Reader Ride: Pole Stamina 180 – Every Shade of Grey

The addition of the new coating process sealed the deal. The only hard decision left was to choose the color. The "dictator gold" was on my shortlist for a long time, but eventually, the storm grey took the win. Having purchased a hub set for the project with the nearly matching color did make the choice easier, though.

For those questioning the strength and durability of the Stamina 180 frame, the recently completed EFBE TRI-TEST gives me all the peace of mind needed to really go places with this bike. Anyone who's even remotely mechanically minded will recognize that the EFBE test is no joke, and passing does not happen by accident.

Suspension


Cockpit & Contact Points
For cockpit components, the number of good or even excellent options is almost too long to list. In the end, the choice was easy though since components from Burgtec have performed flawlessly in every regard and there's no reason to expect otherwise in this case. As a plus, the new Enduro MK3 stem is available in raw silver which made a nice color-coordinated match.



When it comes to keeping your seat up and having it move reliably up & down, the Bike Yoke Revive is yet to be rivaled. It was one of the first posts that were available in 34.9mm diameter which the Stamina frame employs. Based on Dan Roberts' review, a genuinely excellent product has gotten even better with its 2.0 version. Things were topped off with trigger from Paul Components which is a phenomenal piece of kit. The CNC'd aluminum construction coupled with a sealed bearing in the pivot provides a crisp operating feel. It's also worth noting that the trigger is compatible with either mounting style when it comes to cable attachment. There's a recessed contour in the lever that fits the barrel end of the cable, as well as a bolt with 3mm hex-end which enables the free end of the cable mounted securely in place.


Deceleration Duties
Braking has manufactured brakes for motorsport applications for decades. Since the release of the InCas models, I've been tempted to run a set. In the days of 4-pot brakes, the InCas differentiate themselves in the market by being a 2-piston variant. The company is confident in saying that the InCas provide all the power one could wish for and has even put a stamp on the brakes which makes them approved to be used with e-bikes.



Rolling Bits
Wheel choice was an easy one! First, let's preface the list of criteria in the rear hub department that the freehub should produce as loud of a sound as possible, or be fully silent. Everything in between is a compromise. In the former category, the options include the likes of Chris King, I9 Hydra, or Profile Elite. For this build, an option from the latter category was chosen.

The Onyx Vesper hubs have some very intricate details when it comes to hub shell shape and other finishing touches. The patented sprag clutch mechanism is fully silent and provides an instant engagement which is often the main reason for choosing the Onyx hubs. It needs to be noted that instead of being a binary type of affair, the structure of the mechanism produces a certain type of softness in the engagement. This is caused by the sprags "standing up" between the axle and the hub shell before engaging fully and creating a solid interface between the two surfaces. Some like the feel and even list it the top feature of the hubs, and of course, there are riders who dislike it just as much. So far, I've found it beneficial since it takes the "edge off" when laying down the power which does add a bit of grip and prevent slipping in steep uphills for example.


When it comes to hoops, aluminum versions were chosen to hit a sweet spot in performance and costs. I am of the opinion that rims are wear items and one can run through several sets of aluminum rims before reaching the cost of a single carbon rim. I reserve the right to change my mind in the future on this issue if a truly interesting carbon option ticks all the boxes, though. The ARC 30 HD rims were the first rims with asymmetric profiles that I've built, and the first impressions are very positive! Being able to use more balanced tension in the spokes on both sides of the wheel only leads to good things. Spokes that were used are Sapim Race ones – a well-proven contender in this area.

For tires, some European rubber was mounted on the rims in the form of the Der Kaiser Projekt tires. One has to applaud Continental for naming a tire like that! It's next to impossible to come up with a more German and confidence-inspiring name. For inserts, the new MegaNorris' were used. The ease of installation, level of protection, and simplicity make these a winner in my book. Whenever feasible, I prefer to support companies who have done the original pioneering work and still offer a relevant product. Something that's often time forgotten is that HuckNorris was one of the first, if not the first, to bring tire inserts to mountain bikes.

Drivetrain
More is more when it comes to suspension travel, but the same logic does not quite hold true in the number of gears. I'd been very happy to run an 11-speed SLX which is a true workhorse in the world of groupsets. Besides, an 11-46 cassette provides all the range one can wish for. Based on prior experiences with Sram drivetrains, the big 50-toothed chainring has been just along for the ride without much use.

However, the temptation to see if Shimano would be able to deliver with its new Hyperglide+ technology was too big to resist. Therefore, the new 12-speed XT drivetrain was chosen. The 51T sprocket on the cassette is most likely overkill, but it comes as a part of the package. It remains to be seen if my pride (and my legs, first and foremost) remain strong enough that the big ring is still clean as a whistle by the end of the season. A 32T Burgtec chainring was chosen since it nicely matches the theme of the build. MRP AMg v2 would have been the default choice for a chain guide (if it's good enough for Mr. Hill, it should suffice for mere mortals as well), but the frame is supplied with a guide from Absolute Black which leaves no room for options. The integrated nature of the chain guide and bash guard does come with some noticeable upsides. The lower suspension link has built-in mounts for the OneUp Components bash guard which creates a far more robust structure than those puny ISCG05 tabs could ever do.



Speaking of pedals, I tout the ethos of #flatpedalswinmedas. Or put another way, I am too much of a p***y to ride clips and find no benefits in using them. This goes back to the roots grown on a freestyle BMX in my youth. The idea of being attached to the bike is still to this day truly terrifying and I find it perplexing how clipless pedals have reached the position of being considered a standard piece of kit. Back to the issue of flats. The list of criteria is short and sweet: grip and durability. The bigger and longer the pins on the pedal, the better. Many options tick the boxes on this front, but it made a nice and completed build to run the Burgtec Penthouse pedals which have reached already their 5th version with the MK5 model. The generous size of the platform provides plenty of support for the foot and the combination of sealed bearings and bushing should keep them running smoothly for several seasons.

In Closing
This build has been a long-time in the making which makes the result all the sweeter. Built to last was the sentiment of this project, and I am planning to give the bike a run for its money the best I can, whether it's on a casual weekend loop on the start gate of a national enduro race.