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

Eh?

Lost me as well...

Glad its not just me then.

Ok now that's all cleared up....
What bars are you fellow Stoogilists running or have tried out?

I used On-One OG's from the start and felt they really suited the bike, very comfortable and they handled way better than expected due to the old mandlebar shape of them. Almost perfect except for in certain situations elbows felt a little tucked in and felt unnatural when "power wheelieing " out of a corner for instance.

I've now fitted a set of more conventional wide mtb bars 780 trimmed to 740 initial feeling is good, putting me in the attack position but noticed the lack of comfort offered by the OG's immediately but that'll prob just need a bit of getting used to....
Was hoping to get out for a better ride today but it seems my riding buddy is being a fair weather pussy and I've got a bit of a hangover still so maybe later.
Aaanyway regardless of performance I'm liking the look of these,

[IMG] [/IMG]

[IMG] [/IMG]

proppa sick n ting ennit

That looks really nice! Suits the purple.
I'm currently running 740mm devinci bars with 20mm rise. I think it'll benefit from from something wider and lower rise. I think 760mm might do it.
I've never been a fan of funny shaped bars. Don't agree with my riding style.

81 Miles and 8000ft singlespeed on the stooge today, round Lochness

Just loving this beastie!

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^ what a great way to go Nessy spotting.

Really nice pic.

I think Mr Stooge has put glow in the dark in that blue

I know how popular bikes hanging on log piles are, so here's my Stooge on a log pile

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Wow, don't think I've seen a log pile that big before

Yours getting much use?

Just ordered mine!

I've spent ages musing over what to replace my 2010 Soul with. This frame appeals on so many levels, but especially the art-appreciating part of me.

Better be good! 🙂

Enjoy the new bike Ben H.

What set up are you going to build yours up like?

A few thoughts after riding mine for some time:
[list]
[*]it may be designed to run Knards on the front but wide 2.4 (Chunky Monkey, Ardent) tires work just fine. May try 29plus in the future when tire selection and tubeless support improves and prices lower.[/*]
[*]Answer 20/20 bars (20 degrees sweep) are great, especially for climbing but normal wide risers are better when descending rough technical stuff (elbows out). Still undecided on which to settle on. Prefer carbon bars on rigid bikes as they improve comfort.[/*]
[*]The paint is really high quality, my trails are rocky and had a lot of paint damage on the other frames. Stooge is sill perfect with very few marks.
[*]The bike feels efficient (stiffer at bb maybe) when climbing but it is comfortable at the same time.[/*]
[*]The bike is well balanced, the riding position is more upright, comfortable and efficient at the same time. When climbing the front wheel is planted and while descending I rarely have to drop the saddle. The saddle can be dropped all the way down too.[/*]
[*]The EBB has been trouble free for now and I like the option to lower the BB height as it rides better with lower BB.[/*]
[/list]
And now the things i would like to improve in the future:
[list]
[*]a bit more clearance at the back just to fit wider tyres (Ardent 2.4) with more clearance.[/*]
[*]remove the front derailleur guides as they are pointless imho (ss or 1x10)[/*]
[*]the reinforcing plate at the top tube looks a bit agricultural.[/*]
[*]it could be lighter :)[/*]
[/list]

Not sure it was designed to run knards, I think it was a happy coincidence...

http://stoogecycles.co.uk/the-perfect-stooge-set-up/

3. Surly Knard front tyre. The Stooge was designed to be run with this tyre. It provides all the suspension you need. Regular 29er tyres will work fine but the steering will speed up a little and obviously more chatter makes it through. I originally ran the Knard on a skinny rim and it was fine, though i now use a Velocity Dually which allows it to be run at a lower pressure.

Normal Man - Member

Enjoy the new bike Ben H.

What set up are you going to build yours up like?

To start with, the build will take everything apart from the fork, rims and tyres from my current Cotic Soul.

I'm taking the wheels from my Cotic Escapade and having my Soul's hubs re-built with some narrower rims than the Crests, which don't allow for anything less than a 35c tyre. The Crest set will be fine for the Stooge and I'll use DT X470s for the Escapade (allowing a return to 28c tyres).

Spec will be as follows:

[b]Wheels:[/b] Hope Pro 2 Evo / Stans Crest / Conti Mountain King Protection 2.4 29
[b]Gears:[/b] XTR / XT 1x10 - possibly singlespeed in winter
[b]Finishing:[/b] Hope headset, Thomson 80mm stem & layback post, Fizik Gobi saddle, EC70 bar

Based on Andy's frame weight stated in this thread, this should result in an overall weight of around 24.75lb / 11.2kg - which is about a pound heavier than my Soul with Fox 32s.

