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Submitted by
Tom Dibley
a Weekend Warrior
from Southampton, UK Date Reviewed: December 7, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Tunnel - Santa Barbara | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$21.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Wagon | | Strengths: | Stiff - outstanding beauty - rare - should cost a fortune | | Weaknesses: | Bit heavy, but it ain't suposed to be a light weight | | Similar Products Used: | A few B-52's, Azonic ORC, Azonic Shorty, Syncros, Specialized, Azonic 0 degree. | | Bike Setup: | Yeti - always a yeti...many of them one hopes | | Bottom Line: | I bought one of these at full retail of £115 (that's $200) in the UK about 4 or so years ago. I loved it and it loved being ridden hard on my Foes FXR. I had that bike stollen over a year ago now but found another silver one on eBay for about £30. I grabbed it. It's a 60mm and is perfect on my trail bike. I was surfing eBay the other day and Bikewagon in the States are selling them for around $25 so I bought a 40mm black one for my Yeti Dirt Jumper and a 75mm one for...er...don't know, but you can't get them int he shops anymore so I'm buying one everytime I see one for sale. They're awesome!!!!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steini
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth, W.A., Australia Date Reviewed: February 7, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | urban streets | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$12.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | stiff,no flex,design,fit and forget...indistructable. | | Weaknesses: | none... | | Similar Products Used: | specialized moebius,various others | | Bike Setup: | Avanti "Montari Disc" Frame,On-One "Inbred" Rigid Forks,KORE B52 Downhill Stem,Armor Hydr.Disc Brakes 7" front and 6" rear,SRAM X.9 Derailleur and Trigger Shifters,Velocity VXC Disc Wheelset,FSA Orbit Headset,Specialzed Fatboys,11-25 Road Cassette 105,Deore Hollowtech Cranks,M520 Pedals,WTB "Rocket V" Saddle,BBB 1" Riser Bars... | | Bottom Line: | This Is It.
I bought the first stem on eBay for $12,which is just insane,this is the best stem i've ever tried. I ride a lot,i'm one of those bicycle courier guys,who ride around Perth in up to 40 Deg.Celsius Heat,delivering stuff in a city which totally designed for cars... and the last thing i want is dodgy equipment,when i jump up and down curbs and manoeuvre through traffic...this thing doesn't flex or move at all.
There might be weight weenies,for whom the B52 is to heavy and i guess it comes down to what you use your bike for... but i don't think i'll ever use something else again.
I've just bought a second one for $20(!),a bit shorter to fit another frame...
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RAZE J
a Downhiller
from COLORADO Date Reviewed: April 2, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | too many to list | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Stupid stiff! | | Weaknesses: | forget about it | | Similar Products Used: | azonic tompson | | Bottom Line: | This stem is everything Kore says it is and more.Mine is 60mm in black. What a piece of art! Will buy another. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ronnie
a Downhiller
from Valparaiso, In Date Reviewed: December 16, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Freeride,telecom | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Brian's | | Strengths: | S-T-I-F-F, forget about any other stems. You aint gonna flex or break this one | | Weaknesses: | ya right | | Similar Products Used: | Thomson, azonic | | Bike Setup: | Foes fully tilt! | | Bottom Line: | I have had the Kore B52 60mm stem for over two years. I tied some other stems lately because they were cheaper in price for my other bikes. No thanks, the others slip, I will still pay the 120 bucks for another kore B52. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Johnny Thunder
a Downhiller
from Auburn, CA USA Date Reviewed: November 15, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Urban/ dirt jumps | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Never have to think about it. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Thompson, Easton, Kore | | Bike Setup: | Surley Instigator | | Bottom Line: | I built this bike up with mostly spare parts from the garage as my beater bike to save my Ellsworth from some abuse. Since then, I have had so much fun on the Surley that the ID has remained in the garage. The stem was an obvious steal on Ebay and has done just what it should- remained invisble while on the bike--it doesn't make you think about it. Top notch! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
james homerrown
a Downhiller
from culver city Date Reviewed: November 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | W H E E L W O R L D . C O M | | Strengths: | the strongest stem i've ever used. sssstttttiiiiffffffffff! | | Weaknesses: | weight... only if ur a gram counter | | Similar Products Used: | shorty deluxe | | Bike Setup: | 01 kona stinky primo/02 monster t/michelin 2.8 f & r | | Bottom Line: | if ur tired of stems that flex or creek or break, this is the last stem u will ever need to buy | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob B.
