So I picked up an RFX on Ebay for cheap (advertised as a Flux!). It is a mixture of on '07 front triangle and an 06 rear end. I am pulling the stock 06 rockers and putting on 5.5 rockers. It also came rigged with a 120mm road stem and flat bars! Obviously I am swapping the stem and have added EA70 Monkeylite risers - question is - how long a stem do you guys run on these rigs? I have a 100mm stem that was on the Spot that feels pretty good on the bike now - I will be riding this thing up and down hill so I do not want to be too cramped, but I know most folks tend to run shorter stems like 50mms or so. If I will be riding this bike more like a Spot than a Highline - is 100mm too long even it feels just right?
Cutty, I've tried all lengths of stems on my '02; 80mm, 90mm, 100mm.....then after reading a particular thread here, I put my 50mm on [which I usually only used on dh-resort days], and I have not looked back. I thought it would cause my climbing to suffer, and cramp up the cockpit, but none of that happened. I beleive it actually enhanced all aspects of my general riding on that bike; better technical control. I ride this bike for all things, xc and dh, and I will not go back to riding a longer stem. Try one, pic up an inexpensive one.
I'm actually seriously thinking of putting a 50mm on my spot, that;s how strongly I feel about the advantages.
Yes. It is too long for a Spot as well, if you ask me. I would consider 80mm long for a RFX; I like my 70mm and would recommend it as a good starting point if you have to pick up a new stem.
Actually not - turned out the front triangle is an 07 so it's 23.8, not the longer 06 top tube. Sounds like either 50 or 70mm is the ticket - I may have a shorter stem floating around and will try it out. The 100mm looked a little odd to me. I have to say this ebay deal worked out surprisingly well - the 07 Triangle is in mint condition and has all the benefits of the lighter newer design and the longer shock. We'll see about the Marz 55ETA, but it seems pretty buttery - also in mint condition - I always loved Zoke coils. WTB Dual Duty rims and Super Duty hubs - not stellar but basically good reliable stuff. The small brass figurine of Shiva was just extra butter in the sauce
Actually not - turned out the front triangle is an 07 so it's 23.8, not the longer 06 top tube. Sounds like either 50 or 70mm is the ticket - I may have a shorter stem floating around and will try it out. The 100mm looked a little odd to me. I have to say this ebay deal worked out surprisingly well - the 07 Triangle is in mint condition and has all the benefits of the lighter newer design and the longer shock. We'll see about the Marz 55ETA, but it seems pretty buttery - also in mint condition - I always loved Zoke coils. WTB Dual Duty rims and Super Duty hubs - not stellar but basically good reliable stuff. The small brass figurine of Shiva was just extra butter in the sauce
I run a 70mm on my 05/06, a buddy of mine runs a 50mm. I had a 2002 RFX, which has a similar TT to the 07/08 and I ran it with a 90mm. At 70mm I was cramped. I ran it like that until I ponied up on a frame with a longer TT. The short TT was what killed the 02 RFX enjoyment for me, once I "got" the long TT idea. 90mm is a 5 Spot stem length in my book. The 07 RFX is a beefy 5 Spot, so a 90mm is what I would pick based on numbers. 70mm may work. 50 will only be good for resorts.
Cutty, I've tried all lengths of stems on my '02; 80mm, 90mm, 100mm.....then after reading a particular thread here, I put my 50mm on [which I usually only used on dh-resort days], and I have not looked back. I thought it would cause my climbing to suffer, and cramp up the cockpit, but none of that happened. I beleive it actually enhanced all aspects of my general riding on that bike; better technical control. I ride this bike for all things, xc and dh, and I will not go back to riding a longer stem. Try one, pic up an inexpensive one.
I'm actually seriously thinking of putting a 50mm on my spot, that;s how strongly I feel about the advantages.
So much is personal preference; look at MK's recommendation, and mine. He and I are about the same height; his arms might be a bit longer. He definitely likes long top tubes, I like short ones. We can't ride each other's set-up. So Cutty,......good luck choosing!
Remember, you're not riding an xc bike!
FWIW at this point in the game...I ran a 50mm on my '06 and run a 60mm on my '08. It's skewed towards FR more than AM if industry labels mean anything. It's an XL, I'm all torso at 6'3" (33 inseam).
OK - I've opted to go for a 70mm and see how it works - I can fine tune the riser bars for additional front and back adjustment to get it just right - I have a pretty stretched cockpit on the Sultan and I don't want to recreate that feel on the RFX (it feels great, but not right for a more upright AM style bike). I think 50mm would be too tight as I do have pretty long arms. Thanks for the input.
I ran a 100mm on my six pack and it was pretty good, but once I opted for the 50mm, it really rocks. I climb all over the place and the handling is just fine. I'm 6'2" and on a large. It made the downhill stuff and jumping WAY more fun and I don't feel like I'm teetering over the front wheel like before. Give it a try and I'm pretty sure you'll stick with it. By the way, make sure you give it at least 2-3 rides before deciding, because no matter how skilled you are, it will feel sort of weird at first, but once you get used to the slightly different handling, it will enhance your riding!
What I'm used to is a 24.5 inch TT and a 90mm 0 rise X4 stem - so this is going to bring back almost 2 inches - I'll try the 70mm and see. stems are easy to swap out and relatively cheap.
What I'm used to is a 24.5 inch TT and a 90mm 0 rise X4 stem - so this is going to bring back almost 2 inches - I'll try the 70mm and see. stems are easy to swap out and relatively cheap.
Hey, same here. I ran a 24.5 TT with a 70mm on my XC bike, when I switched to the 24.6 XL RFX I installed a 50mm. Buttah, baby. Of all the bikes I have owned, this is the best fitting bike by far.
So your idea of starting off with a 70 is a good one. :thumbsup:
I'll give you my 06 RFX experience. I originally bought an 06 RFX and built it as a mini DH bike with an 06 66 and 50mm stem. It was great but last winter I thought that I would throw on a TALAS 36 and take it South to Moab, Hurricane, and Bootleg as my one bike. I brought the 50mm stem for mor DH oriented rides and a 70mm if the ride was more xcish. I experimented by keeping the 50mm stem on for a few xc rides like JEM and Goulds and discovered that I really liked it. I loved it at Goosebery and Little Creek. By the time I got to Bootleg I was sold on the merits of that 50mm stem for all my riding needs except cruising the road to the trails. I was more upright but your arms have elbows for a reason. I have put 70mm stems on my 5 Spot and HT and love the feeling that they give. If the Spot had a longer tt I would try the 50 on it as well, the RFX has a 10mm longer tt.
I love these little rules. Ride whatever darn stem you like the best.
Jaybo
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