[Closed] Stooge Cycles - who's interested? (slack 29er content)

Its pretty enough in a Jones homage kind of way. Google cant find a web site though so most likely it will slip from my memory as I like to book mark things for later.

Their only web presence appears to be via Facebook.

http://www.stoogecycles.co.uk/ isn't there.

Apparently available from April.

So that is as far as my looking will go. refuse to look at Facebook, Twitter and such.

I like that.

Jones X Trek Sawyer.

Needs a negative rise stem though 😛

Any mention of price?

DS shot:

[img] [/img]

Proto - Very Sawyer like:

[img] [/img]

Perhaps it's my Monday Morning Grump talking, but if you've gone to the cost and effort of producing a bike, why not leave a little bit of budget back for some decent promo photos to show your efforts off.

Looks a bit like a [url= http://www.44bikes.com/44bikes_mtn.html ]44[/url].
Which is certainly no bad thing.

It's always good to see people developing new frames and putting their ideas into practice.

One thing with all these 'twin top tubes morphing into seat stay' frames I don't understand is why they're welded to the seat tube? any advantage that the long thin tube has in terms of comfort flex is lost because it's anchored, surely?

I like the colour and those shots (certainly the second one) look fine for a 'look what we can do' post on Facebook.

Needs a headbadge, though.

The frame and fork should retail somewhere between 400 - 450, all depending on shipping costs. The website is being built as I write, should be up and running in a month or so.

I have 100 frames landing in April, 5 of which will be single speed specific. It's hand built from 4130 by the same people who produced Salsa, Surly and pretty much every quality steel frame produced today, so the build quality is second to none. It's not a mainstream bike, it's designed to be an incredibly fun bike for riders to want to get back to basics. I think there's a lot to be said for getting rid of all the modern technology and relying on geometry to make a bike exciting to ride. It won't be for everyone, but for those that get it, I think you'll love it. cheers, Andy Stevenson, owner of Stooge Cycles.

wwaswas - Member
It's always good to see people developing new frames and putting their ideas into practice.

One thing with all these 'twin top tubes morphing into seat stay' frames I don't understand is why they're welded to the seat tube? any advantage that the long thin tube has in terms of comfort flex is lost because it's anchored, surely?

If the seat tube isn't anchored to the seat stays and top tobe, then what do you anchor it to?

Headbadge is on the latest photos:

[img] [/img]

£450 for frame and forks
Sounds like they are manufactured in taiwan though.

[i]then what do you anchor it to?[/i]

well, that brace could continue forward further/be a bit more chunky and do the job? Would make the effective seat stay length far greater.

It's not a criticism of this design, they all seem to do it.

Price seems pretty reasonable for a frameset with a more complex manufacturing process then most.

@ Andy .... Great to hear. Looks as though the frame has dropper routing along the TT or is this for a front mech? If for a dropper I presume its a 30.9mm ST? Guessing if its front mech routing its a 27.2mm ST?

Modular bolt on guides IMHO mould look tidier a la new Singular bikes. With so many options to run droppers, 1x10, 2x10 singlespeed etc redundant guides can really ruin the "look" of a bike.

I think it looks pretty interesting.

I went to college in Oswestry, live in Manchester now. Where abouts is your workshop Andy? Maybe I can have a quick spin on one next time I'm visiting? 🙂

I think there's a lot to be said for getting rid of all the modern technology and relying on geometry to make a bike exciting to ride.

That's the spirit - riding like it should be!

