Hope TR Stem Review: Trail Fitment, 31.8 vs 35mm Clamp, and Gravity Stem Comparison
The Hope TR Stem sits between Hope’s lighter RX/XC direction and the burlier Gravity stem. It is the trail and all-mountain option: short enough for modern mountain bikes, available in both common bar clamp sizes, and built around Hope’s machined aluminium cockpit style.
The main buying question is not whether the red, blue, purple, or orange finish looks good. It does. The real question is whether your bike needs this stem length, this bar clamp diameter, and this level of stiffness rather than the lighter RX stem or the heavier-duty Gravity stem.
Quick Verdict
The Hope TR Stem makes sense if you want a premium trail or all-mountain stem and already know your bar clamp and reach target. Hope’s TR Stem page lists 31.8mm clamp versions in 32, 40, and 50mm lengths, plus 35mm clamp versions in 35, 40, and 50mm lengths.
Choose it over the RX stem if your bike is more trail/all-mountain than gravel or XC. Choose the Gravity stem instead if you are building a harder-hitting enduro/gravity cockpit and want Hope’s burlier short-stem direction.
Key Specs
| Product | Hope TR Stem |
|---|---|
| Best use | Downcountry, trail, and all-mountain riding |
| Replaces | Hope says the TR Stem is the replacement for the AM stem |
| 31.8mm bar clamp lengths | 32mm, 40mm, and 50mm |
| 35mm bar clamp lengths | 35mm, 40mm, and 50mm |
| Rise | Zero rise |
| Material | CNC-machined 2014 T6 aluminium |
| Clamp design | Two-piece front plate with no-gap clamping system |
| Listed clamping width | 56mm |
| Colors | Black, silver, smoke, blue, red, purple, and orange |
TR Stem vs Gravity Stem
The TR Stem and Gravity Stem overlap enough that buyers can easily confuse them. The TR is the trail/all-mountain choice. The Gravity Stem is the shorter, burlier option for more aggressive riding. Hope’s stem range page separates them clearly: TR for trail/all-mountain, Gravity for the heavier-duty mountain-bike direction, RX for gravel/XC, and Direct Mount for triple-clamp forks.
If your bike is a modern trail bike, all-mountain bike, or downcountry build, the TR is usually the more natural starting point. If your bike is an enduro bike with a very short cockpit target, the Gravity Stem may make more sense. For the heavier-duty option, read the Hope Gravity Stem review.
31.8mm vs 35mm Bar Clamp
This is the first fitment check. A 31.8mm handlebar needs a 31.8mm stem. A 35mm handlebar needs a 35mm stem. Do not choose the clamp diameter by guessing from the bike model or by assuming all modern bars are 35mm.
The TR Stem gives different short-length options depending on clamp size. The 31.8mm version starts at 32mm reach, while the 35mm version starts at 35mm reach. Both clamp families include 40mm and 50mm versions.
32, 35, 40, or 50mm Reach
Stem length changes the way a bike feels. A shorter stem can make steering feel quicker and keep the rider more centered. A longer stem can add reach and front-wheel weighting, which may help some bikes but make others feel stretched.
The 32mm or 35mm options are the short modern choices. The 40mm option is the middle ground. The 50mm option suits riders or frames that need a little more reach and steering calm. Do not buy 50mm just because it looks traditional. Buy it because the bike fit asks for it.
No-Gap Clamp and Steerer Bolts
Hope lists a two-piece front plate with a simple no-gap clamping system, plus opposing steerer clamp bolts. Those details are worth caring about because stems are safety-critical parts. A clean clamp design only works if the handlebar, steerer, spacers, bolts, and tightening sequence are correct.
Use Hope’s TR Stem instructions during installation. Do not invent torque values or clamp sequence from memory.
Who Should Buy It
Buy the Hope TR Stem if you want a premium trail stem, like Hope’s machining and color options, and have already confirmed your bar clamp and reach. It is a good fit for downcountry, trail, and all-mountain bikes that need a short-to-medium cockpit setup.
It also makes sense if you are replacing an older Hope AM stem and want the current version of that idea: cleaner shape, modern sizing, and the same broader Hope cockpit look as the Gravity stem.
Who Should Skip It
Skip it if your bike is mainly gravel or XC and you want the lighter RX direction. Also skip it if your bike is a gravity or downhill build where a Gravity or direct-mount stem is the more appropriate Hope option.
Skip it if you are not sure about fit. A stem is not a cosmetic spacer. The wrong length can make a good bike feel awkward, and the wrong clamp diameter is simply incompatible.
Used-Buy Checks
If you buy a used TR Stem, inspect the handlebar clamp faces, steerer clamp, bolt heads, threads, and any marks around the clamp area. Deep gouges, cracked clamp edges, damaged threads, or unknown replacement bolts are reasons to walk away.
Also check whether the stem was used with carbon bars. That is not automatically a problem, but crushed clamp marks, uneven faceplate gaps, or over-tightened hardware are not worth ignoring.
Related HometownBikes Reading
For the lighter gravel/XC direction, read the Hope RX Stem review. For the heavier-duty short-stem direction, read the Hope Gravity Stem review. If the front end is being rebuilt around headset fitment too, the Hope headset guide is the better companion page.
Bottom Line
The Hope TR Stem is the right Hope stem to consider for trail, downcountry, and all-mountain bikes when RX is too light-duty and Gravity is more stem than you need. The range is useful because it covers both 31.8mm and 35mm bars, short modern lengths, zero rise, and the usual Hope color choice.
Buy it by fit first: clamp diameter, stem length, steerer setup, and riding style. If those are right, the TR Stem is a sensible premium cockpit part. If they are wrong, the machining and color do not fix the setup.
FAQ
What is the Hope TR Stem for?
Hope positions the TR Stem for downcountry, trail, and all-mountain riding. It replaces the older AM stem direction.
What lengths does the Hope TR Stem come in?
Hope lists 31.8mm clamp versions in 32, 40, and 50mm lengths, and 35mm clamp versions in 35, 40, and 50mm lengths.
Is the Hope TR Stem 31.8mm or 35mm?
Both are available. Choose the version that matches your handlebar clamp diameter.
Is the Hope TR Stem better than the Gravity Stem?
Not universally. The TR Stem is better for trail/all-mountain use when you do not need the burlier Gravity option. The Gravity Stem is the better fit for more aggressive gravity-focused builds.
Does the Hope TR Stem have rise?
Hope lists the TR Stem as zero rise.