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

Still a few thing to iron out ... but I really really like this bike.
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I'm so close to pressing the buy button on one of these. The look and geometry looks bang on, I'm just not convinced on the sizing. Is anyone out there 6 foot or 6'1 riding one if so what is your set up? Is there one in the central highlands of scotland where I can throw a leg over? Cheers Mark.

Markdubya, i'm just shy of 6' and i designed the bike for me, so if you're 6'1 you'll have no problems. Bonesetter on here is 6'2.

The frame isn't a one size fits all, it's more that i only produce one size. Having said that, the 18" seat-tube is also misleading as it suggests it's sized like a regular 'medium' bike, which it isn't. The size is closer to a 'Large' Santa Cruz, or if it was following the trend of a lot of bike companies it would be an 'actual' 18, but a virtual 19.5, if that makes sense. With a 90 stem and 35mm of spacers it's pretty damned massive, in fact. At the other end of the scale, the big stand over clearance, combined with a stubby stem and no spacers mean the bike can be shrunk to fit someone much shorter. But the ideal size rider would be between 5'9 and 6'1.

Hope that all makes sense 🙂

Yeah that makes total sense, many thanks for the clarification. It is always hard to tell from forums/reviews as everyone is different. Do you still have any purple ones left?
Cheers
Mark

yes i do, down to the last few though.

cheers, Andy

so called into Keep Pedalling on Manchester, great shop and patient,honest people, to look at the stooge. So this is all based on a shop look and sit on as it was torrential rain putside.

Colours both are stunning in the real world. Hard choice...........

Sizing at just 6ft and shrinking it seemed right, but had layback post and salsa 17 bend handlebars so hard to tell. Lots of spacers under stem so felt very 'high'. I have had large Santa Cruz and would agree feels like that size.

Design is just loverly, really retro and unusual.

Weight felt okay in single speed with no fancy parts just solid stuff XT that I would use.

Tyres plenty of space for Conti 2.4's.

I confess to being smitten and off back on a dry day for a ride. 😀

Is it wrong that I want to build my Aqua stooge with many purple parts? 😛

Is it wrong that I want to build my Aqua stooge with many purple parts?

Classic Yeti Ultimate colourscheme 8)

Sizing: I'm about 5'7-8", Cheezpleez is maybe an inch taller to me, his Stooge felt good to me with a 60mm stem and wide bars.

I am 6'1" and ran my Stooge with setback setpost and Salsa bend2 23degr (70cm) on both 70 and 90 stems. No problem to get seated well.

Now I run it singlespeed with Marybar and 90mm stem.
Great singlespeeder !!!!

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any one used it for bikepacking duties yet?

Also interested in bikepacking setups.

A range of custom frame bags are also on their way to fit the main triangle perfectly.

Plum crazy ordered tonight from ctbm!! Soooo excited

Has this thread not gone away yet?

ska-49 - Member

Is it wrong that I want to build my Aqua stooge with many purple parts?

Feels right to me 😀

Keen to know how Cheezeez is getting on with his Stooge? More a question of how much slacker is it than his inbred. Asking as I have a Scandal and fancy something just a tad slacker. But seem to remember that the old On-one 29er HA was 70• with sag. So wondering if it is intact similar to the Stooge...

It's much slacker than the inbred. Inbred (or scandal) is great as a more traditional xc bike, the stooge is totally different and better in many ways. The high front position is strange at first if you are used to an a traditional frame like inbred or scandal, but somehow works great. It goes downhill like no other rigid bike i have tried and on most stuff I am faster than on a inbred with 100mm Rebas. The confidence it inspires when going down is incredible. Don't have to drop the seat anymore except for really steep and nasty stuff. When going up you just lean slightly forward and push on the pedals and it goes like a train. I was afraid that the front will feel vague but its not even on steep stuff. The only drawback can be the weight but it feels solid rather than porky when riding.
[img] https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/SVtYo0ZtzL4dLprdnJiC4pNscdaj92KNJ9ZmVF1cuHs=w981-h552-no [/img]

Thanks miranmtb. You're selling it to me. Going to have to see if I can try one over the autumn.

I rode my ti Kona Raijin with a Niner RDO carbon taper fork yesterday - first time in ages... man, by comparison it's heavy on the front. Real thudding and when I first built that up I thought it the dogs

I changed the stem for a shorter one (90 to 70)put a set of Salsa Bend bars on, and another spacer under the stem. This helped a lot, but was still no-where near and still so slow and thuddy. That was with a Nans Dampf at 18 psi

It was nice on the flat, but just couldn't get the flow going down. Stooge just blasts down in comparison, like a full squish bike, really

The Knard is almost airless now - god knows what psi, but that's the whole point - there's so little of your weight on the front you can run it so low

Bonesetter - out of interest, how does the Stooge compare to your By:Stickel?

