Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Thorn General => Topic started by: tyreon on July 27, 2014, 07:36:35 PM
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By chance visited this site to see an adjustable stem made by Thorn. Howsoever,I thought the posting was 2005. The workshop had posted the picture. Is this stem still available? My wife has a British Eagle with a quill stem. Am thinking about quill to aheadset stem with the adjustable stem as made by Thorn. Trouble is in gauging the rise and angle. My wife would like the height of her current stem raised a tad,and the reach just brought in a tad. How do you gauge all this without lottsa buying and returning stems and the like,and annoying retailers(Thorn?)
Hope I have made sense.
Guess I could forward photo to Thorn workshop and as their expertise. Any other things I could do to make this task simple? Well,as simple as it can be!!
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Try one of the stem calculator sites such as this one (http://www.ttbikefit.com/stemcalc.html) or this one (http://alex.phred.org/stemchart/Default.aspx), or a simple chart like this (http://www.habcycles.com/fitting.html).
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Thank you. Just what the doctor ordered. Never knew such a site existed. Let's hope me bemuddled brain gets the calculations right.Next,guess I gotta trawl through cycle retailers and stem sellers to find the thing. Fingers crossed
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The 2005 post from the Thorn workshop (http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=631.msg3415#msg3415) gives you the details and they are still made - they are used for tandem stoker stems and come in two parts:
the stem extension (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/thorn-tandem-stoker-stem-extension-for-1-1-8-stems-120mm-long-17-deg-black-prod11797/) (other sizes and angles available)
(http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/images/products/medium/11797.jpg)
and the 'stem' or the bit that holds the handlebar (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/thorn-cnc-alloy-ahead-stem-1-1-8-inch-or-286-mm-30-mm-0-deg-black-prod11799/)
(http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/images/products/medium/0DEG30.jpg)
Pricey! Otherwise you could look at the Ritchey adjustable stems which are very good and do not slip in use. If you are looking for only small adjustments, get one the same length as the current one.
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You can get plenty of high quality height- and reach-adjustable quill stems.
My favourite adjustable stem is Gazelle's Switch stem, which I used on a utility bike to get my back aerodynamically flat to set my personal ton-up record. It has three great advantages. It is toollessly adjustable; you just flip a lever and you can adjust height, reach and angle of handlebars. It doesn't break your fingernails because it is competently designed by proper industrial designers. For the same reason, it is beautiful. I have one but it is not for sale. The designers (Gazelle farmed the job out) are at http://www.vanderveerdesigners.nl/en/our-work/projects/625 and this retail store http://en.hollandbikeshop.com/branded-bicycle-parts/gazelle-bicycle-parts/gazelle-bicycle-handlebar/gazelle-stem/gazelle-adjustable-stem-switch-3-22-2mm-230mm/ has them in stock. A Dutch retailer I've found amenable to finding me rare components and posting them to foreign parts is http://stores.ebay.nl/BIKERS-STORE; they've had the Switch adjustable quill stem in stock in the past and therefore know where to find you one. Your wife might like this one best of all, especially as she can make adjustments herself until she is satisfied, or make different adjustments for different purposes -- I do when I use that bike, for instance lowering the bars when I'm speeding into a winter headwind. Photo of a Switch stem on my Gazelle Toulouse at http://coolmainpress.com/BICYCLINGgazelletoulouse.html Notice that in my photographed applicaiton the stem is set near vertical to bring the bars high-high-high above the saddle and right close in; this was a bike I bought specially for sitting on bolt upright until the physios could undo the damage a previous, badly fitted, bike did to my back. On this same bike, by flipping a lever, when I want to crouch down low, the bars were moved to below the headset and in the same motion the bars were turned to set the grips near vertical, way out over the lamp. It's an incredibly versatile stem. Only availble in a quill fitment, last time I looked.
