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Looking for some xmas gifts for my bike.


Andy Bloot's picture

By Andy Bloot - Posted on 17 December 2007

NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.

Looking for some xmas gifts for my bike. Bike is a Stumpy. Thinking seat post, stem and bars.
Thompson post for $130 on Torp 7 seems good, but not sure if I need a straight post or with a backsweep. I'm guessing straight, and 367mm long (or 330mm?)
Bars and stem is a cosmetic upgrade as I have no prob with current gear.
But need to know how long the stem is on the Stumpy as this seems a good length. Or could I go a little shorter?
For bars, anyone familiar with the TruVativ team carbon bars on Torp 7 for about $100? Does a degree change in the upsweep make much difference?
For myself I'm thinking protection. On the elbows I'm wondering if I can go elbow and forearm protection and use my arm rather than hands to break falls. My left wrist has had it. Or am I just looking at breaking an arm instead? Of course I won't be falling off any more, but just in case.
Any suggestions of good ones to look at, and prices to pay maybe.
Would be grateful for any advise.

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Stuart M's picture

to that list of armour Eye-wink

Alex's picture

personally i dont think u should ever use your hands to break falls..there are heaps and heaps of little bones in your hand that can snap like a twig, i take alot of falls myself with fox north shore elbow/forearm guards, and being impact resistant (not gazza impact resistant i/e major force!) and damn good for all the jagged rocks and stuff you might hit and cut up on. i recommend them highly as there comfy too.. i wear all year round (yeh warm, but whatever!) if you take impact on shoulders and joints,like wrists, your bound to snap them, i guess if you think like martial arts falling training, the idea is to try to spread the impact over as large an area as possible so as to minimise targetted damage areas, so i try to spread a leaned fall throughout the pads..not always possible, but id stay off those hands anyway!
my 2 cents for u anyhoo..

kurt's picture

ive recently bought some EVS option elbow guards from MCA in Parra
www.mcas.com.au
30 bucks very good fit and very comfy
taken two falls on them and all ive done is scratched them and not me
highly recomend them

cheers
Kurt

alchemist's picture

Thomson products would be a very nice present for the bike.

Seat post - What is on the bike now? Straight is probably fine, if you have a post with an offset clamp and have the saddle right back on the rails maybe get one of the set-back ones. The other thing to check is diameter, I seem to recal Specialized have a rather unusual seatpost diameter and Torpedo7 dont have the full range of sizes

Stem - Most will have the size and angle printed on them somewhere. If not measure it centre to centre

Bars - I doubt you'll notice a 1° change in up-sweep.

Note that the Truvativ Team Carbon Bars are 24.5 mm, whereas the Thomson Stem is for oversize (31.8mm) bars.

No real comments on protection, but if you're worried about falling off stay away from carbon bars.

Nerf Herder's picture

A little off what you've already listed.

I reckon a new chain always makes the rig happy ... or lash out and update the entire drive train. XT Shadow is something I've been uhmmming about ... Only coz I like the print ads with the rock and the root.

alchemist's picture

That's like buying you mother/girlfreind/wife a new vacuum cleaner for Christmas - sure she *might* need it and may even pretend to like it but it's not going to score you any brownie points.

Nerf Herder's picture

My wife loves practical presents ... ones that she will actually use. Sure Diamonds are pretty ... but she'd rather have some runners or a nice thick fleecey that she's gonna get some mileage outta. I ain't gonna get her pots and pans of course ... but I guess its about knowing your baby.

Guess I'm just lucky, or blind.

Apologies, for gettting off topic a little.

Bruce's picture

Why dont you get into the christmas spirit & get a heap anodised parts for your bike, red & green would be good!

Andy Bloot's picture

a new XT rear der. would be nice. But I can buy that anytime (tho $100 at Mortdale is enticing). Xmas gifts are those blingy treats you wouldn't normally buy for your bike. And yes, Stu, a tackle protector is now on the list.

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