Aluminum stems don't generate much excitement in the parts bin, but the Ritchey Classic C220 represents a design philosophy worth understanding. The 84-degree angle creates a slight upward rise that puts your hands higher than a traditional flat stem without resorting to spacer stacks or flipped configurations. Ritchey machines this from 2014 aluminum alloy using a cold-forged process that aligns the grain structure for strength, then finishes it with their signature HP Silver polish that matches classic steel frames better than matte black ever could.

The C220 uses a 26.0mm clamp diameter, which matters if you're building up a bike with traditional drop bars rather than modern oversized options. This stem pairs with the quill-style handlebars and classic cockpit components that Ritchey still manufactures for riders restoring vintage bikes or building new steel frames with period-appropriate aesthetics. The four-bolt faceplate spreads clamping force evenly across the bar, and the two-bolt steerer clamp works with standard 1-1/8" threadless headsets.

Length options run from 70mm through 130mm in 10mm increments, giving you enough range to dial in your reach without compromising the stem's visual proportions. The 84-degree angle means a 100mm stem puts your bars noticeably higher than a 6-degree stem of the same length—useful information if you're trying to reduce stack height while maintaining comfortable hand position. Weight stays reasonable for an aluminum stem with this level of finish quality.... Read More