Review: The 2019 Pole Machine Has a Serious Need For Speed
Pole caused plenty of hubbub when they announced the Machine, in part because of the Finnish company's decision to manufacture the long travel 29er from 7075 aluminum rather than carbon, citing ethical reasons. That debate is still ongoing, but whatever your thoughts are on the issue there's no denying the fact that the Machine is a head turner. The curvy, raw aluminum frame is hard to miss, especially if the sun is shining, when it acts like a signal mirror, beckoning all sorts of curious onlookers.
It's a burly looking bike, with the numbers to back up its imposing stance. There's a 180mm fork up front, 160mm of rear travel, and angles that are on the forefront of the long and slack movement.
It's a burly looking bike, with the numbers to back up its imposing stance. There's a 180mm fork up front, 160mm of rear travel, and angles that are on the forefront of the long and slack movement.
Pole Machine Details
Travel: 160mm rear / 180mm front
Wheel size: 29"
Frame construction: 7075 aluminum
Head angle: 63.9º
Chainstay length: 455mm
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Weight: 32.5 lb / 14.7 kg (medium, w/o pedals)
Price: €5,983.87 as tested
More info: polebicycles.com
Travel: 160mm rear / 180mm front
Wheel size: 29"
Frame construction: 7075 aluminum
Head angle: 63.9º
Chainstay length: 455mm
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Weight: 32.5 lb / 14.7 kg (medium, w/o pedals)
Price: €5,983.87 as tested
More info: polebicycles.com
The frame alone goes for €2,822.58 with a RockShox Super Deluxe shock, or €3,064.52 with an EXT Arma coil shock. Complete bikes start at €4,677.42, and go up to €5,982.87 for the EN model tested here. Highlights of our test bike's build kit included a RockShox Lyrik RC2 fork, Super Deluxe RCT shock, SRAM Code RSC brake, and Mavic DeeMax Pro wheels shod with a Maxxis Minion 2.5” DHF and a 2.3” DHRII.
 | This is the kind of bike where you can let off the brakes and trust that everything will be all right – it delivers a level of composed stability that's more typically associated with a downhill bike. |
Construction and Features
Unfortunately for all the armchair weld examiners out there, there's nothing to critique on the Machine. In fact, there aren't any welds at all. 7075 aluminum has a very high strength to weight ratio, especially compared to the 6061 alloy that's often used for mountain bike frames, but it can't be welded. To get around that fact, Pole CNC machines each side of the frame from a large billet, and then bonds them together with an aerospace-grade glue. The glue is said to be strong enough on its own, but the frame is also bolted together for extra security.
This manufacturing process set the Machine apart from other aluminum-framed bikes, and although it's not as efficient or cost effective as going the tried-and-true welded tube route, it does give Pole the ability to quickly change the bike's design at a moment's notice.
![Pole Machine review]()
![Pole Machine review]()
The Machine's shock positioning bears a resemblance to the Orbea Rallon and Specialized Stumpjumper, but there's a difference – the frame is asymmetrical, with the shock mounted on the non-drive side of the swingarm. That allowed Pole to increase the amount of room available for seat tube insertion so that riders can run longer travel dropper posts. The swingarm also has clearance for up to a 2.8” tire, which also means that there's plenty of mud clearance with a more typical 2.3 or 2.4" tire.
Pole went with external cable routing, with the brake, derailleur, and dropper housing seated neatly on a shelf that's machined into the top of the downtube. That housing is secured with zip ties that pass through the frame, which seems clever, but in reality creates more of a hassle than the typical external routing setup. It takes a little extra fiddling to get the zip tie to pass back through the frame – in the heat of the moment, especially during a race pit stop, I could see it causing some cursing.
There's no shortage of water bottle mounting options on the Machine – if you have a ride planned deep into the desert you can carry up to three bottles (two inside the front triangle, and one on the underside of the downtube).
