Polo bike geometry + addons

What would be the "best" geometry for a polo frame + fork?

What would you like to see on your own custom frame? Discbrake mounts, v-brake, etc.....what size of wheels does it have to take..let's discuss this here

Short wheelbase, high(ish) BB, saddle over the rear wheel, steep angles.

The fork is the hard part, Cohen has done the research on it all though and thinks he's got the "magic formula" down. (The magic formula is nimbleness and stability from the fork, which seem at odds with each other.)

Different people play in different ways, some of the trade-offs could be listed as:
High front end - good for shooting (stable upright posture).
Low front end - good for dribbling and acceleration (lower to the ground and more aggressive riding position).
700c wheels - good for momentum and better in goal.
26" wheels - more nimble, shorter wheelbase.
High BB/saddle - better in the corners, good visibility.
Lower BB/saddle - better reach.

Are the "old" grass polo bikes not a good example to build a frame from? with modern addons, I've no one seen this done yet, the polobean maybe a little.

2 things, isn't this covered in the various 'polo bike' threads and isn't it pretty much completely individual?

The simple answer though is short wheelbase with tight turning circle, v-brakes. Roomm for massive tyres. Reinforced like a trick frame, with massive dropouts for the people that liked to flip their wheels.

No there is not 1 thread where it's discussed all, or I didn't see this. I think it's also quite personal but if you don't have an example, you don't know

From my own experimentation with a few bikes frames and forks, I think the shortest possible chainstays, coupled with a pretty short front-centre, and a high (13"ish) bottom bracket are the things to look out for.

The Joust, on paper, looks like the best thing by far, as it uses smaller wheels so it can really reduce the chainstay lengths, yet it was designed with those in mind so the bottom-bracket should remain high.

Loads of people say they want bigger clearances, to run massive tyres, but for me big tyres just add excess weight, and bigger clearances mean longer wheelbases. I only run big tyres to raise the b/b height. I'd be totally happy on 26x1.25" tyres, grip-wise. Although having said that, I quite like the heft of my 2.35" front tyre, and they way it rebounds shots from the opposition.

I've been considering getting a Joust, but don't like the possibly high import costs, so I emailed Lee Cooper. He reckoned he could put something similar together for around £500. Don't know if that's of interest to anyone.

The 14 polo bike is similar to a Joust in my opinion, they're both quite funky to ride but seem to work well once you're used to it.

I agree about the tyre thing, I've just come down from 47/42 to 37/35 and am loving my bike again (nimbler, lower, lighter).

Are the "old" grass polo bikes not a good example to build a frame from?

I'd love to do this if I could find a frame. Just get some cantilever mounts brazed on, and you'd be away... The Dublin guys used their grass bikes at the 2009 Euros didn't they?

I think they're designed for stupid imperial wheels though, right?

If you just take the geometry and tune it with the "modern" things I think you got a sweet bike then.

Hey Dan, call 14, the polo bike is very near to going into production, maybe a month - 6 weeks away. It's smaller than the joust i think and although i havent ridden the joust those that have (jono) say its v similiar if not a bit better. With regards to the "just make it like old grass bikes" idea. It makes no sense. They are designed for grass! And they are designed for very large pitches, a sport where you can put your foot down, you'd never turn 180 on the spot, use brakes or use a ball smaller than a size 1 football. Its a different game entirely. It's not a bad place to look for inspiration but it's like comparing motocross and grandprix bikes.

Interesting. I can't really afford one, just working out the best option if I decide to delve into savings.

I see where you're coming from about grass polo bikes, but I'd like to actually see one in the flesh, or compare geometry, because from the photos I've seen it looks like they have a lot of the same qualities we're talking about. Maybe the front-centre would be too short, but the b/b would be high, the chainstays shorter than pretty much anything out there, the saddle further back... etc etc.

To be honest, my pompino is fine. If I was playing at the top level of the sport, it would be more tempting.

The old grass polo bikes are stored at HH if you ever fancy a butchers. But yeah, designed for grass, big pitches, "horse" positioning, etc.

My NS has perfect polo geometry. short chainstays, and with a short fork (NS non-suspension corrected) on a frame designed for 140mm travel sus forks, the head tube angle is super steep.

I looked at using an old Santa Cruz Chameleon for your style build, but the shortest actual chainstay I could achieve with a 2.3" tyre was 20mm longer than my Pompino with a 38c. There was room in the chainstay, but the tyre fouled on the seatstay bridge, oddly. The b/b height was *exactly *the same (298mm), and the front-centre about the same (with an Onza, very short fork). I'd like to try something like this, even if I think they look stupid for taller players.

here is lies the use of the term 'perfect' Gabes has his perfect set up, I have mine, jono his. So anyway what is the perfect guitar to play stairway to heaven on? :)

ukelele, for maneuverability

James aufbruch based his bike in a grass polo bike with modern tweaks, does anyone has a pic of the bike?

I'm actually just chatting to someone off here about knocking out some polo frames.

pompino front end and butterbean rear with a few extras for sub £150 if it all goes to plan

Aufbruch - that's awesome. Who built it? How much? Is it 700c?

Dave Yates built it, yes 700c

I imagine if you want a price you'll have to phone Dave and discuss it.

pompino front end and butterbean rear with a few extras for sub £150 if it all goes to plan

Sharpen the front end up, use decent tubing, make the joins burly and don't forget about details (brake mounts, BB height, long track ends, semi-compact geo, etc).

Sub-£150 seems wishful?

My BB is very similar to Aufbruch's Yates to look at:

The Little Red Fire Truck

Sharpen the front end up, use decent tubing, make the joins burly and don't forget about details (brake mounts, BB height, long track ends, semi-compact geo, etc).

Sub-£150 seems wishful?

My BB is very similar to Aufbruch's Yates to look at:

The Little Red Fire Truck

Sub £150 is insane. For that price you'd need to bulk buy in Taiwan. If a local builder is doing it, he can't be making any money, unless he's using shit tubes.

And contact adhesive?

Thanks Ed.