Terra Launches $180 Stem that Weighs 99 Grams

Feb 15, 2021
by Ed Spratt  
photo

Terra have revealed its new stem with a claimed weight of just 99 grams.

The Emblema stem is made by Terra a small Italian brand that produces steel hardtails in Arezzo, Italy. Terra's new stem is being produced using CNC machining to ensure they can focus on bulking up the design at high-stress areas and removing material where it is not needed. Terra say the Emblema is certified to ISO 4210-5 and it has passed all of the static lateral and frontal flexion tests it has faced.

Currently, the stem is available in one size with a 40mm length and a 35mm clamp but, Terra are looking to offer 30mm and 45mm lengths in the future. Although there is just one size, they do offer three anodizing options.

photo

To get the lightest version of the Emblema stem you will have to hand over €149.95 (Around $181) but this includes titanium bolts and hits the scales at that claimed 99 grams. If you want something slightly less expensive, then there is the steel bolt version but, this will still cost you €119.95 (Around $145) for a claimed weight of 110 grams. You can find out more here

Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Press Releases Stems


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140 Comments
  • 129 4
 I have 99 grams, but a stem ain't one.
  • 4 1
 Sounds like the emblema stem is for you then!
  • 13 1
 If you don’t have this stem, I feel bad for ya son
  • 34 1
 I think the last place I want to weight weenie is my stem.

Anyone remember the stem stiffness comparison demo at the Sychros booth? A small difference in weight made a large difference in flex.

Besides, once watched a guy behind me in Whistler break his stem clean off on a drop. Nightmare.

I'll save those 20 grams for somewhere practical like clothing- Pair of scissors and a couple of minutes for cut off sleeves and short shorts.
  • 8 5
 @jomacba: I'll keep my Renthal
  • 3 0
 @50percentsure: You can also save grams by forgoing underwear!
  • 3 0
 @BigMulaCeazy: I do it by way of starvation.
I also don't drink water, always dehydrated for optimal weight savings.
  • 30 4
 That is precisely a Renthal Apex stem, right down to the little triangle on the bottom.
  • 8 0
 Pretty similar, but definitely not a straight up clone.
  • 48 4
 Does it include the same lovely creaks though?
  • 6 2
 @trippleacht: that was the duo stem not the apex. I've had both and following the install instructions worked for me with both. Maybe I'm just lucky
  • 6 5
 @danielshiels: I've had multiple Renthal Apex stems which creak. I followed the install instructions exactly and installed using a park tool torque wrench. Renthal warrantied one which I sold and now I buy other stems.
  • 1 0
 Was my first thought too but it is a bit different.
  • 12 1
 @WalrusRider: Greasing bolts stopped creaking on mine
  • 1 11
flag lyalltheweebeastie (Feb 15, 2021 at 9:25) (Below Threshold)
 I've got to say, this won't cost £90 to make, this prob costs under £20 to make.... £160 profit...
  • 2 0
 @lyalltheweebeastie: not sure how those FX calcs are working out but €150=£130. If it's actually £180, I guess theres a good chunk going to the govt and import BS.
  • 4 0
 @lyalltheweebeastie: It sounds like you have loads of experience in manufacturing...
  • 1 0
 @lyalltheweebeastie: guarantee you it won't if made by themselves or locally. There is a huge amount of cost in machines, tooling fixturing, designing etc.
  • 1 0
 @lyalltheweebeastie: I'm not sure, could someone with alloy price knowledge enlighten us on a cube of alloy of the size required for a stem ? I've been told it's rather expensive.
  • 6 0
 not quite the same: this one you can see the endmill chatter.

a 2x2x3" block of 7075 ~20USD
  • 6 1
 @lyalltheweebeastie: Product design engineer here.. Milled components are not cheap. Cycle time in machining has a direct correlation with cost. There is a lot of milling and probably multiple setups required for these. I get why it's expensive but I won't be buying one.
  • 2 1
 I wonder if it even creaks like one too.
  • 1 6
flag Danzzz88 (Feb 15, 2021 at 11:11) (Below Threshold)
 @lyalltheweebeastie: probably much less still, I remeber back when the Playstation 1 was a few years into it's life they got the cost down to £5 to make each.
  • 4 1
 @lyalltheweebeastie: $160 materials cost difference. Profit is net income. You have to include all the costs to find profit. Gross income minus one line item expense of many does not equal profit.
  • 1 0
 @lyalltheweebeastie: because CNC machines grow on trees.
  • 25 1
 This at 99g for $180,
or
Funn Funnduro at 112g for $49?

