The manufacturing industry for our sport is a cut throat business. Everyone is trying to make their product that much lighter, that much more unique, but not that much more expensive. The cost to manufacture goods has risen so much in the past it amazes me that these companies are still on the grind to create the lightest, most unique and functional parts for your bike, and they are succeeding. Recently we got the new
Twenty6 F1 stem, along with the
Straitline Ultra stem, so let's take a side by side look at them.
Read on for the comparison...
Twenty6 products is a small component company based out of Belgrade, Montana. As a young company, Twenty6 has a small lineup of products like Stems, Pedals, Bar end caps, and brake levers that make up their line up, however, each item has a unique touch. Recently we picked up an F1 Stem from Twenty6, their answer to the direct mount needs of Boxxer and 40 enthusiasts.
3 Piece Design
1 Piece Final Product
Created out of aerospace grade 6061 T6 Billet aluminum, the F1 Stem has been CNC Machined down to an extremely low weight of 124 grams with mounting hardware, all done in the United States of America. Designed as a Zero rise, but adjustable reach stem, the F1 Stem has optional 45mm, 50mm, and 55mm holes as length options. The F1 Stem comes in 11 different colorways, everything from snow camo to bright Pink to Wood grain.
There is one small thing I would like to mention about the F1 Stem. Seeing as it is adjustable it needs to be able to move forward and back, and the adjustments are more then helpful, allowing you to adjust your reach and still have a direct mount design, however, the tabs on the rear of the stem COULD damage your knees if you were not properly prepared. In the 45mm setting there is about 5mm of the stem that hangs over the back of the top crown that could potentially be a contact point for your knees if you aren't careful. Thankfully Tyler has rounded the back of the stem to ease this potential encounter.
Watch Out
The
F1 Stem is available from Twenty6, or one of their select distributors. The cost is $150 in Canada, and $123.00 in the USA.
When
Drew Mitchell isn’t out racing his bike, he’s developing parts for his next race season. Sponsor Straitline has worked in conjunction with Drew to achieve the shortest reach available. The F1 is a fixed position, 28mm reach direct mount stem that will make a beautiful addition to your Boxxer or Fox 40 forks.
2 Piece Design
1 Piece Final Product
The 28mm length forces the rider into a more central position over the bars, in order to keep the weight over the bars, and the rubber side down. Designed to work with 31.8mm handlebars, with 25.4 reducers available, the Ultra stem was designed to be very weight conscious, just like your ex girlfriend. At 136 grams with all 8 high strength alloy bolts in place the Ultra Stem has been designed to provide you with a secure, safe way of mounting your stem to your big bike.
A small note about the Ultra Stem, there is a height restriction on the stem which is limited by your steer tube. As you can see in
this photo there is limited clearance. Be forewarned that you may have to cut your steer tube in order to make space for the Ultra Stem. The Ultra stem retails for $140, and can either be found through Straitline, or through one of their
distributors.
... i´d take the straitline for fr and the twenty6 for race only
but I can't wait to get out the new holzfeller for new boxxers 
