Machine Politics vs Beaver Boys, May 2011. Photo by Bruce Carver
Anyone playing on one of these? Any thoughts as to it's value as a polo bike?
Frame: 100% chromoly with double butted seat tube
Fork: 2000 RockShox SID XC, 80mm Travel
Headset: 1 1/8" Dia-Compe SX Aheadset
Handlebar: Easton EC90 MonkeyLite SL Riser Bar
Stem: Ritchey Pro
Grips: Redline Freaky-G flangeless
Brake Levers: Tektro MT1.0
Brakes: Tektro MT10 Linear Pull
Seat: Redline Racing
Seatpost: Redline Alloy Micro Adjust
Crank: Aluminum RaceFace Turbine LP w/38 Tooth Profile Racing Chainring
Bottom Bracket: Shimano XT (UN-72) Sealed Cartridge Bearing
Pedals: Redline Alloy Platform
Freewheel: 18 tooth ACS CLAWS
Rims: Alex DH19 w/eyelets
Tires: Ritchey Tom Slick Pro 26 x 1.4"
one downside is that the 5 hole is big.
upside is that you can reach under with a mallet
might want to switch out that squishy fork for a rigid one, though.
definitely
also, I would get some polo wheels built or find some others right away and keep these as spares for another bike or sell em. same thing with the crank, although i did run 180's for a while.
I <3 my monocog.
Are you buying it complete? Complete might be a good deal if and only if you don't have access to a good stash of used MTB parts. Otherwise, as I'm sure you know, most of those parts that come on a complete build won't stand to the abuse of one season of polo.
I'd look around craigslist for a used frame and fork. I see monocogs often on MPLS craigslist a lot. Scan Madison's and Minneapolis'.
This was my back up option if I hadn't found the Surly 1x1. A steel single speed frame with disc brake tabs is a very versatile frame. You can put a new fork to tighten things up a littel bit too. Five hole on mountain bikes will always be trouble as far as I can tell, but can be mitigated if you feel like running a lower rake fork and big tires.
I read on mtbr.com that the headsets for that bike were crap- lots of failures. When you ditch the SID you should put a cane creek or somesuch in at the same time.
Dan, seriously.
Go king, or go home.
HA!
you've seen my blingMachine. You know I roll fancyPants. 5 bikes in my quiver, all 5 rock CK jewelry.
I'm just assuming OP doesn't want to spend fat stacks in absurd fashion like some of us.
/your Portland is showing.
I have a monocog 26" fork that has never been mounted if you end up wanting one. It's a beefy fork with v-brake and disc options.
There's a guy here in Oly who got the 29er version with a rigid fork and it is workin out great for him right now, got a pretty sweet 'too long on the shop floor' deal on it for like 250 or 300 dollars and for that price, you really can't beat it. the 5 hole isn't bigger than my 1x1 and it's still holding up after 6 months of a big motherfucker playing like Rory on speed and ketamine on the thing. His wheel got taco'd pretty quick though, i'd take Robo's advice and keep em for some backup. On a side note, when building wheels for polo, I've found a 1x racelace pattern holds up extremely well. fairly light and with a lot of lateral strength. Some would argue that it doesn't provide as much torque transfer from hub to pavement but I haven't had a problem. *tangent*
I ditched this idea and bought an All City Dropout...great decision thus far!
i was looking at the monocog before i picked up my jamis exile 26". daniel from new orleans has the 29" version and likes it, last i spoke with him. if the price is right and it's a good fit, i'd pick it up. from what i've experienced on craigslist and ebay, they sell fast. one downside is that the 5 hole is big. the geometry seems to be very much like the exile, which in my opinion handles great; very nimble yet stable. might want to switch out that squishy fork for a rigid one, though. also, 38x18 is not the best gear for polo. good starting point, though.
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carve. smash. eat shit.