![Pole Machine review]()
![Pole Machine review]()
Unfortunately for all the armchair weld examiners out there, there's nothing to critique on the Machine. In fact, there aren't any welds at all. 7075 aluminum has a very high strength to weight ratio, especially compared to the 6061 alloy that's often used for mountain bike frames, but it can't be welded. To get around that fact, Pole CNC machines each side of the frame from a large billet, and then bonds them together with an aerospace-grade glue. The glue is said to be strong enough on its own, but the frame is also bolted together for extra security.
This manufacturing process set the Machine apart from other aluminum-framed bikes, and although it's not as efficient or cost effective as going the tried-and-true welded tube route, it does give Pole the ability to quickly change the bike's design at a moment's notice.
Seat tube angles don't get much steeper than this.
There aren't any welds to be seen - the frame is bonded and bolted together.
The Machine's shock positioning bears a resemblance to the Orbea Rallon and Specialized Stumpjumper, but there's a difference – the frame is asymmetrical, with the shock mounted on the non-drive side of the swingarm. That allowed Pole to increase the amount of room available for seat tube insertion so that riders can run longer travel dropper posts. The swingarm also has clearance for up to a 2.8” tire, which also means that there's plenty of mud clearance with a more typical 2.3 or 2.4" tire.
Pole went with external cable routing, with the brake, derailleur, and dropper housing seated neatly on a shelf that's machined into the top of the downtube. That housing is secured with zip ties that pass through the frame, which seems clever, but in reality creates more of a hassle than the typical external routing setup. It takes a little extra fiddling to get the zip tie to pass back through the frame – in the heat of the moment, especially during a race pit stop, I could see it causing some cursing.
There's no shortage of water bottle mounting options on the Machine – if you have a ride planned deep into the desert you can carry up to three bottles (two inside the front triangle, and one on the underside of the downtube).
The shock mount is asymmetrical in order to create more room for the seat tube.
A shelf is machined into the downtube to hold the brake, derailleur, and dropper housing, which are secured by zip ties that run through the frame.
Geometry & Sizing
Pole was one of the early adopters of truly long and slack geometry, and that trend continues with the Machine. Other larger manufacturers have started to hop on the bandwagon, but Pole still remain on the cutting edge. The 63.9-degree head angle, 480mm reach (size medium), and 455mm chainstays add up to give the Machine a whopping 1305mm wheelbase; for reference, that's longer than a size XL Yeti SB150 (1277mm), and just 10mm less than the length of an XL Santa Cruz V10 29. The seat tube angle is also very steep at 79-degrees. That's the effective angle, but the actual angle is plenty steep as well at 78-degrees.
Taller riders shouldn't have any trouble finding a Machine that fits - the XL has a reach of 535mm, and a top tube length of 662mm, although it might be tricky finding a rack that'll hold a bike that long.
Suspension Design
The Machine uses Pole's Evolink suspension layout, a dual-short-link design where one of the links rotates around the bottom bracket. The bike's leverage ratio begins at 3:1 and ends at 2.2:1, providing enough progression to allow it to work with either a coil or air shock.
The Machine's anti-squat value at 30% sag in the 32/50 gear ratio is 105%, which falls off quickly as the bike goes through its travel in order to keep the suspension active and responsive during larger impacts.
Specifications
![Pole Machine review]()
| Specifications | ||
| Price | $6800 | |
| Travel | 160mm | |
| Rear Shock | RockShox Super Deluxe Air RCT | |
| Fork | RockShox Lyrik RC2 180mm, 51mm offset | |
| Cassette | SRAM XG1299 Eagle 10-50t | |
| Crankarms | SRAM X01 Carbon DUB 170mm 32t | |
| Chainguide | OneUp | |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM X01 Eagle | |
| Chain | SRAM XX1 Eagle | |
| Shifter Pods | SRAM XX1 Eagle | |
| Handlebar | Truvativ Descendant carbon, 800mm | |
| Stem | Truvativ Descendant 40mm | |
| Grips | Ergon | |
| Brakes | SRAM Code RSC | |
| Wheelset | Mavic Deemax Pro | |
| Tires | Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5 (f) / DHR II 2.3 (R) | |
| Seat | Ergon | |
| Seatpost | BikeYoke Revive | |
Test Bike Setup
At 5'11” (180cm) I fall right in between a medium and a large on Pole's size chart. Typically I'd size up, but in this case I went with a medium, which has a reach of 480mm, rather than the large, which has a reach of 510mm. I've found that bikes with a reach longer than 500mm start to feel too unwieldy for me, and after a couple rides on the size medium it was clear I made the correct choice.
