Stem choice affects rider position more than handlebar width adjustments alone. The 82° angle on this Zero 100 Stem from Deda Elementi delivers a position between the aggressive 70° track angle and the upright touring angles you see on older steel frames. This geometry works for riders who want stack height for longer rides without sacrificing steering precision when the pace picks up. The angle translates to roughly 8° of rise when measured against a horizontal reference plane, which adds about 15mm of handlebar height compared to a flat stem at the same length.

The 3D forging process creates the stem body from a single piece of 2014 aluminum alloy rather than welding separate sections together. This construction method eliminates potential failure points at weld joints while maintaining stiffness through the handlebar clamp interface. The 40mm clamp height distributes clamping force across a larger contact area with the steerer tube, which reduces stress concentration compared to shorter clamps that can deform carbon steerer tubes over time. The forging process also allows Deda to shape material thickness where strength is needed while removing excess aluminum from non-structural areas.

Four CrMo steel bolts secure the handlebar through a split faceplate design that centers the bar before you fully tighten the hardware. The 31.7mm clamp diameter accepts standard road handlebars without requiring shims or adapters. If you're running carbon bars with specific torque requirements, the split design lets you gradually tighten bolts in a cross pattern to reach the manufacturer's recommended 4-5 Nm without creating uneven pressure that could crack the bar. The faceplate bolts thread into captured nuts inside the stem body, so you don't need to worry about alignment or cross-threading during installation.... Read More