05 April, 2016

Long Tall Stem Prototypes

We've been very pleased with our new-ish dirt drop bar. They pair well with the Piolet. The only problem is, in order to properly set up dirt drops, they have to be jacked up pretty high. Dirt drops are designed for spending time in the hooks. The hooks provide an ergonomic shred angle that's easy to grip in technical sections.


Besides going custom, options are pretty limited in raising your handlebars to the right height.  You could throw in a few headset spacers, but the internet hates spacers. So we did what all the original dirt droppers did and made a super tall stem. Though this one is for 1-1/8" threadless, not quill like the originals. It also has a removable faceplate.
80mm extension + a lotta rise.
Gloss black looks tasteful on Igor's chubby Piolet build.
The gooseneck shape matches the Piolet's old school MTB vibes. Think vintage Ibis or Cunningham. We added a few necessary features to adapt it to modern frames.  

Curved for compliance.
Slotted for a pretension bolt.
Removable face plate.
We'll be testing the stem out here on the trails as well as in the lab to make sure it passes modern MTB requirements. We'll probably offer a couple different sizes and maybe a couple finish options. We're still toying around with it.  


We might offer it in clear-coated raw finish, if you're interested.
Not a fan of spacers?  Need to raise your drops? We're pushing to get these here by summer.

51 comments:

Unknown said...

Please, take all of my monies.

Anonymous said...

Bike Geometry is HAAARRRDDD

jtietze said...

Looking forward to this!

Anonymous said...

I'd be happy with any color, as long as it's black.

giant hogweed said...

I'd buy three of them if you would make a 1" quill version.

Anonymous said...

Hurry!

Anthony Garcia said...

That is so ugly in the best way. I love it.

dailybread said...

You're insane! Thank you for sharing this, I hope tests will be successfull an it'll be available very soon. Please don't offer it in shiny chromed but often cheap looking finish, instead choose a classy nice satin chromed or nickle plated finish like nitto and other custom builder do. The other color option should be black, or as a real 80's MTB revenant in black chromed.

Justin Hughes said...

The ol' "LD". Nice work.

Anonymous said...

I have just the bike for this, and was actually searching for one, but the prices are kind of high

Anonymous said...

I have absolutely no need for one of these, but I'd buy one just to have, for when I need it. Because I will need it.

Coline said...

Bit of decent height and got rid of much of that threadless ugliness. Bad timing, just ordered something else...

jonathansmith68 said...

Yes please! I'll take one as soon as they are available. Would love a shiny/mirror finish, but would take anything silver. A raw, clear-coated option would be pretty awesome as well. Stoked!

Anonymous said...

The original (LD) stems that you mention were not quill stems. They clamped to an extension that was brazed into the (threaded) steerer tube.

Anonymous said...

How long have I been waiting for this! Now if you could make it compatible with your 1" quill-to-threadless adapter, and re-shape the adapter so the the stem fits flush with the top of the headset, I would pass out with joy.

Anonymous said...

Awesome. BETA testing?

Peter Lombardi said...

Please come out with the black! I want one badly :)

WillyC said...

I want for my roady. I am not a fan of the lean and reach...

-Anomie- said...

I know I'd buy at least one 1.125" and one 1" (if made) as soon as they're available, I have two vintage MTB's (WTB Phoenix and Ibis SS) that I need them for, and the originals are selling for outrageous prices, if you can even find them. Any idea what they will cost?

Unknown said...

Awesome news! I hope my local dealer would sell this if this available, I might take two.
Good job!

arfrhmn said...

What size diameter of bar would this available for production? I hope you dont forget the old standar (25,4/26,0).
Good news indeed.

DCM said...

Yes, yes, yes. Is pre-order possible? I can pay yesterday. Not sure I can explain how ugly I think threadless systems look.

Anonymous said...

Would be nice to see a photo of this stem with some flat/riser bar.

Chris said...

How does this work? Does it simply slide over a steerer tube that already has a stack of spacers and nut installed?

Unknown said...

Shut up and take my money!

Seriously, I would stock that in my store.

Anonymous said...

I do not want to set the preload with one of these!

Unknown said...

Looks like 31.8mm? (I'd live a 1" with a 26.0)

Anonymous said...

WANT!! silver please. the finish that's on your other silver stems or raw (but not the finish that's on the crazy bars)

Unknown said...

Won't it fill up with rain water?

Ray Day said...

Maybe test these guys out with 1 1/8" adapter shims for the 1" crowd. This would really open up a lot of cool builds.

Unknown said...

Now I wish I didn't sell my Camargue.... :(

Oh well, time to start thinking hard about a Piolet now, but I might wait to see if the special tubing Piolet is a reality, and whats in store for the poly redesign!

GJ VO!

Anonymous said...

I love the idea! I'd like to see it with 2 bolts on the steerer and 4 on the bars to prevent everything from getting slippery when getting dirty.

Blake Boesen said...

I came to the site to look for a taller stem option for a customer's build because LD stems were too expensive. I'm sure you're a ways off from figuring out an estimate on price but I'll continue to check back!

dylan said...

Ah! Once again you guys have managed to make a product I have wanted, and even looked for but could not find. Fantastic. I will buy one. If you're interested either silver finish would work fine for me. Keep up the great work!

Dylan

Aaron said...

I'm so happy this wasn't an April 1st post.

Anonymous said...

looking forward to this... Had considered a custom version not so long ago but the expense was much greater than the need. A more affordable production version will likely cause me to reconsider my set-up once more.

Curious if "a couple different sizes" refers to rise/reach only or plans for multiple bar clamp sizes too? No pressure, of course, but as this one appears to be 31.8 just wondering if that's the only intended clamp size? 31.8 works for my current bars but the other options would also be appealing.

Black, silver, raw? I'm down with 'em all

Skunkman said...

Cant wait to get one. I honestly believe the Roadies with back issues will line up for this one. I realized it's directed towards the MTBers but I think the recreational riders and commuters will grab them up.

MT said...

That's a sweet build! It's selling everthing really well!

Chris said...

Registering my support for the raw w/ clearcoat. Will buy.

moritz said...

When will it be released? i probably need two of them. Can you chose different sizes, angles, lengths? I need mainly 1 1/8 threaded and ahead.

Anonymous said...

Thanks. My dirt drop stem wishes have been answered. When can I preorder?!?! :)

Anonymous said...

YOU MUST MAKE THIS!! My Camargue is my favorite bike ever. My only issue is that I need a lot of spacers to get my bars to my preferred position. This would fix that, and look cool as hell too. Would turn my Camargue into a pseudo Cunningham! Need this badly!

One Eyed z said...

Absolutely. I have spacers & as you know, the Internet hates spacers.

Trent said...

Yo Velo - it's officially summer! What's the status on this thing? Us high-handlebar Freds are totally jonesin' for it.

VeloOrange said...

@ Trent- We should have them arrive in August. They are in production now.

Skunkman said...

Price?

Anonymous said...

Do want very much--how is the progress on this? Take my money. Seriously....just take it and give me this stem.

Anonymous said...

Okay, it's september, when will they be available?

Anonymous said...

are you still making these?

Anonymous said...

are you still making these?

VeloOrange said...

We sure are! They're the Cigne stem: https://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/stems/threadless-stems/cigne-nickel.html