redsport shock stem installation

[smitty]

Has anyone installed this stem on an ST-2. I am wondering if there were any difficulties with the handlebar light on the ST-2, in terms of the installation?

 

[russ moir]

I installed a shockstop stem on an ST1 yesterday. It mounts identically as the original stem. The spacing for the 4 screws that hold the face clamp were a different spacing than the original. Simply swapping the stem is a no-brainer. If the light mounts on the handlebar, and the clamp goes either side of the stem, then the stems bar clamp assembly width is a concern. The ShockStop's bar clamp assembly is 1 and 3/4" wide. If the light is integrated into the front plate of the clamp, its likely a no-go. I cant tell from photos how the light mounts on the ST2.
My first impression was the recommended elastomers for my weight for a flat bar were way too stiff. I dropped it to the next level down, and there is still very little flex. I'm going to need to ride it more to see if there is any benefit. Right now, I'd say it doesnt seem to do anything for me, but I've only ridden smooth pavement so far. I can go way down in elastomer choices yet. Lots of selection. I noticed after installing it on the fork tube, there is about 1/4" of clamp above the fork tube. IE the fork doesnt fit flush with the top of the clamp. I put the original back on and its the same. I could have removed a spacer ring, but seeing as how the original stem has the same gap from the factory, I left the shockstop with the same recessed gap. Tried 4 times to wiggle/press/whatever I had to do to eliminate slop in the headset bearings, re-clamping the stem clamp bolts till I got it right. Using the ShockStop in the slightly inclined orientation to get a bit more height/upright position.

 

[smitty]

I installed a shockstop stem on an ST1 yesterday. It mounts identically as the original stem. The spacing for the 4 screws that hold the face clamp were a different spacing than the original. Simply swapping the stem is a no-brainer. If the light mounts on the handlebar, and the clamp goes either side of the stem, then the stems bar clamp assembly width is a concern. The ShockStop's bar clamp assembly is 1 and 3/4" wide. If the light is integrated into the front plate of the clamp, its likely a no-go. I cant tell from photos how the light mounts on the ST2.
My first impression was the recommended elastomers for my weight for a flat bar were way too stiff. I dropped it to the next level down, and there is still very little flex. I'm going to need to ride it more to see if there is any benefit. Right now, I'd say it doesnt seem to do anything for me, but I've only ridden smooth pavement so far. I can go way down in elastomer choices yet. Lots of selection. I noticed after installing it on the fork tube, there is about 1/4" of clamp above the fork tube. IE the fork doesnt fit flush with the top of the clamp. I put the original back on and its the same. I could have removed a spacer ring, but seeing as how the original stem has the same gap from the factory, I left the shockstop with the same recessed gap. Tried 4 times to wiggle/press/whatever I had to do to eliminate slop in the headset bearings, re-clamping the stem clamp bolts till I got it right. Using the ShockStop in the slightly inclined orientation to get a bit more height/upright position.

Thanks for the info and the follow-up on riding with it. I'm still thinking about it at this point. The carbon fork on the ST-2 does a pretty decent job of absorbing pavement bumps, but any help you can get to smooth out there ride is always welcome...

 

[russ moir]

The ShockStop is rigidly connected to the fork tube and handlebar. Its pivot bolt is firmly securing the two parts. No slop in the stem. The elastomers only allow vertical movement, and with the elastomer I have in now, that movement is pretty minimal, if any. You will have to ride with weight on the bars to feel any suspension effect. The bar doesn't "float" in elastomer, so you will get vibrations from the forks through the bars - as the pivot is a secure mechanical link. If you have weight on the handlebar, you will feel it give hitting a bump, and absorb shock. Its effect will depend on where/how you ride, and whether you have weight on the bars. Only a guess, but their chart for flat bars is likely with mountain biking in mind, and subsequently riders will have lots of weight on the bar in various modes during riding. For commuting with a more upright position, I feel I can go a lot lighter than their suggested elstomer setting.

 

[smitty]

The ShockStop is rigidly connected to the fork tube and handlebar. Its pivot bolt is firmly securing the two parts. No slop in the stem. The elastomers only allow vertical movement, and with the elastomer I have in now, that movement is pretty minimal, if any. You will have to ride with weight on the bars to feel any suspension effect. The bar doesn't "float" in elastomer, so you will get vibrations from the forks through the bars - as the pivot is a secure mechanical link. If you have weight on the handlebar, you will feel it give hitting a bump, and absorb shock. Its effect will depend on where/how you ride, and whether you have weight on the bars. Only a guess, but their chart for flat bars is likely with mountain biking in mind, and subsequently riders will have lots of weight on the bar in various modes during riding. For commuting with a more upright position, I feel I can go a lot lighter than their suggested elstomer setting.

Thanks for the insight as well as the measurements Russ. I measured the stem handlebar linkage and it is within 1/16" of 1 and 3/4". It looks to me (without taking the linkage apart) that the light attaches to the handlebar stem via two small "ears" that fit under the handlebar clamp after it is tightened down. It would seem that the installation regarding the difference in the lighting position between the ST-1 and the ST-2 from that perspective is no problem? I sense that I ride a bit like you do. I always have some weight on the handlebars, but perhaps not as aggressively as some riders might. Your observations make a good deal of sense to me. Let me know what you think after you have ridden the shock a bit more...thank you...smitty

 

[russ moir]

1km of off road today. Hills enough to have to move my weight around lots. Definitely have to drop the elastomer firmness. Might as well have been the stock stem. Plan to update once I've tried 2 sizes lighter for a bit.


Update - went quicker then I thought. lightest, yellow was too soft and sloppy. Orange was just right. Not sloppy, gives, but not overly easy - you dont need to put all your weight on it to budge. I can feel it now when riding normally - cracks, sewer covers, etc are softened. And if I lean over the bars putting weight, I really have to bounce to get a fair bit of travel, and didnt bottom out.

Others mileage may vary, but the setup now is doing something for me, and there is a noticeable positive improvement.

Update - couple more weeks with it. Even with a single orange elastomer (2nd softest setting) this is working very nicely. Steering isnt affected, no slop, and a really nice effect the times it's really worked due to road issues. While it doesnt intrude in riding, ie isnt obvious its there - the handlebars definitely have less vibration. My hands dont tire/go numb at all now. Most rides are 6-12 km each way - doing errands. Very worthwhile investment. The setup sheet with recommended elastomers based on weight and bar type cant cover all styles of riding. You will have to experiment to get the setting you are comfortable with.

 

[smitty]

1km of off road today. Hills enough to have to move my weight around lots. Definitely have to drop the elastomer firmness. Might as well have been the stock stem. Plan to update once I've tried 2 sizes lighter for a bit

thanks Russ...al helpful