Production Privee 548 Direct Mount Stem and Bar - Taipei Cycle Show 2011

Mar 16, 2011
by Mike Levy  
Andorran component company Production Privee gives Pinkbike the first look at their great looking 548 direct mount stem and handlebar, both of which were developed with help from Cedric Gracia.
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The Production Privee 548 stem and bar not only look great together, but also have some functional benefits.

Based in Andorra, Production Privee is a new startup company who are designing and producing some truly unique looking products, including the sharp looking 548 direct mount stem shown above. It certainly feels as if everyone and their cousin is selling some sort of direct mount stem, not many of which actually stand out from the crowd, but the 548 has a distinct look to it that caught our eye. Developed with the help of Cedric Gracia, the 124 gram 548 stem uses a one piece design that places stiffness high up on the priority list. One of the first things that most will notice is the 548's distinctive shape, especially the curved back that doesn't resemble the majority of chunky angular direct mount stems out there. Those same lines, shaped by a 5-axis CNC machine, carry on over the rest of the stem as well, with the result being an eye catching finished product.

Production Privee 548 Direct Mount Stem details:

• Created with the help of Cedric Gracia
• 7074 T6 aluminum
• One piece design
• 50mm reach
• 19mm rise
• Weight: 124 grams (incl. hardware)
• MSRP $129.00 EUR (USD undecided)


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The unique shape is created using a 5-axis CNC machine.


The 548 features a single 50mm reach mounting position with recessed holes for the bolts, and 19mm of rise. Wondering why, with the still ongoing trend of riders wanting lower and lower bars, the 548 has built in rise? Cedric Gracia played a big role in developing the stem, actually testing three completely different prototypes until he had one that he was happy with, and much preferred the slightly taller version. Take a look at the top pro's bikes and you'll find that most run spacers under their crowns, as well as proper riser bars - having some rise in the stem means less spacers to mess around with and a shorter steerer tube.

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The bar and stem both feature gradient marks that make setup a breeze.


Besides looking great, the 548 has some interesting design points as well. The anodized 'racing strip' atop the stem serves as an alignment point when used with Production Privee's bars, making it easy to be sure that your controls are centered. Also, a closer look reveals angled gradient marks on the side that allows you to find out and set the exact amount of bar roll back that you prefer, especially when pared with their their bar that sports matching lines. Not only is this a great little feature for finding out what angle you feel comfortable with, but it should also make setup quicker and easier if you ever have to box up your bike for traveling to races or on holidays.

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Production Privee and Cedric Gracia worked together to produce a matching handlebar as well.


The matching bar is made from 7075 T6 aluminum and available in a host of different rise and width options depending on what you're looking for, and have also been made to Cedric's preferences. The bar not only features laser etched centering and angle gradients to ease setup, but it also incorporates similar markings for brake lever and shifter position. Again, this not only should make setup a breeze, but also realigning the levers after they rotate in a crash. It almost makes too much sense. Cut lines, complete with widths marked out, are used on each side as well, meaning that you won't have to mess about with a tape measure when if you want to shorten them up.

Production Privee handlebar details:

• Created with the help of Cedric Gracia
• 7075 T6 double butted aluminum
• 8° backsweep, 5° upsweep
• Laser etched control alignment graphics
• 1.5" rise will be available in 780mm width
• 1" rise will be available in 780mm and 740mm widths
• 0.5" rise will be available in 780mm and 740mm widths
• Weight: 740mm width - 314 grams, 780mm width - 324grams
• MSRP $89 EUR (USD undecided)


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Laser etched markings make brake lever and shifter position a breeze, both angle and side to side adjustments are accounted for.


Having had both the bar and stem in my paws, I can attest to the quality of the product - it is great looking stuff. You'll have to be patient though, Production Privee is looking to release both of the above products in early June of this year.

