Are you searching for the best BMX stems?
Do you need a front or a top load?
It doesn’t matter!
I ensured to include the best of both worlds, so there’s something for everyone.
Note: Some stems are also available with oversized (OS) clamping. But if you get it, you also need an OS handlebar for compatibility.
This post covers:
- Best BMX top load stems
- Best BMX front load stems
- How to pick the right BMX stem for you?
- FAQs about BMX stems
I also have complete collections of the best BMX top load stems and BMX front load stems if you need more options.
Best BMX Top Load Stems
Note: Check out my ultimate collection of the best BMX stem bolt kits.
1. BSD Stacked Stem (High Rise)
BSD’s Stacked stem is their tallest reach stem with a 33mm rise, so you can really stack up; pun intended.
You can get the Stacked stem in the conventional ⅞” clamping area for standard bars, but they also offer the oversized 1″ clamping area (OS).
The Stacked top load stem is also available in black, raw, or polished. Classics!
BSD Stacked Stem specs:
- Rise: 33mm
- Reach: 50mm
- Weight: 11 oz (311.8 g)
- Price: $84.99 (may vary)
Note: Don’t miss my collection of 50mm reach BMX stems for more amazing options.
2. Odyssey BOYD Stem
The Odyssey BOYD stem is Boyd Hilder‘s signature top load.
Boyd wanted to create a slightly longer stem because of his height. He came out with the perfect version at a 30mm rise and a 52mm reach.
The stem is CNC machined out of a 6061-T6 Aluminum block with a unique inside surface to prevent bar slippage.
Available in black only ATM.
Odyssey BOYD stem specs:
- Rise: 30mm
- Reach: 52mm
- Weight: 13.1 oz (371.4 g)
- Price: $74.99 (may vary)
Note: Don’t miss my collection of 52mm reach BMX stems for more amazing options.
3. Shadow Treymone Stem
When Trey Jones and Simone Barraco collaborate on a signature product, Treymone is the best name for it.
Here’s their BMX stem from The Shadow Conspiracy.
Both riders liked the geometry of Shadow’s Ravager stem but wanted to make some changes, and so they created the Treymone.
This top load stem features a 27mm rise and a 51mm reach. The Treymone stem is cold forged and CNC machined from 6061-T6 Aluminum.
Treymone stem comes in 7+ colors, from black and red to “flesh and blood” and purple, to name a few.
Shadow Treymone stem specs:
- Rise: 27mm
- Reach: 51mm
- Stack Height: 28.5mm
- Weight: 11.5 oz (326.0 g)
- Price: $44.99 (may vary)
4. Odyssey Broc V2 Stem
This is the second version of the original and popular Odyssey Broc stem. Broc wanted an updated rise of 33mm and a change in the shape.
They also upgraded all six bolts with larger bolt heads. The Broc V2’s reach comes in at 50mm, with the stem CNC machined out of a 6061-T6 Aluminum brick.
If it holds Broc Raiford, it can hold anyone!
You can get it in black, pink, gold and polished.
Odyssey Broc V2 stem specs:
- Rise: 33mm
- Reach: 50mm
- Weight: 12.15 oz (344.4 g)
- Price: $89.99 (may vary)
5. Cult Salvation Stem
The Cult BMX‘s Salvation stem is for everyone looking for an affordable stem. Cult managed to keep the cost low by using the forging technique.
This one has a recessed compression cap area, solid bolts, a 32mm rise and a 51mm reach.
If you don’t want to spend much but still need a reliable BMX stem, Salvation is the way to go.
Available in black only.
Cult Salvation stem specs:
- Rise: 32mm
- Reach: 51mm
- Weight: 10.4 oz (294.8 g)
- Price: $44.99 (may vary)
Best BMX Front Load Stems
6. Fiend Reynolds V3 Stem
The Fiend Reynolds V3 stem is the very signature stem from none other than Garrett Reynolds. Garrett has always been a fan of front loads.
It’s a simple stem for one of the best BMX riders ever to do it. Plus, YOU!
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.
Luckily, this doesn’t make it any heavier but allows the stem to have more grip surface area.
Yup, to reduce handlebar slip.
But it does feature a recessed area for the compression cap and internal machining to bring the weight to 11.4 oz.
You can get in black, red, aluminum and purple haze.
Fiend Reynolds V3 stem specs:
- Rise: 8.25mm
- Reach: 48mm
- Weight: 11.4 oz (323.2 g)
- Price: $74.99 (may vary)
Note: Don’t miss my collection of 48mm reach BMX stems for more amazing options.
7. Shadow VVS Stem
Are you a fan of Matt Ray? Then I’m sure you’ll be very interested in his signature Shadow VVS front load stem (8.5mm rise/48mm reach).
The VVS is cold forged and CNC machined from 6061-T6 Aluminum.
The stem comes in multiple colors, like black, copper, green, raw, purple, etc.
Shadow VVS stem specs:
- Rise: 8.5mm
- Reach: 48mm
- Weight: 11.3 oz (320.3 g)
- Price: $52.99 (may vary)
8. Cinema Projector Stem
What’s unique about Cinema’s Projector stem is that it’s a front load but with the rise of a top load stem. This gives it 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.
