You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
The Scrapers are 45 internal
Mr Stooge is running 30mm Blunts (?) and says they work fine
Cokie that is my bike in the pic ...It has blunt 35 rims ....seems to work fine on those ..and half the price of larger rims ...It just means you can go to silly low air pressure like you can wider rims...not sure you can get anything too large on the back of the mk1
Cheers for the advice. I'm going for the Blunt 35 on the Trailblazer.
I went WTB's as my mate Stu did 😉
The Blunts seem a good way to go
Let us how you get on 🙂
Anyone using / recommend an off-the-shelf frame bag for the Stooge - the Alpkit Possum for example?
Just checked Strava and have completed over 2200km since beginning of July on my Stooge...not looked at any of my other bikes since. Just can't get enough. Basically doing 20-30km most days around Mugdock and the West Highland Way. Always come home with a smile
Mines coming once I can arrange picking it up too excited about it.
Anyone tried a knard in the rear (sounds really strange) on a thinnish rim (around 27mm I think)?
Got the first ride in last night on the Scraper rims Vee 3.25 front and 2.8 Trailblazer rear
I was totally loving it. The difference to start with riding over to collect a mate wasn't too apparent, but once on the trail things started flying along a treat
The set-up certainly seems to bring out the good aspects of the Stooge, with reminders of the fat bike too - a good half way house
Some self steering from the Vee up front at pretty lowish pressure, but only on the road/tarmac
I'm sold 🙂
[img] 
[/img]
Ooh - nice new website Mr Stooge 🙂
[url= http://singletrackmag.com/reviews/stooge-cycles-29er/ ]That STW review of the Stooge..[/url]
It's the first mediocre, or even slightly negative, review I've read on the Stooge. I tend to do the odd long ride on it, but usually it's a 2 hour (max) spin through the woods and the Ridgeway. The carbon bars and 3.0'' tyre went a long way in making it comfortable. I can't help but feel that had he set it up for himself a bit more maybe some of the negative attributes would have been cancelled out. Either way, refreshing read.
I smell bad blood
Didn't STW refuse to 'review' the Stooge shortly after its conception?
As the thread is now 28 pages long and Stooge has 100% positive feedback from all her owners I suppose STW had to buckle
The above linked review by Greg however (whoever he is) is balanced overwhelmingly in the negative, even down to mentioning the kit the review Stooge was supplied with
The reviewer's language use is also overly negative - the Slaughter does not get 'crammed into the rear' I have a MK1 Stooge (which has less clearance than the MK2) and have ran a Slaughter. It has comfortable room, and works very well in the Stooge
What about the bit 'It was envisaged as a bike-packing bike, the use that many people have been building them for.' Is this true? I thought the Stooge was conceived for hooning through the woods, not 90Km commuting? And most of the owners' pics I see here are on the trail
'And sadly, there’s not enough room for a 29+ rear.' lol, what a faux pas. Stooge is not a 29+ bike
As for comfort, I can only say from my 12 months of regular (have done some 4-5 hour rides) use comfort has not been an issue. I use a Fizzik Gobi and a Kent Ti layback Sweetpost. I'm 6'2" as well
Disappointingly hardly surprising, inaccurate bike hack journo stuff 🙂
Thought the review was pretty fair myself.
I smell bad bloodDidn't STW refuse to 'review' the Stooge shortly after its conception?
Um. No... Unless you're privy to some information I don't have. And hey, I only work here.
The Stooge is too small for me; we commissioned Greg to review it. He took the bike away for a few weeks, rode it, and here is his review. I can't say whether I agree with him or not (it was too small for me; I've not ridden it), but he knows his stuff, I'll back up his right to his opinion to the hilt.
His right to an opinion is not in question, it's the quality of the 'review' or is it intended to be some kind of blog entry, in which case it's a different story?
I thought reviews highlighted pro's and con's, how the bike rides and then gives a conclusion?
The only pro mentioned are the aesthetics, otherwise the piece reads like there's nothing good going on, the bike is a compromised retro (nice) styled bone rattler - a big fail, when clearly it's popular among owners, as well as dealers who have put their name behind the bike
What are they seeing that Greg isn't? I think a non-Stooge owner would like to know from reading a review from a popular online source
Maybe I'm completely off-beam??