Despite occasionally experimenting with a rigid fork on the Soul, I've not ridden [i]sans suspension[/i] for any length of time since 1996. Given that the Stooge is pretty much rigid only, this is going to be an interesting experiment!

That said, now that I'm a mid-30s dad with 2 kids, my riding is almost exclusively ripping the local trails at Ashton Court (Bristol) for 1-1.5 hours. I decided that not much of the new tech - dropper posts, morphing wheel sizes, axles, headtubes, suspension etc - is going to do it for me. 🙂

Thanks Ben.

Sounds like a good plan and I totally get where you are coming from in the decision making process.

I take it you are bit of a Cotic fan then? As I've before on this thread, if I hadn't recently bought a Solaris (before really noticing the Stooge) I'd have been mighty tempted with one of the Stooge 29ers. (In purple, but not that I have built one in my head or anything!)

Normal Man - I did strongly consider the Solaris and, yes, I am a major Cotic fan.

I set aside a fair old chunk (£3k) for a replacement bike. I even started off looking at dream machines and custom frames, but didn't think I'd get great VFM spending that much.

The Solaris is lighter and has more modern standards than the Stooge - offering more build possibilities.

But to get the benefit from a Solaris (as I see it), I'd have budgeted for: a nice rigid fork (£250), suspension forks (£500, for what I'd want), a new seatpost (£50-300) and headset (£65). I do like the Duck Egg blue, but I have that on my Escapade and find it marks easily compared to their gloss paint; and I don't like the green.

Basically, it was going to cost a fair old bit to get what I wanted. I weighed that up against this being my first 29er and what I really use my MTB for these days (mainly short blast around the woods, in between work and childcare).

The Stooge is a reasonably low-risk punt for me and most parts move across from my Soul. I also need to replace the Crest rims on my Escapade, as they're too wide.

If I hate it, then it won't have eaten-up too much cash. 🙂

Knard on a Dually.
Not sure I'd want to run one on anything narrower TBH.
Profile [i]looks[/i] a good bit rounder than on the Rabbit Hole it was designed for.
Went up ghetto tubeless ok, with a 24" tube.

Your reasoning makes sense Ben and I hope the Stooge works out.

I'd been won over by bigger wheels by a Spesh Carve. I'd got a good deal on one in the end of model year sales and thought a 29er ht would suit my riding, especially as much of the off road I do either has a tarmac ride to get there or to link up sections.
When my son outgrew his Hardrock he wanted to try the Carve (he had been eyeing it up from day one!) So I thought I'd look around and was drawn to Cotic. Initially, the Solaris then I started to think about the Soul due to it having such a classic reputation, then the 275 version but in the end the call of big wheels won out and I ordered the Solaris.

I went complete build then just swapped out a few bits with what I had in the parts bin.

Maybe if I'd been looking at frame only to build up, then the process would have taken longer and perhaps I'd have spotted the Stooge and it would have been in the mix.

I certainly admire them. Look forward to hearing how you get on with it.

Sorry, meant to put the pic to go with the above post.

[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3943/15309404338_b0da3955a5_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3943/15309404338_b0da3955a5_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/takisawa2/15309404338/ ]IMAG3977[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/takisawa2/ ]pten2106[/url], on Flickr

Hi Ben, super-chuffed you chose one of my frames over the competition, i'm hopiing you'll like it a lot. Just for your info, i'm just shy of 6' and i run with a 70mm stem and 30mm of spacers up front. For bars i alternate between Jones Bend bars and Salsa 23 degree bend bars. Love the salsa for flingability, love the Jones for uber-comfort on longer rides.

It's a case of suck it and see, mess around with stem length etc and find one that suits you, but if you need any help with the set-up don't hesitate to give me a shout.

Re front tyres, i did design the 29+ size in. My own experience having spent 6 months riding it - the bigger tyre is great if you do lots of big mountain work and fast descents, a regular tyre is great for woodland hacking and speedier line-changes, both work great, you may prefer one over the other in the long run.

cheers again, Andy

And now the things i would like to improve in the future:
a bit more clearance at the back just to fit wider tyres (Ardent 2.4) with more clearance.
remove the front derailleur guides as they are pointless imho (ss or 1x10)
the reinforcing plate at the top tube looks a bit agricultural.
it could be lighter

agree with most of the above. Doubt it will get any lighter, though 🙂

Nice summary Miran. Would agree with most of that.
Weight hasn't been an issue since switching rabbit holes to wide lightnings. Certainly wouldn't want to lose that balance of strength and compliance.

Anyone considering running a Minion 2.5 on their Stooge?

So I took the Knard off today and fitted up a Hans Dampf...

