Stealth Bomber-seat tube/brakes

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Jim_Kirk

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May 18, 2011, 11:23:32 AM5/18/11
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I am interested in learning about two of the Bomber components.  Hope a fellow Bomber can help.
  1. What is the seatpost diameter on the bomber?
  2. What is the brand and model number of the 6 Pot brakes?  In particular I'm interested in a USA source for brake pads, etc.
-Jim

Paul_G

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May 18, 2011, 11:40:13 AM5/18/11
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1. seat post is larger than the Opti, on my topeak seat post rack I had to remove both rubber inserts and it fits fine, so its the max size I guess and that could be found on the topeak web site. 

2. brakes are Gatorbrakes and I can't find a source here in the USA, I asked Stealth and was informed that they will stock the pads. Looking at the meat on my 4 piston pads and they seem far thicker then whats on the Opti.

Paul G

Paul_G

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May 18, 2011, 11:52:47 AM5/18/11
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whoops, I looked at my manual they are 6 piston, the upgrade is an 8 piston

Paul G

Paul_G

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May 18, 2011, 12:00:27 PM5/18/11
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Gator web site buts its not much help, I emailed them to ask if there a US outlet that sells the parts

Jim_Kirk

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May 18, 2011, 12:05:37 PM5/18/11
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Opti seatpost is 27.2 mm diameter so is the Bomber 30.0 mm or one of the other sizes listed here on the Thompson web site?
http://bikethomson.com/seatposts/elite/

No USA distributor for the Stealth brakes?  Hmmm, yet White Brothers Forks are made in Colorado?
http://www.mountainracingproducts.com/white-brothers/about-white-brothers/

-Jim

Voicecoils

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May 18, 2011, 1:06:44 PM5/18/11
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The forks and brake manufactures have no connection to each other so no reason they'd both be in one place.

Seatpost is bigger then 30mm, I think 30.9 or 31.6. A quick email or call to Stealth can confirm. Or a current owner can throw calipers on theirs.

I've seen one Bomber owner with the Crank Bro Joplin height adjustable seatpost and it only comes in those 2 sizes.

Cheers, Abraham

Sent from my iPhone
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Jim_Kirk

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May 18, 2011, 2:02:25 PM5/18/11
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Actual measured diameter of seatpost would be helpful.  Anyone?

Model of Gatorbrake and link would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

Paul_G

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May 18, 2011, 2:26:15 PM5/18/11
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Gator web site, all they have are 3 models from the web page....a 4, 6. and 8 piston

Stealth offers the 6 and 8 piston 



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Jim_Kirk

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May 18, 2011, 4:44:05 PM5/18/11
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FYI,
    "Disc Brake Installation and Service Manual-6 Piston"

http://www.gatorbrake.eu/downloads/Manual%206%20Piston.pdf

     Part number for disk brake pads for 6 Piston:  FCA14 Front and Rear (pg 38 of Manual)
     Rotor sizes: 170 mm/150 mm [Can someone measure your Bomber rotor dia and tell me if this is what you actually have]

Buy a complete replacement Rotor/Brake system here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160510328077

-Jim

John_W

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May 18, 2011, 6:04:32 PM5/18/11
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Seat post is 31.5mm measured.

Paul_G

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May 18, 2011, 6:19:59 PM5/18/11
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My Rotors are stamped 203 and measure 8" 

Paul G


Jérôme Daoust

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May 18, 2011, 6:32:26 PM5/18/11
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On May 18, 3:19 pm, Paul_G <pgr...@gmail.com> wrote:
> My Rotors are stamped 203 and measure 8"

So exact same rotor front and back?

Is there something to provide a higher ratio of braking power to the
front?
That's the case with most motorcycles (2 disks in front, 1 in the back
or smaller).
Maybe different size cylinders at the brake levers?

Paul_G

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May 18, 2011, 6:42:06 PM5/18/11
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I found a picture of the rotors, it looks to be the same or very close.


I went with the stock 6 pistons and the rear will lock ez enough and I think I could do a stopie if I had the balls :)  


So if you feel you want more add on the 8 pistons.

Jim_Kirk

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May 18, 2011, 7:35:16 PM5/18/11
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Kepler,
    There are two standard seatpost diameter sizes per the Thomson web site under the sizes tab:
http://bikethomson.com/seatposts/elite/

    31.6 mm is the size Thomson lists with the most lengths and 31.4 mm is the other length listed only once.  Do you think your measurement is really 31.6mm?

-Jim

remf

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May 18, 2011, 8:15:14 PM5/18/11
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Hi Jim, congratulations on your purchase...Jérôme too !!!

I think these are the ones you need...though not sure if there's any difference between 6 & 8 pot pads. Rotors are 203mm front & rear from memory.

Kepler

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May 18, 2011, 8:23:14 PM5/18/11
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I will re measure when I get home. I used a digital caliper but I
might have not zero'ed it. 30.6mm does seem the most likely.

Kepler

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May 18, 2011, 8:35:27 PM5/18/11
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I find the brake balance fine. Stopping power and feel are both great.

