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@snoops
Todd id right, but I do think changing your bike set-up can improve your game.
John, before you plan a whole new bike, I would urge you to try setting your bike up differently. I think I know what you want to change about your game (and therefore your bike) from chats beside the court. I would recommend raising your saddle, change to an in-line seat post and put the seat forward, lengthen your stem and drop your bars, change tyres to 32c slicks, and then play like that for at least 2 months.
That will increase your speed, reduce the perceived length of your bike allowing you to play further around the front (no-one really plays much around the back of their bikes, apart from Todd).
You can probably borrow/buy for beer parts from other players to try that out, and your bike will feel like a new bike. AFAIC I only started playing polo properly after Greifmasters this year when I raised my saddle and dropped my bars.
I don't think we should ignore the desire to build new bikes and work on bikes. One of the differences between London scene and all others in europe is that we came together via a bike forum; we already have the desire to build and work on bikes. I was chatting to Benji a few days ago, a player we met in Bordeaux, who was saying that he hadn't ridden a bike for years before he played polo. A lot of the players he knows in france don't have the focus we have on equipment. I'm not saying we are right or wrong, but when you are not aware of all the different frames and parts and gear ratios available you focus on playing the best game you can on the bike you know. Obviously down the line these players realise they are riding a piece of shit and upgrade (look at Paul from CMD now on 26 Riding in Circles) but the time they spent on one bike gave them an opportunity to develop their positional game, mallet skills, speed, composure, etc etc etc. Instead we are focussing on getting the equipment right which hopefully will lead to the rest. It won't.