Having owned a Jones and ridden a Stooge I think the review is bang on. The Stooge is solid and uncompromising in a way that the Jones spaceframe isn't. And the end comment about getting into trouble is valid and applies to both bikes. Great on smoother trails or slower tech but enter something rough when going fast and they're both pants compared to either a hardtail or a full suspension which I assume is his point. Clearly the definition of fast and rough is specific to the individual rider though. Your definition of fast may mean that rough sections don't come across as badly as they do for quicker riders. Smooth singletrack woodland flat-ish trails are fun (the kind you play around on for a few hours after work) but it sounds like the reviewer didn't ride there so could hardly speculate.
I don't find my Mk1 Stooge a hard ride, it has a nice steel flex to it. But fundamentally it's a rigid bike, which I find is a good way of learning to appreciate suspension.
Having owned a Mk2 for just over a month, I'm still getting used to it. I've come via a 2 x FS (Orange 5s) to 3 x different HTs all with circa 120mm travel, the last one being a Cotic Solaris which then morphed into a full rigid carbon fork and 29+ front end.
I'm still forming my opinions on the Stooge but it does feel (to me) a little harsher in the rear than my last rig with the same rim, tyre combo (P35 / On One chunky monkey) but it works much better for me on 95% of all my local trails.
I can only compare it to my Solaris which laterally ran with a On One carbon fork and 29+ tyres. To me, the Stooge has got bags more front end grip, it's considerably more comfortable with the higher front end and it's much easier to pop over fallen trees and big rocks. It's much more playful too and always make me laugh out loud when it's up at a good speed with a few wee jumps thrown in. I agree, it can get a bit hairy when at speed on big terrain but it's a fully rigid bike and in comparison to the fully rigid Solaris it's much better fun.
It would have been good to hear Gregs views on how it handled on a wider spectrum of terrains and how he felt it fitted him compared to all the other bikes I'm sure he's ridden.
At the end of the day, every bike is a compromise in terms of what it's good at, they all have their pros and cons.
I'm happy.
Unless you're privy to some information I don't have. And hey, I only work here.)I do believe mr may voiced his like and dislike for the stooge a few months ago on bearbones bikpacking
It's difficult to tell from the review whether the gripe was with the Stooge or with the fact it's a rigid bike.
I had a Stooge - as my only MTB - from last October until May this year. It replaced my 26er Cotic Soul. I loved the looks, the handling and the overall experience. Initially, I ran it singlespeed, before adding gears as winter turned into spring.
I did, however, move back to a Soul with bouncy forks again (27.5 this time). I found having a rigid bike as my only bike too uncomfortable and a little limiting (for me) once the trails dried out and I was working the tyres harder. It almost certainly made me into a smoother rider - and, yes, I still almost certainly lack awesome skilz - but it hurt.
There is no question that I'd have the Stooge back as a second bike, ideally as a winter SS - I really loved it. As my only bike, though, it wasn't to be!
A long ride for the reviewer could well be what many on here would consider fairly epic. I read that he likes the bike over certain terrain, but as a fairly stiff (for steel) bike, it gets laity on rocky trails and batters you over time. No surprises. He's well used to rigid bikes, SS etc.
'Lairy'.....not laity...
"An uninspiring, creaking, slipping Ti seatpost from Torus refused to stay put – but that is not the fault of the Stooge."
I have a torus ti post in a mk1 stooge.No creaking or slipping here. Nice and comfortable though and it looks lovely against the aqua blue.
I'm over the moon with my bike Andy, so much so that I'm saving up for the ti version.
I should point out that I want the ti version because I'm a tart, not because the steel rides harshly or any of that nonsense.
^^ best possible reason.
I fancy a Stooge and although the bike maybe doesn't agree with the author. How many bikes have people ridden without the need to change things on bikes to make them fit properly. From tyres, to bars, to seat posts to saddles, the list goes on. One day I will get a Stooge to move up to bigger wheels for my winter single speed and it hasn't dampened my thoughts about getting one at all.
Comfort is such a personal thing. My Stooge is the most comfortable rigid bike I've ever ridden by a country mile.
It is a rigid bike, not going to be comfy compared to a FS or HT. I'm slower on my stooge and not very comfortable but I have more fun on my local trails that are not very hilly. Best bike I've tried or owned.
Christ I'd been looking at one if these amongst other things but you've sold me on it. Slow and uncomfortable 🙁 slow I can do but not uncomfortable
Seems like a fair review tbh, and he clearly out in some serious miles whilst coming to his conclusion and he's experienced in the sort of ridin it's built for.
Nice to see someone not pandering to the bike companies like most reviews these days
Greg didn't like the Stooge. It doesn't mean it's a bad bike, just that Greg didn't like it.
YMMV.
Firestarter it's as comfortable if not more so than the karate monkey we have both had. The Ti is even more so ...
