[Closed] Stooge owners, persuade me

Had my mark 3 Stooge for over 3 years and have had it set up 29er single speed, 1 X 10 and 27.5+ single speed, 1 X 10. I love it, can't see me selling it anytime soon as it makes me smile every time I ride it. It's pretty competent for a rigid bike. If it's not going to cost you a lot to change frames then go for it.

Edit: sorry, it's a mark 2

Simple really....

It makes me smile when I ride it.

Simply Hugely capable going up, super nimble on single-track and a riot on the downs.

It just works.

Everything didnthurt said!
Awesome frames, a blast to ride, you won’t regret it.

Ha, my finger is literally hovering over the button.....

I've got a MK3, originally I had it setup with 120mm bouncy forks and 27.5"+, because I thought it wouldn't be capable enough rigid. It's an absolute riot with the bouncy forks. Far more capable than me.

I've now put the rigid forks on and it's no less capable. It's fast, agile, comfortable, and made my biking far more enjoyable than anything I've had in the last 20 years.

I rode the MK4 at the Steel is Real Demo day at the FOD in October. It's a different beast to the MK3. It's a big, slack, lunatic of a bike. Surprisingly light and agile for a 29+ monster truck, but nimble and confident in the tight twisty stuff. Head downwards and it just inspires confidence, point it where you want it and it'll scream for more than you can throw at it.

The only thing it didn't excel at was the pump track. It's just a bit too long for that. But if you are riding pump tracks then a fit for purpose bike is going to win all day long.

Do it. Come join the revolution.

Live a little and buy the original it was copied from.
If you're going to buy some niche tat may as well buy the original niche tat.😉
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/6083/6097854364_7e3dd095fd_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/6083/6097854364_7e3dd095fd_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/ahR6E5 ]IMG00037-20110830-1037[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]multispeedstu[/url], on Flickr

I did consider a Jones, but wife + available funds say Non!

The deed is done 😋
Need a 30.9 dropper, 1 1/8 headset, and a 2.6" rear tyre now...

Brand X post and whatever is on offer on CRC then 😉

The Stooge MK4 is no Jones.

I did consider a Jones, but wife + available funds say Non

How much is your wife worth?
😵
I've got a few spare 30.9 droppers in the garage if you're interested

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Just built up my MK4 today and was well pleased. It replaced a MK2 Which is had for about 3 years and loved. Took it out for a couple hours today on and off road and it's definitely still a real blast. The front end took a while to get used to but it feels just great now and I've found the technique to hop and manual it that I had on the MK2 so it's all good. The rangier front makes cruising just that bit comfier. I have the 27.5 wheel version with the 57mm fork offset rather than the full 80mm forks.

Im pretty sure you'll enjoy it and keep coming back for more.

Well done for joining the club. You won't regret it. I have a mark 4 and bloody love it.

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I bought a MK2 out of curiosity, bloody loved it so much I ended up a year later asking stooge to build me one in ti and that is an absolute dream machine.

I use it for everything trail centres/bikepacking/going out on family bike rides etc... thinking of moving on all the other bikes I have to just have the one, enjoy your mk4 🤩

That Jones looks tiny and squashed or is it just the way the photo has been taken. I’ve got a Speedball and it’s ace. Just a nice place to be sat for a ride. Be there a quick pootle down a towpath or ragging it about around the peaks. Must admit I’d swap for a Mk4 though.

I’m not an owner (unless Andy forgets to get my test bike back) but my thoughts are in the next mag (spoiler: I agree with the owners above). @ajantom you might not get as long a dropper in as you first think - there’s a slight kink in the seat tube and mine wasn’t quite reamed all the way. Worth checking out insertion depth with a standard post before you order anything! Have fun, and prepare for all the ‘cool bike’ comments from folk in the street.

I'm 6ft, so hoping a 150mm will fit ok for me. Fingers crossed.

I have plenty of bikes and at 6”4 I’m sure a stooge would be to wee!

L
There are some cheap 2.6 tyres on specalized website 😀

Great bikes, had a Mk1 which was fantastic in 650+ guise. Have a Mk4 now and just swapped most bits over, 650+ on it is fantastic but have the 80mm fork so just about to build a 29+ front wheel for it to see how much better it is.

