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Paul Components goes long with new 110mm Boxcar Stem

Written by Tyler Benedict
paul component 110mm boxcar stem machined in usa
38 Comments
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As if to prove there’s no pleasing everyone, last year people wanted a short stem, so they machined a 35mm version of it. Now, people wanted a longer stem, so Paul Components is delivering with their new 110mm Boxcar Stem. It gets a 7º angle, helping it sit nearly flat when installed as a negative rise, and it’ll come in black, silver, gold and polished.

paul component 110mm boxcar stem machined in usa

Each one is machined from US-made 2024 alloy, which they say costs more (a lot more) than 6061, but lets them make a lighter, stronger stem. It’s also stiffer, claiming to be noticeably stiffer than most common competitors. Paul machines these things in house in Chico, CA, a process that lets them grind away any excess material to save weight but keep it where needed to remain strong. Each stem ships with T25 stainless steel bolts for the faceplate and retails for $149. Made for 31.8 diameter handlebars. Claimed weight is 203g. Available now.

PaulComp.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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38 Comments
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Justin White
Justin White
6 years ago

If negative 7 degree rise sits “nearly flat”, that means the head tube angle would be 83…

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JDM
JDM
6 years ago

A -7 degrees stem will sit horizontal on a bike where the headtube is at 83 degrees. I dare you to find such a bike.

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Dolan Halbrook
Dolan Halbrook
6 years ago
Reply to  JDM

I dare you to ride such a bike 🙂

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VeloKitty
VeloKitty
6 years ago

I’d say it’s ugly and heavy with poor corrosion resistance.

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Alec White
Alec White
6 years ago
Reply to  VeloKitty

What material would you prefer? Because I’d say 2024 is basically the only option if you are going to have a non-anodized polished finish. 7075 would be great on paper but with it being so prone to corrosion cracking I don’t believe it would be a wise choice for this application. Plus if the finish becomes dull just grab a rag and some aluminum polish.

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Shafty
Shafty
6 years ago
Reply to  VeloKitty

Yeah, that black/silver/gold ANO is REALLY prone to corrosion. If you’re worried about corrosion, pick one of those, or accept that without maintenance some light corruption is almost inevitable. Or make your own stems, since it sounds like you’re pretty good at it.

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badbikemechanicx
badbikemechanicx
6 years ago
Reply to  VeloKitty

News flash US-made 2024 alloy and stainless steel does not corrode. It may become dirty. The premise of the velokitty’s comment is incorrect.

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lop
lop
6 years ago
Reply to  badbikemechanicx

You weren’t kidding with that name. 2024 aluminum is actually considered to have very poor corrosion resistance.

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badbikemechanicx
badbikemechanicx
6 years ago

It’s a stem!! Aluminum doesn’t corrode.

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MaraudingWalrus
MaraudingWalrus
6 years ago
Reply to  badbikemechanicx

What? Aluminum totally corrodes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium_oxide

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Ron G.
Ron G.
6 years ago
Reply to  badbikemechanicx

Let me introduce you to my 2007 Yeti 575 with the raw aluminum finish (which is actually a clear-coat). If I could attach a picture, you’d recoil in horror at the corrosion working its way outward from every fitting. It looks diseased. Yes, aluminum can corrode, especially in contact with human sweat.

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D-con
D-con
6 years ago

Wow, I didn’t know that you could buy a threadless stem over 200g for more than $30ish.

I appreciate that Paul is building in California and know that some people like the anesthetic, but yikes.

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Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
6 years ago
Reply to  D-con

(deleted)

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FFM
FFM
6 years ago
Reply to  Kernel Flickitov

(deleted)

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Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
6 years ago
Reply to  FFM

(deleted)

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FFM
FFM
6 years ago
Reply to  Kernel Flickitov

Masterful irony.

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Tim
Tim
6 years ago
Reply to  D-con

I second you, D-con. It’s heavy and expensive. Some Paul components fill a nice niche- the high quality v-brakes and levers, some of the only offerings around if that’s the bike type you want to run, come to mind. Or, way back when, they had one of the first single speed hubs for 135mm. But this stim is just heavy-ish, exquisitely finished kit with nothing else I can see to set it apart.

