Canada’s Joystick has an expanding range of MTB products, including this nicely thought through stem. CNC machined and available for both 31.8mm and 35mm bars, it employs a novel clamping system.
The faceplate has to be clipped on to the bar, then bolted on to the stem via the top two bolts. This allows for easy set-up and centring of the handlebar before the bottom two bolts are added.
Another advantage to this system over a regular four-bolt faceplate is that it removes the possibility of the bolts being tightened differently, leading to uneven stress on the bar – something that’s particularly important to avoid with carbon bars.
On the trail, our 50mm sample revealed no significant flex and didn’t suffer any creaking despite some hard riding with a stiff and wide bar attached. The 149g weight is very reasonable, but the price is a little heftier.