What's the rear clearance like? Is it tight with a 29" 2.6 or could you squeeze in a 2.8?

Love mine been running it with 27.5 plus tyres for the last 2 years done the HT550 on it Ardrock and playing in the Lakes running rigid now got 29er wheels on for some long distance trips including  Italy Divide.

Last nights bivi 80 miles

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49445612406_3cf6c4b02b_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49445612406_3cf6c4b02b_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2ikkFUJ ]83554774_10158170544036474_241232881198825472_n[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/145353521@N03/ ]Richard Munro[/url], on Flickr

Thread derail (sorry)
You OK Rich?
Hope stuff is working out for you.
Matt and Jacky were asking if all three of you guys are ok?
As you were.

I have plenty of bikes and at 6”4 I’m sure a stooge would be to wee!

Nope. I'm 6'4" too, my 20" (large) MK3 fits like a glove with a 50mm stem and a Thomson layback post. I think I could go for a straight post without too much compromise. The MK4 is only a tiny bit shorter in the top tube than the large MK3, but with a shorter seat tube to accommodate dropper posts.

Do It! Do it now.

[img] [/img]

I'm 6 foot and have a Brand X 150mm dropper, loads of post sticking out so could run at least 175mm dropper.
Just switched from B+ to 29+ front and it's better with the bigger wheels. Thinking of running a Vigilante 2.8" up front, not sure what WTB rear to run around 2.5/2.6? Front rim is 35mm inner, rear is 30mm, perhaps a fast rolling Vigilante?

Minion DHR 29x3.0 for me up front on a 35mm inner rim. Well still have to buy!

I've already got Rabbit Holes on Hope hubs from the Krampus, Minion DHF 3" on the front.
Was looking at this for the rear...
Goodyear Newton Ultimate EN 29" 2.6

That Good Year looks good, never tried their MTB tyres.

Awesome bikes and welcome aboard. I bought a MK2 last year of a club member and was blown away how good a ride it is, MK4 frame arrived last week...as you do!

superb bikes, great trail bike

maxxis have 29 x 3.0 DHF reduced to £40

https://shop.maxxis.co.uk/collections/fat-bike-plus?gf_76716=Rim%20Size%3A29

maxxis have 29 x 3.0 DHF reduced to £40

Darn it! Paid £65 not a week ago to front my MK4 🙁

What are the differences in geometry between stooge mk 3 and Jones SWB?

I have mk 3 by the way and bloody love it!

@easdoesit Much shorter chainstays (425mm at their shortest) on the MK3, slacker head angle, longer top tube I imagine. Despite what Singlespeed Stu thinks, the MK3 is a very different machine.

Ha, I'm in the doghouse (sort of!)

I get a message at midday from the lady of the house..."what the hell have you bought?"
Turns out she knew I was going to order a frame, but I'd failed to inform her that the order had been made!

All happy now though.

It’s easier to ask forgiveness than to ask for permission.

Started building it up this evening, and encountered a couple of minor issues so far...

1 - I've been spoilt by integrated headsets! I'd forgotten what a hassle fitting 1 1/8 headsets are. I'll be blowed if I can find my old headset press anywhere, so did it the old way with some wood and a girt big g-clamp. Works, but a tedious job!

2 - the paint's nice and thick. Too thick in fact, so the dropouts won't quite fit on. Seems a pity to have to sand/file paint off a new frame. But seems I'll have to 🙁

3 - took out the ebb to check it was greased, and the BB was full of swarf. Guess it had come out if the seat or down tube. Not too impressed with that really. As if I hadn't pulled the ebb out it would have been rotating on metal filings when I adjusted it.

Looks lovely though, and can't wait to go for a maiden spin.