😛

Chambord, I'm about a mile out of Oswestry, send me a PM if you fancy heading over to check it out, you're more than welcome.

re the seatpost joint, there needs to be a weld for structural rigidity, without it the frame would be a little flexy side to side. The idea behind the twin top tube is one of strength, all forces are transferred the full length of the bike and not to a junction, this also results in the bike being noticeably more comfortable. It's quite complex to get it right, plus I think it looks great.

re seatpost size, frame runs a 27.2 post. This is the only acceptable size if you plan on using a regular post on a hardtail. The ethos of the bike is all about getting away from technology, though I have to admit dropper posts are great. I work in a trail centre (llandegla) and we see a lot of dropper posts coming back with problems. Thompson are about to release a 27.2 dropper which is of amazing quality. X-fusion also make a hydraulic one that works as well as anything on the market.

re cable guides - the ones in the picture were put on the wrong side and were for a front mech or dropper post. I'd been toying with the production frame being 1x10 specific but the overwhelming feedback I've had is that it should be SSable. At tis stage I think I'd be daft not to cover all options. In future, and depending on demand, I think i'll offer the frame 3 ways.

Hope all this helps, and thanks for your interest. cheers, Andy

Andy .... Thanks for the clarification.

I'm glad it has a 27.2mm post.

Being a general technological luddite the simplicity of a well thought out rigid 29er HT really appeals. My Genesis Fortitude is my most ridden bike 🙂

Registering interest 🙂

Chambord, I'm about a mile out of Oswestry, send me a PM if you fancy heading over to check it out, you're more than welcome.

Thanks for the kind offer - I'll no doubt take you up on it next time I'm heading over that way 🙂

Stooge will be at ssuk 14

I really like that. If only I hadn't just bought a Karate Monkey...

What weight is the frame?

Also, do you have an expectation of when you will have 1x9/10 compatible frames?

And, what colours are available?

16.5" CS sounds fun 🙂

Cheers

I'll need to strip the bike down to get a weight, but I will post it in due course.

I have 100 frames on order, 5 of which will be SS, 20 will be purple, and 75 will be the aqua blue from the photos. once i've sold these (who knows how long this could take!:) i'll probably make a 1x10 specific, a SS and an adventure version with all the braze ons.

cheers, Andy

Any reason for the layback post a shown, or have you just built this one up from parts bin/to your preference?

not really my type of bike, but i really like that. price seems pretty damned good too.

Lovely. Just lovely.

Now, if only it could take a Knard at the rear... 😉

Seriously though, well done to Stooge.

I like that, maybe one day.

Looks very nice indeed. Another non-FBer here, how does one find out more?

Will these be dipped before painting to help with rust proofing similar to what Cotic do to their frames?

I really like the look of that, fantastic colour but I reckon the graphic panel could be a tad longer. Now are you going to make it in a size for the shorter among us who like rigid bikes but appreciate the extra comfort of bigger wheels. I've experimented running my rigid bike as a 69er which has convinced me that bigger wheels really are a benefit when there's no suspension. Also what's taking care of chain tension on the ss and will it adapt easily to running a Rohloff.

I have a weakness for a sorted looking steel bike...hence the Swift and a Niner.

Looks interesting.

getting rid of all the modern technology

I like that a lot 🙂

Been following this for a while, looks very interesting. Good to see a UK design *finally* with proper short chain stays.

cheers for all your comments and questions.

here goes: would also love to fit a knard on the rear, but I had to choose between large tyre or short stays, the way the bike feels I think I made the right choice. Having sad that, a 29er+ platform is something I'm interested in doing.

layback post - what I had lying around (like I have Thomson posts just lying around)

Chain tension is going to be via EBB. It will come fully prepared so you shouldn't have any issues. Next batch will include regular threaded bb for those that want.

re sizing, at this stage I'm only producing the one size. It can be shrunk pretty well, but if enough people are intrested I'd be willing to consider a smaller frame.

Oh yeah, frame comes rustproofed too.

thanks again for your comments, Andy

Like the look of this but how about sizing? TT ST dimensions

Sorry if you already covered this but couldn't see it noted

Looks really nice, pretty similar to what I've been designing in my head only thing I'd like different is a shorter headtube and or fork. With a 4" headtube it'd be perfect!

I think I might still have to get one 🙂

Looks great! Lovely colour. Don't need another rigid 29er, but if I did, and couldn't afford a Jones, this would be right up there.

only thing I'd like different is a shorter headtube and or fork.