Worth mentioning that the brakes use a mineral oil rather then brake
fluid. Its worth learning how to bleed the brakes too as attention to
detail makes a difference in relation to brake feel. When I first
started riding mine, I would have a higher lever on the second pump. I
did about 5 bleed cycles on each brake and now they are super
consistent. You need get the right mineral oil though. Don't buy the
stuff from bike shops. Way too expensive. Older European cars use the
correct mineral oil in their clutches. I will get an exact name and
viscosity off the the bottle tonight if anyone is interested.

remf

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May 18, 2011, 8:41:30 PM5/18/11
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Thanks Kepler...mine will need to be bled soon.

From the manual:

DO NOT USE D.O.T. 3 or 4 brake fluid in this system. Doing so may result in damaging the seals and cause the brakes to fail.

Jim_Kirk

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May 18, 2011, 9:22:22 PM5/18/11
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Voicecoils

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May 19, 2011, 12:19:34 AM5/19/11
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Differentiated braking is uncommon on mountain bikes.

Occasionally a 1" smaller diameter rotor is used on the rear but the argument is generally for weight savings rather than performance. I've used 160mm, 180mm and 203mm rotors on bikes but always with the same front and rear. Matching levers and calipers too.

Of course the majority of possible stopping power comes the front since mass shifts forward as you decelerate which unweights the rear, but when riding off road both brakes are very important to maintain control over loose & unpredictable surfaces.

Most MTBs have either 2 pot or 4 pot brakes. The Stealth calipers are far heavier duty than most, with 6 or 8 pots. The Stealth's master cylinders are the same front and rear for both brake options. If you don't want to lock up the rear, font pull the lever too hard.

An interesting aside: On MTBs I brake with 1 or 2 fingers as do most riders. When I took my motorcycle license course I was taught to use all 4 fingers always on the front brake lever.

Cheers, Abraham
(in rainy Jerome, Arizona at the moment)

Sent from my iPad

Kepler

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May 19, 2011, 2:02:21 AM5/19/11
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Yes that looks good. About the same price I paid too.

On May 19, 11:22 am, Jim_Kirk <jim.kirk...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Kepler,
> This looks pretty reasonable. What do you think?http://www.amazon.com/Finish-Line-Performance-Mineral-Bottle/dp/B000N...
>
> -Jim

Paul_G

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May 19, 2011, 3:45:15 AM5/19/11
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That can't be the correct pads, mine are dbl the width and shaped far diff, length like two of those stuck side by side but curved like the rotor from what I can see of them. And they are thick pads unlike a normal bike pad. They look like you will get a lot of miles out of them.

Paul G

Jim_Kirk

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May 19, 2011, 7:58:20 AM5/19/11
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I've had the Seatpost diameter and rotor size of the Bomber confirmed by Jerry Solomon of Ashland Electric Bikes [sells the Stealth].
http://www.ashlandelectricbikes.com/

Seat Post diameter: 31.6 mm
Rotor diameter: 203 mm

If you'd like to change your riding position to slightly forward or slightly backwards you can purchase the Thomson setback seatpost [use it either set backwards or forwards].  Has a nice protractor to tell you the seat angle inclination and is very easy to adjust the angle in 1-2 degree increments and is a very repeatable setting.  Nice circular grooving on the seatpost so slippage in the seatpost tube is virtually eliminated.
http://bikethomson.com/seatposts/elite/

I use the Thomson setback seatpost on my Opti in a "setforward" position so I am closer to the handlebars.  I may try this on the Stealth after I get some experience with the as delivered seatpost arrangement.  Alas, seatposts, seats, and seat position are just like pedals.  Everyone has their own opinion on what works best. :) :)  So, add a setback seatpost to your personal knowledge base if you ever need it.

http://www.jakirk.com/850XLi_1/RohloffInstall/content/_4837177486_large.html

-Jim

Paul_G

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May 19, 2011, 8:14:18 AM5/19/11
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Jerry has responded to questions I had in private and is a welcome addition to the group.

Jim I think you will find that you move the seat back, not forward or leave it as is. It is far closer to the bars than the Optibike.


The advantage with a Bomber is that you can run over small cars and not bottom out with 13.5" of clearance but the downside is that I have a problem touching the ground so I was thinking of a seat post that can drop 5" with a control on the bars. My one question is if I can cut off the excess that may be sticking out the bottom.

Paul G

Voicecoils

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May 19, 2011, 6:57:09 PM5/19/11
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I've just bought the crank brothers Joplin 4 with remote. 4" drop I believe and comes highly rated. 

There's nothing that can be chopped off the bottom without damaging it. I can show it to you if we get the chance to meet up in NYC Paul as I bought it in Portland last week.

Cheers, Abraham

Sent from my iPad

Paul_G

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May 20, 2011, 3:53:25 AM5/20/11
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That would be cool but I have no Optibike for you to use as I sold it, but maybe I can take a spin out to Brooklyn where you will be staying and bring my charger as the new battery didn't come in yet and range is limited.  

Paul G

Paul_G

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May 20, 2011, 7:44:28 AM5/20/11
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I they all seem to be 380-460 mm or 15" in length for the shortest. I measured the distance from where mine is set now to the rear spring of the shock (if it wasn't cut off) and its 15" without any shock compression. Thats cutting it close and I like to cut the extra off for looks but I would love to be able to drop a seat when needed.

Can you put a longer cable on it and run it through the frame? 

This would work well for peeps > 6' :)

Paul G
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