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Zach
Zach
6 years ago

Is that a stem? Doesn’t say Thomson on it anywhere. I am confused.

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Fred Gravelly
Fred Gravelly
6 years ago

Another enthralling report for the cycling world, lol

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Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
6 years ago
Reply to  Fred Gravelly

(deleted)

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Dr Sweets
Dr Sweets
6 years ago

Tiller.

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James Balentine
James Balentine
6 years ago

You don’t buy Paul Components because they are the lightest thing out there, you buy them because they are pretty and you know that in 20 years it will still be there doing it’s job.

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Bob
Bob
6 years ago
Reply to  James Balentine

(deleted). There is literally nothing that this stem does better then hundreds of others that are lighter, cheaper and better looking. The best part about Paul’s stuff is the only people that even notice are the ones that buy them. The rest of the world could not care less or even know what it is. At least if you drop the coin on an Enve stem people will recognize it.

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NO PC BS
NO PC BS
6 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Nothing is sexier than polished aluminum…….

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Bob
Bob
6 years ago

No they are just as insane but at least people recognize the brand. You pay a lot of money for a Paul’s whatever and it looks like a Walmart bike part from more than 2 feet away and no one knows the brand outside of the people that buy them.

Would you pay $200k for a Ferrari that looked like a Ford Taurus with no Ferrari badging?

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Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
6 years ago
Reply to  Bob

(deleted)

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Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
6 years ago
Reply to  Kernel Flickitov

(deleted)

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bob
bob
6 years ago
Reply to  Kernel Flickitov

So Paul’s is a recognizable as Enve? and were is the branding on the Pauls stem? yeah i didn’t see any either. Have fun paying a lot for that name that no one can read or knows about. And yes it is an ugly stem. looks like a 3rd grader got the idea from their juice box. you must have a lot of stake in this thing they way you defend it. i head back to my bridge now.

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dontcoast
dontcoast
6 years ago
Reply to  bob

I think the shortys (35, 50mm) look good.

And the Paul team has given me so many avocado toasts, bacon and whiskey handups over the years that I’m more than happy to give them my busines for something made in Cali.

You’re right, it’s less recognizable than Enve. For me, I prefer a boxcar over a billboard.

Would not run this 110mm, but hey strokes for folks, someone will put it on their Vanilla and be stoked.

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zipp23
zipp23
6 years ago

it only comes in 110 mm, so you buy the stem and get a matching frame to go with it? or is it only for people who are running a 110 stem already?

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typevertigo
typevertigo
6 years ago
Reply to  zipp23

As per the Paul website it comes in 35, 50, 70, 90, and 110 mm lengths.
Every length bar the 110 is available in 0 degrees rise.
The 70 and 90 mm are available in +/-15 degrees, while (as stated in the article) the 110 mm is available in +/-7 degrees. FYI

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typevertigo
typevertigo
6 years ago

The 110 mm version certainly lives up to the “Boxcar” name the best I think. I dig the whole “chunk” of the thing…can’t afford it though.

The black finish ain’t half bad either.

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blah blah blah
blah blah blah
6 years ago

alot of deleting going on here

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Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
6 years ago
Reply to  blah blah blah

BR can’t handle the direct approach I have with fashion critics. Don’t care really.

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blah blah blah
blah blah blah
6 years ago
Reply to  Kernel Flickitov

dont say that you’ll get deleted and Luke Besson will make a film about it

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Atanoman
Atanoman
6 years ago

Other than aesthetics, I don’t understand why anyone would buy a rectangular stem. Bar torque is by far the largest stress, and a circular cross section is the best you can get.

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Eggs Benedict a.k.a Darth Baller
Eggs Benedict a.k.a Darth Baller
6 years ago

Paul needs to pump out another stem, pronto. The more aesthetically controversial the better.

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Zeberoni
Zeberoni
6 years ago

Funny, everybody is talking about corrosion. These stems were actually launched in 2015 (just not in 110mm). So far I haven’t heard of anybody having issues with corrosion. These are great components, just like everything else in the Paul range.

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