Author Topic: 855 suspension restoration inc. risse genesis (Read 4816 times)

red855 · « **on:** April 02, 2004, 08:46:21 pm »

Need some advice as I' not sure which way to go

with my old 855 that I would like to get going again.

I'm conscious that it's worth little so I don't want to spend a fortune when i could get a reasonable new full susp bike for £1000 or so.

Front:

I'm unsure whether to go:

1. Risse Genesisand persist with the old Vector 1 (have read good reviews of the Risse)

2. Complete new fork (Rockshox or similar for upto £200? plus new stem and bars).

I'd really like to achieve a higher riser bar (mine is 1.5" but i don't think I will be able to squeeze a higher bar through the fixed vector stem).

Has anyone fitted a higher rise through a Vector stem, I don't want to break it or damage a new bar.

If I go the new fork route what do you recommend (air?), I'm also conscious about getting the fork right length for handling.

Rear:

A lot simpler - Risse Genesis!

Advice gratefully appreciated, at present I'm confused by the multitude of forks on offer but would like to address the riding position in particular(i.e sit up more head up).

BTW the bike isn't used that hard bar the fact it recieves no TLC!

Many thanks!

tmaybee · « **Reply #1 on:** April 02, 2004, 09:25:13 pm »

Hi there. While you can go with a more modern front fork, I like the look and feel of the vector 2 or crosslink. I would personally go with a Risse Genesis front and rear. Bill Larson can get them for you at about $160 USD each. He is a really great guy. His prices are so cheap that I usually send him a tip as a way of thanks. If you want to go with a Risse, have a look at the strut pictures in my gallery; if you have an 856 strut, you will need Risse's "Freedom Plate Adapter".

To be more specific on front fork choice, what kind of riding do you do? Are you looking for a very light weight bike?

What rise is your vector stem? These were several different ones avaliable.

If you did decide to go with a new fork, the Vector 2 has a market value of about$60 USD on ebay... although I have seen a couple go in the last month for $165-$180 USD each.... not sure why other than the fact they had good elastomers on them.

Hope that helps.

Trevor

Simon · « **Reply #2 on:** April 02, 2004, 11:04:14 pm »

Your looking at £129.95 for a custom risse genesis from cvi in the UK,your problem will be being limited to the stem you can use as I believe yours has a 1" steerer,if you go that way contact sprucey at UKBIKESTORE they do adapters to enable you to use 1 1/8" stems,this would give a better chance at finding a suitable stem,alternativly there are some great deals around for Marzocchi and Rockshox forks for the same price, check UKBIKESTORE or Chainreactioncycles,this way you could increase the stack height thus raiseing your bars, you'll still require a new stem though as the steerer will be 1 1/8",personally thats the way I'd go,be carefull purchasing outside the EU,if the taxman gets you at the door you'll get clobbered with a hefty bill,been there,
Simon.

kiwi · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2004, 05:33:01 pm »

there is a vector two with risse already on it on the bay just a coupl aposts down....

red855 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2004, 08:25:10 am »

Trevor

My riding is x-country trails mainly to get out and get some exercise.

I'd like to keep the bike as light as possible and have been amazed at how heavy full suspension bikes are these days compared to the old 855. I guess Risse will keep the weight down best.

I checked the stem tonight and it looks about a 1" rise. Would be very interested if anyone knows whether it's possible to source a higher one. The bike is an 18" frame with the Vector 1 forks (the stem and top of forks form one piece)

I also have a spare damaged set of vectors in the garage for spares, somehow I managed the bend the forks going end over end once...

Thanks

tmaybee · « **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2004, 10:55:37 am »

Well, I liked my vector 2 with a genisis for XC use. It is a little heavy though. If you want to go light, pick up a Noleen MegaAir from ediscount on ebay. They are blowing them out at $99 USD. The fork weighs 3.1 lbs. I believe a vector 2 is 3.8, but the Risse should bring that down a bit. You could sell your vectors and use that to pay for the Noleen. The Risse will cost you a bit more than a noleen. I think that the Vector might last longer though.

Over on the <Save Some Weight> board on Mtbr, there are a lot of positive comments about the Noleen. I haven't tried it myself. I am sticking with the Crosslink. I love the look of the vector 2 or crosslink on the 856.

