Bontrager RSL Blendr Stem review

No clutter on the handlebars and perfectly centred accessories sounds great, but does it work?

Bontrager RSL Blendr Stem
(Image: © Josh Ross)

Cyclingnews Verdict

An excellent option if your needs line up. Double check though, because making changes takes a bit of time and it’s not as universal as the concept sounds. The strongest pull for this design is going to come from those who have a desire to stick with Trek products for a matching look.

Pros

  • +

    Light, stiff, carbon stem

  • +

    Price of the stem includes mounting pieces

  • +

    Plenty of stiffness even over rough gravel roads

  • +

    Captured screws make for easier installation

Cons

  • -

    Making configuration changes requires removal of handlebars

  • -

    No Wahoo adapter included or available from Bontrager

  • -

    Included mount places the computer too high

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Modern cycling often means accessories on the handlebars. Mounting those accessories is a challenge that has given rise to a wide breadth of manufacturers with innovative solutions. Brands such as K-Edge and Bar Fly have filled a need and created mounts that handle everything you could need. What those solutions tend to have in common is that they are an add-on. 

If you are looking to upgrade to something from our list of the best road handlebars you might be replacing your stem anyway. Why not choose a stem with an integrated mounting solution? It could clean up the front of the bike and keep your accessories mounted to the exact centre of the bike. If you are picky about how your bike looks there's a certain draw but it has to work. With that in mind, we spent time with the Bontrager RSL Blendr stem understanding how it works and what it does best. If you like the sound of simplifying the front of your bike, keep reading to see our thoughts on the Bontrager take on a solution. 

Josh Ross

Josh hails from the Pacific Northwest of the United States but would prefer riding through the desert than the rain. He will happily talk for hours about the minutiae of cycling tech but also has an understanding that most people just want things to work. He is a road cyclist at heart and doesn't care much if those roads are paved, dirt, or digital. Although he rarely races, if you ask him to ride from sunrise to sunset the answer will be yes. Height: 5'9" Weight: 140 lb. Rides: Salsa Warbird, Cannondale CAAD9, Enve Melee, Look 795 Blade RS, Priority Continuum Onyx