a Downhiller
from Cedar Hills, Utah Date Reviewed: October 31, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Blasters, Slickrock | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Stiff, Strong, holds bars tight. holds fork tight, no stickers for logos. | | Weaknesses: | wish it were cheaper. I would like to buy another | | Similar Products Used: | Thomson | | Bike Setup: | KHS dom | | Bottom Line: | my thomson kept slipping. So i bought the Kore because of their great reveiws. Glad I did, no problems at all. this is how it should be. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
randy
a Weekend Warrior
from New York Date Reviewed: October 8, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | urban streets, Blasters single | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Have you seen it? Sick Strong! | | Weaknesses: | What? | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is this. I use a downhill stem on my bike cause I am battling cars 90% of my time on my bike. You see I am a delivery dude with a mean vengence for the motor type! I dont need a failure diving into a rut or curb on these mean streets of NY. Oh ya I even hit the single track with my bike whenever I can. I have had allot more than one stem before, snapped bars and crank arms, but this kore b52 holds up to anything. You rock kore!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Downhiller
from Los Angeles Date Reviewed: August 8, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | anything local, Moeb, | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay.com | | Strengths: | Have you seen it? Then you would know! INdestructable!! | | Weaknesses: | Nada | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic shorty | | Bike Setup: | KHS Dom with all the goodies | | Bottom Line: | I stole this stem on Ebay for $45, thats less than 1/2 price. It is 75mm x 7 deg in silver with black paint filled logos. I guess Kore had an overstock on these sizes, but it was just what I needed.
I would not buy any other stem from here on out. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Concord, MA, USA! Date Reviewed: July 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | www.ebay.com | | Strengths: | Strong | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Sraight 6" | | Bottom Line: | I love this steam. It's nuke proof. I can't complain about the price either...got it on eBay for $30.00.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Victor M
a Downhiller
from Pasadena, Ca. Date Reviewed: March 30, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | everything local | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Strengths: | Stupid strong! | | Weaknesses: | You kidd'n me | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic | | Bottom Line: | This is it, Never need another. Bought over 2 years ago and it still delivers the same performance as day one. Could not say that about my other stem. I have a Kore elit stem , I think about 100mm long on my freeride bike, its sweet too Kore keep up the killer parts!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a
from OC,CA Date Reviewed: December 14, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Ortega | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Bombproff | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Stock stem, Azonic | | Bike Setup: | My old rad san andreas, with updated rock shoxs | | Bottom Line: | The last guy below stripped the thread out? How can you do that on this stem? I have had this stem for more than three years and taken it off several times with no problems.
You should send it to Kore and next time get a torque rating for the bolt. Remember its aluminum not steel.
I would definetly buy another. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Sexton
a Downhiller
from London Date Reviewed: September 3, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Hampstead North Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Armstrong Bike Dock mailorder | | Strengths: | Looks the business, and appears to be very strong. Good design and ergonomics. | | Weaknesses: | Threads went where it grips my forks. It's holding on by one screw which I guess will go soon. | | Similar Products Used: | none. This stem replaced my factory x country stem on my M2. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stump Jumper M2, XT groupset, Manitou SXR fork, HS33s, D521s, Monkey Bar, S4 seat pin, titanium jump seat. | | Bottom Line: | Shame Kore. Guess I'll buy a GoldTech stubby at 45 quid as I really like the design but will not fork out for soft alu. threaded kit, despite its good looks. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy Philips
a Downhiller
from Little Rock, Date Reviewed: August 22, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Jay dive | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Solid | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bike Setup: | Mountain cycle san andreas, Hanabrink ,kore b52, hayes DB,Kore double d's bar,sun wheels | | Bottom Line: | This stem rocks! Best stem I ever bought by far. I would never need to buy anything else. excellant construction with the logos cut right into the stem. thats sick! Mine's black at 60mm long. Love it to death!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
vic
a Downhiller
from l.a. c.a. usa Date Reviewed: August 20, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | big bear | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | friend | | Strengths: | the best steam i have ever tryed the strongest steam ever i will always buy it thats if it ever breaks which it wont | | Weaknesses: | nun so ever | | Similar Products Used: | nothin that comes close to it besides the other kore stems | | Bike Setup: | khs deomtrax with dnm mirage and strikly d handle bars which are strong and mr dirt crank shimono xtr deraler and fox vinila shocks on the rear with b52 | | Bottom Line: | if you dont want your steam to break on impacted and go to the hospital i strogly suggest you get the kore b52 it will save you the trip to hospital or to the dentest | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Ro
a Downhiller
from chicago, ill Date Reviewed: July 23, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Strengths: | Strong | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic | | Bottom Line: | Had a azonic shorty, good stem but had some flex with my 250ib,6-5 body. I heard that the Kore did not flex, so i bought one on line. very pleased that this stem is so solid. no flex at all and will probably out last my bike for sure. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rowan