There is a lot of hype about this bike in this thread, but as I found out in this case it is justified. For me it's like when I switched from a 26 hardtail to a rigid inbred 29er so many years ago.
All other bikes feel strange and outdated in comparison to my stooge now.
Haven't tried the knard yet (use a "normal" 2.4 chunky monkey on the front) but carbon bars (on one Knuckleball in chewy version) and soft grips (ESI chunky) also make a huge difference in comfort on a rigid bike.

I'm on holiday next week, I can't afford one. Please, let this thread die.
Thanks.

I keep coming back to this thread. If I didn't have a diamond Jones already, I'd have probably bought one of these. Lovely looking, and if they ride half as good as my Jones does...

Mirianmtb, re bags, they're a little way off right now but i'll shout you as soon as they're on the way. Glad you like the bike, by the way 🙂

Did the same loop yesterday on the Stooge as I had on the Raijin...

Dear me how different can two rigid bikes be

From being slow and jarring to easy, big speed with massive grin was just great

any one used it for bikepacking duties yet?

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Build finished for Winter. I'll build it up with some niceer parts post-muck/grit season.

Good looking build ska. When are you planning on bring it over to Swinley? I'd love to take a closer look

I've got to say, I wasn't convinced by the stooge originally, the colours or frame design. But now, I sort of want one, very much, just looks and sounds ideal for local woods riding, especially in winter ss guise!

Haven't finished my scandal build yet though..... 🙁

good looking build, what's with the crossed brake hoses, are you running Euro-style?

ska, that is wonderful looking, great pics too 8) I'd only suggest doing something with those Stans rim decals, either remove or colourcode (tarty I know but hey ho).

I click on this thread far too many times for my own liking, if I hadn't had a Rooster coming I'd have had one of these by now!

I'm a big fan of de-stickering rims myself. Small snag is I have a set of Crests and a set of Arch Ex and have to keep a close eye on which is which! (Luckily they have different rotors on).

@ska drop me a mail in a couple of weeks when you decide to sell this on

really like the look of these stooge bikes. been in the market for a slacker 29r myself.
But, how can 1 size bike work for anyone. i have a mate who is 5ft 2'' and i am 6ft 4'', how can we both ride the same frame.
if i were to buy one of these, and ran it with a 450mm seatpost, which i would have to, i am pretty sure that the frame/seatpost would end up damaged.

thoughts please.

I don't think it's claimed that one size fits all, just that the make so far has opted to make only one size - though it does 'fit many'.

There is a response on this from the maker themselves if you look back through the thread.

here: http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/stooge-cycles-whos-interested-slack-29er-content/page/10?replies=354#post-6227777

Stooge [url= http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.co.uk/ ]'Review'[/url]

Nice review that - prettyy much exactly reflects what I found

I like his comment:

[i]The seasoned rigid rider will feel like they've just discovered Colonial Sanders secret recipe and the newbie will probably wonder why they ever bothered with suspension in the first place.[/i]

So, who's tried experimenting with BB position (review comment on climbing prowess)??

I've left mine in the 'shortest chainstay position' so far

Ouch, that hurt a bit...

The Knard's days are numbered

story to tell? (bones to set?)

I'm 1/2 way between lowest + shortest rear axle to BB length. Climbs really really well, not sure if changing the BB position would change this massively. Apart from that the review rings true with my experiences.

Roll on Maxxis 29+ tyre / Dirt Wizzards.

Anyone found a cheap(er) source of Dually rims ?

mattjg - Member
story to tell? (bones to set?)

He he. Knard totally washed out and put me on my back on a tiny piece of mud. The remains of a puddle on concrete. Scratched up the bar end, pedal end and rear mech grrr (bike unscathed 🙂 )

I did notice the Knard's total lack of control/grip on other bits of mud too

Hope the Maxxis tyre is on time delivery wise

Knard + mud = oh crap 😉 I have been wondering if modding the Kanrd would help, removing some of the knobs, anyway I never got around to it because, Real fat is the answer.

Been waiting for the Dirt Wizzard for a year! Come on Surly!!! The Maxxis Chronicle looks good, but doesn't look like it'll shed mud well, and the new Vee offering looks like only a 2.7” tyre, with the tread being only 2.5” wide, which is a bit of a head scratcher?

I have been wondering why so many people are going fat front when the tyre choice is basically restricted to a single large slick.

I'm waiting for the Maxxis Chronicle.
Currently have a Spec Purgatory 2.3, which I'm rather impressed with.

likewise on my N9, Purgatory Control 2.3 for dry home rides, Butcher Control for home wet or when off to rocky places. The profile is OK on 21mm rims too (HDs were too bulbous IMO).

There's the 3" Bontrager Chupacabra coming too

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Doesn't look as if it'll be much better than the Knard when the mud comes.

Oh, I dunno. That looks like it has much bigger knobbles than a Knard.

It's on their website http://store.trekbikes.com/product/bontrager+chupacabra+tire.do#

Looks like a similar pattern to the Knard with slightly taller knobblies

Hmmmm 120 dollars? Doesn't look good for uk pricing....

The 29-4 is listed as being $75.00 though and retails here for £39.99, so maybe around £65/70?

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Ska, what's the arrangement on your freehub? It looks like you've got some funny spacer on there. Perhaps i'm seeing things...