Well that would be sound then. As they say comfort is very personal.
First ride on mine last night. I'm sold so far, need to tweak bits but it's interesting. Comfort wise it's good, it's still a rigid bike but with a higher stack and a plus tyre there's no jarring from the front. I found it an easy transition from my FS gnarpoon.
re the review - oh well, you win some you lose some. Greg's been quite open about his dislike for the way the Stooge rides over the last year, so when he got the gig it was never going to end particularly well. Who knows, if i'd given him a MK2 bike with B+ wheels and tyres his opinion might have been completely different. There are many ways to build these bikes and the difference can be quite startling.
I think its fair to say a fully rigid bike is never going to compensate for a lack of suspension, in the same way 6" of travel is never going to compensate for a lack of skill. For me its addictive, you're forced to think about every aspect of where you're riding and what's up ahead, think about your speed and line choice, and its all incredibly satisfying. And that's what the Stooge is about really, getting back to basics and having some fun, nothing more, nothing less.
I think its fair to say a fully rigid bike is never going to compensate for a lack of suspension,
However the reviewer did say he normally rides fully rigid bikes.
Greg didn't like the Stooge. It doesn't mean it's a bad bike, just that Greg didn't like it.
That ^^^
But of course. Greg put the time in to ride the bike and form his own opinion and i respect that. And as he says, his opinion is his own.
"I think its fair to say a fully rigid bike is never going to compensate for a lack of suspension"
"However the reviewer did say he normally rides fully rigid bikes."
Just an observation but he seems to be riding and loving a Salsa Spearfish on his twitter page, maybe he's got used to the squish!
I can confirm that Babyjack's bike is stunning to behold, the latest additions make it stunning & unique, but a picture speak a thousand words eh? 😉
I can also confirm that he's a tart, loves that bike & unfortunately 36x16 doesn't slow him down on the up's 🙁
Post up a pic dude!
Ben H
It's difficult to tell from the review whether the gripe was with the Stooge or with the fact it's a rigid bike.I had a Stooge - as my only MTB - from last October until May this year. It replaced my 26er Cotic Soul. I loved the looks, the handling and the overall experience. Initially, I ran it singlespeed, before adding gears as winter turned into spring.
I did, however, move back to a Soul with bouncy forks again (27.5 this time). I found having a rigid bike as my only bike too uncomfortable and a little limiting (for me) once the trails dried out and I was working the tyres harder. It almost certainly made me into a smoother rider - and, yes, I still almost certainly lack awesome skilz - but it hurt.
There is no question that I'd have the Stooge back as a second bike, ideally as a winter SS - I really loved it. As my only bike, though, it wasn't to be!
Unfortunately, Ben, you ain't getting it back. Soooo glad you sold it to me. Nearly 2500km since then.
I have loved riding it since the first build and have put in a few mods and upgrades on which have improved things including going from 2.25 tyres to 3.0 front and 2.4 rear.
I'm running it as an only bike having dismantled my Specialized Epic for sale. When I rode the Specialized after running the Stooge for a few weeks I actually found it quite stiff and lacking in 'travel' compared to the Stooge and small too. While I really enjoy riding the Stooge and would say it is probably my favourite and best bike ever, I recognise that my experience is quite limited and am conscious that there are probably bikes I would ride and find better, but for the money - we have built 2 for about £1500 in total now - it takes a bit of beating.
One thing I have to say is that being based in the west of Scotland I haven't really had a chance to experience dry trails in our 11 month winter climate. So maybe if next year is better, the April May window may be revealing.
Looking back over my 21 years of MTBing, I realise that only 2008-2014 were ridden on suspension. A 2008 Stumpjumper for 6 months until my wife commandeered it, then through to 2014 on a 2008 Epic. My original bike was a rigid '92 Scott Windriver, which in its day was probably Scott's Stump. Loved that bike, and turned it into a hardtail in 2012. Along the way, I got a 1990/92 Stump for commuting and ended up running it last year as a mountain bike and did some major mileage in the woods and hills round here last year. Perhaps that has prepared me for the Stooge.
Any advice / experience on a tire combo for mainly woodsy trails?
I was looking at a fat b nimble on the front but I'm a bit in doubt on a matching rear tire. Clearance isn't an issue as I've got a mk2 frame. I was thinking either a 2.4 x-king or a 2.35 ikon. My rims are 29mm internal.
Cheers.
