Polo eBay finds/marketplace

Sweet. 1/3 of the way to a new bike..

Although Paris (now Boston) Nick said he was told Karate Monkeys make bad polo bikes. I would agree with this with stock forks, but tightening up the front end, getting a better trail and shortening the wheelbase (which is already fairly similar to a Pompino) would, I imagine, make up for most of the issues.

Anyone have any reasons why a 29er would be a terrible idea?

+1
i was tempted to get one for a while

Karate Monkey's are huge! Check the wheelbase. Put me off instantly.
You'd be better getting a 1x1 in a smallish size imo and fitting a straight fork with little rake.

mmm

Newer versions take rear disc too...

The cross-check's somewhere inbetween the two too:

Karate monkey has a shorter wheel base than a 1x1. No doubt the fork has to change to bring the wheel in and tighten up the steering... With a stock fork a karate monkey is only a bit longer than a pompino.

Big wheels tho innit! Come on Mrak it's all about 26 now...

A M pomp (full bike) just went up in the classifieds £280 http://www.lfgss.com/thread70763.html#post2352066

Big wheels tho innit! Come on Mrak it's all about 26 now...

I'd give something in a 26" a try (just for the strength of the wheels), but other than the Joust, I'm not really sure what I'd want (not a jump bike, not a 14 - not saying those who have those things are wrong, just not what I want). Also, I'm a big guy. 700c wheels on a bike will be more proportionate to my body.

But I'm willing to be talked out of it.

Anyway, I've looked on the league of bike polo, and most people who advise against 29ers are saying they're sluggish, but are referring to bikes with stock forks, so I imagine they would be sluggish. Wheelbases as they are now:

My pompino as it's set up now = 40.5"
Karate monkey with stock forks = 42.4"
1x1 with stock forks = 42.6" (L) 43.3" (XL)

Get a shorter fork on a Karate Monkey would bring that in, plus correct trail.

And the wheels are the same size as what I'm currently riding. I don't think I'd keep the monster 2.2/60c tyres on. But then again, maybe I would.

Plus I could ride over other peoples bikes like a boss.

Karate Monkey's are huge! Check the wheelbase.

Karate monkey has a shorter wheel base than a 1x1.

In sizes L and XL the KMs have marginally shorter wheelbases than L and XL 1x1s, but in the XS, S and M sizes the 1x1 is shorter.

The XS 1x1 also has a slightly shorter wheelbase than an NS traffic, and the frame is supposedly lighter too (1x1 = 1.91 kg vs NS = 2.55 kg), tempting...

Yeah, I'm talking about bikes in my size, so an L KM vs an L or XL 1x1.

Sorry, yep was agreeing with you, and sort of just thinking out loud about bikes in my own size too.

Hast thou considered the Troll?

Identiti FFX 700c £40

Billy from BC's started riding his old KM again, it's fucking awesome...

Hast thou considered the Troll?

Not really. Why is it worth considering over a 1x1? It's wheel base is just as long. Same BB drop. Similar geo (maybe a bit more extreme compact setup?).

Thought they were meant to be the same as the 1x1 but more versatile (and orange). The dropouts are mad.

29ers are for wankers.

FACT.

You will struggle to find 29er forks to correct the KM geo to polo specs, Mrak. Forks that are 29r length all seem to be at least 40mm rake.

If you put a trick fork on with low rake the a-c will be low, low a-c coupled with smaller tyres (35c?) will result in v low BB and pedal strike.

The KM would be a great do it all bike, but it has to compromise somewhere. I don't think it would be a great polo bike, but it would do everything you said you wanted to do on it.

Ti, curved seat-tube. Oh, made by on-one.

I think I've worked out I would need to drop 20mm (maybe more) and there are plenty of options in that range.

Just a lot of them are carbon.

I don't know what 20mm up front would do to the BB. I has no maths.

Just realized the forks I'm looking at (with the correct a2c/rake) are for 26". That means I'd have to go disc or bolt on v.

Disc is awesome.

How about a 26" trick frame?
all city airwolf

Spec PFIX

And what was that one posted a few months ago in the polo bikes thread with the curved seat tube that had just be built for 26ers?

Ha, cheers, Wicksie, but I like brakes.

Get Ryan to braze?

braze on to carbon?