When you want a stem that won't bow to the pressures of a pack sprint, Zipp has the answer. The Zipp SL Sprint Carbon Stem is the updated version of its highly popular SL145. It is strong enough for the most aggressive pack sprint, yet it is light enough to satisfy the weight-weenie in all of us. Like the SL145, the SL Sprint Carbon Stem has a +/-12 degree angle. What this means is that the effective stem angle is 77. 5 degrees relative to the steerer tube. While this is not parallel to the ground as in a 73 degree stem, it is much more aero than the 80-84 degree angle range provided my most other manufacturers. The stem was created as a complement to the rest of its race-worthy carbon cockpit offerings. Both the stem and faceplate were constructed with unidirectional, hand-wrapped carbon fiber. They were then treated with a clear coat, giving the overall finished stem a lustrous look. The faceplate and steerer tube bolts are titanium, but not just any titanium; Zipp sourced these bolts from the same Italian producer used by the Ducati MotoGP racing program.