You just spent $10.07 per gram of weight savings! High end stems always get me drooling, but the returns diminish so rapidly it's absurd.
  • 9 7
 amen sir...want to make your front end feel less heavy? Do more push-ups...free and makes you look better too.
  • 15 0
 Keep in mind the Funnduro uses steel bolts; swap them for Ti bolts for about $5, I would imagine the weights would then be identical.
  • 1 0
 @ninjatarian: good tip
  • 1 0
 I came here for this. 2 seasons on my funnduro so far.
  • 3 1
 The funnduro stem is well known for cracking faceplates. I don't see the stem as a place to worry about saving weight anyhow.
  • 7 1
 Love getting downvoted by the weight weenie wokies born in the 2000s .
  • 7 0
 wren stem 40mm only 72 grams for $89.99
  • 4 1
 @preach: I dunno exactly who downvoted your benign comment, but they probably never wheelie dropped a dual crown hardtail. Anyway, in my mind, neg props are for obnoxious comments not those you disagree with. *Shrugs*
  • 2 0
 @panaphonic: It’s really not, as long as a stem isn’t atrociously heavy, but the article was written on the premise of weight so it’s interesting to compare what else you can get for the money.
  • 2 0
 @ninjatarian: @panaphonic: agreed. I chose mine with the priorities 1) stack height to fit a second-hand fork with short steerer, 2) length, 3) color (in that I picked one option over the other)... And no regard to weight. But weight seems to be the main selling point for this Terra model.
  • 2 0
 $28 CAN
-118G

MEC-its treated me well for a full season, although it only comes in blk
  • 2 1
 @preach: I've been downvoted to oblivion for talking shit on myself. PB comments are a wild and weird place.
  • 3 0
 @AndrewHornor: Same. Geo first. Second is 'do they have black in stock?'. Third is probably aesthetics. I don't know what fourth is but it certainly ain't weight.
  • 1 0
 Funn weight doesn't include bolts does it?
  • 1 0
 @vanillarice19: Not sure, it was the number on their site. For 35mm clamp and 40 reach IIRC.
  • 1 0
 @vanillarice19: with bolts
  • 2 0
 @ninjatarian: or a syntace megaforce 2, already has ti bolts and weighs just over 100g
  • 3 0
 @emptybe-er:

