The DMR Defy is a stem you fit once and then forget about, which is exactly the point. CNC-machined from 6061 aluminium with cromoly bolts, a low stack height and a wide bar clamp, it is built for trail, enduro, dirt jump and all-mountain bikes that get ridden properly rather than polished.

Modern geometry has got longer and slacker, and short stems are how you keep that in balance. The Defy 35 gives you a 35mm reach with a 25mm rise and a low 27mm stack height, so you can bring the bars up without stacking spacers under the stem. The Defy 50 stretches things out to a 50mm reach with a 31mm stack, and uses an internal clamping design at the back for a cleaner look and a rounded-off rear end. If you have ever caught your knee on a set of stem bolts, you will appreciate that one.

Both lengths come in two bar clamp diameters. The standard Defy 35 and Defy 50 take a 31.8mm handlebar, while the Defy 35+ and Defy 50+ take a 35mm bar. The wide clamping area holds the bar firmly and spreads the load, and a stem cap is included so there is nothing else to buy.

This is not a stem chasing a weight figure with tiny bolts and thin walls. It is deliberately overbuilt, which is why it copes so well with long front centres, slack head angles and the sort of riding that punishes lighter hardware.

Vapour Blast is DMR's exclusive finishing process, creating an ultra-smooth matt surface, available here in Vapour Black, Vapour Silver and Vapour Bronze so you can match the rest of your cockpit.

Features

• Built tough - CNC-machined 6061 aluminium with cromoly bolts
• Built short - 35mm or 50mm reach to suit modern geometry
• Low stack height - 27mm on the Defy 35, 31mm on the Defy 50
• Clamp options - standard models take a 31.8mm bar, "+" models take a 35mm bar
• Wide bar clamp - vice-like grip and better load spread across the bar
• Clean lines - top-close clamp on the Defy 35, internal rear clamping on the Defy 50
• Vapour Blast finish - ultra-matt vapour-blasted treatment in Black, Silver or Bronze
• Stem cap included

Specification

• Material: CNC-machined 6061 aluminium
• Steerer: 1 1/8"
• Bar clamp: 31.8mm (Defy 35 / Defy 50) or 35mm (Defy 35+ / Defy 50+)
• Defy 35: 35mm reach, 25mm rise, 27mm stack height, 176g
• Defy 50: 50mm reach, 5mm rise, 31mm stack height, 189g
• Defy 35 dimensions: L 85mm, W 53mm, H 54mm
• Steerer clamp bolts: M6 x 21mm, 9.7mm bolt head diameter
• Handlebar clamp bolts: M5 x 15mm, 8mm bolt head diameter
• Stem cap included
• Colours: Vapour Black, Vapour Silver, Vapour Bronze

Reviews

MBR - "The DMR Defy 35 stem's squat stance gives it a purposeful look suited to any trail or enduro bike. The wide clamp locks your bar in a vice-like grip."

off-road.cc - "The Defy 35+ is an attractive and mega stiff stem from DMR. Its seriously short stack height allows for a huge range of adjustment and its large 6mm Allen bolts up its durability. Combine all of that with a very tidy finish and you've got one of the best mountain bike stems you can buy."