Maxxis Chronicle front, Nobby Nic 2.35 rear. Nobby Nic is good for wet/muddy rooty ground and climbing. Most of my riding is in woods. Use this combination all year as we have 11 months wet conditions. Mk1 frame. 19mm internal rim width
Anyone one here had a Large Yelli Screamy to compare size/fit of the Stooge to?
(^ good to see you've made it on here Nate 😉 Hope someone can come in on your question)
I decided to see what the 29+ was all about (not that I hadn't already had a taste of things on Stooge with 29+ up front)
So, a few weeks back I picked up a Trek Stache. Intention behind it was the Stache could be a little bigger at 21.5 and I could run a smaller stem
I have the Stooge set-up 27+
Must say right off the bat what a brilliant job of things Trek have done with the rigid Stache. The engineering, design and F+F is superb. Overall weight of the bike (21.5) is super low too (wheels-sets are particularly light) and quite a fair bit lighter than Stooge
I have previously run the Stooge with a 29+ front so overall the Stache has not been a massive change
The biggest difference was going 27+ on the Stooge - wow - agility.... and fun
Yes, the Stooge on 27+ is most certainly the more fun to ride bike. There I said it. Stache is supreme, no doubt, but is it 'too' good at what it does?? Stooge invites you to rag the bike a little more. Pop off here, manual there, try and jump this bit (my riding rarely sees both wheels off the ground I must add - I'm self employed)
It feels the better climber too. When riding with others I am more up with the front, and it's just a racket going down
I don't know, but just maybe if I had been able to demo the Stache for a good few days I may not have pulled the trigger. If you've got a clutch of 29er's already Stache is not going to be a game changer, whereas going 27+ certainly is
My take at any rate
The bikes (yes, pure coincidence the colour's are identical)
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
Try 27+ on the Stache then - it'll take it - at least at the rear. BB might be too low with 27+ ft and rr.
I really like the look of that Stache, being short it would fit better than the Stooge which is a bit long for my liking but I'd like the option of running my Rohloff with it and I don't think thats an option with the Boost rear.
What's the max B+ tyre width that can be ran in the Mk2?
Can it run a 3.25"
it's designed around a 3" B+ or a 2.4 29er, i'm running a 3 with plenty of clearance, 3.25 fits too but the clearance is a little tighter (obviously).
Right-ho, i've trawled through nearly all of this thread and persuaded myself i need a stooge frame, but not overly sure what the mk2 is optimised for wheel wise - is it still a 29+ in front but a B+ rear or B+ front and rear?
I'd be swapping parts over from the current 29er which has pretty narrow rims, so wondering best options to minimise cost as can't really afford a whole new wheelset as well.
One other point - there's a lot of reference in the thread to xc, big days out etc etc, which is fine as most of my riding is in the chilterns.
But wondering on peoples thoughts on how the stooge handles somewhere like the quantocks or a s.wales trail centre. I know it's rigid and all that, just interested in some real work experiences - it's one in, one out for me so want to make sure a stooge isn't going to leave me a broken battered mess on the rare occasions i do get somewhere bumpy.
cheers
I'm not sure what constitutes "rocky" in Wales as I've never ridden there, but I ride my Stooge here and have a blast!:
yep...that's definitely rocky! If a stooge is happy down that then it's certainly going to be happy where i ride.
cheers
[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/stooge-review-by-singletrack ]Don't tell Greg May[/url] you can ride 'rocky' on a Stooge
Stooge owners - whats the seat tube length c-t?
Bump
18"
Geo bottom of page [url= http://stoogecycles.co.uk/framesets/ ]http://stoogecycles.co.uk/framesets/[/url]
Thanks clink but it says 18" is c-c, I'm after centre of Bob to top of seat tube.
Want to compare it to my other bikes - can you measure yours (if you have one?)
Austinburner, you've just uncovered a mistake on my website, it is 18" centre to top. I best get on it 🙂
Anyone running a "Stooge Moto Bar" on theirs?
[img] 
[/img]
Bumping the thread..
Does anyone know the weight of the Ti Stooge frame and fork?
Hey Stooge owners, I'm just in the process of ordering a Stooge of my own at the moment and I'd appreciate a bit of help with the spec. I've read all the info I can find around these builds and I think what I've arrived at is going to be a really nice build and it's fair to say I've not been this excited about a bike for a long time!
The problem I've got is due to a bit of miss-communication between myself and Charlie the Bikemonger I've come in £226 over budget. So if you good people dont mind I thought I'd put the spec here for you to have a look at and ask all of you for your comments on what you'd chop and change and why, or alternatively if you'd just find a way of paying the extra £226!
