BMX - top vs. front load stems

(did a search, no find)

hey guys...are there any pro's or con's to having either a front load stem vs top load stem? or not really?

thanks for input

They'll grip your bars all the same, but I find it a lot easier to adjust a frontload stem than a topload, because your allen wrench won't run into the handlebars while tightening them down on a frontload.

I also think that frontload stems look a lot better.

I also think that frontload stems look a lot better.


yeah...me too. although i came across a couple that were angled more like 45 degrees that i kind of liked as well. i will most likely get the Chock full of nuts because it has a cool name AND is front loaded. what more could one ever really ask for?

i guess i just want to make sure one didn't prevent bar rotation over another or something. i am not too keen on some of the novel clamping systems i have found in different brands. something is making me want the classic two bolt stem clamp

okay coolio...more questions to come for sure!!!

front load will usually put your bars higher.

Because you can't flip the stem over or anything.

And the most popular frontloaders ever, the S&M Rednecks are drop stems. As is the CFN that he's looking into.

Both types of stems can look good depending on which one you get...


for example an S&M redneck (any version) looks just as good as a Fit S2 or S3 Stem..(im my opinion...)

i personally hate the look of the series 2 and 3 stem.

the series 3 looks a little weird but it still has most of the clean look of its fatter, older brother, the series 2

but for now i have a Redneck LT so, no more cheating on it for me...i stand by Rednecks becuase mine has NEVER slipped....

my haro fusion stem never slipped either...it probally weighs a ton though

I had a Haro stem as well, but i sold it...

it never slipped either...but they are pretty heavy for todays "standards" of weight weenies...(like myself...)

the fit sereis 2 and 3 are nice, the superstar elect looks the same aswell i like them
ive got the 45 degree coalition one its a good stem nothin gone wrong

You can also sink threads deeper into a front-loader, making it harder to strip. And front-loaders don't have holes going all the way through the body for the faceplate, making them less likely to crack at the inserts.