A new stem arrived from Rivendell. I say this is “new” but it is actually new for us at Blue Lug. They had these stems from a while ago.

「90-190 stem」Designed by Rivendell Made by Nitto

*Japanese text on cardboard “Max Height”

They are one of the long quill stems that we see on Rivendell bikes, then became popular for Crust Romanceur, Nor’ Easter, and vintage MTB.

You may think what’s so new about this product, but it is actually a great stem for bikes more than Riv bikes. It’s one of those things that we wished we had.

The product name comes from the specs

*Japanese texts “90 degrees!!” “190mm length”

The stems feature a 90° angle with a 190mm length, hence the name  “90-190”. Nice and simple.

Available in 25.4mm and 31.8mm clamp sizes, which means it’s a BIG Tosco chance.

4 bolt face plate stem to hold the big sweeper bars.

The most important aspect about this stem would be…

*Japanese text “The head tube angle of the frame RISE UP”

These stems can provide a natural rise for the amount of head tube angle of the frame, which means that you are able to get the exact head tube angle of the frame for your cockpit. You can tell the difference of the head tube angle when you put the stems on different bikes.

This is how it looks when you install the stem to a Charlie Gallop frame, which has a lot of 90° angles.

TIG faceplater stem  is also one if Rivendell’s stem that we carry↓↓↓

*RIVENDELL* joe appaloosa (57)

This stem has an 10° angle facing up, with 225mm length. It’s a stem for riders who wants a very upright position.


(borrowed some images from Riv’s website)

You can see the difference of the two when looking at them side by side.

The Faceplater was too tall for some Japanese people or for people who like to have the bars low.

This is one of Rivendell’s staff bikes. (Maybe Sergio’s?) This person also has the stem installed low. I’m just assuming this, but I think the 90-190 stem was born for people that likes their stem lower like this. I’m saying this because I designed the POWER STEM due to the same reason. (which is why they look identical)

To be honest, the two stems work as the exact same purpose, so we only need one of them. However, having options is always fun. (just like the Atlantis and the Appaloosa) Plus, Nitto parts is not something you can get and people like to have what Riv uses in their build, so I like having both stems.

Let’s install it on my bike.

I currently have the Power Stem, which has a 10° up angle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ta-Da! 90-190 stem is installed.


Yeah, there aren’t a huge difference, as I had imagined.

In other words, you don’t really need the Power Stem if you already have the 90-190, vice versa.

If you use a Faceplater for your build and feel like they’re too upright,  you currently feel that the bars are too far or close in the current set up, or you’re trying to get a bike that has a threaded steerer, you should consider the 90-190 as one of the options for the build.

-Tani