Choosing a BMX Stem

Upgrading your bike with a new BMX stem will customize your ride to your comfort level. With an aftermarket BMX stem you determine your reach distance and how high or low you want your BMX handlebars to set. You can give your bike a completely new image by purchasing BMX pegs to match the stem and other coordinating accessories as well.You will find many styles of BMX stems available-enough to match every personality. Beyond just color and texture decisions, you must choose between quill-type stems and threadless. When you install the stem, the threadless type will clamp onto the steerer. The older quill style, however, attaches to the inside of the tube by compression.These stems are also rated according to the angle. When looking to upgrade a bike, test out a couple styles or at least get a close idea of what angle you need so that you buy a product in keeping with your needs. You do not want to have to adapt to an awkward bike (and a backache) if you purchased the wrong stem.Each day seems to bring a new style or development to bike stems. Aluminum alloy stems provide a cost savings most of the time except for the high-grade alloys which cost much more than the carbon stems. Carbon fiber stems add strength, less weight, and help absorb a lot more road vibrations, although they cost a slight bit more than most aluminum stems. On some bikes a titanium stem adds a special touch, reduces weight, and costs a bit more than most aluminum or carbon types. When shopping, you may go for the more functional stems from companies like Black Ops or Thompson. North Shore Billet and Chromag offer direct mount stems for certain bike types. Others may choose from the many designs by Shadow Conspiracy, Sputnik, Animal, and Kore, to name a few.When you shop for the stem, know the size of your handlebars and the steerer tube. Once these details are known, you can decide on length and drop. In particular, stem length controls the response of the front wheel-longer stems delay response where shorter ones turn more quickly. Depending on your past scar record, you may also want to consider a more streamlined or rounded stem to avoid sharp edges that may injure.With a well chosen BMX stem, you can relax as your bike stands out from the rest.

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