That’s a forged stem, which in my mind is a superior technique, and they’re easily found for $90 online. Only 31.8 tho, which is a good thing too. 35 makes for a too stiff setup. Nobody was suffering from flexy 31.8 bars.
  • 2 0
 @hllclmbr: I agree. The best aluminum crankarms are forged for good reason.
  • 18 0
 Jesus, I hate to be a pure hater, but that thing is a mess. The pocket the bar sits in is 3d machined instead of side milled, so they're doing it a less accurate, and slower way using a tiny endmill that won't last as long as a beefy 1/2" carbide would. The skeletonization in the clamps is chattery as hell, and again, there's some 3d machining there where the part could have just been approached and side-milled. The chamfers are again, 3d machined so no only do they take a ton of time, they look like crap. I'm also seeing the telltale tiny passes of high-speed machining all over that thing in areas that can ironically, be machined far faster with conventional machining. I flat would not accept that kind of quality from my machinists, even on a prototype those kinds of issues are unacceptable as the quality suffers and the cost to make the part goes up.
  • 2 0
 best post here. love the insight
  • 2 0
 You hit the nail on the head. I said to my fellow programmer this morning that the machining on this looks like a piece of tooling that we would have rushed through for a small project. Definitely not a finished part. I also didn't quite understand the 3d'ing inside the bar clamp, unless they had the intention of using the texture as added grip maybe. To me, in order to make a part look cohesive and finished you either have to 3d nearly all of it (like a Nukeproof stem) or just side mill all of it (like a Renthal). The jumbled assortment of toolpaths seems to show a general lack of experience.
  • 1 0
 @ct0413: Too much other weirdness for me to believe the 3Ding was intentional for grip on the bar clamp. Nukeproof clearly designed the Horizon stem knowing they'd be 3d machining and that allowed them to do a lot of interesting things with the shape and how they used the material, but they still side-mill the clamp.
  • 1 0
 @maxyedor: True. I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt, but at the end of the day they are charging $180 for something that looks like a proof-of-concept prototype.
  • 2 0
 Can you provide a quick overview of a couple of those terms or paste link to some intro to machining reading you’d recommend? When you say “side milling” i’m picturing handle bar diameter cutter going perpendicular to the part to cut the whole for the bar. When you talk about 3d machining i picture a robotic arm with a dremel at the end making lots of small cuts at weird angles. I’m pretty sure that’s not what 3d machining means, so i’m curious what it is?
  • 2 0
 @oathead: Side milling would be using the side of the end mill, effectively cutting your surface in a uniform smooth manner perpendicular to the spindle. It is the standard way of cutting as long as the geometry of your part allows for it. It is accurate and easy to control.
3D machining would be when you have a curved surface and you are limited in your ability to rotate the spindle or part to cut it in a traditional sense, so you 3D or "scrub" that surface using only the radius at the end of the tool in very small step-overs using a fixed axis (no multi-axis rotation). It looks cool, and most bike parts use that technique intentionally to look nice, but sometimes it can be sort of a "I couldn't figure out how to cut this correctly" type of a situation. A good example of beautifully done 3D machining would be the front plate of a Deity Copperhead stem, or the finished pattern of an Absolute Black oval chainring. It adds nice texture when utilized properly.
In this situation, the surface that the handlebar clamp has has somewhat large step-overs, so it is reducing the surface area that is contacting the handlebar, and would definitely leave the indentation of that pattern on your carbon bars.
  • 2 0
 @oathead: ctl0413 summed it up well, aesthetics aside, it's always best to remove material as quickly as possible, so when surfaces are nice and flat, using either the flat end of a standard endmill or the side, more tool contact area and rips through material leaving a near mirror finish if you're set up right. 3D opens up a ton of possibilities for shapes and cool patterns, like this www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAdBW-A4hbI but it takes a ton of time because you're only removing the tiniest little bit of material per pass. To mill that bar clamp pocket the way they did would take a couple minutes, side milling would be 30-40 seconds. Our base rate is $0.60/minute for machining, so that's a couple bucks in manufacturing cost, which likely translates to $6-7 at retail, multiplied by the number of weird tool path decisions I see on the part, we're talking $40-50 at least in added cost.
  • 17 5
 I've got a lot of stems... 20 years of riding and wrenching, lots of new bike take offs, experiments, etc. Most of them are cheap... OEM stuff and when I do need to buy one, to build a stupid drop bar mountain bike or get the bars up on a commuter or something, I'm buying Dimension or QBP branded stuff.

I've never once thought 'SHIT! this stem is heavy!'

I've also never once thought 'Hey, this would be a great part to save some grams on because if it fails I'll be OK.' Easton had a very ill fated and ultimately recalled magnesium road stem back in the day... we had a guy get some dental work after his failed - that's always the joke, but this actually happened.


I also have an I9 stem, and it's a lightweight thing of beauty, but its 100% vanity/bling.
  • 11 0
 Some stems are insanely heavy though - as usual middle of the road stuff is fine as you say unless you just fancy the bling - isn’t that half of the reason we buy a lot of stuff we do for our bikes?
  • 8 0
 Is everyone missing the 9point8 stout stems?! I have one in 31.8 32mm length with their ti hardware and it weighs 97 grams. I imagine 35mm is not far off. It’s significantly more substantial looking than this renthal knock-off and only costs 128cad
  • 1 0
 35mm@40mm in stock too. 115g ish!
  • 1 0
 Yeah the 35 mm is actually *lighter* than the 31.8. lol

Good recommendation.

