Attn: Archie Riders

I'm talking with Karl Wilkinson, who is interested in making a polo specific bike. I love my Archie, even though it's a prototype frame with weird geometry. The regular speedway bikes have great geometry. Here are some changes Iain and I have come up with to send to Karl. Can any Archie riders please add to/amend this list? It would be cool if we could send him an agreed upon list from all Archie polo riders. I envision these changes as ranked in order of importance.

1. A larger version of the existing speedway bike would be awesome. 56 or 57 would probably be best. The current geometry is great.

2. Forks – There is a problem with toe overlap. About 50% of polo riders ride fixed wheel (often with 700c wheels), and nearly every one who rides an Archie for polo changes out the forks. The bike needs a slightly larger rake (as mentioned before, the standard forks give toe-overlap with 700c wheels). I think the ashetic preference would be for a straight fork.

3. The headset – everyone swaps this, as his comes loose too quick. At minimum it needs a tougher headset. But it would be best to change it to a 1 1/8” threadless headset, because this is more standard and makes it easier to swap parts.

4. Cross supports on the rear triangle – The cross-support on the bottom chain stays could probably be removed. In general, a lot of players like to play with fat tires, so the more room for these the better. Adjusting the bridge on the seat stay may also be necessary to add more room.

5. Dropouts – These could be a bet longer, toward the frame, so the wheel can come right in to the frame. Currently, fitting a 700c while is a bit tight, and impossible for anything over 25c width. Some players like to run 28c, some ever fatter. Also, it might be nice to have a angled dropout, as about 70% of players use brakes and like to flip flop their wheels for commute and polo.

I hope they start making a larger fram,e and sooner rather than later. I really like those frames, and the prices are very good, shame they are so damn small!

iain needs a bigger bike for when i havent got mine.

Get well soon!

I hope they start making a larger fram,e and sooner rather than later. I really like those frames, and the prices are very good, shame they are so damn small!

Yep, we're talking about him doing two sizes. Probably one about my size, and one a bit closer to Brendo's size, for a loaner bike.

1. A larger version of the existing speedway bike would be awesome. 56 or 57 would probably be best. The current geometry is great.
   
   
   

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Yep, we're talking about him doing two sizes. Probably one about my size, and one a bit closer to Brendo's size, for a loaner bike.

:)

This from Karl:

While I was in Taipei I made contact with a frame maker who could possibly make frames with the curved seat tube to allow the rear wheel to sit further forward. What are your thoughts?

Sounds like those old polo frames that were around from the 60s or whenever. I thought they were called Allens, but can't find anything from a quick google search. Any ideas about this old frame? Thoughts on a curved seat tube?

fuck yeah!!

Matt, does Karl want to do a new frame from scrach, or he just want to retouch the existting one?
can people, like me, who doesn't ride a Archies give any inputs, or this is only for existing user?

yup they were allens

Yes to the curved seat tube!

fuck yeah!!

Matt, does Karl want to do a new frame from scrach, or he just want to retouch the existting one?
can people, like me, who doesn't ride a Archies give any inputs, or this is only for existing user?

Yep, anyone can pitch in. I originally thought he just wanted to retouch the existing one, but sounds like he may be interested in doing something from scratch. Anyway, keep the suggestions coming.

I'm curious about others' thoughts on the curved seat tube.

@crack fox -- Cheers for the photo.

I think it's harder to skid when sat so far over the rear wheel, might not suit fixed riders. think of dublin boys at euros trying to stop, you need to be in front or over the pedals to skid, not behind them.

the solution is, of course, to just get a brake and a freewheel. but some of you are stubborn

dublin boys didnt have no straps tho

that is true

1. The headset – everyone swaps this, as his comes loose too quick. At minimum it needs a tougher headset. But it would be best to change it to a 1 1/8” threadless headset, because this is more standard and makes it easier to swap parts.
   Definitely the way forward.
   

Fit 26" wheels with 1.5" tyres and there is no need for a curved seat-tube. Curved seat-tube only means more expense. This also lets you use a smaller front-centre so you can achieve the same trail with a steeper Headtube.

I removed the chainstay bridge and cut the dropouts so they were ~2cm longer on mine, the shorter wheelbase works well and the frame has stood up to polo olympics abuse post-chop.

Isn't the seat-post a weird diameter? They should change that... unless I made it up?

Can they make the frame lighter? My bike bag was 29.2kg today... not so good.

How much space is their around the tyre and what is the chainstay length now? Looks tidy

Enough for a 32c and ~2cm shorter than the stock chainstay length?

Jono, you can fit a 32c on it with the chainstay bridge removed? No problem with the seatstay bridge?

There is a problem with my seatstay bridge (too tight fit) but i'm riding that large one prototyped for something else.

Isn't the seat-post a weird diameter? They should change that... unless I made it up?

27.2mm is a pretty good standard to aim for.