Author Info:
mikelevy avatar

Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles

43 Comments
  • 20 0
 that is perfect i love the idea of the lines to get the brakes lined up and the bars at the right angle!
  • 7 0
 it would be nice if they made a similar version stem that isnt direct mount, it would be great for DJers and would be sick lol.. just my opinion
  • 5 4
 new raceface option?
  • 3 0
 no i mean since race face is gone now, these guys might step up and deliver another OPTION for us.............
  • 2 0
 oh ya its always good to have more options
  • 6 0
 I'm not going to lie, the stem and bar are really something else once you actually have them in your hand. A direct mount stem is pretty simple - how different can one look? - but the Production Privee stuff had me drooling.
  • 3 0
 I agree, nicely crafted with some really cool and practical features but they seem rather pricey don't they?
  • 2 0
 Those gradients and brake lever markings are a forehead slapper! Why wouldn't all companies do this!! Make mechanics life sooo much easier! I just can't figure out who helped design and test it tho...........
  • 1 0
 beautiful design. The sculpted forms on the top of the Stem take a little more time to machine, but they are well thought out and look great. Angle and distance markings for bars and levers is a brilliant idea too.
To the designers: Congrats. you've made some fly gear! It's great to see design innovation that isn't necessarily just about efficient tool paths..
  • 2 0
 Very good idea! I like it when they can add style and functionality in the same product. They could do like to align normal stem with the tube suspension. To get the bar parallel with the body And also to align the saddle with the frame.
  • 1 0
 I have nevert heart from this brand - but it is okey, they use the same backsweep and near same upsweep with the same rise as Race Face Atlas, with just 5mm shorter, but for this 26 gramms lighter, with the strongest 7075 T-6 aluminium. Im impressed, well done!
  • 1 0
 Andorran component company Production Privee gives Pinkbike the first look at their great looking 518 direct mount stem and handlebar, both of which were developed with help from Cedric Gracia.


Typo? Isn't it the 548 DM stem?
  • 1 0
 The DM will stand for Direct Mount but suppose if 548 DM is the official name then yeah lol
  • 2 0
 Insert Wakidesigns 3 paragraph rant on the damage to the environment that production of this product caused.. I'm waiting for it Waki.
  • 2 0
 innovating on the simplest of things.. very nice. (no sarcasm). all the smart companies should start following the lead here on terms of ease of setup.
  • 3 0
 Would be nice to see some single crown stems that look this slick
  • 1 0
 that stem is amazing. 5 axis machines really open up a new weight saving method aswell as clean lines to match that of the hydroforming and carbon frames coming out.
  • 1 0
 I hope to see you soon on e-bay ... Smile
ps: hope is a bar with lower elevation. or fashion is over?
  • 1 0
 I've been waiting for someone to make something like this for so long, where can i order?
  • 1 0
 You'll have to wait until June of this year.
  • 1 0
 ohh too bad, so this is just a proto then?
  • 3 0
 Hey guys, These are the final products, prototype runs for several month already.
  • 1 0
 huge thumbs up for the adjustment lines, though bars get scuffed to shit usually but it would make mountin' em a breeze!
  • 2 0
 very nice
  • 2 0
 Looks so sick! Love the detail in those line for the angles too.
  • 1 0
 Sweet, how much! I need a new stem to sit on my new Boxxer's!
  • 1 0
 Prices are above in the article in EUR, US pricing is still undecided.
  • 2 0
 looks sweet !
  • 8 1
 holy batman Batman
  • 5 0
 they definitely have the right idea with all the allignment markings. great idea dont know why they havent been used as much as they are here before
  • 3 0
 I love the styling on that stem! Its great seeing curves starting to be used properly in the machining of products. Its only a matter of time before companies take to the the road cycling norm of making aerodynamic products me thinks - especially with the onset of better manufacturing processes like the mentioned 5-axis CNC machine. Also nice seeing European 'In House' companies as opposed to turning to the US for products of this quality and the subsequent tax additions on European pricing that implements.
  • 2 0
 omg i want
  • 1 0
 Going to be super expensive in USD
  • 1 0
 some very smart and simple features on the bars, sharp looking components
  • 1 0
 this is the first direct stem that I actually like. It's beautiful!
  • 1 0
 What happened to El Gallo then? Contract must have run out.
  • 1 0
 wish i had a fox 40 right now...
  • 1 0
 whoa! Nice. Wink
  • 1 1
 Does it fit for a 888?
  • 1 1
 no, completely different mounting setup for 888 dm than boxxer/40 dm
  • 1 0
 Yeah why is that? Marz probably has more forks out there than anyone, and they won't use the Boxxer/40/Dorado international standard, seems crazy to me, they should give their faithful riders all the options! Sick stem/bar combo
  • 1 0
 Makes no sense to me. If marz wont change you would think more companies would start producing 888 specific dm's as well, but for some reason hardly any companies make them. If i had a cnc machine id totally be trying to fill that product niche haha







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