I'd second that, that way you could have a small with a relatively low stack height. I've run a 29 wheel in my 445mm RC31' and there is loads of clearance.

Looking forward to seeing all the geometry figures.

ETT on size 18 is 24"

futon river crossing - Member
Looks great! Lovely colour. Don't need another rigid 29er, but if I did, and couldn't afford a Jones, this would be right up there.

The Stooge seems very much in the flavour of the Jones - no bad thing

One thing is the Stooge CS is shorter. Enough to make a difference I would say

Geometry very jones-like too, only notable difference is the BB is about an inch higher on the stooge.

any pictures in purple?

^ Might have a bit more of a snap to it in the pedal then?

Bonesetter - Eh?

Higher BB

Just looking again at the photos- are there any bottle bosses on the prototype? Also have you considered crud catcher mounts, much nicer than cable ties and I reckon this bike will appeal to those who ride in all conditions.

Yes, I understand what you were implying but I don't understand why a higher bottom bracket would mean a bike has more 'snap' to it? By snap I take it to mean acceleration, or perceived acceleration at any rate, but I may be getting the wrong end of the stick.

/edited

Looks really nice - twin top tubes is on my wishlist one day (liked them ever since seeing the Corratecs from the mid '90s).

Is that 16.5" horizontal or actually along the stay centre to centre? I just had a measure in the garage and with a very stretched chain I'm running ss at 16.25" / 413mm along the stay, which gives a good 20mm of overlap between the chainring and tyre. Those pics don't look to have much overlap so I'm guessing it is horizontal distance (so maybe 16.75" c to c).

Gotma - totally spot on 🙂

[i][Looks really nice, pretty similar to what I've been designing in my head only thing I'd like different is a shorter headtube and or fork. With a 4" headtube it'd be perfect! ]
[/i]
My idea behind the headtube height is that it takes the weight from your wrists with a rigid fork, and it works. You could run it with a 5mm spacer and a zero degree 40mm stem and it should downsize nicely, the standover is about the same height as a regular small (14") frame.

The one problem I've had with all the rigid bikes I've owned is that they've all had what I call a low xcish position that punishes the wrists. I don't get this with the Stooge, the riding position mimicks a long travel bike in relation to bar/seat position. The front end seems to skip over obstacles with a lot less manhandling than I'm used to. Couple with the slammed, tight rear end, it has a really nice pivot point, you certainly don't need to pull on the bars much to get the front up.

Bonesetter, I understand what you're saying. Many years ago I ran an Ellsworth Specialist with the original Pike forks. It was the street trial frame intended for rigid forks. With the Pikes set at 100mm it rode in a way that was nicely planted, but when I hiked it up to 140mm the bike became mentally capable, even though on paper the geometry was shot. The higher bb certainly made the bike kick forward when you pedalled. Obviously the Stooge is nothing like that bike 🙂

I think you're missing a trick by not making the fork compatible with 29, 29+ and 26 fat.
Being able to run all three wheel sizes on the front of my Jones is ideal for setting the bike up for different conditions/trails.
Looks great apart from that and the high BB.
I wouldn't mind a test ride on it though?

Hi Stu, I wouldn't exactly call the bottom bracket high, in fact it's a lot lower than most bikes (60mm drop), just not as low as a certain bike. The front fork is compatible with 29+. I figure that if anyone wants to mount a full fat front they can use a fork from surly or salsa, the option is certainly there.

My idea behind the headtube height is that it takes the weight from your wrists with a rigid fork, and it works.

Agreed. I used to run a 470mm rigid on a 26" wheel Inbred for that very reason. And you are spot on.
The bike took on a comfier, more relaxed feel, but sat on it, it felt as it would with a sagged 5" fork, at just the right angles. Never understood why it was assumed that anyone wanting rigid would automatically be on a 80-100mm forked XC bike.

it should downsize nicely, the standover is about the same height as a regular small (14") frame.

You may well have just sold it to me

The one problem I've had with all the rigid bikes I've owned is that they've all had what I call a low xcish position that punishes the wrists. I don't get this with the Stooge,

I can get rid of my flexstem?!!!

just not as low as a certain bike.

