Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Mountain Biking
Reload this Page >

Handle Bar suspension??

Notices
Mountain Biking Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Check out this forum to discuss the latest tips, tricks, gear and equipment in the world of mountain biking.

Handle Bar suspension??

Old 12-09-04, 07:08 PM
  #1  
Downhill_Wanabe
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
Handle Bar suspension??

i was searching the net the other day looking for good prices for kona bikes when an advertisment came up with a list of components for bikes, i was just about to close it when i saw handle bar suspension, it looked as though they bent so you wouldnt hurt you wrists, but wouldnt the bars be very weak? i have been constantly searching for the site again so i can get that advertisment, i want to know what brand they are, any one else herd of these?
 
Old 12-09-04, 09:10 PM
  #2  
The Rabbi
 
seely's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,125
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Suspension stems were kind of common when front suspension first started to come out. It was cheaper than a new front fork at the time. I personally can't stand it because on big hits it feels like the bars are giving out under you when in compresses and it shifts your weight forward, last thing you want.
seely is offline  
Old 12-09-04, 10:12 PM
  #3  
hello
 
roadfix's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 18,684
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 190 Post(s)
Liked 109 Times in 48 Posts
They were somewhat popular in the early 90's. Some people use them today on their tour bikes. I believe Softride makes suspension stems.
roadfix is offline  
Old 12-09-04, 10:18 PM
  #4  
Pedalphile
 
BurlySurly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 514

Bikes: better ones than yours

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
total garbage.
BurlySurly is offline  
Old 12-09-04, 10:26 PM
  #5  
hello
 
roadfix's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 18,684
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 190 Post(s)
Liked 109 Times in 48 Posts
Originally Posted by BurlySurly
total garbage.
I agree.
roadfix is offline  
Old 12-09-04, 10:46 PM
  #6  
Eschew Obfuscation!
 
enduro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: over here!
Posts: 591

Bikes: 2005 Rocky Mountain ETSX, Surly Crosscheck, 2000 Enduro Expert (sold), 1999 Rockhopper, 1984 Trek 520 (STOLEN-but recovered!), $7 rigid MTB from a police auction (broken, then stolen)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
They don't add any control, like a suspension fork does. Carbon fiber bars can reduce vibration if that's what you're looking for.
enduro is offline  
Old 12-09-04, 10:51 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
zonatandem's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 11,016

Bikes: Custom Zona c/f tandem + Scott Plasma single

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 77 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times in 11 Posts
Softride suspension stems have been used on off-road tandems. Way cheaper than a tandem-specific suspenson fork @ $1,000!
zonatandem is offline  
Old 12-10-04, 02:35 AM
  #8  
I drink your MILKSHAKE
 
Raiyn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Posts: 15,061

Bikes: 2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR Comp, 1999 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS, 1971 Schwinn Varsity

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
I've dealt with them first hand - they suck.
__________________
Raiyn is offline  
Old 12-10-04, 03:09 AM
  #9  
DEADBEEF
 
khuon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 12,234

Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
The problem with suspension stems is that they generally don't have much tunability and they react differently (read: unpredictably) to impact forces than a real suspension system. Also, they don't provide one of the biggest advantages that something which suspends the wheels do: helping to keep the wheel tracking the ground. They're mainly meant to provide a little extra shock absorption to the arms of the rider. It's the same sort of deal with suspension seatposts. Of the suspension stems made, the Softride stems were the better design as they had a more refined system that used a parallelogram link assembly coupled with a tunable coil-over damper. Other popular designs like the Girvin Flexstem were essentially mono-pivot designs with rubber elastomer bumpers and generally regarded as worthless. I personally don't think suspensions stems are worth it much like I don't think suspension seatposts are a real answer either.
__________________
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
khuon is offline  
Old 12-10-04, 08:04 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Parrish, FL
Posts: 7,963

Bikes: Lots

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I agree with others, WORTHLESS!

Except maybe for historical reference.
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
a2psyklnut is offline  
Old 12-10-04, 01:52 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
geoduck's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: !NorCal!
Posts: 146
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I had a Softride stem on a commuter bike in the mid-90s. Great for soaking up the potholes. No more than that, though.

You can get them for peanuts now.
geoduck is offline  
Old 12-10-04, 02:48 PM
  #12  
kemper
 
shwa_rider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: oshawa ontario
Posts: 126

Bikes: 2005 Norco Tactik- stock untill next month...Raceface Diablous bar/stem/Cranks/BB are goin on!

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by BurlySurly
total garbage.
ill third that
shwa_rider is offline  
Old 12-10-04, 04:02 PM
  #13  
Local Genius
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 618
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
seems like one of those this like the Shoxter!
snakehunter is offline  
Old 04-19-06, 07:25 PM
  #14  
Newbie
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North East Florida
Posts: 2

Bikes: G Fisher - Zebrano

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
For vibration damping during casual riding the Girvin Flexstem seems to work well. I enjoy mine on my old Zebrano. I would love to find some place that still sells them or at least replacement parts so I could rebuild mine.
Rcyc58 is offline  
Old 04-19-06, 07:42 PM
  #15  
Newbie
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North East Florida
Posts: 2

Bikes: G Fisher - Zebrano

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Rcyc58
For vibration damping during casual riding the Girvin Flexstem seems to work well. I enjoy mine on my old Zebrano. I would love to find some place that still sells them or at least replacement parts so I could rebuild mine.

Sorry - Should have checked the date after the search.. Talk about resurecting an antique thread!

Rcyc58
Rcyc58 is offline  
Old 04-20-06, 10:18 AM
  #16  
cptn. x-chains sidekick
 
gmoneyhobbit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: san jose, ca
Posts: 455

Bikes: stumpie, xtr, sid, ultimate sd

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
sweaty gym socks batman return of the living dead thread!!!!!!
gmoneyhobbit is offline  
Old 04-20-06, 01:32 PM
  #17  
Wood Licker
 
Maelstrom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Whistler,BC
Posts: 16,966

Bikes: Trek Fuel EX 8 27.5 +, 2002 Transition Dirtbag, Kona Roast 2002

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Wow I miss some of these guys. Some great posters in this thread
Maelstrom is offline  
Old 04-20-06, 06:12 PM
  #18  
Banned.
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 87

Bikes: 2 pacific all mountain bikes.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Dont waste your money.
snazz is offline  
Old 04-22-06, 06:14 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
LCI_Brian's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: in the hills of Orange, CA
Posts: 1,355
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Now that this thread has been revived, does anyone have an instruction manual for a Softride Powerstem that they could scan?
LCI_Brian is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.