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http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gusset-1-er-single-speed-conversion-kit/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&utm_source=pla&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=uk&kpid=5360064408

^^ Running the Gusset SS kit. Setting up SS was very easy- spacing was perfect first time.

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Fanboy apparel! Who's getting one?

On a side note, my dad saw the bike and thought I bought my mum a new dutch style town bike 😆

Edit: I've just taken the freehub off and filled it with grease. The proII has been completely silenced! Wonder how long this will last.

Looks like it might shed mud well, no weight on the website.
http://store.trekbikes.com/product/bontrager+chupacabra+tire/ViewLarger.do?sortby=ourPicks

Quick (slightly) OT question:

I'm going to a wider 50mm rim up front (maybe rear too) - so would I need a Rabbit Hole (or possibly Dually)

http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/surly-rabbit-hole-29er-50mm-rim-3712-p.asp

And what else do I need for tubeless running? Tape etc

Cheers

I've been running a rabbit hole rear and am looking to scale down to a Dually. I set em up tubeless with Gorrilla tape, nae problems so far.

T shirts look great 🙂

One wrap of Gorrilla tape and a valve stem.
Fit the tyre with a tube first.
Then remove the tube without breaking the bead on one side.
Fit your valve and put the wheel so that the open bead is hanging down and bang it with the compressor.
Sorted.

Thanks

Couldn't quite remember everything you said yesterday Stu. Cheers

T's do look good

Mal-ec... If your looking to liberate that Rabbit Hole rim I could provide a safe haven... 😉

to reiterate re sizing I rode Cheezpleez' Stooge for a couple of miles today, up along and down, I'm just under 5'8", the fit was fine with a short stem and wide bars (which is how I like anyway).

I don't think medium-sized riders need worry this is a bike for the tall. I'd happily buy one and if I can get over my preference for front boing, perhaps I will.

Matt. I wasn't looking for a rigid bike, but have been really impressed with what it can handle without beating me up. I've had problems with riding rigid in the past. Nowt with this.

Cheers Takisawa, will give you a shout when I get Duallied up.

Interesting, it's a nice ride overall for sure, a little softer than my Nimble 9.

Really looking forward to fondling one of these at SSUK.
Keen to see if it's as comfy as my SIR.9

I owned a SIR 9 for some time. Very nice feel to it indeed

A very different bike to the Stooge however. As comfortable? Easily. And the crazy way Stooge handles gives it the much bigger edge

Stooge is much more a trail bike than the SIR9.

As far as build quality and looks go...believe the hype!

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I bit the bullet and ordered a frame, thinking I could build it up pretty cheaply with the parts I have.

I then realised that I don't have a set of 29er wheels.

Any recommendations for a suitable wheelset?

GD

Jonestown - Any clues as to what is coming next from you? Wide sweepy bars? Slack short fatty?

Rode mine with a Knard up front for the first time last night. Wow! Super comfy and tons of grip and 29+ seems to be a perfect partner for the Stooge.

I was riding quite gingerly, having read everyone's warnings about Knards in mud but it outperformed other people's 'normal' tyres on off-camber damp chalk and roots. I did get to see the Knard's limitations though. They really don't like wet mud.

I'm running it on a Crest until I get it together to build up something wider. No problems as yet at approx 15 psi.

I love this bike. 😆

julioflow, there are a few things that i keep thinking about, in no particular order - a handlebar for the Stooge, because the perfect bar doesn't exist yet, 650+, a radical cyclocross/touring bike. Not feeling the urge for the fatbike, i think i'd be lost in an ocean of them. All i need to do now is make some money so i can make some of these ideas a reality 🙂

Not a full 29+ bike then ?! not many of those around?

Surely a fork which could take a fat but not lose any of the elements you've designed into your existing fork must be in there? Knards are fine, as is 29 plus, but for going fast on trails a Surly Bud really is remarkable, even compared to the four inch floater.

Tell me more about bars. Are you, by any chance, thinking wide-ish (720+) and sweepy, with a bit of twang (but not too much)?

that's exactly what i was thinking of

I'm currently running On-One OG's

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On-One[i]"Dimensions are a 25degree bend, 685mm end to end, which mean they feel like a 720mm wide conventional riser bar."[/i]

I feel these suit the bike rather well but i'd like to try something with slightly less back sweep .

Gotama - Member
Surely a fork which could take a fat but not lose any of the elements you've designed into your existing fork must be in there? Knards are fine, as is 29 plus, but for going fast on trails a Surly Bud really is remarkable, even compared to the four inch floater.

+1

This is perhaps something which should have been there from the start - so folks have the choice

bonesetter - Member
Gotama - Member
Surely a fork which could take a fat but not lose any of the elements you've designed into your existing fork must be in there? Knards are fine, as is 29 plus, but for going fast on trails a Surly Bud really is remarkable, even compared to the four inch floater.
+1

This is perhaps something which should have been there from the start - so folks have the choice

If only someone had mentioned that back on page 2. 😆

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