this bike CHANGED ME // Pole Stamina 180 Review

[@VanCan]

I’m really into the looks of the stamina - raw aluminum 🔥

[@TheLoamRanger]

Totally. It's a good looking bike. Although, I think I like the overall look of the Machine best, with it's swooping lines. So nice.

[@pukki34]

i tested them back to back, and funny thing is how snappy and responsive the rear is on the stamina. Makes the machine feel like a couch :) And the machine made my evolink 140 feel like a real soft couch. Love how grippy and solid the stamina is.

[@TheLoamRanger]

I noticed a bit more stiffness in the Stamina as well. It's a nice thing to have in a long travel bike, for sure.

[@ridecrashrepeat3207]

You totally need to ride B-ville again! Tons of changes and new trails!

[@TheLoamRanger]

I keep hearing that! Gotta make it happen sometime soon.

[@harzenduro]

It's the coil that does all the work. I switched from Air to Coil on my Megatower and the first ride was incredible. I had never run a coil shock before and it was just so much more stable on roots and rocky stuff.

[@TheLoamRanger]

That coil is amazing, for sure.

[@takegoodcareoftheforestdew5339]

I've just bought their hard-tail which I bloody love. But you don't really get into the negatives much in your vid, and it's worth discussing these as the geo isn't for everyone. I'd agree with your positives, but where it doesn't work quite so well compared to a more 'normal' bike is in slow speed tech corners and lifting the front. I've found that on steep techy tight corners, you get a lot of feedback through the bars as the bike flops into the corner, which can catch you out if you're not braced and ready. Second, compared to my insurgent, I find it requires significantly more effort to manual and wheelie due to the wheelbase and sitting more in the middle of the bike. I'm 6' 5" so plenty of mass to get over the rear axle too. Totally agree on the faster stuff and jumps though. The faster you ride, the more stable it feels. I'm dreading the day I reach its limit though cos it's gonna hurt 😂. And its funny mention jumps that buck you. There is a jump at my local spot really bucks you. First time I rode it on the taival I was amazed how little it bucked me. Second time was actually faster than I ride it on my evil. The slow speed flop you can ride around, but the effort require to manual may put some people off - perhaps the machine / stamina have a shorter rear triangle which mitigates this. If you get your kicks manualling off every trail feature, it may be worth trying one first. For every other facet of mtb, pole / geometron style geo is the future.

[@NemesisMaximus47]

Great video Loam! I’m building my Evolink 140 and this just inspires me. Thanks.

[@TheLoamRanger]

Thanks! The 140 is a blast. Have fun with the build!

[@danielwackerman7749]

Great review of the Stamina 180! I wonder if/when Leo and the Pole team will hook us Machine owners up with rear suspension links to give 180mm like the Stamina. Cool that you've got em both! Love your vids.

[@headoverbars8750]

I absolutely love watching your videos. you capture the aspect of speed well. You create excellent experiences. It's highly inspirational. I'm new to MTBing seriously. Not new to bikes in general. I have a ton of footage of lame shit I'm hoping to post someday when I can get over myself enough to be embarrassed.

[@honkytonk4465]

Please don't post lame shit, man!

[@chrisgreen5000]

Man that is one sick looking ride. I love the bare aluminum frames. I'm not sure i would put all 180 to use most of the time, but I'd sure like to try! Great video, bud.

[@lordmarshall5239]

Nothing like being so happy with a bike that you actually can ride better.

[@ChilternburtYT]

Great review bro, love the look of the bike, and bonus points for mentioning the GOAT and his V10

[@TheLoamRanger]

Thanks! Ya Greg's setup is super interesting.

[@4DRX]

Cool to see you tested it in Bentonville love it there

[@TheLoamRanger]

It was so fun! I would love to get back there again when things are more dry.

[@maverick2242]

You should now try a coil shock on the 160mm rear frame (Machine?) it’s not how much you have, it’s how good the setup is. Be interesting to re compare then to the 180mm frame and see if you can hit those same inside lines 🤘 Nice trails, those frames Raw, look amazing. 🤙

[@adventuresona700dollarhard5]

I'm so stoked that you're riding a coil shock.

[@chrismichael3916]

Great video man! Love hearing your thoughts on the coil shock!

[@jaredgulaga8367]

Really awesome review! In my personal opinion, trail bikes these days are becoming so slack and stable that they make riding kind of... less fun. I like a bike that encourages me to pop off everything versus plow through everything, hence, the perfect trail bike (FOR ME) has 140/150mm of travel, 430mm chainstays, a 78-80 degree ST angle and a 66-degree headtube angle. Take the new Norco Sight, for example, it has been Norco's dedicated all-mountain bike for multiple years now, but for the 2020 season, they have made it far slacker than my 2018 Range and my 2017 Aurum. A 63.5-degree headtube angle makes anything but tech trails not boring but just less intriguing to ride. So to you folks out there who are about to bite the bullet on a 160mm travel bike, think about if you really need it or not.

