Direct mount stem?

Muttly1981
Muttly1981 Posts: 815
edited April 2012 in MTB workshop & tech
Looking at lightning the front end of the Scott DH bike as it seems to dip a little too much on the bigger jumps and seen a great deal on a sunline DM stem for BoXXer's but i'm wondering if it's be compatable with the Domains that i have atm, i've read that the domains and BoXXers share the same bodys but not sure if they share the same crowns. A DM stem would be far lighter than the hussfelt stem thats currently gracing the front of the bike and i'll proably run a higher rise bar to offset the 0 degree rise. Is it worth going DM or are other things that people would change before stem and bars? In the ideal world i'd upgrade for a set of boxxers but the costs involved would be too high at the minute.
What if your dreams and fears existed in the same place? What if to get to heaven, you had to brave hell? What if everything you've ever wanted cost you everything you've ever achieved? Would you still go there?

Comments

  • ilovedirt
    ilovedirt Posts: 5,798
    Yes, the 4 bolt DM is the same for boxxers, domain DCs and fox 40s, however buying one isn't going to solve the problem at all. Yes a DM stem would be a bit lighter, but you won't notice the difference. The weighty part is the fork, by quite a margin.
    Production Privee Shan

    B'Twin Triban 5
  • Muttly1981
    Muttly1981 Posts: 815
    ilovedirt wrote:
    Yes, the 4 bolt DM is the same for boxxers, domain DCs and fox 40s, however buying one isn't going to solve the problem at all. Yes a DM stem would be a bit lighter, but you won't notice the difference. The weighty part is the fork, by quite a margin.

    I may give one a try and see how it goes, as i don't have to cut the steerer tube straight away as £24.99 is stupidly cheap. I know i can save loads with a different fork (wish i'd have taken my mate up on his 40's that he sold) but it's more of a cost issue atm, the Alex FR32 front wheel with the domains wheigh as much as a small planet.
    I'm new too all this DH stuff so still trying to find my feet but the one thing that constantly plays on my mind is the front end being dragged down. Think i'll have a play around with the set up and maybe a higher rise bar could help with my weight further back on the bike :?
    What if your dreams and fears existed in the same place? What if to get to heaven, you had to brave hell? What if everything you've ever wanted cost you everything you've ever achieved? Would you still go there?
  • ilovedirt
    ilovedirt Posts: 5,798
    Yeah, some higher rise bars could help a bit, maybe work on your upper body strength a bit as well, and just practice manualling the bike. But yeah, the fork is the main bulk of the weight, those domains weigh a ton (as do my 888s, so i know how you feel). A new wheel could help a bit as well, but still probably isn't that much of a factor.
    Production Privee Shan

    B'Twin Triban 5
  • Muttly1981
    Muttly1981 Posts: 815
    Cool i'll look into a higher rise bar as one thing that was putting me off about the DM stem is the added stiffness and the damage that can be caused in a big crash. Another thing is the rear spring, the 350 spring is far too soft for me and i can bottom it out on simple drops maybe if i'm compressing the rear end fully around take off the back wheel may be pushing the backend into the air :? I'm thinking a 450 spring would be better suited to my weight
    What if your dreams and fears existed in the same place? What if to get to heaven, you had to brave hell? What if everything you've ever wanted cost you everything you've ever achieved? Would you still go there?
  • ilovedirt
    ilovedirt Posts: 5,798
    The TfTuned website has a spring calculator, see what that recommends.
    Production Privee Shan

    B'Twin Triban 5
  • peter413
    peter413 Posts: 5,120
    The Sunline weighs about 150g, about 50g lighter than a Hussefelt stem so you aren't exactly going to notice a weight saving. I prefer DM stems though so if you want it to get a DM stem go for it but you aren't going to save a noticeable amount of weight without ditching those forks, they weigh a freaking tonne!
    Transition Patrol
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  • Muttly1981
    Muttly1981 Posts: 815
    peter413 wrote:
    The Sunline weighs about 150g, about 50g lighter than a Hussefelt stem so you aren't exactly going to notice a weight saving. I prefer DM stems though so if you want it to get a DM stem go for it but you aren't going to save a noticeable amount of weight without ditching those forks, they weigh a freaking tonne!


    Going to have a play about at the weekend with setup and see if it affects the ride for the better, think my mate has some high rise bars the same width as what i run so will maybe give them a go. Was thinking about a Renthal bar as everyone raves about how light they are yet according to Scott the Pilot bars weigh the same :?
    Looked on the SRAM website and the new topend BoXXers are 1kg lighter :lol:

    Just checked the spring calculator on TF and Mojo and they say that i'd be just under a 400 spring so think i'll stick with the 350 and loose a little weight lol
    What if your dreams and fears existed in the same place? What if to get to heaven, you had to brave hell? What if everything you've ever wanted cost you everything you've ever achieved? Would you still go there?
  • 1mancity2
    1mancity2 Posts: 2,355
    ilovedirt wrote:
    Yes, the 4 bolt DM is the same for boxxers, domain DCs and fox 40s, however buying one isn't going to solve the problem at all. Yes a DM stem would be a bit lighter, but you won't notice the difference. The weighty part is the fork, by quite a margin.

    Domains are made of lead, its a fact, I have them on the Reign and as you say the nose just wants to dive all the time, you do get used to it.
    Finished, Check out my custom Giant Reign 2010
    Dirt Jumper Dmr Sidekick2
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    muttly it sounds as though you might have a Voltage FR20?