Kalloy makes a good if somewhat industrial adjustable stem; there are spanner versions and a version for which you don't need tools. The Kalloy branded one is cheap; others, like Richey, are several times the Kalloy price and are no better, in fact precisely the same thing, only label-engineered. Kalloy makes version for Ahead steer tubes and quill stems. I don't have one -- Duh, I have a manual version on one of my bikes, see the last photo at http://coolmainpress.com/BICYCLINGsmover.html for the Kalloy at full extension. Mine seems to be an extra-well finished version, possibly a special order by Trek, on whose top Benelux-only bike it is fitted. I admire Kalloy gear (for the same reason I admire Shimano gear: cheap and good), and have several other Kalloy components on expensive bikes because they work so well.
A solid adjustable Ahead stem for utility, transport, heavy duty, heavy touring, and violent sporting bikes is a Cane Creek copy made in the Cane Creek factory for the German distributor Humpert inder the names Swell, X-Act and X-Stacy. (They also sell Cane Creek's legendary S6 headset, made for them by Cane Creek, for a fractiong of the price of the same thing with a Cane Creek brand on it...) I have a Humpert adjustable stem; it came on a Utopia bike, than which none better. (Utopia test all components to destruction, but they don't go much on flash. They're a bit like the German version of Thorn, but without the cost constraints; some say Rolls-Royce is the better comparison.) The Humpert version has the advantage of being a bit cheaper than the anyway unobtanium Cane Creek version; it's not actually cheap, but on close examination and in use I thought it very good value. Here's a whole list of versions you can drool over: http://www.humpert.com/en/bikeparts/suche/produktsuche/artikelnummer/?begriff=swell As fitted on my Utopia Kranich at http://coolmainpress.com/AndreJute'sUtopiaKranich.pdf
However, if your wife's bike is a utility bike or a shopping bike or gets parked often, all these perfectly good stems would be a silly purchase. The only stem that you should consider is the adjustable n-lock. This would give your wife adjustable height and reach -- and for the same price a convenient, most superior, bike lock that doesn't require her to bend over inelegantly. The bike lock works like an American car's breakaway steering and makes the bike unrideable, and makes it appear to be broken. Mine in the photo below is not the adjustable version but the adjustable version is owned by several other forum members.
(http://www.coolmainpress.com/miscimage/quill_stem_to_kranich_30_aug_12_800ph.jpg) (http://coolmainpress.com/BICYCLING.html)
The main thread on the n'lock on this board is http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3930.0 and you can use the search engine other threads on it and bits where it crept into other discussions. If you decide on it, return to us for instructions on which n'lock to buy for your wife's bike as the difference between the models is pretty esoteric.
Hope this helps.
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I don't know who you are Andrew Jute,but yer one hell of one knowledgeable bloke. Aint read your reply in full yet,but plan so to do. Thank you x10. This info can be like gold dust. I just had one hellaofatime searching for clarijs panniers,again from Holland. Ordered them for my own shopping bike. The stems and options you've given me open up some interesting shopping. Thank you again. And for those that replied to my queries: thanks too.
Very interesting
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Kalloy makes a good if somewhat industrial adjustable stem; there are spanner versions and a version for which you don't need tools. The Kalloy branded one is cheap; others, like Richey, are several times the Kalloy price and are no better, in fact precisely the same thing, only label-engineered.
That is not quite true - the Ritchey for instance has a better design which will withstand strong heaving on the handlebars. Of course a more sedate riding style would probably be all right with the Kalloy.
http://velocelt.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/adjustable-stems-good-bad-and-ugly.html (http://velocelt.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/adjustable-stems-good-bad-and-ugly.html)
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I would like to 'mix it' with all you 'senior folk' on here(by that I mean you bicycle experts). Am afraid I would be embarrassed. Well, embarrass myself,really. I have difficulty operating this thing(the computer),and following some of your 'technical talk' can be difficult when in a 1-1 I feel sure my understanding would be quicker.
