With stems on mountainbikes only getting shorter, attaching the handlebar directly to the fork seemed like a logical step. Combining the stem and handlebar into one piece is nothing new, but that is not what we wanted to do. Instead, we wanted to bypass the stem altogether.

We had to reshape the handlebar, so it passes by close to the steerer tube, while keeping the grips in the same relative position as with a traditional handlebar and stem. A circular cutout attaches directly to the fork, with a clamp bolted on from the back holding it there.

Using the material to its full potential, allowed us to achieve a weight of 240 g, while passing DH test standards. Yes, that is the same weight many 800 mm bars weigh without a stem.