Original budget was £1600, currently sitting at £1826.54!
Stooge 29er Hardtail Frame and Fork - 2nd GENERATION - Colour:Aqua Blue £439.99
hope hubs in orange
£227.00
hope headset in orange
£80.00
0 WTB Scraper Rim - size:27.5 650b
£219.98
7673 WTB Trail Blazer TCS Light Fast Rolling Folding Tyre 27.5 x 2.8
£71.80
tubless parts and set up
£50.00
slx cranks 175mm with Surly chainring 36t
£119.99
41 KMC Z610 HX Chain 3/32"
£9.95
219 Charlie's Single Speed cassette Spacers + Lockring
£15.99
197 Surly Cassette Cog:18t
£22.90
Stooge Moto bar
£ not sure
thomson stem 70mm zero
£79.99
1924 01 Racing Carbon Headset Spacers
£10.99
5387 ESI Extra Chunky Grips - Colour:Black
£15.99
Thomson seatpost 27.2 (layback 410)
£80.00
6222 Brooks Cambium Saddle C17 - Colour:Rust
£109.99
seatclamp black QR
£8.99
slx brakes inc rotors
£198.00
At this point my thinking is downgrade the Thompson stuff and the Brooks saddle and then cough up the rest?
What would you do?
Ditch the Thomson as you say and go for deore brakes.
A bit of shopping around could help - CRC have SLX brakes at £42 each and XT rotors at £17 making a set less than £120, saving you £80ish, just on brakes.
Here's my latest try
[img] 
[/img]
Double post - image issues
Thanks for the advice guys, I think i'll ditch the Thompson and pay up the rest. I'll post pics when it's all done.
You deleted the wrong post Bonesetter.
😳
**** knows whats going with Picasa. No problems ever till now
[img] 
[/img]
Front brake...?
thegreatesttapegoodspot
Bonesetter how well does it roll on those wheels/tyres compared to set up as a 'normal' 29er?
What would you do?
Buy from a cheaper shop? £50 for tubeless parts and setup...WTF is that?!
I'll let you know tom when i've ridden it 😉
Well, Stooge in the above B+ rear, 29+ front is just epic.
Last night's ride was very dry with zero mud, with a dampness to the ground which gave compliancy and uber grip - hero dirt basically
Wow, the Stooge (and rider) was flying. I've been riding my rigid Trek Stache 5 for the past couple of months and stepping onto the Stooge I was laughing and shreeking like a kid at bronco
I don't like to say this, but the Stooge blows the Stache away as far as ride goes
It feels organic, planted, compliant, comfortable in comparison to a dead, inert feel of the Trek. I really didn't think frame material could make such a difference, and of course it's more than that, but wow what a difference
I can't imagine it getting any better
£50 for tubeless parts and setup...WTF is that?!
+1
For some 50mm electrical tape and a minute with the compressor, I can see it taking an hour if it's some bodged together spec by the buyer, you'd have to pay me a lot more than £50 to get some wheels setup properly! But if it's tubeless wheels and tyres then that's a bit steep.
If that were my build I'd maybe trim back on some finishing kit, Thompson, brooks and stooge bars are all nice, but not cheap! You could cut about £300 there and replace it with £70 of alright stuff from somewhere else (On-One twelfty post, On-One CNC stem, Charge Spoon saddle, OG bars)
Wow, few rides in with the Stooge Moto Bars
They work - really work, very well
Highly recommended, even go as far as to say transform the bike
Since trying this mixed wheel size set-up and it immediately making me squeal, I haven't felt like changing things...
Moto bars and a shorter stem nudged the fun a bit further 😛
[img] 
[/img]
Is the stack height measurement on the Stooge website correct at 584?
There's a 3mm difference between adding fork length, head tube length and bb drop between a Stooge and my large Swift 663 stooge v 660 swift, but the stack is given as 584 when my Swift is given 619. I realise there's more trigonometry involved, but not sure how there could be a big difference.
Read through this thread, and people seem to be having level bars or higher with the Stooge,, especially with a 29 plus front to unweight the bars on the hands. Mulling over trying a Stooge, though there looks to be only 1 degree difference in head angle. My Fatty was 584 ish and would want something higher.
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
Little artistic licence on having Moto bars..
Just waiting on the front brake mount for the 180mm rotor.
Wow Cokie, that looks like a pearler. Loving that colour
So, that's a Chuppa up front? How about the rear?
Moto bars are perfect for Stooge
And what's that front chainring? I run the same cranks with a RF narrow/wide
Beauty