Back to my stem adjuster. Some solutions proferred maybe technically practical and achievable,but in implementation can be xxxxxxxxx frustrating.
Let's see if I can explain. Let's go with getting a quill adjustable stem. Simples? Not so. Well,not for me. You see when I ordered one over this thing(the computer),I ordered one to arrive with an exceptionally long shaft(which then could not lower itself into the frame). This was then compounded by the reach of the adjustable stem to be well too long all but putting my wife on 'ape bars'(I exaggerate too much). So,truble!
Well,that's your fault you might say. Yes,but the retailer can't/won't/doesn't give the measurements of the adjustable stem on his/her advertisement...that,or his/her description doesn't make sense(well,not to me). So,the problem remains.
Let's go with the quill to aheadset changer stem. Okay,let's buy that. But when I put it in my wife's frame I find the 'Do not raise above here' line not giving me the height I want,there's just not enough quill stem left in the bike for said safety. It won't give me the extra height my wife(may)need. Then you have the adjustable aheadset. The adjustable necks too long/won't raise itself and 'pull back' to the desired shorter reach. And are retailers advertising the length of the adjustable stem?
Just one other thing. I want the 4 bolt or 2 bolt handlebar extractors. I can't attempt to go through with any threading of handlebars through said stem: it'll kill me. Have mercy: my back's already aching from what bending and twisting I've done.
Just finding out this whole 5 minute job is hours of torture...and complexity.
I want sypmpathy. Some guys out there must know the 5 minute job turns into a hair pulling 8 hr job...don't they? Of course,sometimes disappearing into the garage I expect hours of torture to come back with the job finished in 2 minutes.
Is it just me?
Maybe I'll try and post a photo. Hold on! I've now gotta learn to do that on this xxxxxx computer. Grrrrr...
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Nope. 40 minutes trying to put a pic on here. No go.
The wife's bike's 25+ years old. A British Eagle 531 job. Guess the top tube's just that little too long.
Guess I could buy that forward moving saddle gizmo job from SJS,or turn back the 'high riser' h/bars she has so that they're a little nearer.
Am now becoming obsessed with this stem-job-thing.
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Hello tyreon
I reckon there are 2 themes in your post, firstly the stem problem and how to sort it, and secondly frustration at being unable to do things with bikes (or on the Forum) that others (seem to) find so easy.
Stem problem first - I guess there is a limit to how high you can raise stems or change the position dictated, to a greater or lesser extent, by the frame. I was given a Condor road bike recently, it had been in a neighbours cellar for years . . . . Surprisingly good basic condition, but the drops (which I have not ridden for >45 years) were too low. So, I put in a quill to headset adapter, a Genetic I think it was from SJSC, and tried a selection of stems I have at home. It is nearer the way I like it than it was, and maybe I will get used to it, but still feels too low. I will see how I get on on my forthcoming hols in France before I decide what to do. But short of putting an extension on the adapter, which I reckon would introduce areas of weakness, it cannot be got any higher. And some people say that having a steeply rising / very short stem upsets the handling of the bike. From my experience, I think they are right.
So, you may have done as much as you can.
And the second point, you are not alone!! My local bike shop has done well over the years from my bungled attempts to fix mine and friends' bikes. But don't give up. People on this forum, Andre, Dan and several others, appreciate how tricky things can seem and give better advice than on any other forum in my view. And I stil haven't posted a photo yet . . . .
Good luck
Lewis
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Don't move the saddle forward as a solution as it may affect her pedalling action for the worse.
Assuming I have understood correctly what you want to do, I would try getting a quill-to-ahead converter like one of these:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/genetic-quill-stem-adaptor-1-inch-quill-to-1-1-8-inch-threadless-adaptor-prod22444/?src=froogle
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/protec-ahead-converter-prod3063/
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/profile-design-stem-convertor-1-inch-quill-to-1-1-8-inch-threadless-prod20442/
These are different heights, not always very clear but a call to the shop should help.