As far as suspension setup goes, I ran one token and 73 psi in the Lyrik, and 140 psi in the Super Deluxe shock, which equated to 28% sag (which is what Pole reccommend). The rebound and compression were both set all the way open, which worked well, although I think that a Medium rebound tune rather than the High tune that's spec'd would have been more appropriate, especially for lighter riders.
Testing took place in Bellingham, Washington, and North Vancouver, BC, over a three month time period, with trail conditions ranging from hero dirt to extra-muddy and wet.
At 5'11” (180cm) I fall right in between a medium and a large on Pole's size chart. Typically I'd size up, but in this case I went with a medium, which has a reach of 480mm, rather than the large, which has a reach of 510mm. I've found that bikes with a reach longer than 500mm start to feel too unwieldy for me, and after a couple rides on the size medium it was clear I made the correct choice.
As far as suspension setup goes, I ran one token and 73 psi in the Lyrik, and 140 psi in the Super Deluxe shock, which equated to 28% sag (which is what Pole reccommend). The rebound and compression were both set all the way open, which worked well, although I think that a Medium rebound tune rather than the High tune that's spec'd would have been more appropriate, especially for lighter riders.
Testing took place in Bellingham, Washington, and North Vancouver, BC, over a three month time period, with trail conditions ranging from hero dirt to extra-muddy and wet.
Mike Kazimer
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Age: 36
Height: 5'11"
Inseam: 33"
Weight: 160 lbs
Industry affiliations / sponsors: None
Instagram: @mikekazimer
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Age: 36
Height: 5'11"
Inseam: 33"
Weight: 160 lbs
Industry affiliations / sponsors: None
Instagram: @mikekazimer
Climbing
It seems like all of a sudden everyone is clamoring about the merits of steep seat angle, a topic that was barely mentioned a few seasons ago. It's not all hype, though; steeper seat tube angles do have merit, especially on bikes with longer reach numbers.
What's the point? Well, if you give a bike with a long front center a slack seat angle there's a good chance the handlebar will feel too far away, almost like you're trying to steer a car from the back seat. A steeper seat angle helps counteract this sensation because it moves the rider forward into a more centered and upright position. Pole was one of the early adopters of this geometry trend, and the Machine has one of the steepest seat tube angles out there, at 79-degrees.
There is a limit to the madness, though and I'd say that the Machine is toeing the edge of just how steep things can get. Any steeper and the cockpit would have felt too short for me, despite the bike's sprawling wheelbase, and my knees would have been too far in front of the pedal spindle. Luckily, Pole stopped just before going past the limit, and the result is a bike with a very upright, comfortable pedaling position.
That position meant my body weight was already where it needed to be on steep climbs, which meant there was no need to stand up or keep scooting farther forward on the saddle in order to weight the front wheel. The slack head tube angle and long chainstays play a role here as well, providing extra stability on the climbs as well as descents. The shock also stays remarkably unaffected by pedaling forces - I never felt the need to reach down for the blue compression lever.
The Machine is calm and composed when faced with technical climbs, and as long as I was able to keep putting the power down there wasn't much that could stop its progress. Not surprisingly, it was on slower speed, really tight sections of trail where the Machine felt out of its element. In those instances, it took more effort to muscle it around, a reminder that it's more focused on bombing downhill than darting up a tricky climb. There's also the fact that it weighs 32.5 pounds, which is reasonable considering the bike's intentions, but it's also a couple pounds more than bikes like the Yeti SB150 or Scott Ransom. Weight's not everything, but it is something to keep in mind.
![Pole Machine review]()
It seems like all of a sudden everyone is clamoring about the merits of steep seat angle, a topic that was barely mentioned a few seasons ago. It's not all hype, though; steeper seat tube angles do have merit, especially on bikes with longer reach numbers.