[@hummer694life]

disagree... I have a Stumpy EVO and it's way more fun to ride than a bike with "older geo". Stable = more speed = more fun. You can still pop off anything... it's just less sketchy.

[@jaredgulaga8367]

hummer694life Well your on a FSR suspension linkage I wouldn’t expect that you like to play lol.

[@xCodys]

Up early here in Saskatchewan... Calls for a morning coffee and some Loam Ranger!

[@YoNeilBiking]

CraigCody Hey same!

[@TheLoamRanger]

Gooood morning!

[@KL-sj7cb]

Manitoba boy here, any snow for you guys yet?

[@YoNeilBiking]

K L it’s Snowing as we speak :(

[@butlergl]

Nice! Great when you find what works for you!

[@TheLoamRanger]

It’s been a lot of fun so far!

[@TrailChasers]

Its certainly a cool bike and a good friend of mine loves his but i personally didnt jive with it a ton. If your measure your rides with speed its an awesome bike but as someone who prefers to pop off of everything alot of bikes nowadays are getting too long and slack for my tastes. Very neat bike with a ton of interesting technology behind it but its just not right for me, maybe it is for others though!

[@aamgdp]

wow my timing is perfect today

[@workhorsemtb7075]

If it wasn't for you I wouldn't know Pole existed. I would really like to demo one. I'm 6'5" and the reach numbers look great for me

[@bensun432]

That's the most beautiful bike, you are lucky!

[@TheLoamRanger]

It's a beautiful rig!

[@MrTonka]

Man, you make me wanna ride one of those!

[@ovetillung4077]

Great video and riding man. How tall are you and how was your feeling on the size Medium compared to the size Large? Thanks in advance and keep up the great work! :-)

[@TheLoamRanger]

Thanks! Im 6’1”. I just feel a bit more balanced on the large.

[@jsw5387]

I had the same revelation of how a bike can affect your confidence in what you ride and what you don't when I demo'ed a SC 5010 then got on my Yeti SB130. The 5010 is a fun bike BUT I have a lot more conference on my Yeti then I did on the 5010.

[@CalgaryDynastar]

I thought about getting a 130 but they only came in 29" when I bought my 5010. Cant say enough good things about the 5010, love the light poppy feel, like having a slopestyle bike to play around on downs and a very efficient climber. Ive taken it down everything I used to shuttle on my DH bike with ease. To each their own, as long as you enjoy your bike that's all that matters! Smiles per miles :)

[@jsw5387]

@@CalgaryDynastar I was 99% I was going to buy a 5010 but then decided to ride it up Pneuma. I am 5'9" so I rode a Large with a 35mm stem and I could not keep the front end down on the switchbacks. I loved how playful it was in the decent though...I find the 130 to be the perfect trail bike, great climber, confident decender, playful when I want it. I agree with you though, to each their own ;)

[@CalgaryDynastar]

@@jsw5387 I'm the same height and I went with a medium, I think individual riding styles are fit more to different bikes and geo/ sizes. I know the pneuma climb very well :) That's why I love the 130mm size "trail" bikes, its kinda the perfect bike for everything. Nimble enough for techy rooty climbs and capable to take on whatever trails you can point it down. Gave me a whole new appreciation for 6-8 hour days in the saddle, really earn the end of the day beer! Glad to hear you're loving the 130!

[@hardmtnbiker]

I respect your opinion and have been a fan since I followed your IG. I know you like to ride the Knar and don’t mind launching your rig in other than groomed bike parks. About me, years ago I switched to SS Mtn bikes #1⚙️all year on IG and also stable and ride some Hardtail’s too. My point is that Boost 148 spacing is not appropriate for FS bikes, especially now with 29x2.6 or 27.5 x 2.8 tires. I just really feel they need the 157mm spacing, not just for a less dished,stronger wheel but also for a still rear end. Anyway, I’m definitely impressed with Pole bikes, and would love to demo one.

[@travelthenarrowtrail8660]

That pole is eating up everything you are throwing at it. I'd like to try one here in Colorado!

[@TheLoamRanger]

Oh man, CO would be the perfect home for one of these bikes.

[@pan0rama546]

Great vid, thank you for putting this together. I have been checking out Evolink while shopping for new bike. 180/180 bike is ALOTTA bike and maybe be too much for me right now, it sure looks like you found yourself at home on it 👌 How has your experience been being direct from overseas company?

