Hey dudes, welcome to my BMX front load stems review – the most extensive available online.
I reviewed 25+ front load stems to bring you this condensed collection of the 14 ultimate.
There’s a catch!
You CAN’T GO WRONG with any of these stems. Meaning, the ones on the top are no better than the ones on the bottom.
They all feature a really tough base but the specs are different.
This post covers:
Now you know where to pick the best if you like the look of a front load.
Enjoy!
Best BMX Front Load Stems
1. Fiend Reynolds V3
The Fiend Reynolds V3 Stem is the third iteration of Garrett Reynolds’ signature stem with his company Fiend.
It’s a simple stem for one of the best BMX riders to ever do it.
This one features a full contact cap meaning that the front cap of the stem has no material machined out where it contacts the handlebars.
This is done to reduce handlebar slip.
The Reynolds V3 also features a recessed area for the compression cap and internal machining to bring the weight to 11.4 oz.
Reynolds V3 specs:
- Rise: 8.25mm
- Reach: 48mm
- Weight: 11.4 oz
- Price: $74.99 (may vary)
2. Primo Aleppo
The Aleppo Stem from Primo is Jordan Aleppo’s signature front load stem with the brand.
The stem is described as a “classic CNC machined front load stem” and features oversized bolts.
The stem has an 8mm rise with a 46mm reach and comes in black or silver.
Aleppo specs:
- Rise: 8mm
- Reach: 46mm
- Weight: 12.9oz
- Price: $75.00 (may vary)
3. Animal Jump Off Stem
The Jump Off Stem from Animal Bikes is a reissue of their classic front load stem from years ago and is made in the USA.
This one is available in black, raw, and gold.
It has a rise in the higher end of the range in front load stems at 12mm with a 48mm reach.
Jump Off Stem specs:
- Rise: 12mm
- Reach: 48mm
- Weight: 10.8oz
- Price: $89.99 (may vary)
4. Shadow VVS
The VVS front load stem from Shadow is Matt Ray’s signature stem which features an 8.5mm rise with a 48mm reach.
This one has been available in several colors, with others sure to come in the future.
The VVS is cold forged and CNC machined from 6061-T6 aluminum.
VVS specs:
- Rise: 8.5mm
- Reach: 48mm
- Weight: 11.3oz
- Price: $40.99 (may vary)
5. Rant Trill
The Trill front load stem from Rant is a budget front load stem option that is made using technology that Rant lists as “extruded aluminum billet technology.”
This keeps the price down while retaining a “high-performance” stem.
This stem is on the low end of front load stem rise at just 5.5mm and comes in around $30 in price.
Trill specs:
- Rise: 5.5mm
- Reach: 48mm
- Weight: 11.3oz
- Price: $30.99 (may vary)
6. Cinema Projector
The Projector Stem from Cinema is a front load stem with the rise of a top load stem and a very unique look.
The stem has a 25mm rise and a recessed compression cap area allows for compatibility with all fork steer tube lengths.
If you’re looking for the rise of a top load with the look of a front load, Cinema’s Projector stem is just right for you!
Projector specs:
- Rise: 25mm
- Reach: 50mm
- Weight: 11.6oz
- Price: $69.99 (may vary)
7. WeThePeople Index
WeThePeople’s index stem is a front load stem with the look of a normal front load stem and a 16mm rise which is at the high end of front load stems.
This stem boasts a 48mm wide face plate which gives extra surface area for clamping.
The Index stem comes in at 11.65 ounces, is fully CNC machined, and is offered in black, polished, and oil slick.
Index specs:
- Rise: 16mm
- Reach: 50mm
- Weight: 11.65oz
- Price: $60.99 (may vary)
8. BSD Dropped
The Dropped Stem is a front load stem from BSD that features a 10mm rise.
This one is CNC machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and is also made in a version with their 1” oversized clamping area for their 1” OS handlebars.
The Dropped stem has a recessed compression cap area for a clean look and is available in black, raw, and polished.
Dropped specs:
- Rise: 10mm
- Reach: 50mm
- Weight: 11.3oz
- Price: $67.99 (may vary)
9. Salt BMX Field
The Field stem is a front load stem from Salt which features a 48mm wide faceplate that utilizes their STC (shark tooth clamping) technology in order to improve clamping.
This one is fully CNC machined from 6061-T6 aluminum, weighs 11.46 oz, and comes in black and oil slick.
The Field stem also features a recessed compression cap area for a clean look and the faceplate is machined underneath for weight reduction.
Field specs:
- Rise: 7mm
- Reach: 50mm
- Weight: 11.46oz
- Price: $33.99 (may vary)
10. Kink Track
The Track stem from Kink is a front load stem with an original design with a non-traditional tightening of the cap.
You first tighten the top two bolts fully before the bottom two.
It creates a very clean top look of the stem, which I really like!
This one is made from fully CNC machined 6061-T6 aluminum with a countered base to save weight.
The Kink stem is available in two color options, mate black and matte silver.
Track specs:
- Rise: 7mm
- Reach: 50mm
- Weight: 12.4oz
- Price: $69.99 (may vary)
11. Profile Acoustic
The Profile Acoustic front load stem has a unique shape that makes it pretty light for the fact of how strong it is.
But you can make it even lighter if you pick titanium bolts (but that’s not something I recommend).
The Acoustic stem is made of 6061 aluminum and features multiple color options, so there’s something for everyone.
Of course, this is one of the best solutions if you’re exclusively searching for an American-made stem.
Acoustic specs:
- Rise: 7.6mm
- Reach: 48 or 53mm
- Weight: 9.6oz
- Price: $73.99 (may vary)
FAQs About BMX Front Load Stems
What is the difference between top load and front load stem?
The main difference between a top load and a front load stem is the very different stack heights. Plus, the look is entirely different. A front load grabs the bar on the front and a top load on the top.
Recommendation: A top load is perfect if you’d like to raise your handlebar without adding extra spacers (or you maybe run out of space for extra spacers).
What is a BMX stem?
A BMX stem is a part on your bike that clamps the forks and the handlebar. Along with two main different styles (front- and top load), stems also come in different reach and rise, measured in millimeters.
What does BMX stem’s reach do?
The longer the reach, the more stable the bike will feel and vice versa, the shorter the more responsive.
If you do a lot of street riding and technical park, then I recommend picking a shorter reach. Longer is better if you ride trails and transitions.
