Bicycle Mechanics - I like bar ends but -

I would like to keep bare ends on my touring bike. But I also like a flex stem and have been riding
with a Gravin. Garvin is great. Problem is - packing the bike.

I need a flex stem of about 100cm that opens in front so I can take the bars off the stem for
packing. The garvin does not open. You have to unwrape the bars and slid them all the way
out.

I assume the flex stem is a quill stem. Why not just pull the entire stem out along with the handlebar?

Yes I have done that. However, packing is still an issue. I need the stem off the bars.

I assume the flex stem is a quill stem. Why not just pull the entire stem out along with the handlebar?

Indeed. Just loosen the wedge bolt, tap the wrench with a hammer, and the stem should come right out. That should take 30 seconds at the most.

http://www.bikepro.com/products/stems/stems_jpg/n_girvin_stem.jpg

Yes I have done that. However, packing is still an issue. I need the stem off the bars.

That's hard to imagine. When packing, there's always a way to put the stem woven through the frame or wheel so it doesn't occupy any extra space.

That's hard to imagine. When packing, there's always a way to put the stem woven through the frame or wheel so it doesn't occupy any extra space.

You know, I studied that diagram a lot and tried several times. Just can't get the bar stem combo (with drop bars) to get in the suit case. The drop bars sure cause a lot of issues by themselves. But I figure if I could get the stem off, I could ge it to work.

Hence my post.

maybe justy loosen the pinch bolt and rotate the stem on the bars so the quill runs parallel with the bar flats.

As far as handlebars, I thought you were talking about bar ends (not shifters) on flat bars, now that you mentioned drop bars in your last post.

maybe justy loosen the pinch bolt and rotate the stem on the bars so the quill runs parallel with the bar flats.

+1. There's always a way.

+1. There's always a way.

Come on guys, I've tried. I just need a better way. Is there any flex stem that has a removable front plate so the bars can come out?

(Yes, I am talking about drop bars and bar end shifters with a flex stem.)

Is there any flex stem that has a removable front plate so the bars can come out?
Never seen one with removable plate.

Come on guys, I've tried. I just need a better way. Is there any flex stem that has a removable front plate so the bars can come out?

(Yes, I am talking about drop bars and bar end shifters with a flex stem.)


No . Flex stems were brief in their history, done in by suspension forks. They were made in a time before removable clamps became the norm.

It looks like you need to adjust your expectations.

No . Flex stems were brief in their history, done in by suspension forks. They were made in a time before removable clamps became the norm.

It looks like you need to adjust your expectations.


Well, it sure would be nice if they made a suspension fork for a 700c . I would add it to my Trek 520 and have a perfect touring machine!!!

Or I believe it would be easier for me to pack if I could use the bar end shifters on a straight handlebar. The curve on drop bars (I never use the drop position) isa always an issue.

Well, it sure would be nice if they made a suspension fork for a 700c .

Yep. Sure would be nice. But, that is just a pipe dream...Completely out to lunch. You are wasting time even thinking about getting a 700C susp. fork... let alone how much time I am wasting by writing this sarcastic post.

Edit: [/endsarcasm] Google this: "pauls components thumbies"

Edit: [/endsarcasm] Google this: "pauls components thumbies"

Thanks for the post

Yep. Sure would be nice. But, that is just a pipe dream...Completely out to lunch. You are wasting time even thinking about getting a 700C susp. fork... let alone how much time I am wasting by writing this sarcastic post.

Edit: [/endsarcasm] Google this: "pauls components thumbies"

Are you two goofing when saying there isn't a 700c suspension fork

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&source=hp&q=700c+suspension+fork&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=piSIS8y3NYzgswPesqWGAw&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBYQrQQwAA

Just wait until you pick up a 700c suspension fork ...... the weight may shock you.

Forget about the 29er forks though, unless you want a disc brake.

well, as it seems there are no alternatives, here's just a quill stem with a removable plate

http://www.amazon.com/Promax-Adjustable-22-2mm-25-4mm-Silver/dp/B000A6IRWM/ref=pd_sbs_sg_5

Just throw money at the problem...

Find a frame builder who can make a stem, take them the Garvin and tell them what you want...it won't be cheap, but it's not impossible.

G-i-r-v-i-n. (Pro-Flex)
I used a flex stem on a hybrid for several years in the '90's.
I'm a cheapskate and wouldn't have bought it except the prices dropped when most MTB's starting having susp. forks.
They made one version that included integrated ti bars. That wouldn't help the OP, though.

Just wait until you pick up a 700c suspension fork ...... the weight may shock you.

Forget about the 29er forks though, unless you want a disc brake.

not only the weight, the dimensions change too. the suspension needs room to compress, so it's forks are longer than a standard 700c fork, even by fat tires touring standards.

If part of the problem is managing all the cables, you could try these:
http://www.sandsmachine.com/ac_cable.htm

Bar end shifters on bullhorns is a good combination. You could try Soma Urban Pursuit bars.

might also try moustache bars. they have a lot of hand positions, but are relatively flat, so should pack well.

What suitcase are we trying to fit this bike into?

I got lost after the third post, what are we actually trying to accomplish?

Putting a bike in a suitcase.

What about this (http://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Quill-Stem-22-2mm-Bicycle/dp/B000NZSKB8)

What about this (http://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Quill-Stem-22-2mm-Bicycle/dp/B000NZSKB8)

Thanks. But that is adjustable, not suspension.

what suitcase are we trying to fit this bike into?

s & s.

well, as it seems there are no alternatives, here's just a quill stem with a removable plate

http://www.amazon.com/Promax-Adjustable-22-2mm-25-4mm-Silver/dp/B000A6IRWM/ref=pd_sbs_sg_5
There are several quill stems with removable face plates and even angle-adjustable quill stems with removable face plates. But, AFAIK, there are no "suspension-type" quill stems with removable face plates, which is what the OP is looking for.

To the OP: I will also ask what you are trying to pack the bike in and why you are having so much trouble?

I have an S&S coupled bike and have always been able to get the drop bars, with the stem intact, into the hard case and have packed several non-coupled bikes in LBS supplied bike boxes leaving the drop bars and stem in their normal positions.