There are plenty of stems out there.
But the Freakynuts Multi Reach Stem was designed for riders who actually like to experiment with their bike setup instead of simply accepting whatever cockpit dimensions happened to come fitted from the factory.
With its adjustable reach and FlipChip system, you can change your cockpit without buying a new stem every time you want to try something different.
And there is another nice little detail:
It isn’t limited to single-crown forks.
The Multi Reach Stem can also be used on double-crown downhill forks.
Just one small piece of expert advice… Don’t cut your steerer tube too short first. 😂
For this photo series we’re showing three very different bikes, riders and setups which is exactly where an adjustable stem starts to make sense.
Jake’s build – Mud & Dirt / Santa Cruz Rental at the Zugspitze
First up is the beautiful bike of Jake from Mud & Dirt, the shop and Santa Cruz rental spot right at the foot of the Zugspitze.
And if you’re ever riding in the area: this place is worth knowing.
Great bikepark, great service, great people, no ridiculous lift queues and prices that still make sense.
Pretty much exactly what we MTB fetishists want.
Jake’s bike is also a perfect example of how the Multi Reach Stem fits into a properly thought-out build. Instead of treating stem length as one fixed number, you can use it as another setup parameter alongside bar height, spacers, bar geometry and fork setup.
Small cockpit changes can make a surprisingly big difference once you’re actually riding steep trails at speed.
Scott Gambler – full DH weapon
The second bike goes in a completely different direction.
A heavily tuned Scott Gambler, running a FOX X2 rear shock, Manitou Dorado Pro Carbon fork and SRAM Maven brakes.
In other words: not exactly a Sunday cruiser. This thing is a seriously fast downhill cannon. This thing is a seriously fast downhill cannon.
The rider is relatively small and light, so rather than automatically running a long DH cockpit, the stem is currently set around 35 mm reach.
That gives him a compact and balanced riding position that suits his body size and riding style.
But that’s the interesting part.
The position doesn’t have to stay there forever.
Depending on terrain and preference, the cockpit can be changed from 35mm toward a longer 40 or 45 mm reach setup. Combine that with spacer adjustment underneath the stem and of course the option of running a different handlebar rise or sweep and you suddenly have a lot more control over rider position than you’d get from a conventional fixed stem.
For a smaller rider on a full-size downhill bike, those few millimetres can be surprisingly important.
You can tune how much weight naturally sits on the front wheel, how centred you feel on the bike and how much room you have when the terrain gets steep.
And yes, in this build the stem is mounted in the regular orientation rather than flipped upside down.
Because there isn’t one “correct” configuration.
The whole point is being able to find your configuration
YT Decoy SN – yes, an e-bike
And yes… an e-bike. The YT Decoy SN is actually a perfect example of why an adjustable MTB stem makes so much sense. An e-bike is often used across a much wider range of terrain than a highly specialized bike like a pure downhill machine. One day you’re riding steep technical trails, the next you’re hitting flow lines, jumps or just playing around on slower, tighter terrain.
That means your ideal cockpit position can change with the terrain. Move the stem forward and you immediately feel the difference: more weight and pressure on the front wheel, more front-end grip and more confidence when things get steep or fast compared with the middle position.
Want the bike to feel more playful and agile again? Just move it back to 35 mm. That shorter reach gives the Decoy a lighter, more responsive feel and makes it much easier to jib, pop and move the bike around underneath you.
That is exactly the kind of flexibility we had in mind with the Freakynuts adjustable MTB stem. One bike, different terrain, different riding styles, without changing the complete stem every time you want to experiment.
These photos were shot in Schladming. Super park, great tracks and a huge variety of terrain. The Austrians definitely know how to build a bikepark.
Our Forbidden Supernought – short, high and playful
Last but definitely not least is our own Forbidden Supernought.
This bike is currently running approximately 40 mm reach, with a 10 mm spacer underneath the stem.
That’s a relatively high cockpit. And that’s completely intentional.
Combined with the short rear end and the short 45 mm front dropout position, the higher cockpit helps create a bike that feels extremely agile and playful.
Instead of feeling stretched out with your nose hanging over the handlebar, you can stay nicely centred on the bike.
You’re still riding on the bike rather than feeling buried somewhere between the wheels. That gives the Supernought a very lively character.
Easy to move around underneath you, easy to change direction and easy to play with — while still giving you enough confidence when things get fast and steep.
It also demonstrates something we think is often overlooked in MTB setup:
Stem length shouldn’t be considered on its own.
Reach, stack, stem height, bar rise, backsweep, fork offset, chainstay length and rider dimensions all work together.
Change one and the whole feeling of the bike can shift.
Why adjustable reach actually matters
A difference of five or ten millimetres doesn’t sound dramatic when you’re standing in the workshop.
On the trail, it can be.
A shorter cockpit can make the bike feel more direct, upright and playful. A slightly longer setup can put more weight over the front and create additional stability and room.
Neither is automatically better.
It depends on the bike, the rider, the terrain and what kind of feeling you’re looking for.
That’s why we made the Freakynuts Multi Reach Stem adjustable.
Try it. Ride it. Change it. Ride it again. LOVE IT!
Because the best setup isn’t the number somebody on the internet tells you to use.
It’s the one that makes your bike disappear underneath you when you’re riding.
And if that happens to involve a carbon Dorado, Maven brakes, a ridiculous downhill build and far too much time discussing five millimetres of stem length with your riding buddies…
Well…
Welcome to the club.
Freakynuts.com Multi Reach Stem
Built for people who take bike setup just a little bit too seriously.
Exactly how we like it.
#Freakynuts #MultiReachStem #MTB #DownhillMTB #DHBike #FlipChip #BikeSetup #MTBBuild #ScottGambler #ForbiddenSupernought #ManitouDorado #SantaCruzBikes
