Conference noted::bicycle

	I sprained both wrists 4 weeks ago (endo-itis), and went for my 
	first MTB ride today, wearing Rollerblade wrist guards.  This
	was my idea.  They didn't interfere with operating the bike.
	(I have push-push type shifters, one button above the other, 
	forget what they're called.)

	My point is, if bracing will help, these wrists guards are 
	rideable. Ask your PT person if using them makes sense.  I was only 
	wearing them so that the next time I fall I'll have some protection.

    I do wear supports that I purchased through my PT on both wrists.
    
    I am looking more for something to help alleviate the bouncing my
    wrists take through the handlebar.

    I have a Future Shock equipped mtn bike, but the GelGrips may do
    more for my hands than the suspension.  I use GelGrips together with
    69 cent garden gloves; some folks go the other way and use gel gloves
    with regular handlebar grips.  The combination of both GelGrips and
    gel gloves tends to get too bulky.  kb

    
    
    I rode unsuspended for 6 years and have recently installed a 
    Specialized Future Shock. I can say without a doubt that one of 
    the greatest benefits of suspension is the pounding it takes off 
    your body and hands. My hands get really tired on long bumpy 
    downhills (you know... two fingers on the brakes on long rocky 
    decents until your hands begin to cramp...), and I can go much 
    longer with less ache with a front suspension. I really can't
    compare this to other forks or stems because I haven't tried
    anything else. I can say that I have ridden the same bike (with 
    a stock fork and the Future Shock) over the same course many
    times and Future Shock really smooths off the ride.
    
    
    doug
      

    
    Nashbar is currently running a sale on the Future Shock, both the
    adjustable and non-adjustable. My friend has one on his new M2 frame
    and has no complaints. I have an AMP (same as Concept) parallelogram
    type suspension fork and noticed an immediate improvement in riding
    comfort after I installed it. No more wrist and shoulder pain from the
    jarring. I wouldn't go without suspension now (although I am riding my 
    new bike- a used Wicked Fat Chance- without it and can still go an hour
    or 2 without pain, but this bike rides really smooth and has a very
    supple fork) and just sent my AMP back for a new steerer tube so it can
    fit my new ride. I swear by the AMP- no maintenance, high ride quality.
    
    Mike

    
    	I used a Girvin fork for about a year on my older bike, but I've
    decided not to transfer it to my new one having ridden the new one 
    for a couple of months now.  The Girvin fork (not the full length
    one I've seen recently) is elastomer, and suffered on occasion from
    "diving" while going round corners.  This unseated me a couple of
    times, and unnerved me a few more.  I have no experience with other 
    forks, although a couple of people in the bike shops I visited while
    shopping for my new one told me that the simple elastomer shock tend to
    suffer that problem.  The fork was great for descents however and did
    relieve me of some of the jarring, and allowed me to take a faster,
    straighter line.  
    	My wrists are starting to feel a little sore, but if they get worse
    I think I might try one of the flex-stems before another fork.
    
    	Mike
    

    I am really leaning towards the purchase of an AHEAD SET compatible
    aluminum SOFTRIDE STEM.  I was hoping to get more feedback from anyone
    who may have used a flexible stem as I have not seen any write ups.
    
    /ron

    
    
    	I've read and heard nothing positive about the Girvin Flexstem as
    it doesn't absorb much (other than very minor vibration), has little
    movement, and causes the bars to twist forward as it compresses.
    
    	That said, I have heard many positive things about the Allsop Softride
    (Frankenstem) stem. The 150mm has more travel than the 135mm; you can
    get 2" to 3" of travel; the stiffer you adjust the preload, the more
    travel you lose; it absorbs shock and most hits. The down side
    is that it adds weight to the front end (unless you were considering a
    suspension fork anyway - it weighs significantly less than a typical
    slider fork); it has a tendency to "dive" on downhills which may be
    disconcerting until you get used to it. It's as expensive as many
    suspension forks (Allsop= about $250; Specialized Futureshock = $210).
    Team Ritchey used them with some success on race bikes. There have been 
    some complaints of a "looser" feel to the bars, but that's probably
    subjective.
    	
    	The newer versions are more reliable, more tunable, and much better
    looking than the old versions. They're slightly higher priced though.
    They now charge for the shims ($25) that they used to give away.
    
    	I went with the AMP fork because it's essentially the same concept
    (no pun intended) as the Allsop, only it's under the steerer attached
    to a rigid fork, so the bars retain their stiffness and the total
    weight is slightly less than an Allsop and rigid fork.
    
    Mike

    re -.1
    
    What is the AMP fork?  How is this different from other suspension
    models?
    
    Where is it available?
    
    thanks ron