable stems can compel you to replace the cables, so it was wonderful that the new arrangement didn't affect how the gears or brakes work. Overall, a fantastic purchase that was priceless. Please mark helpful if this review was useful to you in making a decision.



Wake MTB Stem 31.8 90mm 110mm 0-60 Degree Adjustable Bike Stem Mountain Bike Stem Short Handlebar Stem for Bicycle, Road Bike, MTB, BMX, Cycling (Aluminum Alloy, Lightweight, Black) Review:


I'm very satisfied with my purchase of the Wake MTB varaiable stem. For the price, less that $20 I was a little worried about the quality. However, I'm happy to report these feel just as well built as any bigger name brand stem. The variable geometry will come in very handy on my hybrid road conversion project where things can get wonky.My biggest concern when purchasing was whether one would ever be able to get the pivot bolt tight enough to completely keep the stem from moving. Like when you hit a pothole or something. Nicely, this turned out to be a non-issue. The inner portion of the linkage is what's known as a rosette surface. Basically, a bunch of interlocking "V's". The result is that once it's tightened down it doesn't budge.***My Rating Criteria***5 Stars: Works exactly as advertised, fit/finish are what you'd expect when purchasing this type of product AND it is a good value4 Stars: Works exactly as advertised, fit/finish are what you'd expect when purchasing this type of product, might have a minor flaw3 Stars: Generally works but I'd change a few things2 Stars: Barely works but can be made useful if you try1 Star: Useless, does not perform it's intended function whatsoever and is generally a waste of money



Wake MTB Stem 25.4 90mm 110mm 0-60 Degree Adjustable Bike Stem Mountain Bike Stem Short Handlebar Stem for Most Bicycle, Road Bike, MTB, BMX, Cycling (Aluminum Alloy, Lightweight, Black) Review:


fantastic aftermarket stem I was concerned that the pivot bolt would never be able to be tightened sufficiently to prevent movement. This isn't a problem, it turns out. There is a rosette pattern on the inner surfaces. Essentially a series of interconnected "v"s. As a result, once it is constricted, it is immovable. Definitely would purchase again."My Rating Standards"5 Stars: Delivers precisely what was promised, fits and finishes as you would expect for a product of this nature, is reasonably priced, and comes in retail packaging.When buying a product of this nature, fit and quality should be as expected. However, there may be a tiny fault or the item may arrive in unlisted non-retail packaging.3 Stars: generally effective, however I would make a couple changes OR Product is excellent but does not match the pictures or descriptionsBarely works, but if you try, it might be handy.Useless, completely ineffective, and an overall financial waste of time and money.


Does stem length affect bike handling?

It's a common belief that a longer stem will make a bike more difficult to handle, but is this really the case? Let's take a look at the pros and cons of longer stems to see if this is true. Longer stems do indeed make it harder to steer a bike precisely. This is because there is more leverage on the handlebars, making it easier to oversteer. However, longer stems also provide more stability at high speeds. This is because they increase the wheelbase of the bike, making it less likely to wobble. So

How do I choose a bike stem?

There are a few things to consider when choosing a bike stem. First, you need to determine the correct length stem for your bike. A good rule of thumb is to add 10-15mm to your shoulder width. Next, you need to decide if you want a rise stem or a drop stem. A rise stem will give you a more upright riding position, while a drop stem will put you in a more aerodynamic position. Lastly, you need to decide what material you want your stem to be made of. Aluminum is the most common material, but titanium and carbon fiber are also

How do I know my stem size?

One way to determine stem size is to measure the steerer tube. If it is 1 1/8 inches in diameter, then it is a standard size. If it is 1 1/4 inches in diameter, then it is an oversize. Another way to determine stem size is to measure the handlebar. If it is 31.8 millimeters in diameter, then it is a standard size. If it is 35 millimeters in diameter, then it is an oversize.

How do you know if your bike is too long?

If your bike is too long, it will be difficult to control and you may find yourself constantly leaning to one side. Your pedals will also be further away from your body, making it harder to pedal.

How does stem height affect handling?

The answer may surprise you, but the answer is that it really doesn’t affect handling that much. The main thing that affects handling is the rake of the fork, which is the angle of the blades relative to the ground. A fork with a shallower rake will make the bike feel more nimble, while a fork with a deeper rake will make the bike feel more stable. The stem height only has a minor effect on the handling.

Is 40mm stem too short?

A 40mm stem is on the shorter end for mountain bike stems. A shorter stem will quicken the handling of your bike, but may sacrifice some stability. If you are looking for a shorter stem to use on your mountain bike, make sure to test it out on some different trails before committing to it.