Stem selection usually comes down to fit first, weight second, aesthetics a distant third. The Zipp SL Speed Stem reorders those priorities for riders who've already dialed in their position and want to shed grams from the front end. At 90 grams for a 100mm length, this is one of the lighter alloy stems on the market—territory usually occupied by carbon at significantly higher price points. The construction uses 7075 aluminum, the same alloy grade found in aerospace applications, machined to remove material everywhere it isn't structurally necessary.

The design maintains a clean look when paired with Zipp's Service Course SL handlebars, though the 31.8mm clamp diameter works with any standard oversized road bar. A four-bolt faceplate distributes clamping force evenly across the bar, and the interface uses a minimal gap design that keeps the front end looking intentional rather than assembled from parts. The 1-1/8" steerer clamp fits standard road bike steerer tubes with a single pinch bolt arrangement.

Zipp machines these stems in 10mm increments from 70mm to 130mm, covering the full range of reach adjustments most riders need. The 6-degree rise angle sits close to flat, putting this firmly in the road and triathlon category rather than anything designed for upright positioning. If you're coming from a heavier stem and want to clean up the cockpit without moving to carbon, the weight savings here are substantial—many stock stems weigh 130 to 150 grams, so you're potentially dropping 40 to 60 grams from a component that sits high on the bike where rotating mass doesn't even factor into the equation.... Read More