Elastomer modifications!

[BigLevels]

OK,  Here are a couple of pics (I hope the attachments work).  One is of my VectorI fork.  The other is the rear suspension in combination with a Rapid Decent shock.  Don't have any pic's of the High Tech Rubber one yet.  Will post soon.  The segmented shocks are simply made out of a truck inner tube.  A 1/2" punch was used to make the inside hole then I cut the OD to 1.9" with scissors.  I am a heavy guy (230lb.) and this diameter works well for me, but it seems that the OD could be made smaller for a lighter rider.  The ride is not as good as the original elastomers ,but it does OK for what it is, and it is cheap.  Perhaps this whole discussion should be in another place on the forum?

And Oh by the way if you have a Proflex with the lame back brake with the pivot thing that never worked very well, change to a V brake like I did recently.  What a difference!!!

[orange]

Perhaps this whole discussion should be in another place on the forum?

Just done this for you. Love the idea of inner tubes!! I myself have used bushes from Land Rover suspension in the past on my Vectors which worked in a fashion but only gave about 3/4" travel. Only cost £2 though

[DugB]

Wow, interesting! What part of the truck innertube is that?? There's a part of me that would love to try elastomers on one of our 856's just to see what it was like. I saw another, more kluge-y alternative to elastomers posted somewhere a few days ago - a guy who had tightly wrapped and zip-tied an old innertube around the ODS shaft to use as a makeshift elastomer. Not my cup of tea, but it seemed to be a viable temporary fix for him. Callum, I know you have elastomers for X55 bikes, but what about for X56? I know a COR setup would be better, but I'm just curious as to the elastomer feel.

I picked up another 856 locally last night for $75. The owner said it was his father-in-law's, and when he made his original CL post I recommended that he try selling it on this forum. Well, he emailed a few days ago saying that he hadn't received any CL responses (not sure if he ever posted it here) and that I could have it for $75. Went by to pick it up last night and the elastomers are rock hard, as expected, but at least they didn't "goo-out". The frame, a "World Cup Design" 856 frame without the down tube reinforcement and with no "Made in Taiwan" sticker on the BB shell (may have been removed in the past, though), seems tight, with little wear and with excellent red paint and decals. It was a 3x7 setup (the guy must've bought the frame separately) and built up using a mix of low end Shimano stuff ("Mountain LX", Alivio, STX), but with a nice set of Wheelsmith-made, early Bontrager-rimmed Pulstar-hubbed wheels. Who would have thought that that early straight-pull innovation would have set the stage for the legion of straight-pull hubs we have today?!?!

- Doug :-)

[BigLevels]

It is just an inner tube cut apart into a sheet then many discs cut out and stacked up.  DugB what do you use now instead of elatomers?

[DugB]

Wow, I had no idea that truck innertubes were that thick! Right now I'm using Risse's in my 4000, those titanium shock springs on US eBay in my lightweight 856 build, a set of SpeedSprings in another 856 build and my wife's 856 has Noleen coil-overs stock (guess it's a late model 856). I may use the COR set I snapped from Callum a while back when I eventually build up this latest 856 frame I snagged...not sure when that will happen, though.

- Doug :-)

[Spokes]

ha ha Doug, Are you starting a home for old Proflex's.
It seems every time you post you've bought another one!
And you want a 957......

Chris

[DugB]

LOL, I know...when I see them going cheap and unappreciated I can't pass up a deal. I do want a 957, though, and suspect I'd not only have to pay a bit for the right frame and fork, if they're even still out there, but I'd have to make peace with the wife by unloading an 856 or two...and I don't think hers can be one of them ;-)

- Doug