Polo Bikes

http://www.lfgss.com/thread73921.html

Thought I'd stick this in here. Seems like a good forum collab.

I sent a wheelset back to him because it was made of cheese. I've kept quiet about it because he's a nice bloke and he took them back no question, but obviously wanted to share this with my polo brothers and sisters.

They were Quando hubs on Weinnman rims.
The hub appeared to squash under the pressure of the lockring, pushing the bearings on to the axle so it didn't spin. Obviously this won't be a problem with freewheels but clearly a hub shouldn't do this and is a fair indication of the quality.
Citygent can verify this as I asked him for a second opinion as he's very knowledgeable.

The welds on the rims were mis-aligned, badly on the second replacement pair he sent. This caused horrible braking with callipers on the front wheel and jolted the bike forward every time the weld passed the brake blocks.

These are different hubs though so might be fine but are the same brand and supplier.

Jim is a top notch bloke, but I Just thought you should know.

My experience with Quando hubs is entirely negative.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Steel-Single-Speed-Fixie-Bike-Frame-Forks-51cm-Red-/160649660786?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DDLSL%252BSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BUA%26otn%3D10%26pmod%3D150660658393%252B150660658393%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D3537548143837192221#ht_2181wt_1060

was going to say, pompetamine is probably much better bet. when you add UK postage and probable tax and customs. second frameset you posted looks like the usual scafold tubing badly welded variety, you can get that sort of thing as a full bike for not much more.

I had a Quando wheelset before I got the 48s rolling and they were fantastic, Tom Lemon has them now and they're still going strong...

hey guys would it be a good idea to base a frame on this? (i would say a 430 model but it says foot overlap will occur) and also whats the perfect trial number? 6. something?

I think perfect trail was 64mm

^^^^^

Cheers Joni, it's always good to get a whole opinion on these things (and Tim) I thought similarly of Quando, which is why I haven't got a pair of Varno's wheels before. I'm going to get a pair, and I hope that they are really good and lots of other people do as well, because it would help the LHBPA? and I'll have a well priced strong wheelset!

Although the product was suspect. it'#s good to here that Varno was really helpful/good about the whole thing. I just like that it's a forum product aimed at people on the forum.

I had a Quando wheelset before I got the 48s rolling and they were fantastic, Tom Lemon has them now and they're still going strong...

Are they Quando? I thought they were something else, but yes, still going strong.

I think less than a 54cm top tube, assuming 26" wheel 170 crank and close to 74HTA 30 rake, will give toe overlap from my messings around on cad.

Snoops, any chance to see your new bike finished?
do you have any pics?

yep I think I have a pic from Bordeaux. Will fish it out later

I think less than a 54cm top tube, assuming 26" wheel 170 crank and close to 74HTA 30 rake, will give toe overlap from my messings around on cad.

ok thanks, i will be using 160 cranks and spd's so hopefully no toe overlap

Thinking of getting the Middleburn RS7 cranks and fitting their Uno ring. Can you fit their trials bash guard on the cranks as well as the chainring?

Nope, all the rings/guards attach in a similar way, you'd need a double spider mounted on the arm and then a different ring/guard combo. Or you could go with the combined Middleburn trials bash/ring but the sizes are tiny (22t, etc). The uno is a lightweight single chainring that mounts to the arm directly and uses no allen bolts, etc.

^Would the uno ring stand up to polo without the bashguard though?

It's small and tough, but may not endure repeated whacks from a mallet, time will tell, I plan on using an uno and then working something else out if it's not burly enough.

Wheel update for you all.

700c 48 spoke wheels
Built with Quando hubs, 13 gauge (thick spokes) Rigida Sputnik rims (from Jono)
Will be available very soon.

Also
26" 36 spoke wheels
Built with double thickness 25mm section rims, possible 13 gauge spokes large flange hubs.
Will be available very soon.

Jim

Price Jim? I think I saw in another thread you mentioned around £120 for a pair? Sorry if it's a price I have made up from nothing.

Maija has the baby joust - 43cm.. I like it!

Yes mate...approx.

Price Jim? I think I saw in another thread you mentioned around £120 for a pair? Sorry if it's a price I have made up from nothing.

I asked Giorgio from Mister X about some changes to the original geometry or their frames.

It was suggested that the rear end is too slack and when I suggested shorter chanistays he said:

"I'm not really convinced to shorten the chainstays and get them to
355/360, this for two reasons:
1) By doing that you would not be able to put more tires than 1.5'',
means that you have limits on the choice of tires
2) Most importantly the rear of the frame becomes more compact. This
means you lose stability. Now with 375mm it's very reactive but
remains balanced.

The distance between the rear wheel axle and the bottom bracket[SIC] is
960mm: it's already very compact."

What he says makes alot of sense and I'm tempted to take his advice. What's the axle to axle length of the 14?

I agree with him. 375 is pretty short already.

If they're worried about stability, why the extra high BB?

my chainstays are 380mm and axle to axle is 920mm.

are the Mister X bikes 26"?