Cinema’s Projector stem is for everyone who’s not into top loads but needs that extra rise.
Available in silver, iceberg blue, black and gold.
Note: For more ins and outs, don’t miss my extensive Cinema Projector stem review.
Cinema Projector stem specs:
- Rise: 25mm
- Reach: 50mm
- Weight: 11.6 oz (328.8 g)
- Price: $69.99 (may vary)
9. BSD Dropped Stem
The BSD’s Dropped stem is a solid front load with a 10mm rise, also available to fit the oversized (OS) clamping area that’s getting more and more popular.
This one is CNC machined from 6061-T6 Aluminum.
The Dropped stem has a recessed compression cap area for a smoother look and is available in black, raw, and polished.
Keep. It. Simple.
BSD Dropped stem specs:
- Rise: 10mm
- Reach: 50mm
- Weight: 11.3 oz (320.3 g)
- Price: $84.99 (may vary)
10. Kink Track Stem
The Kink’s Track stem is a front load with a unique design and a non-traditional tightening cap.
You first tighten the top two bolts fully before the bottom two. So simple! (You don’t need to worry about overtightening one side.)
But this also gives the stem’s top look a very clean finish.
This one is CNC machined out of 6061-T6 Aluminum with a countered base to save weight.
The Kink stem is available in two color options, mate black and matte silver. You don’t really need anything else.
I also have a full-blown Kink Track stem review for your convenience.
Kink Track stem specs:
- Rise: 7mm
- Reach: 50mm
- Weight: 12.4 oz (351.5 g)
- Price: $74.99 (may vary)
11. Odyssey CFL3 Stem
Clean, low, and rock solid — that’s exactly what you get with the Odyssey CFL3 stem.
Built from CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminum, it delivers excellent strength while keeping weight reasonable for a front load design.
The classic 50mm reach and low 6.5mm rise create a grounded, responsive front end that works great for street, park, and trails.
Yup, this one is a nice, all-around one!
What I really like about the CFL3 BMX stem is the larger bolt heads and a fantastic clamping surface that keeps your bars locked in tight with zero slip, even if running taller handlebars.
If you want a dependable, no-nonsense stem with proven performance, the CFL3 from Odyssey BMX is a strong choice for almost any setup.
For more details, read my Odyssey CFL3 stem review.
Odyssey CFL3 stem specs:
- Rise: 6.5mm
- Reach: 50mm
- Weight: 12 oz (340.2 g)
- Price: $89.99 (may vary)
How To Pick The Right BMX Stem For You?
I want to share with you my four tips if you’re in the process of getting a new stem for your bike.
These will also come in handy if you’re in the process of switching from a top load to a front load or vice versa.
- Length: The length of the stem defines how stable or snappy the steering will be. I recommend a longer stem if you’re a taller rider or need a more stable feel for riding transitions. But a shorter one is perfect for technical street riding because it’ll help with spins and front end tricks.
- Rise: The rise of the stem tells you how high or low the stem is. What’s cool, you can play with the rise by inserting spacers, but you can’t really do anything about the length. I recommend you first add some spacers if you plan on getting a higher-rise stem (unless you run out of space) so you don’t get the wrong one. I like my handlebar position higher, and so do many pros.
- Clamping Diameter: You can choose between traditional clamping (7/8″) and oversized (OS) clamping (1″). While the traditional clamping is still the more popular way, the OS version came from MTB, giving the stem a larger clamping area, preventing slippage.
- Stem Material: While BMX stems are made out of Aluminum, some are CNC machined and some forged. Usually, the forged stems are cheaper because the process is less expensive. However, I still like CNCed ones more because they feel much more sturdy.
FAQs About BMX Stems
What is a BMX stem?
A BMX stem is a part of your bike that holds the bar and the fork. You can choose between front and top load stems with various rises and reaches.
What is the difference between top load & front load stem?
One of the main differences between a top load and a front load stem is their stack/rise. Also, the look is very different, where a front load clamps the bar on the front side and a top load on the top side of the stem.
I recommend a top load stem if you’re a taller rider or just like the feeling of a higher front-end more – like me. (You also don’t need to use that many spacers, which makes the bike look cleaner.)
How Are BMX Stems Measured?
The two main measurements of a BMX stem are reach and rise. Reach tells you how long the stem is while the rise is stem’s height.
Another measurement is the stack height, which is the stem’s clamping area that tightens around the fork’s steerer tube.
What does a longer stem do on BMX?
A longer BMX stem gives you much more stability, which is perfect if you ride mainly transitions.
Does a shorter stem affect handling?
A shorter stem affects handling in a way that makes the bike feel a lot twitchier or snappier. It’s perfect for modern and super technical street riding. Check out my top benefits of a short BMX stem.
Can I adjust the height of my BMX stem?
The height of the stem can be adjusted by choosing between a top load and a front load stem. Additionally, adding or removing spacers under the stem can fine-tune the handlebar height.
Further reading:
- BMX stem geometry
- What BMX stem size do I need?
- What are the different BMX stem types?
- BMX stem clamp (22.2mm or 1″?)
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Note: This article was originally published on November 1, 2022. But I regularly review it and update it with necessary improvements for accuracy.
