K2 / Proflex Riders Group

General => Tech Forum => Topic started by: Meredithsdude on March 24, 2008, 12:21:34 pm

Title: Stem Options??
Post by: Meredithsdude on March 24, 2008, 12:21:34 pm
Hola Guys and Gals.  My wife is the proud winner of a garage sale find in the form of an 855.  I have orderd elastomers to replace the vaporized rear shock (incidently, sticking the aluminium swingarm and parts in the dishwasher was a great way to clean the old elastomer off the parts!!)  The bike had some very cool retro parts on it, which by themselves are worth more than what we paid for the whole bike at the garage sale!!

So Here is my question.  She has the Vector fork on there that has everthing mounting on the bracket attached to the stem.  Where would I find a shorter stem with that bracket on it??  Any ideas?  Thanks.
Title: Re: Stem Options??
Post by: Willem on March 24, 2008, 05:03:11 pm
um.... in a welding shop?
Title: Re: Stem Options??
Post by: orange on March 25, 2008, 01:17:30 am
did they do different stem lengths for the integrated ones?
Title: Re: Stem Options??
Post by: shovelon on March 25, 2008, 08:24:45 am
It would seem to me that different lengths would be desirable, as well as rise. Maybe that is why they went away from that design.

I think it could be shortened and welded no problem.

Title: Re: Stem Options??
Post by: Colin on March 26, 2008, 06:30:06 pm
did they do different stem lengths for the integrated ones?


Yep, various stem lengths and rise angles were available for the early Vector with the upper shock mounting point on the stem.
(http://www.firstflightbikes.com/specs/outlandfork.jpg)

Later one's had a ULM (Upper Link Mount) that clamped onto the steerer and so you can then use any stem.
Obvious advantage of the stem ULM is reduced weight, but the disadvantage is that you're obviously tied in to PRO~FLEX stems!
(http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10284/normal_XP-X_Front_20-05-04.jpg)
Maybe you could obtain a ULM from a Crosslink and use that? if I get keen I'll check to see if the ULM's on a Vector and a Crosslink are the same.

Col.
Title: Re: Stem Options??
Post by: kiwi on March 27, 2008, 01:49:37 am
there is nothing special about the stem on a ULM vector...apart from the fact they are 1"
Title: Re: Stem Options??
Post by: Tel on March 27, 2008, 05:08:30 pm
Hi chaps, I use a XXX racelite carbon stem(1"1/8) on my XPX and bought a shim I think for a road bike to fit the 1" stearer on my vector fork, Ive been riding it for about 2 years now without any problems. So your not tied to any stem/bar combinations.
 Cheers, Tel.
Title: Re: Stem Options??
Post by: signalMTB on March 30, 2008, 01:54:48 pm
HOPE 110mm with 10 degree rise is where it's at

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2180/2301329862_25b6d14c4f.jpg?v=0)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2295/2300536805_4611e68616.jpg?v=0)

Title: Re: Stem Options??
Post by: Colin on March 31, 2008, 06:06:13 am
See my updated posting above to clarify the diffrence between the Vector 1 and a Vector 2 Upper shock mount/Stem issue.

Col.
Title: Re: Stem Options??
Post by: kiwi on March 31, 2008, 11:55:50 pm
See my updated posting above to clarify the diffrence between the Vector 1 and a Vector 2 Upper shock mount/Stem issue.
Col.
i dont know why i dont understand what you are getting at colin,,
the ulm for a vector will not fit a crosslink or visa versa cos the vector has a 1 inch steerer and the crosslink has 1 and 1/8/
Apart from the fact that the vector has a 1 inch steerer i dont see why a "proflex stem" is required(we are talking about the ULM option right?)
Title: Re: Stem Options??
Post by: Colin on April 01, 2008, 06:22:09 am
See my updated posting above to clarify the diffrence between the Vector 1 and a Vector 2 Upper shock mount/Stem issue.
Col.
i dont know why i dont understand what you are getting at colin,,
the ulm for a vector will not fit a crosslink or visa versa cos the vector has a 1 inch steerer and the crosslink has 1 and 1/8/
Apart from the fact that the vector has a 1 inch steerer i dont see why a "proflex stem" is required(we are talking about the ULM option right?)
That's 'cos you're foreign! <GRIN>
Yep, I agree with you about the ULM's, but I was suggesting that maybe "Meredithsdude" could use a ULM from a Vector to replace the stem/ulm combo that he has on the bike, also, maybe it is potentially possible to use a Crosslink ULM, by using a 1" to 1 1/8" Shim, but we would need to check the other dimensions of shock mount point etc.......

The photo's are to clarify the difference between a Vector 1 and a 2 because some people were commenting and I don't think they were appreciating "Meredithsdude"'s problem. i.e. you can't just replace the stem on a Vector 1 with a stock aftermarket stem (Hope, XXX) 'cos where's the upper mount of the shock going to hang from?

Hopefully I'm not confusing matters more................if I am, I will shut up.............<SMILE>

Col.
Title: Re: Stem Options??
Post by: shovelon on April 01, 2008, 08:45:21 am
Weld shop.
Title: Re: Stem Options??
Post by: Tel on April 01, 2008, 09:47:08 am
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p196/eltel5/PICT0055_0001.jpg)
This is what I fitted to the 1" stearer of my vector with a shim
Title: Re: Stem Options??
Post by: shovelon on April 01, 2008, 03:10:37 pm
That's pretty skookum Tel.
Title: Re: Stem Options??
Post by: kiwi on April 02, 2008, 02:59:19 am
we are on the same wavelength after all then colin....As for foreign my mother was born and lived in Ilford,Essex,she left on a boat to NZ in 1945......
Title: Re: Stem Options??
Post by: Colin on April 02, 2008, 09:01:20 am
we are on the same wavelength after all then colin....As for foreign my mother was born and lived in Ilford,Essex,she left on a boat to NZ in 1945......
Great, at least on I'm on the same wavelength as someone...............!

Hey, who am I to talk, I'm half German!..........complete this well know phrase.......Pot.....Kettle.....Black,

OMG! An Essex girl? Don't even think of looking up Essex girl jokes on the web! <SMILE>

Col.
Title: Re: Stem Options??
Post by: kiwi on April 03, 2008, 01:51:27 pm
we are on the same wavelength after all then colin....As for foreign my mother was born and lived in Ilford,Essex,she left on a boat to NZ in 1945......
Great, at least on I'm on the same wavelength as someone...............!

Hey, who am I to talk, I'm half German!..........complete this well know phrase.......Pot.....Kettle.....Black,

OMG! An Essex girl? Don't even think of looking up Essex girl jokes on the web! <SMILE>

Col.


easy mate she is 85 now!