What's the point? Well, if you give a bike with a long front center a slack seat angle there's a good chance the handlebar will feel too far away, almost like you're trying to steer a car from the back seat. A steeper seat angle helps counteract this sensation because it moves the rider forward into a more centered and upright position. Pole was one of the early adopters of this geometry trend, and the Machine has one of the steepest seat tube angles out there, at 79-degrees.
There is a limit to the madness, though and I'd say that the Machine is toeing the edge of just how steep things can get. Any steeper and the cockpit would have felt too short for me, despite the bike's sprawling wheelbase, and my knees would have been too far in front of the pedal spindle. Luckily, Pole stopped just before going past the limit, and the result is a bike with a very upright, comfortable pedaling position.
That position meant my body weight was already where it needed to be on steep climbs, which meant there was no need to stand up or keep scooting farther forward on the saddle in order to weight the front wheel. The slack head tube angle and long chainstays play a role here as well, providing extra stability on the climbs as well as descents. The shock also stays remarkably unaffected by pedaling forces - I never felt the need to reach down for the blue compression lever.
The Machine is calm and composed when faced with technical climbs, and as long as I was able to keep putting the power down there wasn't much that could stop its progress. Not surprisingly, it was on slower speed, really tight sections of trail where the Machine felt out of its element. In those instances, it took more effort to muscle it around, a reminder that it's more focused on bombing downhill than darting up a tricky climb. There's also the fact that it weighs 32.5 pounds, which is reasonable considering the bike's intentions, but it's also a couple pounds more than bikes like the Yeti SB150 or Scott Ransom. Weight's not everything, but it is something to keep in mind.
Descending
The Machine is the mountain bike version of the gigantic snow plows they use to clear high mountain passes, the ones with two blades that can take care of both sides of the road at once. Sure, you can still bunnyhop over obstacles and manual through rollers if you want, but those maneuvers take a little more work to achieve. Instead, it's better to relax and let the Machine do its thing. This is the kind of bike where you can let off the brakes and trust that everything will be all right – it delivers a level of composed stability, especially in steep terrain, that's more typically associated with a full-on downhill bike.
There's no hiding the fact that this is a big bike, one that's best suited to burly terrain and higher speeds (the 1305mm wheelbase makes the Machine the longest bike I've ridden to date), but I never felt out of my comfort zone aboard it. The combination of the 455mm chainstay length and generous reach creates a bike that's incredibly well balanced, one that doesn't require any dramatic position shifts in order to weight the front or back wheel.
That being said, the long chainstays do make wheelies and manuals more difficult; the Machine would rather stay on the ground and punch through everything in its path rather than bounding daintily down the trail. Small jumps and bunnyhops are also a little more challenging, but bigger, bike-park style jumps aren't any trouble at all – in those instances, it's easy to imagine that you're on a downhill bike.
![Pole Machine review]()
The 180mm Lyrik deserves some of the credit for the type of antics that the Machine encourages, but the 160mm of rear travel is also very well managed by the Rock Shox Super Deluxe. There's enough support for pumping the ground to gain speed on smoother sections of trail, with a nice gradual ramp for dealing with bigger impacts. A coil shock would also be a good option for riders seeking the maximum of small bump compliance and traction, although there wasn't any lack of grip, even on slippery winter rides when the rocks and roots were extra greasy.
Eagle-eyed spec checkers will have noticed that the Machine comes with a 51mm offset fork, rather than the 44 or 42mm of offset that's starting to become more common. You could certainly run a reduced offset fork, but I didn't encounter any handling issues that would have made be consider going that route. In my experience, the difference between offsets is less noticeable with slacker head angles. I also think there's more hype around offset than there needs to be, but that's a topic for another time. For now, just know that the Machine handles very well in its stock configuration.
