Front Load BMX Stems & Top Load BMX Stems

The Significance of BMX Stems

The role of the BMX stem on a freestyle BMX bike is to secure the bar to the fork. Within the stem, compression occurs to ensure they remain firmly connected. The BMX bike stem significantly impacts how the front end of your bike will handle. Stems come in various lengths and heights, influencing the bike's stability or responsiveness.

Determining the Correct BMX Stem Size

To choose the appropriate size of BMX stem, focus on two key measurements: the reach/length and the rise.

The reach of a BMX stem refers to the distance from the centre of the fork tube hole to the centre of the handlebar clamp. A typical reach is around 50 mm; a longer stem reach adds stability, whereas a shorter one enhances responsiveness.

The rise of a BMX stem is the elevation at which the stem positions the handlebars above the centre of the stem body. It affects the height at which the handlebars are set and can vary from 8 - 36 mm. Selecting a stem with a different height is very much a matter of personal preference and depends on your comfort on the bike.

Top Load BMX Stem VS Front Load BMX Stem

There are two methods for mounting the bar onto the stem: top load and front load mounting. With a front load stem, the bar is mounted at the front of the stem. A front load stem is often favoured by taller riders since it positions the bar further away from the rider.

For a top load stem, the bar is affixed on the top of the stem. The top load stem stands taller than the front load version. A top load stem is recommended if you prefer a taller bar setup.

Bear in mind! When selecting a stem, ensure the diameter matches that of your existing handlebar. This detail can be found in the product specification. The two different sizes of BMX Handlebars are 22.2 mm (regular) or 25.4 mm (oversized).