Height is a little bit harder to judge, but if your current mountain bike stem doesn’t have any bolts on it, you can measure the length of your existing bike stem. If it’s too short or too long, the handling of your bike will be completely different and could be dangerous if you’re not used to it! Lengthįor mountain bike stem length, you want to look for a stem as long as your current one.

There are also curved design mtb stems that give you more clearance on the handlebars and make your bike look more aerodynamic. The most common design is a straight design that looks very similar to a standard stem. Some are super simple, while others have crazy design elements, but they’re all rad-looking! Even though the design isn’t a significant factor in choosing mountain bike stems, it’s still nice to get one that looks good on your bike. Even if your existing bolts aren’t stripped, it’s a good idea to get a new set because they can be easily stripped from crash landings or just from being loose over time. More clamp bolts mean you can adjust the height and angle of your handlebars much easier. Boltsīolts are a great feature to have on your stem. You’ll want to select from carbon stems even if the price tag doubles the weight because it’s worth it for your performance. For advanced riders or racers, weight is critical. Steel is another great option for weight savings and affordability – but it’s also heavy.įor beginners, weight isn’t as big of a deal, so you can save weight by choosing aluminum for its affordability. Aluminum, on the other hand, is cheaper but heavier. There’s no denying that carbon fiber looks great and weighs less, but it also comes at a much higher price tag than alloy. But weight isn’t everything – you want something solid and durable enough for aggressive riding as well as looking fabulous on your bike. Weight is a big deal when you’re trying to shave weight off your mountain bike. What you get in return goes up exponentially when you pay more, so when you’re paying a lot, consider what’s important to you and what kind of riding style that stem will fit best for. You can easily find ones under $20 or for hundreds of dollars. Mountain bike stems are all over the map when it comes to pricing.

What to Look for When Buying the Mountain Bike Stems Price

Adjustable bike stem