Either way, you will have a good fork and it would cost you about the same, a little more for the Risse.

Sell your vector 2's = $65 + $25 (estimate for the broken one) - $99 x 2 (You should get 2 of them for backup parts) = $110 cost + shipping + a new stem

Keep your Vector 2's and get a Risse = $155 cost + shipping (but the shipping would be A LOT less)

What angle of rise is your stem?

Trevor

red855 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 05, 2004, 09:38:41 pm »

Trevor

I'm definitely tempted to keep the Vectors and get the Risse, as I do have some spares back up in the garage! It's also the quickest & simplest option.

I'll have to check the stem rise angle.

One thing I did see last night in an old 856 catalogue was that you could at that time get a stem converter that attached to the top steerer and then allowed you to use any aftermarket stem you wanted (just like the later Vectors). Could be difficult sourcing one now..

I really need to track down a supplier who has a bin of old Proflex spares - there must be some around, I have even seen unused bikes surface in the recent past on ebay.

Anyone know of suppliers sitting on Proflex spares?

Cheers

tmaybee · « **Reply #7 on:** April 06, 2004, 12:27:34 am »

Here is a 15 degree rise stem on ebay. It also has a spare axle and a couple of bushings.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3670861467

If you got one of those stem converters, you would probably have to get a longet steerer tube as well.

Here is a Stratos shock for an 855 that is also on ebay. but if you want a light XC machine, the Risse Genesis is the best choice.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3670862240

I have 3 different stems for my Vector 2's but I don't think I want to part with those (or my vector's) just yet. I was saving them to hopefully one day rebuild my 955.

Trevor

tmaybee · « **Reply #8 on:** April 06, 2004, 04:29:58 am »

I forgot to tell you about this vector 2 with a Genesis on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3669640532&category=36135&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

You could buy that and then sell one of your vector's to help pay for it. It is probably going to go for less than 130 pounds sterling! the seller will ship worldwide.

It looks like it has a 15 degree rise stem as well.

Trevor [smiley=beer.gif]

red855 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 06, 2004, 04:51:02 am »

Thanks Tevor!

Will follow up on these & check my current stem size, I usually just check ebay in the UK.

I had thought that the steerer wouldn't be long enough as well if I got the converter.

Cheers
Sean

red855 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 06, 2004, 08:13:26 am »

Checked my stem it seems to be 135mm and 10 degree rise. Any ideas how many different sizes were available?

tmaybee · « **Reply #11 on:** April 06, 2004, 08:51:10 am »

I have an original box for a Girvin Vector 2 stem and it lists the avaliable sizes as:

(degree rise, length)

(0,120)
(0,135)
(10,120)
(10,135)
(10,150)
(20,120)
(20,135)
(20,150)

I think I have (0,120) , (0,135) and (10,135).

The other option you have would be to use a riser bar. That will add quite a bit of weight though. I don't like them myself.

Trevor [smiley=beer.gif]

Mick Reynolds · « **Reply #12 on:** April 06, 2004, 05:12:35 pm »

tmaybee - how do I go about getting the Genesis for $160US? Is that the price for one set up for my 857, or does it need an adapter. Who's Bill Larson?

Thanks

Mick

tmaybee · « **Reply #13 on:** April 06, 2004, 09:32:17 pm »

Bill Larson is a very reliable guy that helps out the biking community with mail order stuff. He has the best prices of anywhere I know. He is extremely busy, so try not to bombard him with questions, but I am sure he will do his best to help you out. His prices are so low, I usually give him a tip on top of it.

He is located in the US and I have had nothing but the best service from him. Others here would say the same. Here is his contact info:

Bill Larson
wlarson(AT)stdairy.com

Bill's paypal address is the same as his email.

His price for a Risse Genesis will be around $160 USD and about $200 for an Astro 5. That is the cheapest I have found anywhere. He can get you just about anything and has helped me out quite a few times getting products for me that no LBS would get for me here in Canada.

Trevor

deano · « **Reply #14 on:** April 07, 2004, 11:47:10 pm »

I have just put riser bars on my 855. I had considerable trouble but eventually did it. I wont be in a rush to change them though.

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Author Topic: 855 suspension restoration inc. risse genesis (Read 4816 times)

Mick Reynolds