    If you haven't already seen it there's quite a bit of info (and waffle) on Pinkbike's 600 page Scott Voltage thread
  • Muttly1981
    Muttly1981 Posts: 815
    Correct blitz, they are a big old burly bike but lots of fun
    What if your dreams and fears existed in the same place? What if to get to heaven, you had to brave hell? What if everything you've ever wanted cost you everything you've ever achieved? Would you still go there?
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    +1

    Have got one meself:
    p1030042s.jpg
  • bennett_346
    bennett_346 Posts: 5,029
    I rented a voltage like the above for a day in the alps and i can attest to the heavy forks making the front end dive during jumps. Just have to get used to it and compensate for it. It was a decent ride regardless.
  • Muttly1981
    Muttly1981 Posts: 815
    bennett_346 wrote:
    I rented a voltage like the above for a day in the alps and i can attest to the heavy forks making the front end dive during jumps. Just have to get used to it and compensate for it. It was a decent ride regardless.

    It was strange at the weekend, i hit the DH hill tracks for 7 hours on saturday and at no point did the front end feel like it wanted to dip :? maybe i'm getting more used to the weight difference upfront compaired to my everyday bike.
    What if your dreams and fears existed in the same place? What if to get to heaven, you had to brave hell? What if everything you've ever wanted cost you everything you've ever achieved? Would you still go there?
  • 1mancity2
    1mancity2 Posts: 2,355
    Muttly1981 wrote:
    bennett_346 wrote:
    I rented a voltage like the above for a day in the alps and i can attest to the heavy forks making the front end dive during jumps. Just have to get used to it and compensate for it. It was a decent ride regardless.

    It was strange at the weekend, i hit the DH hill tracks for 7 hours on saturday and at no point did the front end feel like it wanted to dip :? maybe i'm getting more used to the weight difference upfront compaired to my everyday bike.

    Defo, my Reign was the same could I get decent air and not nose dive nope, now its fine.
    Finished, Check out my custom Giant Reign 2010
    Dirt Jumper Dmr Sidekick2
  • bennett_346
    bennett_346 Posts: 5,029
    Yep just takes a bit of getting used to.
  • Torres
    Torres Posts: 1,266
    At the end of the day it's only a few lbs heavier than a boxxer/40, you can easily shift your weight to compensate for this; just keep riding it and you'll get used to it (and save yourself a bucket of cash.)
    What We Achieve In Life, Echoes In Eternity
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    The Domains are heavy but so is everything else and when airborne the FR20 is balanced. With some effort it's possible to scoop the bike out from under you but it doesn't happen automatically.

    Boxxers look good though :)
  • Muttly1981
    Muttly1981 Posts: 815
    .blitz wrote:
    The Domains are heavy but so is everything else and when airborne the FR20 is balanced. With some effort it's possible to scoop the bike out from under you but it doesn't happen automatically.

    Boxxers look good though :)

    Put the Voltage through it's paces in the Fetish Bikes DH Rd2 at Moelfre this weekend and after slowing the rebound down on the rear shock it was like a different bike even managing to style it up over a few jumps, practice was going great and had just posted a sub 3 minute time that would have seen me make top 20 then kit malufunction, my knee pad slipped i glanced down for a milliesecond then was flying through the air and landing on my head and samashing my uncovered knee = race weekend over :(
    What if your dreams and fears existed in the same place? What if to get to heaven, you had to brave hell? What if everything you've ever wanted cost you everything you've ever achieved? Would you still go there?
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    must admit I prefer a slow rebound meself.

    hope you didn't injure yourself too badly fricken knee pads eh
  • Muttly1981
    Muttly1981 Posts: 815
    .blitz wrote:
    must admit I prefer a slow rebound meself.

    hope you didn't injure yourself too badly fricken knee pads eh

    It completely changed the feel of the bike and it just started to work, not sure if you've rode Moelfre before but after the roadgap there is a small drop into a hip jump that seemed to buckaroo me everytime i hit it but with the slower rear end i was launching off the bugger.

    Doctor says 2/3 weeks off the bike as i wait for the swelling and brusing to go down, xrays and ultrasound showed no breaks or ligament/cartelage damage so it's not the worst outcome. I class myself pretty lucky though as i'd just picked up my Leatt brace that same morning and the way i landed on the side of my head it could have been a lot worse as it stopped my neck bending into an awkward shape. :D
    What if your dreams and fears existed in the same place? What if to get to heaven, you had to brave hell? What if everything you've ever wanted cost you everything you've ever achieved? Would you still go there?
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    Have thought about a brace meself after a mate bolloxed himself up pretty badly twice in the last 5 months

    How did you find the Leatt?
  • Muttly1981
    Muttly1981 Posts: 815
    .blitz wrote:
    Have thought about a brace meself after a mate bolloxed himself up pretty badly twice in the last 5 months

    How did you find the Leatt?

    I normally wear a pressure suit but tbh i found it restrictive when on the tight techy stuff so didn't bother with it for the last 3/4 weeks, i was faster and felt less clumsey on the bike but had the nagging at the back of my head about the protection offered from a neck brace. It's then i had a conversation with Fionn Griffiths about the pro's and cons of neck braces and she told me about her mate Tara Llanes breaking her neck in 2007 and how she's been in wheelchair ever since, for her it's a no brainer and when someone tells you that kind of a story it really brings the risk of serious injury home. Fionn got hold of me a Leatt DBX comp 2 for £260 (£325 at CRC) and i'd say it has paid for itself within the first crash so would definately recommend one, as for feel i needed to fit the long pins as i'm a chunky :? but once set up correctly and the straps fitted you won't even know it's there within the first 5 seconds of your DH run, they dont feel restrictive in anyway and i know Alpinestars have just released a suit/spineboard that works with a brace.
    What if your dreams and fears existed in the same place? What if to get to heaven, you had to brave hell? What if everything you've ever wanted cost you everything you've ever achieved? Would you still go there?
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    OK thanks for that, much appreciated

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