Why are stems so expensive?

[KneesUp]

Eejit here has bought some handlebars off that auction site that are 31.8mm for a stem that is 25.4mm. So I've been looking at getting another stem, because apart from them not fitting, the bars I have are nice (by which I mean they were a decent price, they are in good condition and are in my possession) and I could perhaps do with a bit more rise in the stem anyway.

I've never bought a stem before; back in the days of quill stems you adapted to fit the bike rather than adapted to the bike, but I was expecting a generic unbranded stem to be about a tenner. After all it's just 10cm of aluminium tube with a couple of bolts. I thought that there would be some from China on an auction site that would be about a fiver. So imagine my surprise when it seems they start at about £25 if you want any rise.

So why are they so expensive?

 

[mcshroom]

No idea. Planet X can be good for cheap(er) stems though
http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/components/finishing-kit/stems?sort=price-asc

 

[ASC1951]

... I've never bought a stem before; back in the days of quill stems you adapted to fit the bike rather than adapted to the bike, but I was expecting a generic unbranded stem to be about a tenner. After all it's just 10cm of aluminium tube with a couple of bolts. ..

So why are they so expensive?

I think there is your answer. An A-head stem - which I assume you are buying, and if not why not? - is a bit more than you describe. It's three pieces of decent quality metal, plus eight drillings and some fairly accurate machining. There is a lot more to it than to a stamped chainring, for instance, which you won't get new for a tenner.

 

[dan_bo]

They're so expensive because the people who run the machines that make stems like to eat from time to time. And perhaps own a refrigerator.

 

[screenman]

The shops and wholesalers need to make a living as well.

 

[Easytigers]

I'm a little confused...I've never paid more than a tenner for a new stem. By looking through sales (or Planet X) you can get a wide variety of stems for about a tenner (usually with a 6 degree rise).

 

[SteCenturion]

You can quite easily pick up a Deda stem with a rise for around £15 - £20 posted & new from all the usual suspects.

Any cheaper than that & it is 'possible' you might end up with a stem fashioned from re-formed easter eggs & butter, disclaimer (might not be strictly true).


A stem to my mind is a pivotal part of 'the cockpit' of a bike bringing secure clamping & retaining stifness in the front end for your bars.

My favourite brand for all things stem, bar & seatpost is 3T with even their entry level stuff, named 'Pro' being very high quality.

I think if you were able to time travel to the days of Pro cyclists using quill stems & show them a modern bar & stem, they would have killed you to get it.

 

[Fnaar]

I don't know where the problem stems from.

 

[ASC1951]

...I've never paid more than a tenner for a new stem. By looking through sales (or Planet X) you can get a wide variety of stems for about a tenner (usually with a 6 degree rise).

Those are old stock or end of line and heavily discounted - although fine if they are in the length and rise that you want. But £9.99 for any of those stems will below cost price.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

They're expensive as they help fund Stem Sell Research of course

 

[KneesUp]

I just found it surprising. If you want to buy a derallieur, for example, you probably wouldn't spend less than £20 or so, but you can get a perfectly usable one for £8 at Decathlon. Ok it has no indexing and looks a bit basic, but it will change gear.

A stem is ostensibly a much simpler component requiring less precision in assembly, but the cheapest stem at Decathlon is £15.

I suppose it must come down to material cost?