No folding stem...
 

so I am doing a bit more work on my folding bike, I am looking at putting a lower stem on the bike as the current ones are too tall and non adjustable. I could get get an adjustable folding one of the bay, but I was thinking of maybe just getting a long quill stem or adaptor and just using that. I wouldn't need much more then 20cm of height on the stem.

what are your thoughts on this idea?

LOL on a side note, removing the folding stem system would shave some severe KG's off the bike.

Just me but I’m having a hard time remembering what you started with(bike). Pic or thread on this machine?

If folding is not important to you, a non folding set up is fine.

that would probably help. rofl...

https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-b...n-6-years.html

its still a work in progress so to speak. looking for new wheelset/cranks and looking at lowering the stem to something more normal lol

I'm currently switching the cheap folding stem/handlebars to a long quill stem and HiRise handlebars

I was thinking of something similar except much lower and drop bars lol...

I found a temporary solution that works. it was to use a quill extender and quill stem. I was able to get the front end 1.5-2 inches lower giving me a much better setup. I can swap the 2 pieces over once I track down a stem long enough on the interwebs. on a side note the new stem setup is easily 1/2 to 1/3 the weight, which is a nice bonus.

If you get a chance to post some pics, I'd like to see your new setup.

oh I will post pics soon. gotta get new brake cables first. also now that its much lower I can shop around for drop bars C:... lol this is an addiction.

Yep, addiction sums it up nicely.

Just ordered Wald #8069, will post pictures after it's installed.

I still have to properly install and adjust the brake cables, but here is the bike in the current state/


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...30ca1e784a.jpg

The original bike minus the logos and stickers. Weighing in at 34lb...
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9fc418065f.jpg

the new bike weighing in at 22.8lb. Nearly 11.5lb shaved off the weight of the bike. handles very well and is nice and fast.

Nicely executed!

Looks a lot cleaner but I would deflate tires and rotate so the valve stem come out straight Probably be good to check headset, hubs, and bottom bracket threads for adequate grease . I have found those areas underlubed on the last 2 bikes I bought.

the BB is brand new, also the hubs were rebuilt. I have yet to do anything with the headset as its fine, although I do plan on replacing/rebuilding them at some point soon.

I am also patiently looking around for some aluminum BMX wheels and a crankset I can put on this beast. shave an extra 1-2lb and get that extra performance.

Back in the '80s, when I worked in bike shops, the only aluminum BMX wheels I ever came across were much heavier than conventional spoked wheels. Are there now aluminum BMX wheels that are designed to be lighter than spoked wheels?

I have no idea. The bike will be stored on my boat, so having some marine grade materials will be nice. if I can save some LBs that would be nice too. although I already achieved my goal of under 25lb lol.

You can also check out 20in recumbent wheels for light weight and quality from places like Hostel Shoppe.

Looks like a good project outcome.

that site is pure gold lol... I will look into it.

Looks really good, but will you be shaving off all those unwanted mounting points and repainting for a cleaner look?

Of course, I would just run a coaster brake and do away with all the hand brakes and mounting points, as well as rim wear from braking, but still allow coasting ;)

lol I am not that much of a weight weenie. plus those points might come in handy in the future if I ever decide to turn it into a touring bike or something else...

Do these frames ever come up for sale? I only ask because the auction sites I use have people offering whole bikes and others offering parts, including the leftover frames - and quite cheap. So how much would it cost to buy a frame, store the best one away, and then get active with the hacksaw, file and paint to build that real ultimate bike?


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...caf63127f9.jpg

In my case, for example, at the back is my ride, in front is a parts bike - currently stored as parts. This spring I will start work on building the latter into a new ride, and I already have a new blade in my hacksaw ready to remove the chainguard mounts...

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8fa4d6a8d4.jpg


here is the bike after the build... a bike ain't complete without a gold chain.