The Machine is the mountain bike version of the gigantic snow plows they use to clear high mountain passes, the ones with two blades that can take care of both sides of the road at once. Sure, you can still bunnyhop over obstacles and manual through rollers if you want, but those maneuvers take a little more work to achieve. Instead, it's better to relax and let the Machine do its thing. This is the kind of bike where you can let off the brakes and trust that everything will be all right – it delivers a level of composed stability, especially in steep terrain, that's more typically associated with a full-on downhill bike.
There's no hiding the fact that this is a big bike, one that's best suited to burly terrain and higher speeds (the 1305mm wheelbase makes the Machine the longest bike I've ridden to date), but I never felt out of my comfort zone aboard it. The combination of the 455mm chainstay length and generous reach creates a bike that's incredibly well balanced, one that doesn't require any dramatic position shifts in order to weight the front or back wheel.
That being said, the long chainstays do make wheelies and manuals more difficult; the Machine would rather stay on the ground and punch through everything in its path rather than bounding daintily down the trail. Small jumps and bunnyhops are also a little more challenging, but bigger, bike-park style jumps aren't any trouble at all – in those instances, it's easy to imagine that you're on a downhill bike.
The 180mm Lyrik deserves some of the credit for the type of antics that the Machine encourages, but the 160mm of rear travel is also very well managed by the Rock Shox Super Deluxe. There's enough support for pumping the ground to gain speed on smoother sections of trail, with a nice gradual ramp for dealing with bigger impacts. A coil shock would also be a good option for riders seeking the maximum of small bump compliance and traction, although there wasn't any lack of grip, even on slippery winter rides when the rocks and roots were extra greasy.
Eagle-eyed spec checkers will have noticed that the Machine comes with a 51mm offset fork, rather than the 44 or 42mm of offset that's starting to become more common. You could certainly run a reduced offset fork, but I didn't encounter any handling issues that would have made be consider going that route. In my experience, the difference between offsets is less noticeable with slacker head angles. I also think there's more hype around offset than there needs to be, but that's a topic for another time. For now, just know that the Machine handles very well in its stock configuration.
How does it compare?
The Machine doesn't really have that many direct competitors, but it's worth taking a moment to compare it to a bike that's designed with the same intentions in mind – the Scott Ransom. Yes, the Ransom's made of carbon fiber, but it was designed with the same goals that fueled the creation of the Machine – to be able to handle the nastiest of trails while also remaining pedalable. Both bikes fall into the long travel 29er category, but they behave quite differently out on the trail.
Climbing: The Ransom's seat tube angle is 4-degrees slacker than the Machine's, which gives it a more 'traditional' feel when climbing; the riding position is a little less upright, which puts my weight is a little farther back towards the rear axle. In a perfect world, I'd split the difference between the two – the Ransom's seat angle is just a bit slacker, and the Machine's is a little steeper than I'd like. Of course, there's a reason seats can be slid forward or backward, and I can find a comfortable pedaling position on both bikes.
The Ransom is 2.5 pounds lighter than the Machine, which is a significant difference. I'm more likely to grab the Ransom for longer, more pedaly rides, while the Machine gets the call on days that are more strictly focused on the descents.
As far as actual pedaling performance goes, if both bikes are ridden with their suspension in the fully open setting, the Machine's higher level of anti-squat means that it has less bob and a more efficient ride feel than the Ransom. That being said, the Ransom's handlebar mounted TwinLoc remote is there for a reason, and all it takes is a push of a lever to bring its performance in line with the Machine.
Descending: The Machine takes the win when it comes to straight-line speed and stability – the long chainstays and sprawling wheelbase make it feel incredibly planted and unflappable no matter how quickly the world is rushing by. The Ransom may have 10mm more rear travel, but the Machine's handling is closer to that of a DH bike, and it has the edge as far as pure monster trucking goes.
At more reasonable speeds, the Ransom is easier to handle; it takes less effort to air over obstacles, and it's less work to navigate twistier sections of trail. Both bikes offer excellent traction in loose or wet conditions, but the Ransom's rear suspension feels slightly more supple off the top.
