Pete
I also use only the brake groove, and I have filled the rear
groove with a length of brake cable.
I also swear by Salsa stems, but I have a short upper body, and
need a short stem with plenty of rise, something I am
considering going custom for.
Rob
--
Rob Blomquist aka TriDog
Seattle, WA
http://www2.jps.net/~robbo
I use a Salsa stem on my race bike, a Ritchey Force Comp on my favorite
bike, a 3ttt on my training hack/cross/etc. bike and a 3ttt Pro Chrome
TIOG-welded stem on my tandem and a Nitto aero stem on my track bike. The
only handlebar I use is a Nitto 175, except on my folder which needs a flat
bar. I like a stem that feels solid.
I just don't think that huge guys should ride featherweight equipment. The
stresses we put on bikes are higher than the 130-160 lb range cyclist (for
whom most of this stuff is designed for).
Tony Z of Kailua, Oahu
I had an experience with an Icon "Durante" stem on my mountain bike. Near
the end of a 50 mile road ride (yeah, I will ride a mountain bike on the
road - the roadies I went with were quite amused, especially the ones
behind me) I began to hear some very irritating clicks and creaks coming
from the stem. When I disassembled it, I found the aluminum around the
bolt hole was torn up. I am quite sure the stem was installed correctly -
I even used a torque wrench.
> I just don't think that huge guys should ride featherweight equipment. The
> stresses we put on bikes are higher than the 130-160 lb range cyclist (for
> whom most of this stuff is designed for).
However, recently I decided to pull the heavy Mavic D521 rimmed wheels off
my mountain bike and try using the far lighter Bontrager Mavericks that
came with the bike. I attempted my first century-in-the-rain in late
November and wanted to make it as easy as possible (made 71 miles before
sunset and a bleeding knee convinced me to give up). The weight difference
really helped and so far they have held up quite nicely (though only 350
miles or so) - including a *** crash or two (the knee above). Sometimes
the temptation to lose some equipment weight wins.
Ed Harp
San Jose, CA
1. MTB Wheels for a clydesdale? Opinions wanted!
2. Clydesdale Searching for FS bike info/help
3. WANTED: San Jose bicycling info ~Jan 15, also wanted used MTB
4. Canadian Race/Results/Info email list info wanted
6. WANTED:steep s tube bike info
8. Specialized EPIC info wanted
9. wanted: Info on tandem from Nashbar catalog cover
11. Wanted:Info on St. Ettienne bike frame
12. Dia-Compe brake safty lever info wanted
13. Clark-Kent Ti frames: info wanted