[@TheLoamRanger]

Ya you gotta pick the right bike for what you ride most often. I can't speak for everyone, but with Pole being our bike sponsor, there's been no issues with them being across the pond.

[@rmack611]

I’ve never noticed the plastic washer noise on my Storia I’m sure I will now thanks!😂 the squish sound is all I hear! I’m trying a ccdb air on my evo 140 just to see the difference!

[@sampovirmasalo9213]

It should be fixed for the latest EXT Storia models actually 👍

[@TheLoamRanger]

They've fixed it? Nice!

[@jacksonli795]

Great Overview! What are you thoughts in terms of Machine Vs 180? Comparison review vid 😁?

[@TheLoamRanger]

That's the thing though, with the Stamina on a coil, it makes it almost impossible to properly compare the two back-to-back.

[@jsw5387]

@The Loam Ranger I live in Calgary and ride Canmore a lot...let ride together sometime! My vote is Highline?

[@TheLoamRanger]

Always happy to get out and ride!

[@nicoofner85]

You could glue the shim to the bottomout bumper, so it doesn't rattle

[@TheLoamRanger]

Yep that's exactly what Pinkbike did with their test shock. I really didn't want to run the risk of getting super glue on the shock shaft, so I just dealt with it. Once I have some time to do it right, I may go for it.

[@grantfeddema5332]

Pretty sweet ride bud!

[@sebhough7063]

That bike looks AMAZING!!!

[@TheLoamRanger]

It’s a fun one!

[@sebhough7063]

It looks like it!!😁😁

[@wilho0]

Hi, thanks for the video. Thinking to upgrade my Machine to Stamina, so could you elaborate what’s the main difference? Currently riding trails with an airshock and bikepark with a CC coil. Both pretty fine actually, so is worth of upgrading?

[@yukkipospel6526]

My friend demoed Stamina on last Eurobike and he said that frame flexes a lot and doesn’t feel stiff.

[@NikolaiVozza]

Can't speak for the Stamina, but my Machine is by far stiffer than any bike I have ever owned.

[@TheLoamRanger]

That would be pretty odd, if that was the case. Neither my Machine or this Stamina have ever felt overly flexy.

[@yukkipospel6526]

​@@TheLoamRanger Well, his words were It flexes more than ordinary welded alloy frame. He said he wasn't the only one who witnessed that. He even ask about it people in the Pole tent and they said it was normal and "by design". Maybe it was exaggeration on his side. That's why I'm asking here.

[@erinb4919]

Do you still have your pole bikes? How do they compare to your carbon bikes with similar geo in terms of ride quality?

[@WoodCoxfurniture]

Nice! I saw you went to lake leatherwood! love that place!!

[@honkytonk4465]

Sorry man, that place has been levelled

[@loganwilliams7048]

Hey there! I love your channel, and realized that you're actually not livin too far from me! I moved to Banff in September but I struggled to find any good riding spots. Would you be keen to lend a couple local secrets?

[@TheLoamRanger]

Hey! I was in the same boat for a bit there. We’ll have to get out to ride this coming season.

[@loganwilliams7048]

The Loam Ranger totally keen!

[@danytheunicorn95]

just as I expected :)

[@KevinG575]

Hi Loam! :) You're riding a Large and you usually ride a Large in other brands. I currently ride a S4 (Large equivalent) Specialized Stumpjumper EVO. How do you find your Large Stamina vs other large bikes? Are they roughly comparable?

[@arvismac]

Nice video overall but I have one gripe I'm not comfortable with this in-your-face camera angle so close in fact that I minimized my screen size to half

[@HalidesAndHollowness]

I've been saving up for a Pole, Likely an Evolink. But as with most manufacturers I'm between sizes, Right between L and XL. Would you recommend sizing down on a Pole due to the geometry?

[@lrvz7187]

You're probably perfect with a pole L

[@TheLoamRanger]

It just depends if you want the bike to be slightly more lively, or slightly more planted.

[@vincentyao6020]

Between the Machine and Stamina, which one would you recommend to someone looking at getting a Pole? Which one do you like more?

[@TheLoamRanger]

They are both quite similar in many ways, so I'd say if you ride a lot of park or bigger trails, get the Stamina 180.

[@fillfreakin2245]

When you say you got a bunch of PRs when you first took the bike out on local trails, were those just on downhill sections, or on the uphills too? And if you didn't manage PR's on the uphills how close were they to your normal times or to your PRs? Also, would you ride this with normal 27.5's? or did you just put on 27.5's for the fatter tires? 'Cuz I gotta say, I'm not interested in a 29'er.