I half expected the profile to be too square on the 50mm Rabbit Hole rim, but it looks ok

The Knard first, then the HD, coming in at 2.6"

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Fitted a 2.4" X-King on a Dually to mine today. I was worried about the tyre profile squaring off too much but the profile's actually very nice.

Stooge's paint is super durable and thick

Still cleans up to a shine

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Still loving the Stooge. It's my go to bike at the moment.
Looking forward to putting a 3'' tyre on though. The 2.3'' is a bit harsh.
[IMG] [/IMG]

Great Picture ^^

Stooge is also my goto bike..just love it.

Built:

[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]

I've not ridden it in anger yet, as it turns out that the rear brake hose needs to be 20cm longer than on my old Cotic Soul! (The sheep pictured around the bottom braket area slid down the brake hose).

Inspired by all this recent foul weather, I've built it up as a singlespeed. Weight is around 24.5lb; closer to 26lb with gears I'd imagine.

Brief build spec: Hope hubs on DT X470 rims, Mountain King Protection 2.4 tyres, Thomson 80mm flat stem & layback post, Easton EC70 lo-rise bars, XT brakes & cranks.

First impressions:

- It's a big, long bike... certainly compared to my Soul (this is my maiden 29er)
- Quality and finish are exactly what they need to be to compete with the big boys (i.e. very good)
- Looks amazing
- Eccentric bottom bracket is a breeze to set up
- Rider position feels immediately comfortable

Ride notes to follow... 🙂

Picture / radiator alignment fail 😉

Lovely bike. Enjoy.

Edited. Cut'n'paste. On One. Off on one. Lost me too.

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biff - Member
Jones Geometry – check the figures. Check the date.
Jones Plus Geometry - different figures. Different date.
Thread closed :O)

biff - Member
Edited. Cut'n'paste. On One. Off on one. Lost me too.

You no maka da sensa...
Speak English bwoi

Looks great Ben - what dimensions are you?

Having a good time ...

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... the Stooge is still great.

i look out of my window at the wind and rain and feel nothing but jealousy. where are you?

Slovenia. Not a bad place to be at the moment 😉
[img] [/img]
Bought the frame and fork from a friend (all I wanted was a test ride 🙂 ), so probably still the only Stooge in the country.

bonesetter - Member

Looks great Ben - what dimensions are you?

I'm 6'0", with a 32" inside leg. I've only ridden the bike to the shops since building it, as I've still not bled the rear brake properly since fitting a longer hose.

The 80mm stem and layback post feel good to me though.

Well FFS, get out on the trail and report back

Should be a sweet ride - I think the lay back post is essential. Gets you right over the back axle

I agree. Second ride on the new stooge and the layback felt better than an inline...been riding rigid 29 ers for a few years and this is a corker. I am running a 70mm stem..and 720 bars with a slight backsweep....I also felt have the bb in lowest position waorked better. Stil not sure about tyres..on 2. Ardents, but it feels like it wants a bigger tyre...but I don't fancy the weighty knards or chronicles....

The bigger volume tyre (on a wide rim) makes such a difference, and as Stooge's front is so light, a 'slight' bit of extra tyre heft is insignificant

Not sure I would be buying a Knard though with winter round the corner (dam right dangerous in mud)

Sounds like you're having good fun there 🙂

Think you are right. Will get this winter fine with ( when it arrives) and then go for some wide rims and tyre. This bike just has soul.

Just back from a 70 mile spin in the Cairngorms....this bike just keeps impressing me!
The all day comfort is outstanding.
Still using a knard up-front but planning a Magic Mary for the winter

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Oh I also found a long lost cousin

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Nice. What was your route?

I have been lurking on this thread for a while now trying to resist......
I have been riding a ridgid, singlespeed 29er for a while now as my only bike. Inbred with chromotos. This was built as a bit of an experiment to see if I liked 29ers and if I could live with fully ridgid, single speed as my only bike. 2 years later I still have it and love it. It does big New Forest xc rides, short sharp local blasts and days out in south wales very well. I now find myself wanting a stooge. I know it would be a better technical riding bike but how would it handle New Forest slogging ? lots of short sharp climbs and decents puntuated with long flat sections. I have fallen into the trap before of building lovely bikes that are not suited to my local riding in any way. I would be very intersted in your thoughts.
Loveing the purple one.........

obviously i would say this, but..

I spent a week in the New Forest back in June and it was perfect there. The Stooge is designed to be ridden all day, up and down, in super comfort. Don't think you'll be disappointed.