a Downhiller
from England Date Reviewed: May 21, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | tescos supermarket..fruit and veg section | | Strengths: | Looks nice, very well made. Very stiff! | | Weaknesses: | Price.....white writing fulls out. Had mager stack and the thread on the stearer clamp striped. Can't help think if they bigger bolts like Bonty race stem that this would not happen. Have seen two kore stems where the thread has stripped on the clamps. And this has not been overtightened. Bolts rust as well. I think that the ally is too soft. Maybe it softed in the crash. But i have seen them from new do the same thing | | Similar Products Used: | Bonty...Easton. | | Bike Setup: | Stab...hope bits here and there...with a dash of marrzocchi sause | | Bottom Line: | Nice stem. Need to make bolts bigger and thread harder. Do something about the rusty bolts. Would i buy anther probalbaly not. Still nice while it lasted! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
vic h
a Downhiller
from l.a. cali, usa Date Reviewed: May 15, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | suvivant canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | kore | | Strengths: | every thing it is a very good stem for all kind of riding | | Weaknesses: | nothing | | Similar Products Used: | nothing yet | | Bike Setup: | intense m1 2000 | | Bottom Line: | best stem every really really strong and really light cant get any better | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Ruas
a Downhiller
from Lancaster, Ca Date Reviewed: May 3, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | anywere ata short distance away | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Big Bear race | | Strengths: | Need I mention? | | Weaknesses: | you kidding? | | Similar Products Used: | azonic shorty | | Bike Setup: | Foes | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is this: You need a stem that wont have you check'n in at the local hospital because your bars just flew away after that jump going into the berm-Then get the Kore B52 and forget about it PERIOD! Cheap Insurance!
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
trent
a Downhiller
from San Luis Obispo Date Reviewed: April 2, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Solid | | Weaknesses: | nothing | | Similar Products Used: | race face | | Bottom Line: | I bought the B52 knowing kore's reputation for fine parts and that this stem looked bullit proff. have pounded on it for over 2 years, have taken it off four times and cant find anything wrong with it. I would buy another. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Evergreen
a Weekend Warrior
from Hong Kong Date Reviewed: February 12, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Strengths: | Good looking | | Weaknesses: | very expensive I like to ask a question why it was found some hairly crack around the screw holes. I was no crash in this period. I am very disappointed. | | Bike Setup: | Trek VRX500, original factory setup | | Bottom Line: | I am not trust it anymore | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay Rivas
a
from Vegas Date Reviewed: January 29, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | $120.00 | | Strengths: | stiff, solid | | Weaknesses: | high price, but worth it | | Similar Products Used: | all of the short stems. Raceface before the B52 | | Bottom Line: | broke my raceface stem at the bolt hole, I know I paid too much for the B52 but I needed a stem fast and a good one that would last. This stem hasn't failed yet. Its so strong that I would even pay the $120 again if I had to. but I know they are out there cheaper. I wouldn't trade it for a stem that cost twice as much. This is it for good B52 or bust! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil Dawg wonton mofo
a
from cali san fransicko Date Reviewed: January 5, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | stiff and straight into the dark hole | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Strengths: | bomb proof, can survive a nuclear explosion and a nite downtown. u can tell it was made by professionals becuz it looks sick. its like superman except stronger... | | Bike Setup: | trek 8000-rhyno lites-chris king headset-cully pedals-xtr everything-MRP-manitou x-vert dc...its a sick jump bike and also great for dirt jumpin | | Bottom Line: | best stem on da market!!! cost a lil tooo much but thats ok | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wayne Gilbert
a Cross Country Rider
from Sterling Date Reviewed: January 2, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | You know the one | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUsa | | Strengths: | Unbreakable. No Flex. Looks cool. | | Weaknesses: | Weight. | | Similar Products Used: | Just about every stem out there | | Bike Setup: | Ellsworth Turth Xvert Super Forks Disc Breaks | | Bottom Line: | I weight 230 lbs. I want a bike that wont break. This stem wont break...ever. It only weights about 100 grams more then other regular stems. If I need to shave weight that bad I will shave it off myself first. If you dont mind a couple of extra grams and want something that will last longer then you...this is the stem to have. You will never never have to replace it. # chilies cause I paid so much for it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick Holten
a Downhiller
from Richfield Utah Date Reviewed: November 25, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Stiff!!! | | Weaknesses: | nothing | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic Shorty | | Bottom Line: | Tried them all. I would say the azonic shorty came the closest, but you can feel the stiffnest in the Kore B52 over the shorty. The b52 is what I have been looking for. Its killer looking and works the best. I cant even dent it in a fall!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jared Adams
a
