Sorry again everyone for the thin riding impressions. Due to some tech issues I lost my descending footage and overall ride impressions of the bike. Below is my summary and as always, feel free to ask me any questions as I strive for 100% comment response. Bike Impressions You will never be able to comprehend the true beauty of these bikes until you see them in person. They just shine and are hard to miss. The meticulous machining and fancy bits just make these bikes stand out far and above all others. The bike that I rode was well set up by the guys at Pole and had everything from Titanium bits to Sram AXS. Climbing/Pedaling The Stamina 140 pedaled about what I would expect from a Duel linkage bike. It has a very supportive feel while pedaling with no hints of bob and little to no suspension movement. Lock the shock out and you could be fooled that you are riding a hard tail. You will never be able to use the excuse of a wandering front end for not cleaning a climb. The geometry of the bike puts you right in the middle and if not a slightly forward feeling due to the very steep seat tube angle. Compared to other bikes, the Stamina almost felt like I was on a XC bike due to the weight distribution. This bike would suit someone that prefers a taller stack height as the bike will let you put plenty of weight on the front end. Descending The Stamina 140 is truly one of the best handling 29ers I have ridden. Closely resembles a 27.5 bike if you stick to its designed form and do not over fork it. If you like to jib and play, the Stamina 140 is the bike for you. Sea Otter did not provide the roughest tracks around but the times it got a little rough, the Stamina held its lines perfectly. Front end feel and weight is excellent with Pole bikes in general and in my opinion one of if its crowning achievements. If you have any more in depth questions please let me know. Always enjoy having discussions with everyone. Andrew
3:44 I am keen to try the Trickstuff brakes, but they are expensive, but if they will be stiff, and work well and last long, and warranty will be good I want to try them, their ads sure have some strong promises, but do they live up to the hype? having powerful brakes less fatigue is nice, I can see the M600 levers flex, probably makes the brakes feel more spongy I guess.
I wasn't really able to do a stress test on them. That being said they had the lightest lever pull of any brake I have felt and they had them bite pretty fast. No issues stopping their big 29ers. If I had the money I would swap just by initial impressions alone.
Thanks Jay! The ride with Leo was very unexpected but so rewarding for me and definitely a highlight of Sea Otter. I would say the Geometry felt Extreme. Mainly the seat tube angle. The length didn't bother me but the moment i sat on it I could tell this ride would feel very different.
Unfortunately new bike day turned into no bike day. It's a long story I might share in detail for another time. Good news is I'll be back with it likely for next season. For now I just took a little break and now planning my fall schedule.
I read some comments forums about the the Evolink not having as good suspension platform as Nicolai and other bikes, don't remember exactly everything, I think I read it some whereon mtb forum. but your first impressions sounds promising. but I don't know if what those people experienced is going to happen on their newest bikes like Stamina, or if those people are just spreading misinformation, and exaggerate things, misunderstand things, and form bad conclusions. but what I know so far is Nicolai is G1,g15,G13 and the other G bikes are progressive. and the claims about Pole them selves sound promising, but some people claim they don't pedal as efficiently, but it can be due to wrong setup, I can't know, some compare bikes badly. I wish I could try bikes easily, and those new modern bikes.
The guys at Pole were very careful to make sure the bike was set up properly for me. I feel I got the best change to feel the bike without having any more time with it. The stamina felt more like a DH and less like a VPP which i personally appreciate. As much as love SC bikes i think DW>VPP. You are correct that shock set up will be a huge factor.
Sorry again everyone for the thin riding impressions. Due to some tech issues I lost my descending footage and overall ride impressions of the bike. Below is my summary and as always, feel free to ask me any questions as I strive for 100% comment response.
Bike Impressions
You will never be able to comprehend the true beauty of these bikes until you see them in person. They just shine and are hard to miss. The meticulous machining and fancy bits just make these bikes stand out far and above all others. The bike that I rode was well set up by the guys at Pole and had everything from Titanium bits to Sram AXS.
Climbing/Pedaling
The Stamina 140 pedaled about what I would expect from a Duel linkage bike. It has a very supportive feel while pedaling with no hints of bob and little to no suspension movement. Lock the shock out and you could be fooled that you are riding a hard tail. You will never be able to use the excuse of a wandering front end for not cleaning a climb. The geometry of the bike puts you right in the middle and if not a slightly forward feeling due to the very steep seat tube angle. Compared to other bikes, the Stamina almost felt like I was on a XC bike due to the weight distribution. This bike would suit someone that prefers a taller stack height as the bike will let you put plenty of weight on the front end.
Descending
The Stamina 140 is truly one of the best handling 29ers I have ridden. Closely resembles a 27.5 bike if you stick to its designed form and do not over fork it. If you like to jib and play, the Stamina 140 is the bike for you. Sea Otter did not provide the roughest tracks around but the times it got a little rough, the Stamina held its lines perfectly. Front end feel and weight is excellent with Pole bikes in general and in my opinion one of if its crowning achievements.
If you have any more in depth questions please let me know. Always enjoy having discussions with everyone.
Andrew
Interesting interview. Nice job!
Thank you!
Sick bike💯🔥
3:44 I am keen to try the Trickstuff brakes, but they are expensive, but if they will be stiff, and work well and last long, and warranty will be good I want to try them, their ads sure have some strong promises, but do they live up to the hype? having powerful brakes less fatigue is nice, I can see the M600 levers flex, probably makes the brakes feel more spongy I guess.
I wasn't really able to do a stress test on them. That being said they had the lightest lever pull of any brake I have felt and they had them bite pretty fast. No issues stopping their big 29ers. If I had the money I would swap just by initial impressions alone.
1:25 Intend Stiffmeister headset, a rare sight, only seen it on custom NnIcolai G1 & this Pole bike. Definitely interesting stuff.
Their bikes were tricked out for sure. Leo's bike had the CC Ewing's and titanium bar. Probably one of the cooler bikes I have been on.
Nice job with the interview! Did you enjoy the ride with Leo~? Also how “EXTREME” did the bike feel overall compared to anything else you’ve ridden?
Thanks Jay!
The ride with Leo was very unexpected but so rewarding for me and definitely a highlight of Sea Otter. I would say the Geometry felt Extreme. Mainly the seat tube angle. The length didn't bother me but the moment i sat on it I could tell this ride would feel very different.
whatever happened with new bike day ?
Unfortunately new bike day turned into no bike day. It's a long story I might share in detail for another time. Good news is I'll be back with it likely for next season. For now I just took a little break and now planning my fall schedule.
Bike|ariously
sorry to hear about that. can’t wait to hear more. stay safe 🙂
I read some comments forums about the the Evolink not having as good suspension platform as Nicolai and other bikes, don't remember exactly everything, I think I read it some whereon mtb forum.
but your first impressions sounds promising.
but I don't know if what those people experienced is going to happen on their newest bikes like Stamina, or if those people are just spreading misinformation, and exaggerate things, misunderstand things, and form bad conclusions.
but what I know so far is Nicolai is G1,g15,G13 and the other G bikes are progressive.
and the claims about Pole them selves sound promising, but some people claim they don't pedal as efficiently, but it can be due to wrong setup, I can't know, some compare bikes badly.
I wish I could try bikes easily, and those new modern bikes.
The guys at Pole were very careful to make sure the bike was set up properly for me. I feel I got the best change to feel the bike without having any more time with it. The stamina felt more like a DH and less like a VPP which i personally appreciate. As much as love SC bikes i think DW>VPP. You are correct that shock set up will be a huge factor.
Get a mic
Thank you for the feedback. A Mic is definitely on the list of equipment I want to buy.
Good Lord, never make a video again. Jesus