Nemesis Project Bar / Stem Combo

If you are looking for a good looking, stiff stem with a low stack height, look no further. Nemesis Project has got what you need. Their bars are pretty sweet too.

A few months back I was in need of a high rise handlebar to combine with a stem with a short stack height. My Rock Shox Totem fork on my Specialized Demo 7 had been returned to the factory for service, and the backup fork I acquired to run had an extremely short steerer.

Enter the Nemesis Project stem. With a stack height of 35mm, it was 5mm shorter than the Thomson stem it replaced. The Thomson needed 38mm of stack height to be safe, and just barely made it. On a bike that gets ridden to its limits, just barely is not a prospect that inspires confidence. Going to a shorter, and more solidly build stem seemed just the ticket, and even allowed me to run 5mm headset spacer.

We were on our way out for a weekend of riding in Downieville and at Northstar and Nemesis Project Headquarters was on the way. Brad, the head honcho at Nemesis was nice enough to set me up with a bar stem that would work with my set up and get my riding position on my bike back to where I wanted it to be. By combining the high rise Jefferson Bar with the Nemesis Project stem, I’d be able to get my set up dialed. Brad was even gracious enough to install the bar and stem on my bike for me. Talk about service!

The Nemesis Project bars were a bit wider than the bars I had been running at 29 inches wide. It took a few miles into the downhill in Downieville to get used to the set up, but once I was accustomed to the feel, the extra leverage inspired confidence in holding lines through the rocks.

By the end of the ride, I was sold on the bars and stem. The wider grip gave me so much leverage, I could just point the bike where I wanted it to go, and easily hold on my line. The bars have sweep that feels pretty good. One thing I did notice was that to get a feel that was similar to what I had been running prior, one had to tilt the bar towards the rider a bit more.

While it is a bit heavier than a lot of other offerings on the market, its a great option for riders that want a solid and reliable component. The pinch bolts thread into threaded inserts that clamp solidly upon the steerer of your fork. The only issue with the design is that if you over tighten the stem, its possible to crimp your steer tube, the stem clamps so hard. Its a great looking stem though, and from a side profile view, is reminiscent of an S & M Redneck stem in form.

Just remember this stem is tougher than your fork and you should be ok.

Nemesis Project 25.4mm Street Stem Specs:

• Material: 6061 CNC machined aluminum
• Designed by Nemesis Project, built by Super Rat Machine Works, the same machine shop that makes product for a number of high profile BMX companies
• 25.4mm clamp diameter
• Available with hard anodized 7075 clamp reducer for 22.2mm bars (standard size found on BMX and Nemesis Project bars (not included +$10)
• Reach: 48mm
• Stack height: 35mm
• Rise: -10mm
• Steer tube clamp bolts thread directly into a replaceable stud instead of directly to the stem making this stem repairable in the case of stripped threads
• Limited edition colors available, each stem individually numbered
• Listed weight: 281g.
• MSRP $90.00

Big Weezy’s 3.25″ Handlebar specs:

For more information on Nemesis Project, visit their blog: www.nemesisproject.com

Check out very cool images of a Nemesis Project stem being created by Super Rat Machine Works

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