From: wgns@troi.cc.rochester.edu (C. Wiggins)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
Subject: Allsop Stem Review (long)
Date: 13 Oct 92 03:09:08 GMT
Organization: University of Rochester - Rochester, New York

There is apparently lots of interest in a review of the Allsop suspension
stem, and I said I'd write one if there were enough interest, so here goes:

CONSRUCTION:

        First of all, in case you don't know, this stem is very different
from the Girvin "Flexstem".  The Flexstem has only one hinge, only around
a half an inch of travel, and uses a little rubber disk to accomplish
some degree of shock absorbsion.  I've ridden the Flexstem and I don't
like it.  The point here, though, is that the Allsop stem is VERY different
from the Flexstem.

        The Allsop stem uses four hinges and two center members to create
a sort of parallelogram shape when viewed from the side.  It uses a strong
spring as it's resistence medium, and the 150mm version gives the rider
three full inches of travel.  Also worthy of note is that because of the
design, the handlebars maintain their relative position to the bike
throuout the full travel (i.e., the bars don't rotate forward as the
stem compresses).  This seems to me to be a very good feature.

INSTALLATION:

        The stem installs just like a regular stem, except that it
requires the use of a headset-washer-type cable stop (most stems
have a cable-stop built in).  Though not my favorite way to stop
the brake cable housing, I was able to find a good stiff cable stop
and there isn't much more flex in my front brake now than there used
to be.

ADJUSTABILITY:

        The stem's internal spring is highly adjustable, via an allen
key.  It comes set on it's lightest setting which I found to be way
too springy.  But I found that it can be adjusted to an extremely
tight setting.  I've found that with my riding style, I prefer it
set somewhere in the middle -- on that setting it doesn't compress
while climbing (in or out of the saddle), is still stiff enough for
me to have plenty of control in technical sections, and yet it is
still springy enough to soak up all the small and medium sized bumps.

EVALUATION:

        I really like this stem a lot.  I've had it a few weeks now,
and I raced with it last weekend, so I feel like I've got a pretty
good idea of what this stem is like.  I suspect that what people want
to hear most is a comparison between this stem and other suspension
forks, but I can't do a detailed comparison because I've never owned
a suspension fork -- although I HAVE ridden friends bikes with the
Manitou and the Specialized Future Shock, so I'm not ignorant about
how it compares either.  It seems to me that contrary to what most
people think (and what I myself used to think), the allsop stem is
every bit as good as a good shock fork on most trails, in most conditions.
When bumps collide with the front wheel, the whole front end of the bike
tends to move up and then back down a bit, while the handle bars move
very little.  There ARE times when the handlebars dive, but that's true
for both shock forks and the stem, and because the handlebars don't
rotate as they compress, I've found that it's not much of a problem
staying in control when this happens (and it doesn't happen all that
much).  The main reason I have been riding without any suspension at
all until I got this stem was that I was very hesitant to give up the
presice steering I have with my rigid fork, and I didn't want to add
all that weight to my front end.  Well, this stem obviously has NO
problems with front wheel slop (since you keep your rigid fork), and
according to that Velo News article, you can expect to have a net
weight gain that is about half what you can expect to have with a
shock fork (at least I think that was their figure --- the weight
savings is significant, anyway).  So anyway, here are some pros
and cons:

Advantages of the Allsop Softride Stem:

(1)  Light Weight

        A lot lighter than a suspension fork.

(2)  No Front Wheel Slop

        You keep your rigid fork, so you don't get the front wheel flex 
problems
        caused by suspension fork's independently movable blades.
        Your steering is exactly as precise as it was pre-suspension (a big 
plus
        for me!).

(3)  Doesn't compress when you climb or sprint

        With the tension set correctly, there is no compression during hard
        climbs & sprints -- I've heard this is a problem for some suspension
        forks, especially the elastomer ones.  (although it still compresses
        when you hit bumps.  I find this really helps on some climbs)

(4)  Low (relative) Cost

        Cheaper than most shock forks.  It comes in two versions, a Chro-mo and
        an alluminum one.  The Chrome moly one is, I believe, around $150-160 
and
        the alluminum one is just over $200 (I might be wrong -- I got mine at
        dealer cost, but these prices should be very close to accurate).

(4)  Good looks (controversial)

        You may disagree, but I like the looks of the alluminum version (the
        one I have) much better than any shock fork.  It helps that it's all
        black, and I have it on an all black Specialized M2.

(5)  Well Made

        Construction is first rate.

(6)  Performs very well.

        As I said, I believe the stem performs as well or better than most 
shock
        forks in most conditions.  But even if I'm wrong, and it's not quite
        as good as the best shocks, I'm absolutely certain that it's FAR, FAR
        better than a non-suspended bike for fast trail riding and racing.



Disadvantages of the Allsop Softride Stem:


(1)  Not very hip (at least not yet).  If you get this stem now, you'll
     probably be teased a bit.  I expect that to change soon, though.

(2)  There is more lateral flex with this stem than with a normal stem,
     though it is (IMHO) well within acceptable limits.  It could be,
        too, that I don't have my hinge-bolts tight enough (just thought
        of that! -- I'll check tonight).

(3)  Not as easy to ride on very techinical terrain.  (this is a problem
        for shock forks too).

(4)  Not as good at very large, hard impacts.  With a good shock fork,
        you can ride right at a big curb at high speed, and the jolt
        will be almost completely soaked up (or so I'm told).  This
        stem won't do that with the huge bumps, but on the other hand
        it handles huge bumps WAY, WAY better than an unsuspended bike.
        The reason for the difference, I think, is that with huge
        bumps there is a large part of the blow that is directed
        towards the back of the bike as opposed to streight up the fork,
        and thus the shock handles it better since it is angled out
        ahead of the bike.  (pure speculation here)

(5)  No titanium model.  The weight savings over a shock fork is significant
     as it is, but if they introduce a titanium version, the weight
        savings would be phenomenal.  I'd love to see it and I wouldn't
        mind shelling out the dough for it.

(6)  The bolt with which you adjust the tension is a bit hard to get to.
        It's in a cramped area of the stem (a minor annoyance, really).
        I wish it were possible to adjust the tension without any tools
        and perhaps even while riding.  Also, I wish it were possible to
        completely disable the suspension, converting it into a regular
        (but somewhat weighty) stem for trials riding.  Keep in mind
        that most shock forks share these problems.


SUMMARY:

        This stem is definitely a great product (unlike Allsop's other
        suspension product!).  It may not be for everyone, but if you
want to take the edge off of bumps, reduce your fatigue, and improve
the handling of your bike at high speed but you worry about the weight,
cost, and above mentioned disadvantages of shock forks, this may be
just what you want.  And guessing from the overwhelming interest I've
received in the stem, plus the interest that's I've seen growing among
the local racers here, I predict that this stem will be a fairly hot
product in 93.  Team Richey rides these things, you know...

        BTW:  Klein has also introduced a suspension bar/stem combo for
it's '93 top of the line bikes.  Suspension forks are definitely here to
stay, but I think that well made suspension stems can compete, and are
a very viable alternative for those who prefer them.  The bottom line here,
I guess is this:  Many people think this thing is a cheezy gimmick.  It's
not perfect, but it's no gimmick.  I don't know how I got along without
one.

Oh, I guess I should add that I weigh 160 lbs, and the stem I've been using
is the 150mm aluminum version.  If anyone has any specific questions, I'd
be happy to try to answer them.

Chris Wiggins
wgns@troi.cc.rochester.edu
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc