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Culprit teases multi-part aero stem for first product as a components brand

Written by Tyler Benedict
18 Comments
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culprit-prototype-aero-bicycle-stem-teaser-1

The humble stem might not seem like the most exciting place to start, but that’s what Culprit is apparently leading with for their reboot as a components-only brand.

This 3D printed prototype shows their patent pending new design, but doesn’t come with any details yet. Based on their past product mix, we’re guessing its an evolution of the integrated cockpit designed for the Legend triathlon bike that didn’t quite make it through Kickstarter last year. The nose cone appears to pull double duty as an aerodynamic fairing and cover to hide wires and cables. They’re teasing more to come between now and a planned launch early 2017, and we’ve got a couple extra pics below…

culprit-prototype-aero-bicycle-stem-teaser-2
All photos c. Culprit Bicycles

CulpritBicycles.com
Tyler Benedict
11,281 articles

Tyler Benedict is the Founder of Bikerumor.com, where he’s been writing about the latest bikes, components, and cycling technology for almost two decades. Prior to that, Tyler launched and built multiple sports nutrition brands and consumer goods companies, mostly as an excuse to travel and ride in new places.

Based in North Carolina, Tyler also loves the Vanlife & family adventure travel and is always on the lookout for the next shiny new part and off-grid adventure.

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18 Comments
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adam
adam
7 years ago

looks like a carbon version of the TriRig Sigma stem.

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RC Speed
RC Speed
7 years ago
Reply to  adam

OR the Vision Metron aero Stem.
Be curious what is so patent-able here…nothing about this design is new by any means.

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myke2241
myke2241
7 years ago

Maybe the manufacturering process. But I think the brand has lost a lot a faith with this big switch. Tons of companies make parts this will but a up hill battle for the brand…

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Shanghaied
Shanghaied
7 years ago
Reply to  myke2241

It’s one of those tricky words that often misrepresents – “patent pending” simply means that a patent application has been filed, but does not mean that a patent has been granted. In the US, for example, “patent pending” has no legal effect and does not imply legal protection in any way or form. Hell, I can apply today for a patent on the double-diamond bicycle frame, doesn’t mean I’ll be granted a patent, but it’ll be “patent pending”.

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Greg
Greg
7 years ago

Steerer pinch bolts in that position means the stem moves to the right when tightened. Super annoying.
I’m much more likely to trust a company like TriRig, with its stellar reputation, than Culprit, with its history of not-quite-right stuff.

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Joshua Colp
Joshua Colp
7 years ago
Reply to  Greg

HI Greg, Thanks for the comment, However, can I ask what products Culprit sold that was not quite right stuff or what poor history you are referring to? To date, we don’t have any unhappy customers.

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.: r|b :.
.: r|b :.
7 years ago

Lol. Looks like an arts and crafts project. No thanks. The best aero upgrade is to clean up your diet and lean yourself out.

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WildBoar
WildBoar
7 years ago

Looks like it could hide a di2 junction box. There’s a market niche to conquer there for those wanting a clean cable setup on a TT bike.

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Ryan
Ryan
7 years ago

Looks like just another stem to me, only with a somewhat funny shape. Why would I buy this instead of something else?

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Joshua Colp
Joshua Colp
7 years ago

It’s all in the features. In Early 2017 all the details will be released. To date I have found nothing like it which is why I developed it. It will fill a need on the market. But the details must remain confidential til then.

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Victor U.
Victor U.
7 years ago

This is a 3D printed prototype in 0.3mm (draft) resolution. Good for making sure things fit together, but it can’t be used on a bike. This definitely isn’t a production stem!

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nightfend
nightfend
7 years ago

This really is a poor copy of the TriRig Sigma stem.
http://www.tririg.com/store.php?c=sigma

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jlg
jlg
7 years ago
Reply to  nightfend

It doesn’t look like a copy.

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johnson
johnson
7 years ago

I’m wondering if this could be used on an S-Works ShivTT to run aftermarket bars. It looks like it might fit.

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bobmarley
bobmarley
7 years ago

The Tririg Sigma uses alloy inserts that are drawn together with a single m6 bolt to squeeze the steer tube. It creates a high stress areas and a lot of fork mfgs dont allow this type to be used. This stem has a nice wrap around design. It is most similar to a Blktec m3 but looks like josh has made the top half more of a fairing that hides your cables. Prob gonna be lighter and more aero thann the M3

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Joshua Colp
Joshua Colp
7 years ago
Reply to  bobmarley

Yes, the M3 was my stem designed for the Original Legend with Trigon which I stopped developing with Trigon in 2014. Blktec later bought the design exclusively from Trigon. The Original design, I found the clamping area too small, Assembling the cables became a 2 person job as the bolts from the bottom made it hard to attach the bar bore and route the cables. So this is actually my 4th generation stem for an aero road stem. design wise. I can’t say the weights yet but it will prob be similar to that or heavier as this has a much wider clamping area to distribute the force better and also for many other reasons to be announced when the time is right. Cables can be hidden VERY easily inside the stem. Keep watching our FB page for weekly updates of different builds with this stem installed.

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Ford
Ford
7 years ago

so i take it that bike rumor is backing this as my comment on it’s looks was deleted. way to go guys show the shillness

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Kristi Benedict
Admin
Kristi Benedict
7 years ago
Reply to  Ford

Hey Ford, your comment was deleted because it violated our comments policy. Here’s a link for future reference: https://bikerumor.com/comments-policy/

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