[@toooldfortwowheels2048]

This video couldn't have come at a better time, I'm hunting for my next full suspension and aiming to buy in the spring. Stamina 140 was high on my list, is it worth going for the 180 and have that little more flexibility in usage (I want to ride some local enduros next year)?

[@TheLoamRanger]

Nice. I'd say it depends on what you'll be riding most often. Both can do trail riding and both can do enduros, but one is just a little more suited than the other for each purpose. A 160/140 Stamina 140 would rip pretty much everything, so I'd go that route unless you're hitting extra gnarly/steep trails or bike parks all the time.

[@searchbar83]

I was saving up for the Pole Machine, but now I'm going to have to look into the Stamina. Which would you choose if you could only have one?

[@TheLoamRanger]

That depends on what you ride most often. If they both had air shocks, I'd probably chose the Stamina because it pedals pretty much the same, so why not? :D

[@searchbar83]

@@TheLoamRanger thank you for the reply. I mostly do tech-y trails but I've been learning to do jumps, drops, and north shore features on my hardtail. But I want to continue progressing in that as well as possibly enter some local enduro races. Plus I figure with the 7075 aluminium frame it will last a very long time so it's worth the investment.

[@bananasstuff3344]

@@searchbar83 it almost certainly will! good thought.

[@antonioespindola2000]

So the cheapest complete build is 7200 Deam

[@archduke71]

LR I'm thinking a Stamina 180 with trust shout would be ridiculous!

[@pjbeattie1]

Cool bike! I ride in Canmore a bit as live in Calgary but many friends live in Canmore. What is the weight of your Stamina? Do any shops in Canmore sell them or only online?

[@TheLoamRanger]

Thanks! With a pretty beefy build, my 180 is 35lbs with pedals. You could probably do closer to 32lbs if you were after a lighter bike.

[@pjbeattie1]

The Loam Ranger ok thanks! I am currently on a SB130 and love it! Pole is interesting but is there any way to demo one?? Hard to drop $10-15k without seeing or riding a bike first. No shops carry them right??

[@RCKING1]

Have you ridden a geometron g1? How does it compare

[@BikeLifewithRob]

Bentonville is great!!

[@TheLoamRanger]

it is! I really want to get back there.

[@BikeLifewithRob]

@@TheLoamRanger I'm thinking first week of April!

[@benwigginsbikes]

I live in Western NC and we climb gravel roads a lot......would you consider this a bike you can ride all day including 1500' - 2000' gravel grinds to the top? Also, what isn the weight on this beast?

[@TheLoamRanger]

Flip the climb switch and you'd be good to go. The climbing position is very, very comfortable (much more so than any other bike I've ridden), so there's that too. This exact bike with a beefy build is 35lbs with pedals.

[@tomcolbert2043]

hey I was wondering what watch that is. love the vids keep it up

[@TheLoamRanger]

It’s a Garmin 735XT. Works well!

[@axilleasmpra353]

So why you changed sponsore if the bike is so good , the most logical think to do is to continue riding it

[@charleshennings5134]

gah damn that bike looks long as hell lol

[@karl_käse2610]

How tall exactly are you, that you ride a large frame? I‘ve been into the stamina bikes for a while now and soon it will be time for me to finally get one, but I‘m unsure about the framesize. I‘m 1,85m and usually ride XL frames (reach 480-500) but with the steep seat tube angle I guess the reach could be even longer?

[@TheLoamRanger]

Yep it’s the seat tube angle that really makes the longer reach feasible. I’m 185cm and definitely prefer the large over the medium.

[@alaingratton2948]

I think i never saw you on snow with a fat bike, so fun. II have not check if Pole offering it?

[@alaingratton2948]

Ok just saw the Taiga.Looking nice!

[@TheLoamRanger]

The Taiga is fun too! Just took mine out today actually.

[@cdwag23]

Real modern geometry! They're 10 years ahead of every other manufacturer, any other bike is a total waste of money

[@underbikedoverconfident1142]

This video makes me want to take a can of paint stripper to my bike.

[@TheLoamRanger]

Shiny is nice!

[@dalelakusta8143]

does it fit in a evok travel bag?

[@TheLoamRanger]

Dale Lakusta it does! That’s how I got it to Bentonville actually 👌🏼

[@noahtiessen7968]

The new norco sight has comparable geometry to the machine. Just less travel

[@TheLoamRanger]

Pretty close. I'm sure that new Sight is a fun one!

[@harzenduro]

Is this with the Noir Matter and the Hero 7?