Racing: How about as an enduro race bike? Which bike is best? That's a tough one to call, and it'll really depend on the rider and the track. Personally, I'd be inclined to go with the Ransom, due to the fact that it's easier to handle on tighter and flatter tracks. But for somewhere like Whistler, or any of the more gravity-oriented stops on the EWS circuit, the Machine would be an excellent pick.
Mavic Deemax Pro wheels.
180mm RockShox Lyrik RC2
Technical Report
Mavic Deemax Pro wheels: The Deemax wheels remained true for the duration of testing, and have a very nice ride feel, although the freehub did emit a few more popping noises under load than I would have liked. Everything was in good shape when I pulled the freehub apart, but it's worth mentioning. The wheels worked well with the 2.5" / 2.3" tire combo on the Machine, but riders who plan on running 2.6" or wider tires may find themselves wishing for a rim width greater than 28mm.
Huck Norris inserts: Huck Norris foam inserts are included in both tires, something that pinch flat prone riders will be happy to see.
RockShox Lyrik RC2: The 180mm Lyrik complemented to the Machine's ride-over-anything manners very nicely. Once I had it set up I didn't need to give it a second thought - it performed perfectly on every ride, with good small bump sensitivity and plenty of support for bigger hits.
![Pole Machine review]()
Mavic Deemax Pro wheels: The Deemax wheels remained true for the duration of testing, and have a very nice ride feel, although the freehub did emit a few more popping noises under load than I would have liked. Everything was in good shape when I pulled the freehub apart, but it's worth mentioning. The wheels worked well with the 2.5" / 2.3" tire combo on the Machine, but riders who plan on running 2.6" or wider tires may find themselves wishing for a rim width greater than 28mm.
Huck Norris inserts: Huck Norris foam inserts are included in both tires, something that pinch flat prone riders will be happy to see.
RockShox Lyrik RC2: The 180mm Lyrik complemented to the Machine's ride-over-anything manners very nicely. Once I had it set up I didn't need to give it a second thought - it performed perfectly on every ride, with good small bump sensitivity and plenty of support for bigger hits.
Pros
+ Delivers a level of stability and confidence typically associated with downhill bikes
+ Good climbing performance, especially considering how well it descends
+ Room for three water bottles
Cons
- Pricey for an aluminum frame
- Riders without technical terrain nearby should look elsewhere
- Frame construction technique isn't entirely proven in mountain bike world
Is this the bike for you?
The Machine is about as close as you can get to a pedal-able downhill bike - it's a true monster truck in the best way possible. Pro-level skills aren't required to have a good time, but keep in mind that it feels the most alive at higher speeds and on steeper terrain.
The Machine is about as close as you can get to a pedal-able downhill bike - it's a true monster truck in the best way possible. Pro-level skills aren't required to have a good time, but keep in mind that it feels the most alive at higher speeds and on steeper terrain.
Pinkbike's Take
| Pole have always done things a little differently than the big players in the mountain bike world, and that trend continues with the Machine. It's a bike unlike anything else on the market, and that sentiment applies to the construction technique and the ride characteristics. Pole's long and slack geometry numbers may no longer look quite as radical as they once did, but that doesn't make the Machine any less formidable out on the trail. For riders in search of something out of the ordinary, a bike that takes away any equipment-related excuses for not being able to get down a gnarly descent, the Machine fits the bill. |
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phys.org/news/2019-01-nanotechnology-enables-weld-previously-un-weldable.html
Still love this bike though!
Not positive about the Easton tubing but for a while there were quite a few brands welding 7005 and it didn't need to be heat treated, it cures, or ages over a short period, like while sitting in the shipping container from Asia. GT used to claim their mid-grade Avalanche was overseas 7005 and the Zascar was the USA made 6061. It was before the Internet so who knows the actual truth.
My 2018 Banshee Legend utilizes 7005 series Al. Still with that much welding, especially on thin walled tubing, you'd want some in-process stress relieving. Pretty crazy seeing how far out of tolerance things can go when welding (twisting). That's why most (if not all) framebuilders jump around the frame during their welding process.
