First Rides
7,067.80 shipped (approx £6,160) Pole’s self-proclaimed ‘superbike’ is built like a plane, but does it ly on the trails?
We sling a leg over the latest bikes – this month featuring the groundbreaking Pole Machine, the short-travel but still rowdy Yeti SB100 and the top-value Calibre Astronut dirt jumper
Made in Finland using techniques and materials more associated with aerospace engineering than bicycle frames, and with proportions that take long and slack to the next level, Pole’s Machine is touted as a new way of thinking about high-end bikes. The frame The chassis is CNC machined (hence the name) in seven parts from solid billets of high-strength 7075-T6 aluminium. These are glued and bolted together down the frame’s centre line. The reliability of a bike constructed in this way may worry some, but similar techniques are well-established in aerospace and automotive applications, and Pole have several well-ridden prototypes which have yet to fail. The machined finish must be seen to be appreciated.
There’s 160mm of rear travel, controlled by a pair of short, corotating links. The RockShox Super Deluxe shock is mounted o! centre and rotated through 90 degrees to make room for two water bottles within the front triangle. A third can be bolted on under the down tube. The frame’s 3.3kg claimed weight (medium, without shock) is respectable for such a big bike. There’s room for 29x2.8in or 27.5x3.0in rubber in the rear. The kit As you’d hope, the Machine EN’s spec leaves little to be desired. A 180mm RockShox Lyrik RC2 smooths things out up front better than virtually any other fork, while the top-end SRAM Code brakes and XX1 Eagle drivetrain handle stopping and going with authority, though one of our brakes did feel a little spongy. Pole offer a slightly more affordable TR build for €5,617.80 (approx £4,895). The ride This is an easy bike to ride fast. The reach is very long (510mm, large) and the stack height is tall. This puts you in a confident, comfortable position. The super-slack 63.5-degree head angle helps to provide DH-bike-like stability when hitting rock sections at speed, and reduces the chances of the front wheel tucking under or
A machined frame and super-progressive geometry make Pole’s Machine one of the most unique and innovative bikes out there fighting in steep, rocky sections. Pole recommend setting up the moderately progressive rear end with a tick under 30 per cent sag. This provides loads of support and, combined with the long (455mm) chainstays, makes it easy to keep the front wheel weighted. As a result, the Machine arcs through corners nicely.
Despite the huge 1,340mm wheelbase, it’s surprisingly easy to handle even in tight, flat switchbacks, once you have the right technique and timing. The support o ered by the rear suspension makes it easy to push into berms and hop the back wheel over trail obstacles. Our bike came with no volume spacers in its shock but still rode high in its travel, only accessing the full 160mm when appropriate. The rebound damping works best when left nearly fully open, as the internal high-speed valving is firm. This means the suspension response is controlled and safe when returning from deep in the stroke, but it still tracks repeated hits well. A lighter highspeed rebound tune might help it recover from high-frequency bumps even better, but would compromise big-hit composure.
When hitting square-edged bumps at speed, a touch of pedal kickback can be felt, but the suspension does a superb job of taming trail chatter and keeping the bike calmly connected to the ground. The slack head angle and high bar allow the fork to be set up soft, resulting in better tracking up front too. Add the stable geometry and 29in wheels, and it could embarrass many DH bikes on the right track.
Pointed uphill, the Machine feels sti and taut under power. Bob is kept under control too, making for a surprisingly sprightly sprinter. The steep seat angle (79 degrees) puts the saddle in a comfy position, especially when things get steep and technical, and the slack head angle is a non-issue on climbs. Our only complaints are that it takes skill and some strength to get the front wheel aloft (though a high bar makes things easier), and the tall head tube may not suit shorter-legged riders.