German component manufacturer, BikeYoke, has stepped up its offering of cockpit components with a mountain bike stem for 35mm clamp bars. Available in 35mm, 45mm and 55mm length options, the BikeYoke Barkeeper is lightweight and gets a simple, clean aesthetic thanks to its one-piece design. This comes with the release of a one-piece top cap and a useful little component called Aimy that doubles up as a steerer tube clamp and headset spacer.
BikeYoke Barkeeper Stem
With a 35mm clamp and 35mm length, the BikeYoke Barkeeper stem weighs a claimed 86g (80g with Ti bolts), comparable to the lightweight one-piece Grace stem from Intend. All Barkeeper stems in the range are 3D forged, precision CNC machined for the desired contours, and subsequently shot-peened to further strengthen the surface. The logos and markings are then laser engraved into the raw aluminum prior to anodization.
The major drawback of any one-piece stem is lack of compatibility with certain riser bars. BikeYoke steer clear of stating an absolute number for rise. This is because compatibility is determined by the shape of the bar bend, not simply by how high the rise is. They say most handlebars up to 30mm rise should work fine; bars validated for compatibility with the BikeYoke Barkeeper include the Race Face SixC 35mm riser bar and OneUp’s ovalized 20mm riser bar.
In an attempt to increase the number of bars compatible with the Barkeeper stem, BikeYoke resolved to include an installation wedge with the shipment of every stem that helps to prise open the clamping area to 9mm for more clearance.
All Barkeeper stem lengths were successfully tested to exceed the requirements of the strongest possible category for mountain bike components (category 5) of DIN EN 17406:2021 and ASTM F2043-13.
With the launch of the Barkeeper, BikeYoke has also made available a top cap, named the Topper, also of a one-piece design that eliminates the need for a separate steel bolt. The Topper is claimed to weigh less than 5g, fits any M6-threaded star-fangled nut, and retails at $14 USD / 14€ .
The final piece to the puzzle comes in the form of a neat little component called Aimy, that doubles up as a steerer clamp and a headset spacer. Aimy adds 8mm of stack height, but unlike a regular headset spacer, it is also able to clamp to the steerer. This means when you remove your stem to clean out the star nut area of the steerer, the fork should remain in place hands-free.
It also makes for a very useful indicator when re-aligning the bar after a crash. The stem will often rotate about the steerer during a crash, even if the clamp bolts are tightened to the specific torque recommendation, leaving the rider spending an inordinate amount of time trying to get everything lined up perfectly again.
The BikeYoke Aimy spacer should, however, stay put. So, assuming you installed the Aimy spacer correctly first time around, you should be able to use it as a handy visual cue when realigning your stem and bar. The Aimy weighs a claimed 8g and retails at $16 USD / 16€.
Pricing & Availability
The BikeYoke Barkeeper stem is available now in a 35mm clamp diameter only, with lengths of 35mm, 45mm and 55mm. All retail at $89 USD / 89€ with standard steel bolts. Spend an extra $25 USD / 25€ to lighten up with Ti bolts.
