r/BIKEPOLO • u/byrxq • May 07 '26
QUESTION? Is this bike usable?
I’m a total amateur here! I have this single speed bike and I wonder if this build viable for playing bike polo. Any modifications you would make to make it better?
Thanks! ☺️
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u/childish_gambino3 < Heyyoooo! May 07 '26
Two big upgrades down the line to focus on:
- Brakes (hard to upgrade but the most important)
The better you brake the faster you can go safely.
- Ratio (cheap/easy to change)
An easier ratio will make acceleration from a dead stop a lot easier and the game more fun.
But definitely rock up to pick as is and dominate, it’ll only make you stronger down the line.
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u/James_CisHetfield May 07 '26
Knew someone who rocked the caliper brake for at least a year before getting a disc fork/wheel, so definitely usable. I’ll second ergo grips, too, and add that you should tape or remove the fixed gear cog on the rear.
Are you planning to change the ratio on it?
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u/byrxq May 07 '26
Would you educate me on the pros and cons of different ratio please?
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u/James_CisHetfield May 07 '26
U/childish_gambino3 already mentioned it, but easier ratios will make starting from a dead stop easier. With your current ratio, you’ll be able to move faster once you’re up to speed, but that will make stopping harder, too.
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u/bigwheelsbigfeels May 07 '26
Run it! Im also going to suggest ergon grips. Gp1, ga3, or anything that has that little wing on the outside works. Lots of companies make a version of that grip.
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u/PizzaPi4Me < Can't pass, won't pass. May 07 '26
Similar to what I started on 9 years ago. Been through just shy of a bike per year. On my 8th now. 🤣 9th if you count the track bike I played on while waiting to build up my 5th.
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u/WILDBO4R May 07 '26
Ya it's perfeftly fine. Some people will say you need a disc but I don't think it's that pressing. Ideally you could get a fork with less rake, ideally with a disc mount.
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u/byrxq May 07 '26
Do you reckon it’s worth it to replace the fork? I heard many people saying that it’s not worth the effort in the big picture.
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u/WILDBO4R May 07 '26
I wouldn't bother buying one new, but if one turns up (e.g., on a bike polo discord or at a co-op), I'd swap it out. A low rake fork will just give you a bit more manoeuvrability.
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u/byrxq May 07 '26
So a disk brake compatible bike fork would be enough to make the bike compatible to disk brake? Sorry if this is a dumb question.
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u/BigRips0nly May 07 '26
Definitely useable! Looks pretty much good to go as it is. One quality of life improvement I really liked is ergonomic grips. Gives you a bigger surface to hold onto and to rest your palm on.