Putting its hat in the ring for the world’s blingest stem, No.22 Bicycles has this week launched this rather sleek titanium model that’ll set you back a whopping $495. If you want the matching computer mount that’s another $199, so $694 all in for both.
The New York-based titanium specialist No.22 says riders can get its redesigned stem any length between 70 and 120mm and with finish options including raw, high polish or anodised, the non-integrated stem aiming to add more than a touch of class to your cockpit.
At $495 you will want to know your bike fit measurements first, the brand behind it telling us it is “the perfect upgrade for any bicycle”.
The non-integrated stem is designed and made in-house at No. 22 headquarters in Johnstown, New York, and “pairs seamlessly” with the brand’s framesets and headsets, delivering “excellent strength and ride quality”.
“We have overhauled the engineering to produce a stem that is both lighter and stronger than our previous version, all while maintaining the timeless, refined silhouette that pairs seamlessly with our framesets and headsets,” No.22 told us.
If $495 wasn’t enough investment in your blinged-up cockpit, No.22 also offers a matching computer mount that costs an extra $199. When we tried to checkout for UK pricing the website told us shipping would be $199 too, so this really is the most premium of premium upgrades.
While we assumed this might well be the most expensive stem in the world when the email dropped in our inbox, a quick trip down memory lane found a few options even pricier than this.
The clubhouse leader is almost certainly that Bastion Cycles design, originally made for the Australian track cycling team but subsequently released to the (very rich) public at north of £1,000.
Although, that particular design is no longer be listed on the brand’s website, something that reportedly followed a high-profile crash at the 2021 Olympic Games.
Schmolke’s TLO Stem is another contender and will set you back between €595 and €620 depending on your spec choice, while back in 2022 Stu got his hands on the Mythos Elix Stem for test (giving it a 7/10), a bit of tech that, at the time, came with an eye-watering £500 price tag.
That makes $495 seem like a bargain. The full spec is on No.22 Bicycle Company’s website.
9 thoughts on “No. 22 Bicycles reckons its $495 titanium stem (and $199 computer mount) is the perfect upgrade for any bike”
hea all, lets make cycling
hea all, lets make cycling more about stupid, pointless bits… and less about the ride….
Whatever.
Whatever.
Could almost get a whole bike
Could almost get a whole bike for that amount. Over priced just for bragging rights.
The stem is still half the
The stem is still half the price of the mudguards they are selling, so, yeah, practically a bargain!
The fenders look nice though.
The fenders look nice though…
These company’s lives in
These company’s lives in their own never never land ,
Surely no one is that stupid?
Surely no one is that stupid?
Unfortunately people are that
Unfortunately people are that stupid!
I’m not sure what length to
I’m not sure what length to get – do they do a multi-pack so I can try out the different lengths?