I toured Strong Frames back in the day when I was looking at getting into the industry and it was insane how meticulous his welding process was. He had an indicator on everything while he was welding, and because his process was so dialed and his welds were so consistent, he knew how much his frame would be out when it was completely welded, and it was only a few thou. There was very minimal cold work necessary, if any.
www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-07989-y
It goes way more in-depth in the metallurgy side of it. Really great stuff here
They corroded badly from sweat and needed to be sent back to be painted :-)
Owners and reviewers seem to like it pretty well though...
That said, the review still feels incomplete without @paulaston dropping in for some insight as a through-and-through long&slack connoisseur. It’s like I watched Jussasic Park, and only got to see the brontosaurs, T-Rex never showed up.
But I think the bike is too short and steep for him.
2. Most people aren't cross shopping bikes based on overall length, they're shopping based on fit. So they aren't choosing between a medium Pole and an XL Scott even if the reach is technically the same.
And also, you are smarter than everyone else for having something so different.
It’s a self fulfilling prophecy as things like the Stumpjumper Evo come out and people buy those instead of bikes with with old geo. Suddenly the Pole doesn’t look so extreme. Look how fast everyone jumped on the reduced offset.
Meanwhile, Santa Cruz is still selling a Hightower LT with 267mm reach on an XL and a 65 degree seat angle.
All in the head, and what if the future is wrong?
Coil shock on the rear @ 57mm stroke has given me 161mm rear travel, 170mm airshaft in fork in high mode = 63.2deg head angle, My S-works demo has collected dust ever since.
It’s a very versatile bike, happy to trail ride, bike park or downhill trails. Not the lightest bike ever made but I still love it.
I think you and @justanotherusername are both correct. All bike designs/geos have plusses and minuses. Those who say certain changes make a bike "better at everything" seem completely illogical to me. The quicker you are to jump on the latest bandwagon, the greater risk you have of getting "burned". I would only recommend it if the trends are moving in the direction you are already adopting for your bike setup. For many this may be the case, but not for all. This may be "the future" but I bet it won't. There will be other changes (even by Pole) that make this bike obsolete/dated by next year, and the adopters will need something new yet again.
My Huck Norris for the same size rim is ~115g per wheel. Add the recommended ~40ml = ~40g of extra sealant and you are looking at a total of a little over 300g accounted for by the flat protection.
I'm pretty sure there is a lot of weight difference in the frame itself. Scott tends to make very light carbon frames.
6061 has other benefits, which is why stems or handlebars are often made from it.
boom, secure and not dirty (where it matters)
I know this section of trail very well.
m.pinkbike.com/photo/16653019
Did you find this bike in sections of trail like this a little cumbersome to get set up and through them being such a long bike that really likes to plow?
That downtube shelf is pretty nice though.
I think we’ve all just grown up riding on geometry that spawns from road bikes. It sure looks and rides different, but not worse.
If carbon fiber is what you're after, then it is 100 % justified to buy a frame made of it. Personally I do not care if the frame is made of birch as well as it performs well, has a matching price and the manufacturing process is sound.
The Machine is a cool bike. It doesn't offer what I look for in a bike for several reasons (weight and build method primarily), but it takes all kinds. I look forward to spotting one in the flesh on the trails at some point!
The Pole Machine climbs like no other bike I've ridden. No wheelies, no stomach crunching leaning over squishing your balls climbing. Just normal bent elbows, only pedaling up things I've never been able to climb before. So I guess it's a bike that descends with the confidence of a DH bike, that climbs better than any other bike that I've ever ridden. And comfortably to boot.
This is the future of Mountain Bike geometry, more or less.
On the other hand, that length gives you a lever arm to play with. I found on jumps, I push way more power into leaning back and popping a jump than I can on my small wheeled, but slack Evil. It went up and produced confidence. Would it be the bike Brandon Semenuk would ride for slopestyle? No. Does it feel like a tandem bike going through corners, no. It's just a bit longer and a whole bunch more stable.
