Ride Farr Headspace: Stems have to be strong, light and look good...Ready?! Well, meanwhile there are quite a few one-piece stem-handlebar combos made of carbon and the selection of the usual models is huge. We took a closer look at the Headspace handlebar stem from (Ride)Farr. The part is available in a length of 50 mm and for 35 mm handlebars. The German distributor Trailtoys also has a variant in 70 mm for handlebars in 31,8. We installed the 31,8mm shim so our handlebars would fit.
At first the part was only available in 70mm and for 31,8 handlebars, but Farr says: “When we saw the positive response to our 70mm version for 31,8mm handlebars, we knew we wanted a shorter one and had to develop a more powerful version! So here it is! We applaud the 35mm handlebar size for its superior strength and overall compatibility with trail/enduro and fun e-bikes, and are very proud of the unique end result. Realizing that this stem would likely also be an option for riders with the slightly smaller 31,8mm handlebar size, we designed the body and clamps to accept a custom handlebar shim set. The shim set is sold separately and has been designed to perfectly match the width and shape of the clamps.”
With that, all has been said? Yesin! Let's look at the facts: The thing is really beautifully made and looks classy. He is not easy. The weight information that we were able to find is not entirely comprehensible. We weighed exactly 171,45 grams with shims. In fact, it was noticeable that the stem is stiff, which may simply be due to the wide design.
Especially when you step uphill or overcome flat parts of the tour, it can be quite dreary. A beautiful stem that is always in view can lift the spirits. In addition, it makes a very solid and reliable impression.