Then fit it with an adjustable ahead like t one of these:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/ritchey-ritchey-comp-adjustable-1-1-8-road-ahead-stem-258mm-clamp-black-prod15685/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kalloy-Adjustable-70-130d-Threadless-Black/dp/B001CJV70U (currently unavailable)
The stems come in different lengths. I presume the handlebars are about 25mm diameter rather than the modern oversize - make sure you choose the correct bar clamp size.
In the review I posted above the Zoom stems were NOT recommended.
Don't despair - you'll get there in the end!
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Donerol...and significant helpers: Am getting the idea. Your message makes sense: quill to aheadset adapters offering various heights. So far,thus understood.
Now we go onto adjustable stem. Can see the angle and length of the stem affecting reach. (But what's with the one offering the very high angle? Wouldn't that be coming back on itself? Well,almost!)
Now for the fitting of the handlebars. I cannot believe my wife's handlebars would be oversize. So no problems??
I guess I could phone the shop for advice. Send them a pic and an explanation of what I want. Order x3 quill adaptors for seeing which is right,return the two which would be 'in excess'. Have I arrived?
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(But what's with the one offering the very high angle? Wouldn't that be coming back on itself? Well,almost!)
It gives 45 degrees on either side of horizontal, which adds up to 90 degrees but not 90 upwards, which would indeed be almost coming back on itself.
The easiest way for you to post a photo is like this (from Danneaux):
...when making a post just click on the blue "Additional Options..." link at the lower-left corner of the page. Once there, click on the "Browse" button and navigate to where your photo is stored on your computer.
The photo will appear below your post as a thumbnail. Forum members can click on it to enlarge the view.....
Maximum of 5 attachments per post, totaling 512KB in part or whole.
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One more possibility. Though it looks a bit naff to the rest of cycledom, there's no law saying your stem must point forward from the steering tube. It can also point backwards, like a tiller.
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It can make the handling a bit odd though unless the bike is designed for it. I wish we had a photo of the current set-up.
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Tyreon, I have checked my bike - I fitted the Genetic Quill Adapter, the first of the items in the list posted my Donerol. That replaced the quill stem that was on the bike, and enabled me to try out 1 1/8" stems. I currently have quite a steep rising Thorn stem on there, black - it looks out of place but enables me to try the bike out and see how I get on.
The Genetic Adapter looks smart and seems well made. It is set at the limit line, line (just) not visible, and the stem as high as it will go on the 1 1/8" section while maintaining a good grip over the length of the 'upright' section. The distance from the top of the big nut at the top of the headset to the bottom of the stem is 85mm.
I reckon the Genetic Adapter gives the greatest rise that is feasible or safe.
Most 1 1/8" stems are now 'open fronted' I think it is called, so they can be swapped around easily without having to re-thread the bars.
Hope you are able to work something out.
Lewis
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A picture...maybe
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That picture took some working out. Wife and I were on this thing for 30 mins. Couldn't send it before cos o the picture being too big GB or MB or something.
Thanks for looking and your comments
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What does your wife use this bike for? Unless it is a strictly sporting bike...
If that were my bike, or for a member of my family, I wouldn't mess around with the stem, I'd bring the grips closer and higher by keeping the stem and swapping in a set of North Road bars, which are like the old Raleigh touring bars. Here's a dealer with inexpensive stock of North Road Bars: http://www.dutchbikebits.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=87 You gain not only reach and height, you win much better ergonomics than you can get with straight or slightly slanted bars.
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Thanks for comments Andre. Well,I think we've had the bike for about 30 years,maybe a little less. Think it's a 19" job. It originally had drop bars(dunno how my wife rode it then! Younger,I s'pose!). Some years back I put on the bars,with the new stem(the stems cap is now a cut-down wine bottle cork). It's used for touring. Have just returned from doing the Velo 6 route,Budapest to Ulm. Wife got along with it fine...no complaints. But thinking I know better than her(!),I think her riding position would be a could be a bit better improved by reducing her reach(my wife's reach on her bike is longer than the set up on my bikes: but then again,I have now developed arthritic disorder)
You will be pleased to hear my wife's getabout-town bike is a more relaxed Dawes shopper,a bit of a sit-up-and-beg job.
