Kore

[Lars Kroll]

Hi
I have a weakness for Kore components, but I`m afraid They don`t deserve my weakness? When I started mountain biking in the early 90ès, almost all of the cool bikes in the magazines had Kore parts (mostly Kore stems). Back then I couldn`t afford Kore parts, now that I can I have bought Kore riserbars, stems, seatposts, pedals and skewers. I can`t complain about the riserbar, but the screws in my stem is always rusting, and on one pair I couldn`t replace the screws without ruining the holes, my seatpost is loosing colour after half a season, so is my pedals and in addition to that, I constantly have to lubricate them, so they`ll turn and stay quiet at the same time - and don`t even mention the skewers ability to hold my wheels in place.
Have I been unlucky or is there anybody out there with similar experiences? I`ve decided to keep my Kore parts through the Danish winter and then go for another brand for 2008.

[bitterfish26]

i did have kore pedals which i did not need to grase at all and i had them for just about 2 seasons untill i got some wellgo b27's and then two new sets of cranks bro's 50/50's so i would say its just bad luck

[cMc]

Kore used to be the shiznit but they've been surpassed (long since) by other brands. For stems & posts, Thomson Elite is what you want. Or American Classic, if you can get them... nice posts.

For QR's, can't go wrong with Salsa.

[mimbresman]

I bought a used Litespeed last year and it has a Kore stem and seat post. I haven't had any noticable rusting on the stem bolts last I checked. Like CMC said, I am probably going swap these out eventually with a Thomson seat post and some other type of stem. (Ritchey?...WTB?...Koski?...something with snazz appeal regardless). My Litespeed is a travel bike so I like to keep the parts light therefore the Kore seat post is somewhat appealling, but I'm a big guy too, so I like strong, bomber stuff too. I like the one piece machined design of the Thomson. Just a better design.
QR levers. I have a set of titanium Salsas I had since the early 90's on my Merlin. The sales clerk smirked when I shelled out the extra coin for them, but I figure I've got my money's worth out of them after 14 or 15 years of use.
I think the Kore stuff is somewhat dated.

[mcstark]

I too lusted after Kore parts during the very early 90's, but I slowly learned the errs of my weight-weenie ways. I had a standard wreck -- nothing mind blowing, just a normal tumble -- and the bar crimped at the bar end clamp. It was then and there that I decided a 105 gram bar wasn't worth getting hurt over.

So now I ride the 120-130 gram bars and I'm fine with that. As a side benefit the slightly heavier parts are cheaper too! The best of both worlds in my book.

[rfritz]

I just worked on a department store bike that had what I thought was a "Kore" seatpost, as the logo was very similar. Upon closer inspection I saw that it was a "Kook". Somewhat fitting.....

[cMc]

I just worked on a department store bike that had what I thought was a "Kore" seatpost, as the logo was very similar. Upon closer inspection I saw that it was a "Kook". Somewhat fitting.....

Maybe it was an old Kooka with the "a" scuffed off?

[mimbresman]

Hey Lars,
I just assembled my Litespeed on Friday (it had been in its travel case since August 21). I had to take notice of the bolts on the Kore stem. Sure enough they are rusted. I guess the bolts they used were chrome plated steel. I'll probably be buying a new stem sometime, but its way down the list...new wheels first. I don't really like the way this one looks. It works fine, but just too bulky looking.
MM

[bitterfish26]

i have bought a set of kore pedals at the LBS and also a new kore DH stem.... seems solid and the bolts on the stem are aluminum... so i think the rust problem is solved...will post more after the first few rides