K2 / Proflex Riders Group

General => Tech Forum => Topic started by: SLIM on August 15, 2006, 03:11:06 am

Title: ELASTOMERS
Post by: SLIM on August 15, 2006, 03:11:06 am
 Well guys you know i been trying to get some substitute elastomers , finally recieved them and got some cut up , results here ......

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3394

so what do you think ?

a little bit harder than the originals , but gets the bike on the trails :)

will match the frame colour too !!
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: bmwcarver on August 15, 2006, 11:25:44 am
Looks pretty good!  Where did you get them and what are they made out of?
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: SLIM on August 15, 2006, 09:42:57 pm
 A company in the uk called Bruderer , and they are made of ...  elastomer :)
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: orange on August 16, 2006, 05:19:14 am
I wonder if the shelf life is better than the old yellow ones - has technology moved on?

Can I ask how much they cost?

Do you buy it in a tube and cut to size?

How much do they weigh compared to a spring?

How do they feel compared to a spring?

And finally... how long is a piece of string? :-)
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: p856shawn on September 08, 2006, 01:43:12 pm
Wating eagerly here too. Seems Slim has had some PC issues according to the info from the link he's posted.
I have 2 bikes I'd like to install these on a 755 and an 856.
Wondering if they'll be too stiff for a 180# rider?
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: SLIM on September 08, 2006, 02:09:35 pm
 not to worry guys , back online

right the elastomers i had , come in a 500 mm length

and i cut them down myself

they weigh practically nothing

they are a bit hard compared to the originals

but , i have now been able to get some in a lighter shore hardness 70 , same as the originals
am waiting on replies

will let you know
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: luddite on September 09, 2006, 03:38:30 am
They have a supplier in the US also. I've contacted them and it is about $60.00 USD for the 80 shore material. My 853 only has a rear elastomer (its a piece of pipe right now so I am riding hard tail)  and since I am 240lbs I was thinking the harder material would be about right. What is your opinion slim?
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: Jack on September 12, 2006, 03:23:25 am
New member here, looking to replace my 752 rear rubber elastomers.  Having trouble following this thread, what is the bottom line for obtaining them?  Will gladly pay and not too fussy about how hard they might be - 175 lbs.  Really appreciate all the help!!!
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: Ziggy on September 12, 2006, 03:55:26 am
Let us know if you have any of the 70s stuff going begging Slim?  Looks great!


Cheers :)
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: SLIM on September 12, 2006, 05:55:51 am
 jack pm`d you on retrobike

seems to be confusion , the green are 80 shore hardness

if anyone wants some of the 70 hardness elastomer i will order some

and these are      " WHITE "

already had interest off one person for two sets

so ziggy if you definately want some i will order

might take some weeks though

about 3 weeks for the last lot to come through , and by the time i cut and cleaned them up

so let me know

oh yes , and the green is probably better for the heavier rider
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: Jack on September 12, 2006, 06:02:59 am
Cheers, Slim, you are the elastomer dude for sure!!  Is the white stuff harder or softer than the green?
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: SLIM on September 12, 2006, 06:21:04 am
 MMMMMM ......... softer
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: Ziggy on September 12, 2006, 06:51:58 am
Yes please Slim!  I'm not sure if I'll need some for the front (still need to find some linkage forks to replace my old rockshox!), but I definately need the back anyway...

Vague idea on cost'd be good?

Cheers!
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: SLIM on September 12, 2006, 07:03:40 am
 £15 for the set ( front or rear )

two elastomers ( or one large )

including postage ( uk )

not too expensive considering CVI used to sell them for £16 each

let me know
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: Ziggy on September 12, 2006, 07:08:52 am
That's absolutely fine :)

I'll definately have one set, & hopefully I'll have found some girvins by then & get some for them too!
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: rapiddescent on September 12, 2006, 09:39:47 am
I've just completed some work using 70ShoreA elastomer and have got it working on the 855/756 bikes - The key is to get the split right - I'm playing with the ratios at the moment to improve the feeling of the shock.

If you go for two equal cuts of MCU it feels too hard.  I've got a spring testing machine thing that I made to test the COR springs and the 70ShoreA is really not getting much travel.  Althought they do loosen up after a bit.  I think my old 856 MCUs did the same.

The good news is that I've got a set of COR springs to fit a non-ODS shock but it is a bit bouncy.  There is a little bit of air damping in the 855 shock but not enough...

Unfortunately, I can't match 15 GBP a set.  It doesn't make business sense selling them at cost and it's quite a bit of work to cut them squarely and drill holes for the spindle.  I was going to sell them for GBP25 to GBP29 (not decided yet) (including postage and packing)

callum
rds

Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: rapiddescent on September 12, 2006, 09:46:19 am
I just read back through the messages again.  I tried 90 and 80 Shore A - way too hard and does not work.

Mine are yellow!

it's really important that they are cut exactly straight otherwise the shock spindle will bend over time.

callum
rds
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: p856shawn on September 12, 2006, 01:34:20 pm
Quote
They have a supplier in the US also. I've contacted them and it is about $60.00 USD for the 80 shore material. My 853 only has a rear elastomer (its a piece of pipe right now so I am riding hard tail)  and since I am 240lbs I was thinking the harder material would be about right. What is your opinion slim?

How much material for 60.00, and most importanty what is the number to conatact them at?
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: SLIM on September 12, 2006, 09:11:09 pm
 cutting them straight is a bit awkward as the blade wants to bend with the elastomer

but i have solved that one
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: kiwi on September 12, 2006, 10:40:18 pm
the secret to the elastomer feel is to have two halves to the spring.I think the original springs on my 756 were seperated by 20.I dont know what the numbers referred to but the two halves were definetly different.The other thing is the elastomers were slightly different lenghts,i think the softer elastomer were slightly longer than the stiffer half.The elastomers were seperated by a large plastic washer which jad a lip to locate the elastomers.
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: rapiddescent on September 13, 2006, 02:51:08 am
yeah - it's easy to cut them straight with the right tools, plus, I keep mine in the freezer.

c
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: willcoast on September 13, 2006, 05:13:45 am
I am as well looking into a company that makes elastomer here in the US. I have sent them an e-mail stating what I am looking for. Once I get some feedback I will let you guys know.

Willie
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: Redliner on September 18, 2006, 04:08:38 am
Hello guys:
I am a bit confused about the elastomers posts.
Are the SLIM elastomers the same as the original ones?
What are the differences between the SLIM elastomers, the original ones and the ones that IronHorse sells?
I was thinking to order 2 elastomers for my rear 856 ods from Tom of IronHorse. Now I am confused.
Hope to receive more info soon.
Portuguese regards to all...
Zé Diogo
Title: Re: ELASTOMERS
Post by: kiwi on September 18, 2006, 11:29:58 pm
the original elastomers came in many different "hardnesses"
the one available from iron horse are similar but available I beleive in only one grade for the rear and a softer grade suitable only for the front.
Slim has found an elastomer supplier and is experimenting with the hardnesses now.