The North road bars suggestion I appreciate. But I wonder if the brake levers and gear adjustments would sit comfortably on those bars. Then I would have to take all the gizmos on the bars off. At the same time I wonder if the more relaxed riding option might be a tad too relaxed,putting more weight on her rear and onto her saddle which is a Brooks B17 job.
I might have put more photos on this computer,and better ones explaining the new-improved riding position I propose. Trouble comes in translating those pics to this forum.
I think I'm getting there...tho this might be a delusion. At the moment tho I am beginning to fear and detest my garage from the going to and fro looking and fiddling on this and another bike(a trusted Dutch sprung saddle's just broken. More searching and ordering on this thing.)
I seem to go thru periods like this: all okay with my bikes. Then I want to replace something,or something goes,then I'm out to the garage xxxxxx around for what seems hours....ordering stuff...days go by. Torture.
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The curse of the bicyclist: The cascade of escalating events from a "minor adjustment" that leads to buying a whole new bike...
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Some pics...hopefully
I am hoping you can see my wife's bike behind my own Thorn Club Tour.
The red Kynast now has two rebuilt wheels. It's my town bicycle.
There's a posting above Andre's that I should thank. Thanks. I will look at your suggestion. Would thank you by name but I can't work out how to get back to your posting without coming out of this posting. It gets complicated. Or,I'm realizing how simple I am ++
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Have just returned from doing the Velo 6 route,Budapest to Ulm. Wife got along with it fine...no complaints. But thinking I know better than her(!),I think her riding position would be a could be a bit better improved by reducing her reach...
If your wife is happy with it is why change it?
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Fair comment,Donneral. Answer: Cos I think I can do better??
It's been known in this household that I can alter things at great expense(usually time and effort rather than many ££),to go back to the original setting. Silly and sometimes irksome
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Lewis: Thought I had replied to your post. If I have,I've now forgotten. Anyways,have ordered the quill to aheadset adaptor as you and Donnerol suggested. Just hope it's the correct length. Ta
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Don't worry about it, Tyreon, a general thanks is a good thanks.
I see on the Kynast that you have North Road bars already... I love that red bike. The late Leonard Setright http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1498543/LJK-Setright.html would have noted it's "maidenly modesty"!
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I've got a Nomad Mk 1 which is definitely overkill for what I do but in the future who knows where I might go. You can dream. :)
The bike was bought primarily for the rohloff & the stability I felt it gave me. IIRC it has a 105mm 7deg stem which works for me however I get a fierce right shoulder pain after riding for a while, After several days its bad, I mean the type of pain that makes me stop every few miles for a break and even prescription painkillers can't deal with. I need to take the weight off my shoulder. My right side was damaged in an accident a while back and probably won't improve despite 2.5 years rehab.
In order to help I fitted a thudbuster to reduce jarring and would try front shocks if the Nomad would handle them (I asked Thorn & it won't). I tried a 45deg (I think) stem and the steering felt decidedly vague so took that off. Rather stupidly I had the steerer cut down a bit too far.
I've not thought of an adjustable stem before but I wonder if one might help alleviate my issue. The idea being to see the optimum stem angle or at the very least ride the bike as 'normal' and when the pain starts move the stem higher.
SJS sell the Humpert one.
Anybody got any better ideas?