1 – I’ve been spoilt by integrated headsets! I’d forgotten what a hassle fitting 1 1/8 headsets are. I’ll be blowed if I can find my old headset press anywhere, so did it the old way with some wood and a girt big g-clamp. Works, but a tedious job!
2 – the paint’s nice and thick. Too thick in fact, so the dropouts won’t quite fit on. Seems a pity to have to sand/file paint off a new frame. But seems I’ll have to 🙁
3 – took out the ebb to check it was greased, and the BB was full of swarf. Guess it had come out if the seat or down tube. Not too impressed with that really. As if I hadn’t pulled the ebb out it would have been rotating on metal filings when I adjusted it.

I didn't encounter any of the above, though I confess my bike shop popped the headset in for me (after removing from my old frame). But now all that guff is out of the way, you can just enjoy this wonderful bike.

Nicest looking bike I've ever built and they ride very well. A little heavy, but very stable and still agile (I've got heavy wheels on their too).

I had the same issue with the dropouts. Thought there was an issue with the frame at first, but was relieved when they went on easily after removing a tiny bit of paint.

It's ages since I looked at any of this style of bike, but my memory is they have tiny changes from commonly used geometry...how much of the amazing rise is the Jones "magic" (or, cynically, purchase price confirmation bias)?

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cynic-al

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It’s ages since I looked at any of this style of bike, but my memory is they have tiny changes from commonly used geometry…

🤭 show your working.

80mm offset fair enough!

Gah, I was hoping to get a maiden ride on it this weekend, but probably not 🙁

It isn't Stooge's fault, but never have I had a bike build where do many niggly little things have gone wrong, one after another!

It is looking ace though. So hopefully soon.

Managed to finish it this morning, and got out for a shakedown ride.

Marvelous 😎 felt very at home on it. Not dissimilar to the Krampus, but longer and slacker - TT is about 50mm longer, and HA is 66 as opposed to 69.

Took down lots of off piste single-track up at Haldon. No problems on the twisty stuff, and great on the off camber wet stuff.

Before...

After...

ALL the gears. 1x4, it's the future man 😉

Had to put a tube in the rear tyre as the rear tubeless set up gave up the ghost quite early on.
The Good Year Newton is ace though, oodles of grip.

Best comment of the ride, from a downhill grom..."you're on a BMX!".

Wondered where I'd seen that design before

Sorry, struggling to insert an image from Pinterest. https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/433471532874767079/

Looks great! There's a touch of the Highpath about that set-up too...

All this thread has done is to get me scouring the usual places for a second hand one though

Yup, it is a bit Grifterish.
No bad thing, I loved my Grifter 😎

Not mine btw!

There’s a touch of the Highpath

I was thinking that when riding it today.
Though having ridden Geoff Apps' modern Cleland bike a few times, the riding position is very different.

The Stooge is like the love child of a Cleland and a long, low, slack modern hardtail.

New issue just dropped, and it's good to see that @stwhannah likes hers as much as everyone else does 😎

I've just changed the stem to a DMR swarm, looks a bit nicer.

Very much looking forward to getting out on it again.

That looks sweet. What you need is a Thomson 6 bolt stem though. Tis the Stooge way 😀 need to get out on my Speedball this weekend.

I also own a 2019 Surly Krampus. Before that I had a Surly ECR of 2015. I regret this last one. I would like to change my Krampus. I dream of a Jones but it's too expensive. I like the Stooge MK4. I contacted Andy. He's very nice. 3 things make me hesitate: the frame is not boost and so I will probably have to change the hub (DT SWISS 350), the maximum tire is 2.6 while I've been riding for 6 years in 3.00 inches and finally, ajantom, you say that it's not different from the Krampus. I'm wondering. Should I wait for the future Stooge Scrambler or find a used Speedball frame with Truss fork?
Sorry for my english, I'm french, from New Caledonia.
Merci beaucoup.

I’m wondering. Should I wait for the future Stooge Scrambler or find a used Speedball frame with Truss fork?

You could probably go ti Stooge with custom geometry for boost for less than a Jones.
Andy is very open to custom builds but if it will not work he will tell you.
Listen to his advise.
Stooge 29er takes 3 inch tyre not sure about the 650b because I run mine with 29 inch wheels which takes approx 2.4 max.
ti frames are custom built so under the current circumstances you may have a long wait.
Bonne chance.