At the start of June we got a first look at Darimo’s latest superlight carbon creation, a 74g stem on a 4.9kg road bike. Now we get a look at the even lighter MTB stem that Company owner Damià Rizo teased. Without the limitation of sliding a compact bend road bar through the stem, the new mountain bike stem eliminates the need for a removable faceplate and sheds more than 10% of its already feathery weight in the process…
Update: It seems IX2 & IX4 are less problematic names for the stem we got an exclusive first look at…
Darimo IX2, ultralight handmade carbon mountain bike stem
The new IX2 – named for the two-bolt non-removable faceplate stem – is designed to be a mountain bike stem for your weight weenie XC bike. The IX2 features a 46mm wide 31.8mm clamping area designed for flat bars & rider mountain bike bars. Most compact bend or aero road dropbars will not fit through the split-clamp bar mount (although some bigger bend road bars may fit.)
Darimo aims to offer the IX2 stem (and the IX4, see below) in a wide range of sizes to suit any bike build. They have produced a number molds for the more common sizes already, and are working on even more.
The IX2 will be offered in -6°, -12 & -17° angles and a wide 60-130mm range of lengths. They are also considering making a -25° version as well for #slamthatstem riders who have already requested it (especially useful for small 29ers.) As with the width for the clamp, the stack height of the clamp on the 1.125″ steerer is also 46mm.
Darimo IX2 MTB stem – actual weights
Actual weight for for a 100mm x -6° IX2 mountain bike stem is just 66g.
Add in one of Darimo’s lightweight carbon XC flat handlebars for a sleek setup, and it still adds up to just 164g (lighter than most mountain bike stems to be honest!)
Like the new road stem, the new IX2 mountain bike stem is available to order now and is offered in three finish options: gloss 3K weave, matte 3K weave & matte UD carbon. The stems are currently in production, with the first stems shipping out to consumers in July.
Darimo IX4, ultralight handmade carbon road bike stem
With the new mountain bike version also comes the official name for the road stem too. Dubbed the IX4 for its 4-bolt removable carbon faceplate. Like the IX2, the IX4 gets the same 359€ pricetag.
The IX2 & IX4 are available in the same size, angle (plus positive angles thanks to flipping the removable faceplate) & finish options, and all will be shipping to buyers in July.