Steve
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Steve it sound to me like your a tad overstretched .where is your knee in relation to pedal spindle?when crank is horizontal.I'll search out a good video for you on bike fit..adjustable stem will only make you sit more upright which might give you more comfort but i doubt it.
anyway gonna check utube see if we can sort this out. ;)s.
here you go this is very good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh0leyXz840
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Thanks jags. I feel you're right but as the video says its difficult to measure yourself & my wife is anyway for several weeks. :( I'll try asking a mate to help. I don't suffer any knee pain but maybe a bit of lower back pain as the vid suggests.
It might be that once I get that sorted I need a shorter stem but at the same height. I've not used it much but the thudbuster does help a bit although has the disadvantage of putting the seat some way back. I've run out of seat rail to slide forward. Guess I might have to get a sprung saddle instead which opens a new can of worms.
As usual it won't be any one cause.
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Steve hard to get it spot on but i find as near enough will do ::)
the B17 brooks is a great saddle and good rails, i dont think the sprung saddle will give you much rail to play around with.anyway best of luck with it i'm going through torture with back and feet nothing to do with the bike. ;)
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Steve, if you're talking about a sprung Brooks, the adjustment on the rails is short, as Jags says, and the bounce not very much; the Thudbuster is probably a better friend in your situation. However, contrary to the other advice here, I would think that sitting more upright, if you can arrange the handlebars somehow, will result in less pain. It's just a more natural position than crouching forward on the bike.
There are basically two kinds of steerer extenders. One fits over the steerer and usually is limited to giving you back a small distance and is not adjustable. The other is a quill that fits inside the steerer and has a top that you fit a standard threadless stem to. The silver component lying inside the left curve of the handlebars in the photo below is a quill steering extender; you can see that it offers considerable adjustment.
(http://www.coolmainpress.com/miscimage/nlock72dpi/nlock__city_handlebar__quill_adapt_1.5m_cablejpg.jpg)
A common quill steering extender is made by BBB. Since you can't use a top cap with the quill steering extender, you need some way of locking in the steerer tube and preloading the crown bearings, and for this I use a seatpost clamp, in my case an exact match for the seat post clamp on my seat post. In the photo below it is the component with the twin chrome flashes, pressing down on some spacers, which in turn press on the headset bearing, with above the seatpost clamp a bit of the quill extender visible, and then the stem fitted around the quill. As you can see, an enormously adaptable system at the cost of some extra weight.
(http://www.coolmainpress.com/miscimage/quill_stem_to_kranich_30_aug_12_800ph.jpg) (http://coolmainpress.com/BICYCLING.html)
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Andre your a perfectionist ;)
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Andre your a perfectionist ;)
I didn't know your wife let you swear, Anto. Maybe I can come live with you...
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;D ;D only when i give her money. 8)
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I was 100% right side paralysed 8 years ago. Fortunately I recovered 85-90%. Learning to ride again freed me & gave me reason to live. My neuro rehab centre said I was the only person they knew of that had successfully learnt to ride a bike. I used to ride the 26 mile round trip, every other patient arrived by specially adapted car, etc. I arrived on a bike. :)
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I was 100% right side paralysed 8 years ago. Fortunately I recovered 85-90%. Learning to ride again freed me & gave me reason to live. My neuro rehab centre said I was the only person they knew of that had successfully learnt to ride a bike. I used to ride the 26 mile round trip, every other patient arrived by specially adapted car, etc. I arrived on a bike. :)
Congratulations on what is clearly a feat of willpower and persistence, though you wear your courage lightly. I wish I could have been there to see the faces of the physiotherapists the first day you arrived on your bike!
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Thanks Andre.
Instead of the quill could I use this
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/satori-handle-stem-easy-up-1-1-8-inch-adjustable-stem-raiser-prod23752/
Not as versatile as the quill but maybe a lot neater and easy to vary.
What's your thoughts on the adjustable stem in my case. Perhaps putting the two together. Or a shorter stem?
Might be almost cheaper to buy a replacement forks for £130 & sell the original ones. :)
Is there anything I can do about the thudbuster setting the saddle too far back?
