Well...that was just weird. A mate has those grips sitting in a box as he didn't get on with them. I can see why! They are just all kinds of wrong! They made my hands hurt more!
. So they are back in his spares box.
Been out on the bike a fair bit, trying stems, heights, lengths....trying to get a accord between as low as possible for handling, as stretched out as possible for butt comfort and what my back will take in length of time with each adaptation. Realistically, im not going to be on this bike for more than 3 hours often....so that's where im setting my stall out. The touring bike is a different kettle of fish, but more in that later on the other thread.
Ive also realised sometimes you need to go backwards to move forward. I kept trying to like the ahead arrangement...honest! But, it just sat all wrong in my head. The fronts already "built up" enough without adding huge piles of wide spacers. Plus I was nervous of cutting the steerer completely down, as I'm sure I will need to revisit the height at some point.
So I've reversed and used a set of threaded forks from the wall. Fortunately I have a few! These were the frames originals.
The stem i have in there isn't quite tall enough, even with 2.5" riser bars....and im over the limit line by some degree already...
.
It always makes me laugh the way marin went about lightening their "lite" range of kit. An 88 stem can be put up and down by miles and has a proper steel wedge. Get to 94 and the stems so thin they bend when you lean on them, adjustment is 10mm and you need a 3 foot allen key to get to the bolt...which you cant do up properly as its alluminium
.
Anyway, the hight problem is about to be resolved by Gav
@August Bicycles who I've finally got the measurement to for a stem for this and my 91 marin touring bike.
I'm really excited!