On a sadder note, i'm afraid all the purple have sold out, though i'm sure Keep Pedalling in Manchester still have one if you REALLY wanted one.

check out other thread on the forum for more owners reviews.

cheers, Andy

nimo - the riding you describe sounds pretty similar to my usual rides - snakes and ladders type of hilly riding (Clent Hills) - longer and more ladders than snakes, but some climbs are fairly steep (I run a 30T chainring on a 1x set-up), and I do look for the steepest I can find. Some of the descents are as fast as you dare go. These rides usually last ~ 1 1/2 to 2 hrs and cover about 13 miles

Weekends see more of a XC 'pub ride' (30 miles ish) and I'm out for up to 8 hrs 🙂 Stooge performs brilliantly at both tasks, and always gets me home safe, despite the quantity imbibed 🙂

mmmmmmmm, sounds like it could be the one.........
I will be running single speed and sensible to sturdy build.

All my rides are in the Highlands and covering some big miles and I am riding singlespeed.

Trust me...you won't be dissapointed!

Its a great bike!

As someone with a permanent n+1 itch, hearing that the purple has sold out is actually good news in a twisted kind of way!

Couple of puffer laps tonight..
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Chronicle works well as a front tyre. Impressed.
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Mal-ec - Member

Chronicle works well as a front tyre. Impressed.

Did you try them in mud? My lbs has some and I want to get the mud feedback before I buy one...

Only non sticky mud. Not clay-y woodlands yet as its been too wet last couple of days. But in gritty mud, cleared fine and cornered better than expected as the side knobs bit in. Great on wet rock/slate whereas the Knards were getting proper sketchy. Will report back when I've done some more filth riding. Can't see them being great in very claggy mud.

How big a tyre can you fit on the back?

I'm running a 2.4 Chunky Monkey and it just about goes, well I've buzzed a bit of paint of the seat stay under flex that is.
It is on a Dually mind, with a narrower rim YMMV maybe even take a larger tyre.

2.4 ardent which is pretty big. Was pretty tight on Rabbit holes, fine on 32mm wide lightnings.

2.4 Racing Ralph buzzed the seat stay - changed to a Fire XC Pro (decent performer in 29er flavour - mediocre in small wheel format)

There's very little mud clearance even with this tyre - last ride the BB area was well stacked with trail debris

I don't like to be pernickety but regarding that article on the front page, it isn't a hardtail is it? Looks great though, glad to see half the first run has sold out!

2.35 Maxxis Ikon on a Flow EX was a tight fit with only a couple of mm clearance. Can't see a 2.4 Ardent fitting, which is a shame as that's what I wanted to use on the back

still not clear .. should I buy a Stooge?

[IMG] [/IMG]

still not clear .. should I buy a Stooge?

re rear tyres, being a one man band when i designed the bike I measured the clearance against the tyres i have, i now run a wtb 2.5 on a Dually and it's tight but there's enough there. I think some tyres with more aggressive shoulders struggle more. re the 2.35 Ikon, i think that's renowned for being an especially large tyre. All the same, i will try an eke out a few more mm on the next run.

The idea behind the rear end is pretty old school bmx though, based around the idea of a skinny rear and a fat front. I see no real advantage from running anything over a 2.3 on the back, especially with the wider rims now available. At the moment i think the rear is very rim dependant on what you can fit in. These are all things i'll look at in the future.

is there a MK2 version in the pipeline with more mounts for backpacking?

I'm running a Smorgasbord on a Crest. Lots of room and works well.

Mattjg, you know you're going to do it so just get it done. 😉

love you guys

I don't like to be pernickety but regarding that article on the front page, it isn't a hardtail is it? Looks great though, glad to see half the first run has sold out!

what would you call if if not a hardtail?

My thought is a hardtail has bouncy front suspension and the stooge is fully rigid .

I think there's some good potential for some Kickstarter campaigns or even Seedrs campaign- depending were you want the project/business to go.

CheesybeanZ - Member
My thought is a hardtail has bouncy front suspension and the stooge is fully rigid .

Got to admit that would be my take on it too.

LOL. Can't believe we're doing this

[url= http://mountainbike.about.com/od/mountainbikeglossary/g/Hardtail.htm ]Hardtail - Definition of a Mountain Bike Hardtail[/url]

Yeh like I'm going to take any notice of a man called Kevin Tisue! 🙂

Normal Man - Member

As someone with a permanent n+1 itch, hearing that the purple has sold out is actually good news in a twisted kind of way!

Same here - although it does raise the spectre of a lovely green one appearing at some point. Or a red one. Orange maybe....

A version with 29+ rear spacing would be nice... in purple too 😉

bonesetter - Member
LOL. Can't believe we're doing this

It was just that no one called them that till front suspension came along 😉

next versions should be matt black or raw steel with a mad max-esque finish.

if anyone wants a demo ride in the midlands give me a shout and you can snaffle mine for a day or two

Snaffling a stooge sounds like something you shouldn't Google 😆