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Thanks for your kind words Andre. I'm not courageous just determined and anyway, whats the options, carry on, give up, take up online poker or watch daytime TV?. What would you do?
My balance is very poor and I sometimes fall off the bike on the first pedal stroke. It's always rightwards as I just cannot get my foot off the flat pedal fast enough to stop myself so go down like a falling tree onto my hip & damaged shoulder. Hurts a bit & looks dramatic enough that people stop their cars to help. They kinda have to as I'm sprawled in the road. Needless to say I wear a helmet.
I've been on 2 long hard treks in the Himalayas as well and have an old Sherpa friend to take my arm and steady me.
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Thanks Andre.
Instead of the quill could I use this
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/satori-handle-stem-easy-up-1-1-8-inch-adjustable-stem-raiser-prod23752/
Not as versatile as the quill but maybe a lot neater and easy to vary.
What's your thoughts on the adjustable stem in my case. Perhaps putting the two together. Or a shorter stem?
Might be almost cheaper to buy a replacement forks for £130 & sell the original ones. :)
Is there anything I can do about the thudbuster setting the saddle too far back?
But why would you want the Satori? You don't want to make constant adjustments, you just want to set the handlebars up right and leave them there.
The same actually applies to an adjustable stem if there is a fixed and perhaps lighter solution to an overshortened steerer tube.
Buying a replacement fork, leaving it uncut, and stacking up spacers sounds to me like a good deal, because messing around could soon cost as much and not be as satisfactory. You don't need to put the stem and thus the handlebars right at the top, you can temporarily have spacers on top of the bars, until you have the correct height finally sussed out.
I'll you what, couple of years ago I had a stent put into my heart. But just before this I was installing the n'lock and the Swiss put some stiff, obstructive grease on an already tight-fitting component. I nearly had a heart attack bending over the bike struggling with this thing. Eventually I squirted it full of other grease and it slipped on sweetly. But now I'm careful about bending over the bike and getting frustrated, and just want the job to go right the first time. I imagine you don't want to spend a lot of time fitting up parts and then taking them off again.
Sorry, I can't help you about the Thudbuster. Mine was on a smallframed bike and I wanted the seat (I used it with a Cheeko90, not a Brooks) set back as far as it would go. Dan is the guy to ask; he rides a Thudbuster on a Thorn but he's in Transylvania right now learning to be vampire; maybe there's someone else here who knows it.
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Back again! Got the quill to aheadset stem from sjs this morning,and the Ritchey adjustable angle job. Fitted both,and they seem just right(though,like when I try to adjust a saddle for a right fit,there's a lotta testing before I am finally satisfied with the final setting) I would like to have had the Ritchey adjustable job get up to 60 degrees,but the seeming 45 or whatever it is,seems right...'for the moment!!)
I try to follow some of the other contributors and the various apparatus they suggest. Sometimes I find it a bit confusing. Am at the 'edge' of what alterations I believe can be achieved on one of my bikes...or what I understand. For this bike I own I think I would just get new forks(for additional height),tho am quite happy where I am now.
Who was on about saddle movement? I mean,adjustment back and forward. Wotsabout that SJS or Spa gizmo that allows you setback movement or forward positioning? Cost about £24? It might be an idea.
I don't know all the links to cycle workshops and the like,but there's some innovative 'workshops'(?) out there that cater for all sorts of people with various demands,disabilites,quirky requests. I like the magazine that's printed up York way that lists quirky stuff,Velovision.
Somewhat earlier I thought my cycling life was going to be curtailed by the arthritic disorder I have. Fortunately this hasn't come about because of new biologic medication.
I've found sometimes one thing on a bike means you then have to change 3 others. It can be frustrating. And bike shops can't make that much ££ from fine tuning bicycles,and you can feel guilty asking 'em. It's when you order from SJS or the like. But then you've got to know your " from your mm and have correct measuring instruments,correct names for things etc. It can be more difficult that cryptic crosswords