shockstop bike stem handles the rough roads of your route for you

shockstop bike stem handles the rough roads of your route for you
all images courtesy of redshift sports

biking should be comfortable, but ride more than a few miles, and people quickly realize that road bicycles are extremely stiff. the ‘shockstop’ by redshift is an adjustable-stiffness, shock-absorbing suspension stem designed specifically for road riding. it improves ride quality and comfort by isolating the rider’s body from bumps, shocks, and road buzz. it fits virtually all bikes, and it comes in a variety of lengths and angles with interchangeable stiffness elastomers so everyone from performance cyclists to recreational riders and commuters can find the perfect fit.

the subtle pivot design allows for the small size and sleek look while ensuring torsional rigidity

the ‘shockstop’  is a single-pivot shock-absorbing suspension stem that is designed from the ground-up specifically for riding on less-than-perfect roads. it dramatically improves front-end ride quality without compromising steering responsiveness or affecting your existing bike fit, and perhaps just as importantly, it does this while blending seamlessly with the design language and aesthetics of modern road bikes.

it clamps to all handlebars and fits on virtually any bike

it uses the same sealed cartridge bearings that are used in high-end mountain bike suspension pivots, and the forged aluminum components are extremely torsionally rigid, so climbing and sprinting feel completely natural. the weight is very low coming in at 239 grams which is just slightly more than a standard aluminum stem. the travel is also specifically limited to 1-2 centimeters (6°) – enough to provide amazing cushioning against most road impacts, without affecting the geometry or handling of your bike.

twin interchangeable elastomers let each rider fine-tune the road feel to perfectly match their own riding style. racers, triathletes, and competitive riders can choose firmer settings to retain a more traditional front-end feel, while commuters, fitness enthusiasts, and endurance riders can dial in a softer feel to maximize comfort. team at redshift sports started a kickstarter campaign to help with manufacturing, with plans to ship the stem in april 2016.  

the shockstop is compatible with road, hybrid, commuter, and triathlon bikes

in testing, it reduced peak forces transmitted to the hands by up to 70% when compared to a standard stem

it allows for stiffness adjustment through swappable internal elastomers

fits with an standard bike handlebar

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: piotr boruslawski | designboom