Machine Politics vs Beaver Boys, May 2011. Photo by Bruce Carver
Northern Standard's Web Site is up and running. These are the same shafts that the world Champions use. They are light and strong 7075 t6 aluminum. Check back there soon for new products in the works!
http://nsbikepolo.com/
Pete,
We actually made quite a radical re-design and then realized that it lost the essence of what we were trying to create. We have since gone back to the 'original' design... which I think you've seen yes/no? We took all the feedback we received and put it into making the v2 lighter, stronger and more playable. Unfortunately our designer has been busy with some personal projects so we have been slow to get the 3D and tooling work done. Expect to have your mind blown this spring!
I saw it at NAs in Calgary. It looked great and was very lightweight. Leon used both kinds of heads (nylon/pe) and broke em in a game against my team. I got hit in the face by a piece of a genuine Northern Standard prototype. I was honored! The concave middle section and the honeycomb structure do wonders for the weight, but I'm not sure about the strength after seeing em exploding. I'm curious about how you're going to make it both lighter AND stronger. Different material? I'd imagine that you're ditching the sheath around the shaft for mounting to cut weight, but I'm no engineer. I think Eighth Inch had an interesting idea with a half sheath design for their new mallet heads. There are some pictures here: http://eighthinch.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/new-pro-model-polo-mallets-ar... - I think that the sheath (the part that the shaft slides into) could even be a little smaller to save weight.
The one problem with having a sheath (and maybe with making a high-tech mallet head to begin with) is that it makes it very difficult to offset your shaft placement (or shaft angle) in your mallet head. I like having a short end and a long end on my mallet head for a couple reasons that I won't mention here. I'm sure that the vast majority of folks use centered mallet heads so that's why should be catered to and I'll probably make the switch if the heads are as awesome as I expect them to be.
Pete,
I've seen the Eighth Inch heads and I think they have done some great things to improve on their original design. I'm really curious to see how the polo-verse reacts to the "cheater" design.
As for ours, we still have the sheath design - for the most part but are working on ways to reduce the bulk/weight. It looks like we have found a solution to maintain the honeycomb and not have the heads explode on contact... learning curve.
As for the off-set conversation... we're looking into it ;)
Thanks for the support Pete!
Soon we will be priced out of polo and shut out of pick up games or lock out, in less we have the right knickers. Are we the NBA or the NAH, NAHBPA, WHBPC
huh?
I humbly request that anyone selling bike polo knickers get in touch with me immediately.
I want to buy two pair.
No to polo Lock out. Yes to Northern Standard!
Joel you would ruin all my corporate fun! Good spirit though, polo at all costs that’s what I say. I think I’ll go back to my driftwood hardtop polo mallet of 12 years ago. I will look into those polo knickers for you. As for the rest of you hardcore polo wacko's you might be able to have more fun and get bloodier with the new Fangled mallets. Play on!
The mallet head is getting completely redesigned, yeah? Any idea what it's going to look like yet?
Pro-friendly bike polo!