Cannondaleriders

I was thinking about replacing my steering stem. My Local Dealer tells me that they help reduce bump steer by lowering the tie-rod mounting point on the stem. Can anyone confirm this? Id like to get one of it will actually make a difference in the handling. Which brands work well with the stock a-arms?

Arens designed the stock stems, I would get a Houser if you want an aftermarket.

Lowering the "frog" (tie rod mount on the stem) will alter the toe curve - won't really reduce bump steer, but it will put the bump steer in a different area of the suspension travel.

If memory serves me right, on a 2002 Cannondale most of the toe curve change happens at the top of the suspension travel.

I think the 2003's have been set closer to how Honda has thiers.

This will also benefit the quad by allowing more suspension travel before the tie rods bind into the frame.

Not sure you can lower the "frog" much on a 2002 due to the steering stem lower mount tower on the frame - I'd have to go and look at it...

I would go with Houser... $210 for the stem and $270 for the stem w/ clamps. + they redesigned the tie rod mount so that the tie rods won't hit the frame.

I have heard the houser is the way to go. Also don't waste your time with the arens.

Arens also makes a replacement stem for the CDale that lowers the tie rod plate and reduces bump steer. Also, it's cheaper than the others, and you know it will fit right because they make them for the factory.

ATC250R,

Just a FYI, lowering the tie rod plate does reduce bump steer. You are partially correct in that if the plate is lowered too much you start to get toe out in the top/middle part of the stroke which is where you spend most of the time. This is bad and hurts stability big time. When looking at the '03 stem we really tried to reduce bump steer as much as we could without getting too much toe out in jounce. On the '02 a lot of people liked to run zero toe. With the '03 people will probobly find at least 1/8" toe in works better than zero toe. Lowering the tie rod plate also slightly increases the ackermann which helps it to turn in a little better.

You should know this JNINE we talked about it quite a few times

Hello again:

I like to run 1/8" toe in if possible. I think that helps keep the front end from wandering around a little bit. Maybe it's just an old habit. I'm not really sure if I agree with the ackerman steering effect for a quad. I know the car guys like to run that, but we're not talking cars or in most cases hard surfaces. I want both wheels to dig in hard and turn, and help me get around the corner, especially on a track with deep ruts in the corners, but I think this would apply to the sand as well. The ackerman setup will often want to take different tracks through the ruts, and the outside wheel will want to climb over the rut or berm.. Remember, with the ackerman steering effect the cars guys run they also have a steering ratio for amount of wheel turned to amount of steering wheel movement. That's OK with a steering wheel, but In ATVs we have a direct link to the steering components. I definitely want my bars to point me exactly where I want to go. In fact, this is one big reason the Dirt Wheels magazine guys didn't really care for the Polaris. The amount of bar movement was not equal to the amount of turn produced at the wheel. Bar movement was over exagerated and it didn't feel comfortable to them. By the way, I did check out a Polaris pretty thoroughly last weekend. I was really thinking it would be quite a bit better than it was. They've got brackets and tabs EVERYWHERE! No wonder it weighs 500 lbs! Also, I know they put a lot of time into the front end, but to tell you the truth I don't care for it, and it's got a LOT of rather heavy parts. It also has a **** of a lot of rod ends to replace. Controls were all comfortable, but the plastic layout had not just one or two odd cuts and areas that would be a problem, but LOTS of them in areas that you can't see from the photos. Weld & Fab quality was about the same as a 400EX, which in my opinion is pretty poor. I really was expecting better from a company that's been in the business for a while. From looking at it I really question who did the test riding. They certainly have a LONG way to go.

JNINE,

BTW it's me Paul. One thing to remember about ackermann is that the more paralell steer you have the harder it is to turn, because the tires want to scrub. You don't want too much ackermann because it starts to get too sensitive and twitchy. Did you get my latest e-mail? Give me a shout.

I thought that was you! At first I thought, Boy this guy is bright and he thinks of everything!!! I was right!

As for the tire scrub, you are right, but do you think it makes much difference on dirt? That would be an interesting concept to test..... Or maybe you already have.....

I didn't get any email from you recently by the way.

JA