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. But its bombproof build comes with something of a weight penalty.
- Is Shimano developing an automatic suspension adjustment system?
- Funn Equalizer stem review
- 5 best upgrades for your new mountain or gravel bike
DMR Defy 35+ Special Edition Liquid Camo – Technical specification
This Special Edition version of DMR’s Defy 35 stem comes as part of the brand’s Special Edition Liquid Camo range that also includes the Wingbar MK4 and Vault pedal. Though, the only difference between this stem and the run-of-the-mill Defy 35 is its triple anodized, Liquid Camo finish.
DMR says that the Defy 35+ stem is ideal for trail and all mountain riding, coming with a very low 27mm stack height and 35mm of reach with 5mm of rise. Then, as its name suggests, there’s a 35mm clamp diameter.
The CNC machined 6061 alloy stem utilizes a top-close clamp design where the upper two bolts meet, and the lower two apply most of the clamping pressure. The faceplate follows a two piece design that’s not too dissimilar from the Renthal Apex35s, where you slide each piece to the middle of the bar before bolting them down.
Pushing a general theme of durability found all around this stem are the two beefy 6mm Allen steerer clamp bolts. Holding the faceplates in place are four 4mm Allen bolts. DMR claims that the Defy 35+ weighs in at 176g, which is a full seven grams more than what my scales read. Either way, it’s a smidge weightier than many competing stems.
If you’re happy to forgo the Liquid Camo colourway, the Defy35 is available with a 31.8mm clamp diameter and then there’s the Defy50, if you would prefer a 50mm stem length.
DMR Defy 35+ Special Edition Liquid Camo – Performance
Fitting the Defy 35+ is as simple as any other stem that uses a top-close clamp design and the large Allen bolts add a heft of confidence when torquing them up. Torque ratings are clearly marked around the stem too, which is certainly appreciated.
On the bike, one thing Is glaringly clear, and that’s its stiffness. While compact, this stem is pretty wide, and it doesn’t slim down as the bar clamp reaches the steerer. This alone adds stiffness as it keeps the stem from twisting under load. When paired with a chunky 35mm clamp diameter bar, steering is responsive and certain.
While its heft of stiffness is definitely an upside, its very low stack shouldn’t be glossed over. It does mean that you’ll need some spacers spare before fitting, but this allows for a massive range of stack height adjustment. If you’re a rider with a penchant for all things steep, this is a huge benefit, especially when combined with the stem’s 5mm of rise.
Of course, this stem comes with the smart triple anodized finish, and wow, is it pretty! Granted the camo colour won’t be up everyone’s street but it is definitely durable. This stem has experienced a couple of spills and has sat in a shed with bikes and tools moving about almost constantly and it’s not showing a single sign of wear. If not the colour, everyone will appreciate the level of machining that the Defy 35+ exhibits. Each pass of the machine has resulted in a flawless surface and it’s clearly finished to a very high standard. There are no sharp edges in sight.
DMR Defy 35+ Special Edition Liquid Camo – Value and verdict
This Special Edition of the Defy 35+ adds £25 to the price of the standard Defy35’s £60 price tag and for that, you’re getting that cool but awfully durable finish. Though, even then, it’s not too bad a price when its performance and finish is similar to the Renthal Apex35s. The Apex35 is £116, however, but it does weigh considerably less at 125g.
The PNW Components Range Stem Gen 3 is lighter still and it costs £69 but it doesn’t carry the high quality finish of the Defy 35+. The same goes for the e*thirteen Plus 35 at £95.
Then there’s the Nukeproof Horizon stem that costs £70 at the time of writing this review. That one’s lighter, but again it doesn’t feature quite as nice a finish and there’s a lot to be said for the adjustment that the Defy 35+’s low stack has to offer.
Again, if you don’t mind dropping the camo colour, the standard Defy35 will set you back just £60, and that’s incredibly competitive for the performance it offers.
If you’re looking to boost the stiffness of your front end and don’t mind bolting a few extra pounds to your cockpit, the DMR Defy 35+ Special Edition Liquid Camo is an excellent choice. It offers a large range of stack adjustment and comes with a seriously high quality level of machining that’s rarely seen on stems in this price range.