Bike rack Black Friday: deals Ahead, MTB

Which bike stem to choose during the Black Friday?

Start with your fork's system, it determines the rest. A steerer tube receives an Ahead stem, clamped around the tube; a threaded steerer, on an old or city bike, uses a quill stem; a dual-crown downhill fork uses a direct mount stem screwed onto the upper crown. The position comes next: long and downward on the road, short for mountain biking, raised or adjustable in the city.

The four measurements to check before buying

• The handlebar clamp: 31.8 mm is the most common diameter, 35 mm is found on many enduro mountain bikes, 25.4 mm on many city bikes. It is measured in the middle of the handlebar and must match the stem exactly.
• The steerer: 28.6 mm, or 1 inch 1/8, on the vast majority of forks with a smooth steerer; quill stems are 22.2 mm on 1-inch threaded steerers.
• The length: it moves the hands forward or backward; even a few millimeters can make a difference.
• The angle: it raises or lowers the handlebars; a reversible Ahead stem can be flipped to change its angle.

Compare two discounts on the same stem

The same name often covers about ten items. The Pro PLT comes in lengths from 60 to 130 mm, at plus or minus 6 or 17 degrees; the Spank Spoon is available in 318 and 350 mm for 31.8 or 35 mm handlebars. So a promotion is only valid if the length, angle, and diameters are the same, comparing the original price and the discounted price to the version that suits you. The angle can be expressed two ways: minus 8 degrees from the horizontal or 82 degrees from the steerer mean the same thing. Finally, check the product sheet to see what the offer includes: stem only or stem and handlebar set, like some Uno models.

Handlebars, headsets, and other useful pages

The bike stem page details lengths, angles, and systems all year round. During the sale, a new stem sometimes requires a handlebar in Black Friday, to switch to 35 mm for example, or a new headset. Each discipline has its selection: road stems, mountain bike, and BMX. End-of-line items then go to clearance, while recent arrivals are found in new arrivals.

Which stem brands during the Black Friday?

Uno, the component range from Taiwanese manufacturer Kalloy, targets mostly city and vintage bikes: quill stems of 22.2 mm, adjustable stems from 0 to 60 degrees, Ahead Set in 6061 aluminium.

Spank, a Taiwanese manufacturer of mountain bike components, offers the Spoon 350 for 35 mm handlebars, available in 35 or 45 mm lengths, alongside the Split and Spike Race.

Funn focuses the Equalizer on mountain biking: forged and then machined, it can be mounted in either direction to slightly raise or lower the handlebars. The RSX is also available in a direct mount version for dual-crown forks.

Ergotec, a brand of German manufacturer Humpert, rates each stem with a Safety Level from 1 to 6, higher when the stem can bear more load: level 4 for the adjustable Octopus, and 6 for the High Bass and the Hake.

Pro, which supplies components for Shimano, lists the Vibe and the PLT for road, and the Koryak and Tharsis for mountain bikes.

Deda, an Italian brand based in Campagnola Cremasca, forges its Superzero road stem in three dimensions, at minus 8 degrees, and also offers the Zero 1, the Zero 100, and the Superleggera.

Frequently asked questions

How to assess a stem offer during the Black Friday?

Put identical parts side by side: length, angle, handlebar and steerer diameters, material. A cheaper stem in a different length does not meet the same need.

How to measure the stem on my bike?

Measure the distance between the steerer axis and the handlebar axis. The handlebar diameter is taken from the middle, where the stem clamps it. Length and angle are often marked on the stem.

Is an adjustable stem suitable for a road bike?

It is mainly used to find the right handlebar height in the city or on a tour. On the road, it helps to try a position before choosing a fixed stem, but it is heavier and its articulation requires careful tightening.

Should I wait for Black Friday to change my stem?

Not if your stem is cracked, bent after a fall, or if the handlebar moves despite tightening: replace it without delay. Discounts are better suited for comfort changes, like switching to a shorter or higher stem. They are not limited to the Friday after Thanksgiving: at Vélo-Store, promotions on stems run throughout November.

Will a mountain bike stem fit a city bike?

It will fit as long as the steerer and handlebar diameter match. Short and low, it brings the hands closer and lowers them; to stay upright in the city, a raised or adjustable stem is more suitable.