[@TheLoamRanger]

Noir Matter + Hero 8! Decent combo

[@harzenduro]

@@TheLoamRanger Thanks for the quick response. I have done quite some testing of the Hero 7 vs. 8 myself (on my channel) and have come to the conclusion, that the 8 isn't any better when it comes to image quality and stabilization. I have seen your videos on this topic but would disagree with your conclusion. The Hero 8 is a 7 with a different firmware. They have both the same GP1 processor and internals in general.

[@pinchpeak5203]

I need some more pole stamina

[@TheLoamRanger]

Zing!

[@nobody617]

Wish I could share pics of my cnc frame I made 25 years ago. It crushes this. Although this is quite beautiful. God dang it. Maybe it's time for me to let people see it. I've hid it for a few decades while I did other things. Didn't want anyone to see it and I didn't want to get into patents on it. I had it at whislter a few times and god mobbed. Wouldn't let anyone take pics. A certain bike company designers surrounded it. I had to get it out of there. Uggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh. Maybe it's time. 10.5" travel that peddles like rigid. Looks insane. I'm gonna go crazy.......

[@angcooltv101]

Cool

[@davidhughes7856]

I'm biased but i'm a bigger fan of the Loam Ranger red than the raw look

[@TheLoamRanger]

That red sure is nice :)

[@bananasstuff3344]

@@TheLoamRanger the raw is too !)

[@jimborainbird2311]

How much are you missing the Pole now that you are sponsored by Ibsi?

[@patrikbjorling4391]

Sooo...the Machine or the Stamina?

[@TheLoamRanger]

If I had to chose and they both had either the coil or the air, I'd go Stamina. You don't lose anything with regards to climbing, so hey, why not go for the 180. There are a few more refinements that make it a better bike as well, like bearing protection on the linkage.

[@davidblackman3127]

180 is huuuuuge travel. You ever consider getting a short travel bike for riding mellower trails???

[@TheLoamRanger]

David Blackman of course! But I personally don’t like having lots of bikes. I like one bike that slays most trails.

[@86309]

how tall are you?

[@Jan07362]

How much do this bike weight?

[@TheLoamRanger]

It was about 35lbs

[@user-iz7zy7rx9t]

Once you get hooked on the pole it will change you.

[@TheLoamRanger]

Gandert Van Ramdonk amen 😂

[@angcooltv101]

Nice bike, the problem is price not friendly.

[@bananasstuff3344]

they are designed to be really high performance race bikes, but they do make the evolink which is quite a bit cheaper but still not what i would call 'budget'.

[@garrettdavies6930]

what watch do you have

[@TheLoamRanger]

Garmin 735XT

[@stuMoH88]

Nice, but what about the slider? 😂

[@TheLoamRanger]

Haha that’s the real star of this video. Edelkrone SliderOne V2 👌🏼

[@stuMoH88]

@@TheLoamRanger You don't mess about! 😂

[@stormaddison6364]

Number one people

[@TheLoamRanger]

🥇

[@pabloromar7413]

Pole should pay you 😂

[@TheLoamRanger]

Well, they are one of our sponsors so... haha

[@BrianVaughn]

The problem to me is the company themselves. They need to be realistic in their order fulfillment and respect their customers. I hear too many stories of them mistreating their customers and failing to meet their commitments. They might be trend setters but so was betamax when it came out. Didn't turn out so well for them.

[@RedRockMTB]

Brian Vaughn I agree, I have a Stamina 140 on order and I can’t get anyone at the company to give an eta or even reply to my emails. It’s pretty sad :(

[@BrianVaughn]

@@RedRockMTB don't complain too loudly.. they might cancel your order and screw you on the exchange rate.

[@catcandyify]

@@BrianVaughn come on dude.. pole pays back the same amount that they get. Its not their fault that the exchange rate changes!

[@BrianVaughn]

@@catcandyify it's customer service. It's a choice Pole makes.

[@colesiebert6829]

Sorry to hear that you have a frame that you aren’t gunna use. If you want I can take it off your hands. HMU

[@benjaminreohr4577]

Pole gave him a bike without the XC prototype chanistays

[@TheLoamRanger]

Haha I was wondering how long it would take for this comment to show up!

[@h3a1thy77]

This reminds me of the grim donut

[@spamcatchington1771]

This is basically an air vs coil video.

[@cellphonenut]

No bra that was awesome I could definitely tell the difference on your hang time great job. $64,000.00 question how the the stamina climb 🤔

[@TheLoamRanger]

The climbing position is the best in the business. If you’re in for an extended climb, hit the climb switch and you’re all good. For trail climbing, it’s great wide open.

[@cellphonenut]

The Loam Ranger sounds great thanks for the reply