Folding Bikes - Folding Stem on the Bay

I noticed this on Ebay recently and I wasnt aware that this was available. May help someone with a build.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Alu-Folding-Bike-Stem-Handlebar-adjustable-Bicycle_W0QQitemZ180493664348QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2a0642c05c

isnt that the new bike friday stem ?
wonder how it attaches at the bottom
looks good though

thor

More like a "standard"type folding stem. Current BF's are 1 1/4", not 1 1/8". Also, BF is making the actual interface piece between the folding stem and the bike. I ordered one of the first ones for the wife's bike, and it isn't due to ship until 4/19.

It also is no where near that in-expensive!!! :>)

Lou

Looks like a tempting option for my Raleigh 20.

You might want to check out the new Kalloy Uno website -- http://www.kalloyuno.com/products/grade-oe-10.html -- they have the bikefriday folding stem listed in the "comfort" group as ALF-103. There is also a lower end folding stem listed as ALF-102. Interestingly, the diameter of the ALF-103 is listed as 25.4mm (1 inch), this is typically the diameter of quill stems for 1 1/8 threaded forks so it's possible that bikefriday is using a shim to fit its 1 1/4 fork -- I don't really know. The lower end folding stem has a 22.2 diameter which should fit a 1 inch threaded fork. It would be nice if we could find a US distributor to carry this and some of the other cool stuff Kalloy is building now.

Seth

OH MAN I needed this to replace the crap stem on my Mini before it breaks completely and I kill myself !!! Maybe next time. Thanks Dynocoaster.

Thanks for the tip, Dynocoaster! This came up again (or a silver version of it) and I snagged one. There's one with a horizantal extention, also:

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Alu-Folding-Bike-Stem-Handlebar-adjustable-Bicycle-/180504673055?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a06eabb1f

I'm banking on that it clamps to a quill-to-Ahead style adapter (already got one of those).

Man I'm gonna miss that gentle rocking motion in my Mini's old stem!

Brimstone, where did you order the adapter? I should buy one and the stem for my Mini.

Please post pics of the completed setup. I would like to see the angle of the stem, how much it angles forwards.

Is this what you used for thr adapter? http://www.bikeparts.com/productinfo/Threadless-to-quill-stem-adapter-74706-44134.html

Yeh that's pretty much it, here's the one I have:

http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_info.php?products_id=12031

Cheaper, and 1 1/8" specific. The cap has a bit of lip around it which I may have to grind off. We'll see if it works; the Ebay description of the stem is confusing.

Seems like there will be many mechanical connections in this setup, which it seems is better to avoid. But my original Mini stem has a quill that is "pinned" in place with two small set screws, and the stem rocks back and forth on these like a see-saw. That lead to a castastrophic weld failure below the hinge. Yan long ago changed this stem to a two-peice adjustable. If this replacement stem works I'll try and weld up the original nice and solid, maybe a solidly welded one-peice will be nice and strong.

I'll let everyone know how it works out. Seems like stems are a recurring point of failure for many folders, and it is good to have aftermarket solutions to keep oldies on the road.