Gravel Bike Stems: Everything You Need to Know

Contents:
Introduction
Types of Gravel Bike Stems
Why Stem Length Matters
Choosing the Right Gravel Bike Stem
Ritchey Stems for Gravel Bikes

There’s little else more satisfying than having your gravel bike ride just the way you want it to. To get what you want from your gravel bike, you should carefully consider the parts that make up the sum. Whether it’s comfort you’re after or better performance, a lot can depend on your gravel bike stem, which connects your handlebar to the steerer tube and consequently, to the rest of your bike. Gravel bike stem length and angle affect the way your bike handles on varying terrain. A stem is also one of the easiest, most economical upgrades you can make to your gravel bike, and it can have a tremendous impact on cockpit control and rider fatigue. When choosing a stem specifically for gravel riding, there are a few factors to think about with respect to you and your riding environment. Ultimately think of your stem as a vital component for customizing your ride.

Many racers are of the opinion that a longer, lower (negative stem angle) equals aerodynamics and/or higher performance. Performance is a balance of aerodynamics and the rider’s ability to generate power in a given position. If a rider cannot generate power consistently in a given position (usually because they are too low or too long) then it doesn’t matter how “aero” they are.

Stem length also plays a key role in how your gravel bike handles.

Stem length (and angle) determines your bar’s position relative to the saddle, which has the greatest effect on your upper body. It can potentially affect the angle of the torso, front-to-back weight distribution on the bike, and perceived pressure on the hands. A correct bike stem length should allow for a balance of correct cockpit length, posture, and control/handling of the bike.

TIP: Sometimes just changing the number of spacers below the stem may be all that’s needed to achieve your ideal position.

Changing your stem length will put into motion a series of changes that — for better or for worse — could have a long-term impact on the way you ride. So, before you knock over that row of dominoes, take a few minutes to read the following paragraphs.

A professional bike fit will take all the guesswork out of choosing a stem. A bike fit will account for variables such as saddle choice, how you sit on that saddle, strength, flexibility, and probably most importantly, how you plan to use your bike (i.e. gravel racing, bikepacking, recreational riding, etc). Your fit data plus your preferred riding style will yield conclusive gravel stem recommendations. All that’s left to do is pick the one that matches your recommended specs and budget. Or you could carry out your own analysis by following these instructions.

Carefully selecting a gravel bike stem can lead to better race results, more comfort, and even pain relief, so taking your stem seriously can radically alter your performance on the bike. Even the most novice cyclist should get familiar with his/her/their stem in order to make an informed decision about stem length. These steps will help guide that process.

To Ritchey, the stem is an all-important component that warrants exhaustive research and development during the design phase. As a result, what defines a Ritchey stem is its material composition, 3D Net Net Shape Forging (for some models), internal routing, bar clamp system, faceplate design, stem angle, and steerer clamp design.

Material composition

3D Net Shape Forging

This forging process forces aluminum alloy’s grain to follow the product shape for greater structural strength. This process is used in all of Ritchey’s WCS and Comp stems.

Internal routing

Featured on the Ritchey Switch Stem, cables for rear brakes, shifter, and electronics are channeled on the stem’s underside or inside the stem body to cleanly route cables through the headset and into frames designed for internal routing.

Ritchey handlebar clamp systems

Almost all stems (except for integrated ones) need to securely attach to the handlebar without damaging the bar. Ritchey has a few different clamp designs that vary according to bar clamp circumference and faceplate width — both of which contribute to a stem’s clamping surface area. Bar clamp circumference refers to how much in degrees the stem wraps around the handlebar. The more clamping surface area a stem covers, the greater strength it has for staying in place without stressing the bar with excessive torque.

TIP: Ritchey’s Liquid Torque creates extra friction between two surfaces, allowing tightening torque to be reduced by up to 30%. Less tension on sensitive parts of your bike, like carbon fiber bits, means longer product life and more reliability.

Here are the stem features that set Ritchey stems apart:

Ritchey stem angle

It’s important to check and see if the stem has a flip flop design. Most of Ritchey’s gravel stems (except for the Switch stem) can be installed with either a positive or negative rise. 84D stems have a +/- 6° rise; 73D stems have a +/- 17° rise; 25D stems have a +/- 25° rise; and 30D stems have a +/- 30° rise.

Steerer clamp design

Steerer clamps are designed for minimal weight or for improved aesthetics and clean lines when paired with spacers and headsets. Steerer clamps can have two or three clamping bolts for safety and redundancy. The cut for enabling clamping can be straight or diagonal. A diagonal cut, or bias cut, dissipates clamping force over a greater surface area of the steerer tube to reduce stress per square centimeter.

Out of all the things you could change on your gravel bike, the stem may be one of the most subtle yet effective upgrades for improving comfort and/or performance. This post provides some guidance for how to choose a gravel bike stem. Visit the Gravel page to find your next stem, as well as other components to support your ride.