Hi!

I am building up an old Marin Eldridge Grade MTB-frame so that my girlfriend can use it for touring. She has arthritis and the vibrations makes her joints very sore after long dayrides.

She used a shock before on another bike, but it is not so good on longer trips due to weight, maintenance and fitting panniers to. So I am now investigating if there still is any suspension-stems available.

I remember those Allsop Softride and Girwin Flexstems that were quite common in the early -90´s.

Do you think these would be a good idea?
is there still any shops in the UK or Europe that sell them?
I also would like to know if you have any suspension-seatpost you kan recomend that can do with low maintenance?

Happy for any thoughts on the matter!

Peter

Try Holdsworth's in Putney, London, think they still ahve a couple. As might On Your Bike at Tooley Street.

Bear in mind that many Flexstems were 1" threaded, will that fit the bike?

Ive got a flexistem in the shed(off old 90's Alpine star) Yours for the postage.

1 1/4" threaded type (but then the stem fits inside the steerer tube on that type)

Email me if you can use it anyoud@hotmail.com

I have a Flexstem (1" steerer) on a Cindercone, which only has road use now. Would be happy to revert to the original stem and post on the Flexstem if any use.

Blimey, are there still Flexstems knocking about?!!! I thought every single one had snapped. It was always "funny" when trying to bunnyhop something withwout realising that the stem had snapped. It would just pivot in the air, the front wheel would stay on the ground, followed quickely by the rider flying over the handlebars.....

You could go for Ti or carbon bars. They are good for soaking up "trail buzz". A bit expensive mind!

Thanks for all the response!
I would be very happy to pick up any used stem that you guys would like to sell me!
I think the Flexstem would find a better best use on roadbikes than MTB´s. Sad they wasted their effort on trying to compete with shocks!
I am also looking for a suspension seatpost!
I had a USE a long time ago, but that one seized up really quickly. Now its so stuck I cant take it apart to change the teflonbushings. Any other seatpost recommendations?
Peter

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Good idea Will!
I have been using a Titec 118gr Ti-bar sins -93. Its really working well. When you hold your hand son the barends you feel next to no vibrations from the road! Can´t find any in the shop´s so is there any other bar you recommend?

Got the idea about the Flexstem from these folks:
http://www.kiwisonbikes.net/
I met them in Bangkok just before I was going back home from my trip between Singapore and China. I was going to ride to Honk Kong but the SARS made me change the rout to Kunming.

My girlfriend is still in Asia. She has sold here Scott with RS. and has just picked up my bike that was lost in Yunnan China. It fell of the bus in the night. Had to go on that bus for a short stretch due to the Chinese building a huge freeway straight down into Burma and Thailand. So the "donkey-trail" that was the only road, was packed with trucks. Had to many close encounters to feel that I would make it home.

I'm afraid I'm not sure who makes good Ti bars at the mo. I did have a Merlin bar about 12 years ago which I liked but ultimately bent it with my knackers after landing on it crashing off a 20ft tabletop jump at a bmx track. To say I screamed would be an understatement!!

People seem to rate Easton's carbon bars as good all round bars. Don't know how good they are at absorbing the buzz though.

a company called ameoba make nice bars and stems from titanium reasonable prices aswell. Maybe some big soft grips and gell padded gloves would help aswell

suspension stems???

seriously, if you like your girlfriend, don't do it!!

i recently rode a bike with one and it was awful! evertime you brake it feels like the stem has snapped and your face is heading for the front wheel. awful sensation!!

yup, i agree with carbon bars and a decent set of grips

I'm putting Easton carbon bars with Cane Creek Ergo bar ends on my bike - funnily enough, its first trip is to be Vietnam up into Yunnan and Kunming and back down into Thailand! So I guess I'll be able to let you know if its a good solution for buzz from Chinese roads....(I certainly wouldn't even consider a suspension stem, far too likely to break at the wrong moment).

btw, your gf should be able to get great value if she hunts around in Asia for bikes and bits. I met an English guy in Laos last winter who bought a low spec (but still pretty decent) Gary Fisher for $120!