As for the seatpost angle. The climbing factor really has to do with your hip / body position over the bottom bracket. Instead of having these cranks that are somewhat ahead of you like some Penny Farthing bike, they are under you, just in a better spot than the bike you or I currently own. Instead of walking up the walk up, like I did on my bike, my buddy and owner of the Pole Machine said, "hey, go ride up this, its amazing!". Sure enough, riding up the "walk up" to the "Happy Ending" jump at Duthie Hill, Issaquah, WA (reference so you can google search for context), I simply rode up something that's just not possible on my current bike.
If the Machine were an 80mm full suspension, it might even climb all that better, being even lighter and responsive to your input. The geometry its based on is a total win. Highly recommend you ride a Machine, a Sick Bicycles frame, a Geometron and see for yourself what this general geometry is bringing to the table.
Feel free to PM me as I ride my buddies bike in the weeks and months to come. I'll probably order one of my own, or a frame from the frame builders I mentioned. There is NOTHING that could convince me otherwise. Go ride it, you'll see friend!
It's so hard to differentiate the actual riding quality of most modern bikes anyhow. Buy any new bike and I'm sure you'll be amazed.
Not saying it’s definitely from that, just thought I’d put it out there in case it helps.
I’m around the same height and have had knee issues too... are you me?
But wouldn't you rather take a bike with a room for three water bottles for longer, more pedaly rides?
Then please, please, please, sign me up to pay $6k to be Pole's R&D.
I don't know if it's their pontificating about carbon frames, or if it's that I just don't like how these frames look, or that I don't trust the construction, or that I can pay half the price for a decent aluminum bike from just about any other manufacturer, but I am just not a fan.
Now, the reach is all about downhill man. Steep STA solves climbing, reach solves decending. Its a good thing and keeps us in the bike more. The downside tho is that man, a medium Ransom is a longer feeling bike for smaller guys....but the XL sizes are getting really long and the turns aren't getting any wider. That, in my opinion is where the most sacrifice has been made for us tall guys....the 29in wheels are already a bit less nimble and then you throw in a massive WB (compared to what XL used to be) and that bike is a bit to handle on the tighter trails.
As for the cockpit feeling too small with steep seat tubes, Kaz even says this in his review. "Any steeper and the cockpit would have felt too short for me, despite the bike's sprawling wheelbase, and my knees would have been too far in front of the pedal spindle." Which is exactly how I feel while climbing on a lot of these hyper steep seat tube angle bikes.
The M surely would fit a Thule Proride 591 roof rack, but i won't imagine fitting the 1,36m wheelbase of the XL on one, cause my XL Geometron is a tight fit on it.
So medium Pole Machinę is only 6mm longer on reach than large Giant Reign but seat is much steeper. That would mean that Pole should feel smaller when climbing right cos you're closer to the front? ????
I very excitedly checked their page for the 500€ discount...
I agree though, the resources / cost put into this frame continue to be the same regardless of qty produced, you won’t ever see this method make a ‘cheap’ frame that’s for sure.
I’m sure they are making money but at this volume it won’t be a lottery win.
Do you not use any product that you suspect the business makes a profit on?
Basic body position is your knee cap placed perpendicular to pedal axel. you can also climb better....
This is not debetable and been actually proved for years....
Honest question.
Just search for road bike fitting etc....
This is "debatable" only in countries without a real cycling heritage....
"Climbs better" meaning you can put more force on the pedals and have better leverage.
"A climb" meaning you are pedaling the bike up for at least 30 min....
If you ride a road bike on 100 miles rides up the mountains, then everything makes sense.
Various "common knowledge" truths have been debunked by formal studies e.g. "correct" cadence.
Sheldon brown is good for people riding english 3 speed.
Steep seat tube works... for going down the hill... if you actually ride up, it does mess up your knees is a long run besides putting your leg not in the position to use the muscle at the best spot.
People are just victim of marketing BS.... a way to push people to buy "innovative""new" "better" bikes....
If you never rode 100 miles on a road bike in a mountain terrain you are not a cyclist – so better read sheldon brown....
Here for example is a study I found after 5 min of searching;
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9293416
"At a seat tube angle of 80 degrees, mean VO2 was significantly lower and power efficiency significantly higher compared with an angle of 74 degrees at all three seat heights".