Regardless of whether you ride a Calfee frame, you should ride a Calfee BarStem.
This is a carbon fiber handlebar laminated to a carbon fiber stem. You can specify the stem extension, stem rise, stem and handlebar make/model and bar width. You can also choose a carbon or aluminum steerer tube clamp. Any 31.8 diameter carbon fiber handlebar can be made into a BarStem.
If you own a tandem, we have two stoker, fixed length BarStem options. They both use a carbon stem extension (you specify the length) that is wrapped to any 31.8 diameter carbon fiber bar. The first and less expensive ($300 with your bar) uses an aluminum clamp to attach to the captain’s seatpost. Our second option fully integrates (we wrap them all together) a carbon, captain seatpost, a carbon stem extension and the stoker handlebar ($400 with your bar and seatpost).
Introduced in 2010, our full-carbon BarStem features an ENVE Composites stem modified by Calfee. Though more expensive, this full-carbon BarStem is lighter and eliminates the need to bond an aluminum clamp to a carbon stem extension. Take a peek at this painted example. For only $150 extra, we can add an aesthetic layer of hemp fiber to our full-carbon BarStem, to compliment our Bamboo frames. Enjoy a photo here.
Unlike competing products, our one piece BarStem allows the marriage of personalized and optimized individual components; lighter, stiffer, stronger, more absorbent and better fitting.
BarStem Benefits:
- Safer use of carbon bars; no stem clamping abuse on the notch sensitive carbon
- Lighter weight without loss of stiffness; 275-320 grams for a typical setup
- Improved vibration dampening; more carbon = more vibration dampening
- More comfortable; complete personalization of bar tilt and components improves fit
- Personalized finish; BarStem unit can be finished to match the frame
BarStem w/aluminum clamp |
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| Range of available stem extension lengths; | 7cm – 15cm |
| Stem rise availability; | -17, -10, +10 or +17 degrees |
| Steerer tube availability; | 1″ or 1 1/8″ |
| Stock bar angles; | 80; ends of bar point 6-7 degrees down (best for traditional bar) |
| or 83; ends of bar point 9-10 degrees down (best for newer ergo bars) | |
| Custom angles; | Yes, see Custom BarStem, + $150 (on prices below) |
| Cost w/nude finish; | $300 + Bar |
| Cost w/stock Calfee paint; | $450 + Bar |
| Cost w/custom paint; | $300 + Bar + Paint Quotation |
BarStem w/carbon clamp |
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| Range of available stem extension lengths; | 7.5cm, 9cm – 13cm |
| Stem rise availability; | -6 or +6 degrees |
| Steerer tube availability; | 1 1/8″ |
| Stock bar angles; | 80; ends of bar point 6-7 degrees down (best for traditional bar) |
| or 83; ends of bar point 9-10 degrees down (best for newer ergo bars) | |
| Custom angles; | Yes, see Custom BarStem, + $150 (on prices below) |
| Cost w/nude finish; | $500 + Bar |
| Cost w/stock Calfee paint; | $650 + Bar |
| Cost w/custom paint; | $500 + Bar + Paint Quotation |
This drawing illustrates a Calfee BarStem with aluminum steerer clamp fitted into the jig that will set handlebar angle.
Custom BarStem
If you’d like to set the angle of the bars yourself, you’ll need to order a Custom BarStem. Send the exact bar with stem clamped in the position that you have tried and approved. If you’d like to purchase the bar directly through Calfee, we’re happy to mail you the bar for custom fitting.
Stock BarStem
Stock 80 degree Tilt Angle; best for traditional bend bars, the ends of the bar will point 6-7 degrees down when mounted on your bicycle (owing to the head tube angle). Shifter/Brake hoods will then be positioned as flat to the top of the bar as possible.
Stock 83 degree Tilt Angle; best for newer ergonomic bend bars, the ends of the bar will point 9-10 degrees down when mounted on your bicycle (owing to the head tube angle). Shifter/Brake hoods will then be positioned as flat to the top of the bar as possible.
Calfee full-carbon BarStem with a 110mm stem extension, 83 degree stock handlebar angle, and 42cm 3T Ergonova Team handlebar in our nude finish. As shown, this BarStem with carbon clamp retails for $750.
Clamped Handlebar Warning
If you are currently riding a carbon handlebar, you should inspect it for cracks or indentations near the stem clamp. If you see anything that looks like damage to the handlebar, it should be replaced. The failure mode is this: The small amount of damage will initiate a crack, starting with micro-cracking of the resin; the crack will grow, causing a stress riser, which accelerates further crack propagation. Then, a sudden high stress event can cause a catastrophic failure of the handlebar.
The initial damage is usually caused by overtightening the stem clamp in order to keep it from slipping. Bars with a gritty grip surface are less likely to be overtightened.
Calfee full-carbon BarStem with a 110mm stem extension, 83 degree stock handlebar angle, and 42cm 3T Ergonova Team handlebar in our nude finish. As shown, this BarStem with carbon clamp retails for $750.
Calfee will not make a BarStem from a handlebar that has been damaged.
