January 2026

XStem Project Update

Welcome to the XStem Project Newsletter. This will be the primary source for progress updates: where things stand, what’s being tested, and what comes next.

Thank You + Why This Exists

Thank you to everyone who participated in the initial feedback survey last year. Your responses confirmed there is real interest in keeping these bikes on the trail and helped clarify where development effort should be focused.

The XStem Project began with a simple problem no one else was solving: creating a modern, safe, and well-designed stem for legacy Cannondale HeadShok systems. What started as a side project quickly became a proving ground for design methods, supplier collaboration, and small-batch production.

With continued input from this community, the goal is not only to bring XStem to market, but to develop other thoughtful components along the way that help fund and inform what gets built next.

2025 In Review

Over the past year, the project progressed from early concepts and CAD exploration into physical prototypes and real-world testing. Multiple design iterations were machined, assembled, and ridden to validate fit, function, and aesthetics.

• First CNC samples for both Headshok and Standard steer configurations were sourced and received
• Testing lab for ISO 4210-5 certification secured

Just as importantly, 2025 established an ongoing feedback loop between riders and development that continues to shape where the project is headed.

Current Status: Testing

WHAT - Current configurations under test:

• HeadShok — 1.56” steerer | 31.8mm bar | 60mm length | 0° rise
• Standard — 1.125” steerer | 31.8mm bar | 40mm length | 0° rise

HOW - Testing to date includes real-world riding on my own bikes:

• Super V (MTB use)
• F700 (road / gravel crossover use)

WHERE - These rides include rocky singletrack, sustained vibration, and typical trail impacts. So far:

• No stem slippage observed
• No visible signs of fatigue or deformation

WHO - To expand coverage beyond my own setups, a small group of local riders has begun testing the standard steerer version. This helps validate broader usage scenarios while supporting continued development of the Cannondale-specific variants.

What’s Next

A dummy steerer test fixture has been sourced and is currently in transit. Once received, final samples will be prepared and sent to a certified lab for ISO 4210-5 testing.

This will provide standardized data on strength, fatigue, and safety, and represents the final major validation step before any production decisions are made.

How You’re Shaping What Comes Next

This project remains community-driven. Subscriber feedback directly influences:

• Which variants move forward first
• Ideas on how to fund further development.
• Complementary components to explore or use to fund XStem variants

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to send me a message with your ideas. More surveys and decision points are coming in the next year (such as part markings/packaging/etc). Looking forward to 2026!

Thanks again for being part of this from the beginning. More updates after initial ISO testing is complete.