How can you make a stem turn heads? Sculpt it of course, into a dynamic form which is stiff, strong and above all functional, a heady organic combination of art and engineering. The Cloud 9 stem from Super Innovative Concepts is the first of a range of products being developed by a team led by Trevor Combs, an inventive young designer with a mission to come up with cycle components like nothing else on earth. He is clear that his products must be more than styling exercises: 'form must enable function' to bring clear rider benefits. In the case of the stems, this means being able to remove the stem from the handlebars without having to disassemble brakes, gears, grips and all - instead, simply unscrew and remove. It also means that the stems are stiff, robust and lightweight.
The Cloud 9 is available in two versions, heat-treated 356 T6 aluminium alloy or carbon-reinforced thermoplastic. Both are designed to fit 'Aheadset'-type steerers. The aluminium Cloud 9 AL is a four-bolt, two-piece design, offered as 'no rise', or with +/-10º rise, and in 90, 100, 110, 120 and 130mm extension. Total weight is just 223g for the 130mm version. A range of powder-coated colours is available.
The hinged-cap Cloud 9 Thermo stem is a real head-turner, with its, two-bolt construction. But certainly no scales-turner, at 218g for the longest extension option. It's made from carbon-reinforced thermoplastic, with titanium hardware, and is available in the same extension lengths and angles as the aluminium version. The Thermo stems are made in a range of colours, and because the pigment is incorporated into the thermoplastic, the colouring is 100% scratchproof.
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