Started in Shanghai five years ago, Factory Five has grown into a proper cycling boutique and has even developed their own fixed gear frames and a line up of assorted components. Their latest addition is the new F5 Titan Stem which takes a modern look at the traditional quill stem, bringing it up to date with modern compatibility. With almost every new handlebar developed in the last 5 or 10 years making the switch to a 31.8mm clamping area, it’s become harder and harder to cleanly replace the bar on so many bikes floating around the world with 1″ threaded headsets, from classic road bikes to fixie conversions to contemporary city bikes. Factory Five has the solution with the F5 Titan. Take a closer look and get the full details after the jump…
The F5 Titan does away with the need for a quill adapter and a separate threadless stem, the current solution for installing new bars on an old bike. The new stem offers the same height adjustment benefits of a standard quill stem, combined with a removable faceplate and 31.8mm bar compatibility. The stem only gets a low-key laser-etched F5 logo on its faceplate, so it will look great on any classic bike that is asking for either a new road or flat bar.
The forged and machined 7005 aluminum stem gets a high polish finish for a classic look, and weighs just 270g. Its removable faceplate is keyed for a secure grip on the bars and is attached with two recessed stainless steel bolts to preserve its smooth lines. The 72° stem extension is 90mm in this first version (F5 promise to develop more sizes in the future if there is demand). Its 150mm x 22.2mm (1″ threaded headset standard internal) quill needs 50mm minimum insertion for about 100mm up-and-down adjustability.
The new $100 stem just began shipping this week, and will hopefully arrive in Factory Five’s international stockists soon. They do deliver direct to customers as well, but shipping doesn’t always seem to be straight forward, and customs clearance is then the individual buyers responsibility. There are a number of shops in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia that stock F5 products. So if you are interested, it may be best to reach out to one of those first.
Happy upgrading.
I like this and may place and order.
Regarding insertion/quill length, the wording is strange. Basically what is being said is that the stem length is 150mm with a minimum insertion of 50mm – correct?
Eds: Revised for hopefully better clarity.
One of those “Why the hell didn’t I think of that?” moments.
Actually I’ve seen OS quill stems around my country. Some custom frame builder built them from reynolds steel https://www.facebook.com/HunorKezmuvesKerekpar
Beautiful!!!! I love how the bolts clamping the handlebar are hidden and that the front faceplate is completely removable. Now, please make one that will fit 26.0mm bars!
I heard 31.8 handelbars are unsafe?
LOVE this!!! I want it in black though 🙁 and I don’t know my stem length currently, but I’m hating my quill adapter. Just sayin. Where do I go to tell them they have a customer in me if they make my stem length even if I have to get it painted?
I approve of this product.
But I seriously disapprove of asking for one sized 26.0. Just go buy an old Cinelli, dude.
Agree, making a 26.0 version makes absolutely zero business sense. Nitto still make 26.0 quill stems and finding NOS 26.0 stems from ITM, 3TTT and Cinelli isn’t exactly a challenge.
Gruntled – I think the request for 26.0 is that most quill stems do not have a removable faceplate. The Deda Murex being one of the only ones I know of (I am sure there are others). So its not an unreasonable request.
I run a Deda Murex 130mm, need a shorter stem and would like to use my spare modern bars from my other bike. 90mm may be a stretch though.
Cinelli stems are nice but have shorter quills and no open face.
Nice looking product.
I wonder if they are related to the “other” company with the same name and nearly the same logo?
http://www.factoryfive.com/
Beautifully designed stem. The designers did a great job of this.
these guys do really nice stuff, if you are ever in Shanghai you got to check out there shop its amazing little place , plus there super nice guys.
Not bad
The stem itself is gorgeous but 31.8mm bars just look disproportionally large in a quill stem. Just like an ugly tapered head tube on a skinny steel frame…
P.S. I’d definitely get one in 26.0mm
This was made for meeeeeee!!
If you want to use 26.0 bars so bad, then use some 31.8 to 26.0 shims.
Vejnemojnen’s post is about August 6,2013 Facebook posting so you do not have to search the whole few years.
With so many requests for a 26mm version, Factory Five would be wise to just sell a perfectly integrated 26mm shim to go along with the stem.
GMC Denali comes with a 31.8mm quill stem.
Re: 26mm bars
Some people here are missing the point or/and must be aesthetically blind.
If you are building a nice looking neo-retro bike, you certainly won’t put 26mm bars in a 31.8mm stem that looks like a light bulb on a stick… It needs a 26mm version, not a shim.