How does it feel? That is, does it feel like a stem (something you don't think about because there's nothing wrong with it)?
  • 2 0
 Feels amazing and very very well made piece that looks great. I also have the 40mm and it was 107g. They list the 32mm as 99g with ti hardware but it was actually lighter
  • 7 0
 One piece stem from 77designz 35mm comes in at 69g and 99€ and is just so pretty.
77-store.com/en/One-Piece-Stem/1000335
  • 1 0
 @SleepingAwake: plus it's passed DH certification (EFBE I believe)
  • 2 0
 But it does not fit (officially) to non 77designz 35mm riser bars.
Otherwise a pretty nice thing !
  • 1 0
 @2pi: I thought it's just the bar that shouldn't be used with other stems.
  • 2 0
 @slothez: The stem can be used with other bars, depends on the rise and general shape tho if they fit. Run a 25mm Beast riserbar with no problems on mine.
  • 8 0
 Newmen 318.2 stem - 60 euros take off. Not cheap but around 78 grams for 60mm length.
Added bonus is that's it's forged, not milled so much better strength to weight ratio.
One more bonus is that's it's much prettier (only 2 bolts on the faceplate which are invisible as they're tucked under the handlebars).
Finally, Newmen stem fits 31.8mm bars so you don't have to put up with overly stiff 35mm.
  • 2 0
 I have a newmen stem as well, a 50mm. Incredibly light and strong
  • 1 1
 If only it was available in other finishes than shot peened black that makes it look like a cheap no name OEM... It took a good long time out in the shed polishing my stem to get the finish I was looking for. But now looking at the mirror polish I wonder if might get blinded by sun reflections...I might have to get a new one..
  • 7 0
 Hello everyone! Thanks to Pinkbike for the article! We are / I am a small Italian craftsman who produces handmade frames .. the stem was designed as an accessory for our bikes and we are really surprised that you are talking about us. I read all the comments carefully, accepting any criticism and advice! Unfortunately, producing in Italy is extremely expensive so be lenient ...
  • 6 0
 I wonder what bit they cut off to get rid of the final gram that would drop it below 100.... "there's gotta be another edge somewhere that I can chamfer"
  • 4 1
 If Renthal does see this, they should just let them have the design, and start over on the stem project. Renthal stems have been the only stems I can think of that I have disliked. They either creek or if you drop your bike in the parking lot, you know you will be realigning it.
  • 3 0
 Yet another example of MTB being behind the curve of BMX.
BMX learned its lessons with regards to cutting weight from stems almost a decade ago, how long is it going to be before we see a swathe of broken stems and equally broken riders in MTB?
I wouldn't want to cut corners on that little bit of alloy with the 4 bolts in it...
  • 2 0
 Making stems this light has never been a problem in MTB as long as it is done right. Syntace has shown more than decade ago that stems of similar weight can pass the hardest testing regimen. A test that many far heavier stems failed abysmally.
Nowadays there are several light options which are just as strong (Newmen, 77designs/WAO, Specialized, Reverse, possibly Syncros)
  • 3 0
 $35 is asking a lot for 4 ti bolts. Also switching from steel to ti with bolts that small only saves 1g each. I know, I weighed them when I replaced all of mine. The bigger bolts such as the caliper bolts and seat bolts save the most.
  • 5 0
 I have a Synntac Megaforce 2 in 40mm, it weights 113g and cost me significantly less.
  • 1 0
 ..and is twice as stiff, literally.
  • 1 0
 @hellanorcal: and i bought it taken off the new bike for almost free. Cant wait to build my bike with it
  • 1 0
 Love the MF stem, high quality, very stiff, light, and priced well. I wish syntace made bikes.
  • 2 0
 @emptybe-er: liteville?
  • 2 0
 @thegoodflow: Oh that’s right! I almost forgot about them. I kind of wanted the 601. 301, not so much.
  • 5 0
 An entire college lunch plan or a... stem?
  • 1 0