That low BB seems to be one of the things that make that "certain bike" handle so well.
To me even with the EBB in the upper position I can feel the difference in handling (in a less good way).
I'd still love a blast on the Stooge though? Numbers don't mean everything and it'd be nice to see what it felt like out on the trail. 🙂

[img] [/img]

I found running rigid on my Selma a bit too shaky for comfort, I also looked at the Swift steel fork and it's not quite a featherweight - the upshot being I run suspension on my SS, for little weight penalty, and I find it works well.

But I certainly would like a try out of a Stooge, and I buy into the geometry totally.

At only 5'9" (and a bit), is this frame going to be a bit large for me? I think not (I hope), 50mm renthal stem, nice wide flat bars, inline seatpost, 1x10 gears, goldtec hubs and some nice wide and light rims. It seems either this or the Singular Rooster, choices, choices.

Jupiter, I'm the same height as you. This is what I was told..

The size will be perfect for you, I'm 5'11 and run mine with 70mm stem and 730 bars. Get yourself set up with a 50 or 40mm and it'll be great.

Looks good in bonesetter's pic above, looked fairly ungainly to me in others.

Looking forward to seeing it in purple 🙂

Clicked on this out of idle curiosity.
Frame looks lovely.
Oswestry is mentioned. Immediately start thinking its going to cost a million pounds per frame.
£400>£450 for the frame and fork.
I don't need a 29er. I have a perfectly good Curtis 26er which I love.
I don't need a 29er.
I don't need a 29er.

If course you do..

agreed, you really do!

Very lovely looking bike, nice job. Even with the big wheels, the proportions look kinda right.

I would be very interested if it was 650B.

No troll intended.

Anyone managed to throw a leg over one of these?

A couple have been sold so I believe...

Very pretty. Like the slack angles too. Might suit me as a play bike (6'5") if anything was to tempt me over to wagon wheels, that would be it.

The more I see of this the more I think it's going to be my next bike.

Their/his website appears to be down...Facebook says frames to be in the UK 4 weeks after the 22nd March.

Any thoughts on comparisons with the Rooster from Singular?

I like what Sam does and came very close to buying a Gryphon once upon a time. Been looking at the Rooster and other than the obvious visual differences, I'd say it's all about the geometry. Both the Stooge and the Rooster share a 55mm fork offset, but the Stooge Head angle is slacker, especially with a Knard up front (about 67), whereas the Rooster has amore traditional head angle. The other difference will obviously be in chainstay length. I prefer a 'normal' 29er rear wheel and tyre because they make the bike quicker out of the gate, so to speak. The Stooge also has a taller front end, for reasons listed above. The Rooster looks like its futureproofing with its tapered headtube, whereas I'm stuck on the old school traditional set up with the Stooge.I don't see anyone putting suspension forks on a Stooge and it would compromise the handling to a degree, though it would be possible if you could find a straight steerer fork.

I know from experience that the larger fork offset works better with a sub 70 degree head angle. It's nothing new, but the idea was popularised by the Gary Fisher 29ers (who adopted it after GF had a conversation with Jeff Jones). Ibis now use it on their Ripley bike. In a nutshell, it makes a 29er feel more like a26er in the tight stuff, and it works too.

The Rooster looks cool, though a little too 'normal' for my tastes.

Alive & well in Llangollen

[img] [/img]

http://stoogecycles.co.uk/

The website is now live, at last.

really nice looking frames ! don't forget peeps,there will be one in the prize pot at SSUK2014 😉

Is the email address on the website correct? I tried to email, but it bounced back. I think I typed the address correctly...

yikes, just checked out the website and the wrong e-mail address has been posted - should be andrewj.stevenson@hotmail.co.uk. I'll get this updated asap.

I had a brief ride on one at the start of the WRT, very impressed ... as everyone else who had a go seemed to be.

I think this is exactly what I have been looking for, any photos of it in purple?