from Arlington, VA USA Date Reviewed: September 28, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | The bowls in Manhattan, KS | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint.com | | Strengths: | It never flexes. Holds your bars like a vise. Looks killer. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Various Profile and Titec stuff. | | Bottom Line: | You don't have to break the bank to have the best stem on the market. Go to Price Point and spend no more than $55.00. Regardless, of the prices some people are paying for this stem, it's worth it. For any former 20in rider who knew of the power of the old GT block stem, this is its equivalent or better in the MTB world. I haven't touched one bolt on this stem in the six months since it was installed and unless I break my bars or steer tube, I never will. Five giddy-ups all around. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John McNeal
a Downhiller
from New Mexico Date Reviewed: July 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Solid! Its a machined piece of art. Its the strongest part on my bike. Expensive but worth it when you dont need any worries. | | Weaknesses: | nada | | Similar Products Used: | Raceface | | Bottom Line: | buy it, then thank me! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dominic
a Downhiller
from Great Northwest Date Reviewed: June 19, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Strong, pure downhill, hell a lot better than Shorty's | | Weaknesses: | For you people that paid $110 for it | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic Hammer; Shorty | | Bike Setup: | GT STS dh, Bad Betty 6", full xtr | | Bottom Line: | Best stem I've had, extremely sick looking with my Kore Strictly-D bar. I picked this one up used @ local bike shop for $50!!!!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill W
a Downhiller
from Durango Co Date Reviewed: May 16, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | anything Perg | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Put it on, shut up, sit down and ride! No worries with this stem. It seems Kore solved all the problems other stem companies have had. Ive thrashed this stem and I know its strong! Last stem you will need. | | Weaknesses: | You get what you payed for. | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic | | Bike Setup: | Intense/Hanibrink fork | | Bottom Line: | check it out before buying anything else | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
H
a Weekend Warrior
from London, UK Date Reviewed: May 5, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Nothing overly uphill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Strength Knee friendly (not particularly balls friendly though but probably better than a sticky-out clamp, if you're unfortunate enough to find out) Looks (for some) | | Weaknesses: | Price - this much for a piece of swiss cheese alloy? Holy ****, Kore has to be taking the yellow water. Weight - not for XCers and even us 'freeriders' have to think twice about this one | | Similar Products Used: | Shorty, Generic CNC stuff, Pace RC46... a lot, OK? | | Bike Setup: | Various, e.g this stem with Marzocchi JR-T fork on a hardtail, this stem with FR4 fork on a hardtail, and so forth | | Bottom Line: | This won't give up in a hurry. It's pretty much fit & forget.
The weight is noticeable, and the price tag is, well, someone at Kore is having a laugh.
If you like the name, go get it - it's unlikely to let you down.
UK buyers have an option - order direct from Goldtec, get something just as good (albeit with a really crappy logo, which , let's face it, is what some of us actually pay for) but save yourself a serious amount. Goldtec can be found on http://www.goldtec-cycles.co.uk/FRAMESET.htm and look for Stub Stem.
No I don't work for Goldtech :) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jimmy Carlsome
a Downhiller
from Montville, NJ Date Reviewed: May 4, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Brookes Back | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Bombproff | | Weaknesses: | price if you are low on cash! | | Bottom Line: | I pay'd $120 for this work of art. I bought the short 40mm and cant complain one bit. Its as stiff as it gets but because its holled out I think it cushions the ride. Its a weird feeling that I cant discribe, no flex but dampning the vibration-Its right on! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Downhiller
from San Diego, Ca Date Reviewed: April 6, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Ortega | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | I have the 60mm with zero deg rise. It not flexy like most stems, It dosent slip, no maintance required period. Its the only part on my bike I dont worry about!-STOUT | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic shorty | | Bottom Line: | check it out, then you will know why I bought it | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trevor
a Downhiller
from colorado springs,co Date Reviewed: January 25, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | U ain't gonna break this stem! solid chunk of alloy carved out to perfection. kore is cut into the metal so it wont scratch off. no flex period | | Bottom Line: | see strenghts listed. buy it, you cant go wrong at $120 | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John P.
a Downhiller
from Portland, Maine Date Reviewed: January 19, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Sunday River DH | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Stiff Easy to change handlebars | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Karpiel Disco Volante w/ the usual DH goodies | | Bottom Line: | It's pretty hard to screw up a piece of equipment this basic. The B-52 is light but strong, and holds my handlebar just fine. I think the true measure of a good stem is if you don't ever notice it's there.
The price is a little shocking though - $150 for a chunk of aluminum? Maybe there's something I don't know about machining, but I've seen very few other bike parts on the market that appear this simple but cost so much. I probably would never have paid that kind of dough for the stem as an aftermarket purchase, but it came with my used bike, and I'm very happy with it's performance. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gray Johnson
a Weekend Warrior
from Saratoga, Ca Date Reviewed: January 2, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | anything Marin | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | SOLID | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic | | Bike Setup: | Intense, Hanibrink | | Bottom Line: | This is the best stem ever. Bullet proof. It gives me the solid feel when decending at high speeds. great product! | Overall Rating: |
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