 The great thing about the systems most of us are fortunate enough to live in is that regardless if *your thing* is pointless or useful, necessary or pure bling, whatever you want is available to buy. None of us actually need mountain bikes in general, but we still buy them, and if this piece is right up someone's alley, great! Not for you? Great! No need to bash it.
  • 1 0
 Have tried 3 superlight stems... 77 Designz (flexy!), the intend stem which was pretty solid but also crazy expensive and the newmen 4 clamp sl stem was great and quite affordable. Not running any of those any more as I feel like a stem is a pretty stupid place to save weight.
  • 2 0
 77Designz 35mm diam stem is CNC 7075 Aluminium and weighs 69g and 84g, respectively, for the 35mm and 45mm Version. €99.95.
  • 2 0
 A Wren forged stem is lighter and cheaper. Doesn't come in trendy 35mm clamp, but that's a feature to my mind. Admittedly, it doesn't look as flash. Again, not a problem.
  • 1 0
 Wren stems are super light and use to be only $50. Now they are up to $90. But a 40mm stem at 72 grams is great for an XC weight weenie. Their T20 bolts are a bit of a pain though.
  • 3 0
 Never thought I would say this, but the Enve stem is quite nice and cheaper.
  • 1 0
 When are we going to see companies stop creating slick anodized, "weight saving" components, and actually start fatigue testing their products? No way I'd ever invest in this, its art, not an engineered bicycle component.
  • 1 0
 Fatigue testing is already a part of all bicycle component standards, is it not?
  • 2 0
 Cool concept, I've had bad luck with sharp/pointy posterior stem features though.
  • 3 0
 Give me steel bolts any day!
  • 2 0
 Literally a rental knockoff. Does this one creek and feel like your bars are lashed on with twine too?
  • 3 0
 I have never felt my stem is to heavy tbh
  • 3 0
 noob
  • 3 0
 Obviously(he he) your stem needs to be same brand as bar..pro tip!
  • 1 0
 How many years will 99grams of stem put you in prison for?
Are you selling or using?
Does it depend on your use? DH or Enduro
  • 2 0
 Say hello to my little aluminum stem and my 50% tax rate ... welcome to Italy my little friend Smile
  • 2 0
 Yes friend: designing, building in Italy has this problem. If it were made in china it would cost a third.
  • 1 0
 I really like having a lot of options for stems, Since they are the part of the bike you see most often while riding, they need to look really nice
  • 1 0
 Jesus Christ! I have an Answer ATAC AME 30mm stem that weighs in at 108g for like $30! And here I thought Renthal stems were expensive!
  • 2 0
 Does Renthal know about this?
  • 2 0
 ultimateuse.com/vyce-stem-31-8mm Why not save yourself a $100?
  • 2 0
 Check out TCI (terrain control industries) stem.
  • 2 0
 They have some neat stuff. The Crowbar frameset looks pretty rad!
  • 2 0
 You can get a 77Designs stem that weighs 86g for $100..
  • 1 0
 The manufacturing process behind it is super impressive too.
  • 1 0
 Hmmm - I never ever thought to look at weight of stems. More like “look at shiny it is” factor - lol
  • 3 1
 Or you could buy the Funn stem for £35 120g and take a shite
  • 2 0
 Does it creak like my Renthal I sold did?
  • 2 0
 An atlas stem weighs 95g and cost $99
  • 2 0
 I’ve got 99 problems but the weight of my stem ain’t one.
  • 2 0
 Ask your Doctor if Emblema is right for you.
  • 1 0
 I have an old 45mm Truvativ stem that weighs well over 200g. Somewhere between this 99er and that is the happy median.
  • 1 0
 77designz their stems weight 85gms. in 45mm with 35mm clamping and it cost 99,95€
  • 1 0
 the wren stem 40mm is only 72GR and I only paid $90
  • 1 0
 I’d say it doesn’t look as nice as this stem but for sure better if your looking for weight saving
  • 1 0
 So, it's 30 Euros for 4 Ti bolts?!
  • 1 0
 Six, I reckon: Four to pinch the bar and two to pinch the steerer. Still not a great price, though.
  • 1 0
 Great way to lighten the wallet.
  • 1 0
 $180 for an aluminum stem is BULLSHIT!
  • 1 0
 How do people feel about enve carbon stems?
  • 1 0
 just buy a wren stem. Lighter, cheaper and 100% reliable.
  • 1 0
 Lighter options already exist
  • 1 0
 ZTTO has now 35mm stems for 15EUR, with 148gr weight.
  • 1 0
 It's light cos it's small Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Is this a XC stem?
  • 1 0
 Never.
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