the original hardcourt blog
Posts tagged MKE
Ben’s Cycle is getting a Franklin re-up
Sep 2nd
Seen on benscycle.blogspot.com
Sometimes this is a hard to find item but it’s the best choice. Keep an eye on Ben’s and get’em.
MKE Polo Fork installed
Jul 26th
I came back from Wisconsin with a prototype of the Milwaukee Bicycle Co. new MKE Polo Fork. I finally installed it with some help from Affinity Cycles.
I added a big free wheel for the photos but for game play it will not be there. Instead I’ll be running the front without any cog or freewheel installed. And I’ll carry a spare wheel and a spare freewheel. If I get in a pinch and need to replace the front I’ll throw the spare straight on the front. If I flat the rear or rip out a grip of spokes or destroy the rim or fall victim to any of the many bad things that can happen to wheels on the court, then I’ll spin the spare freewheel to the spare wheel and a quick swap and back in the game. Time outs are becoming more popular in tournaments, would you rather spend a minute looking for some bike to borrow or getting your bike back on the court?
Click any image to see large.
And from MKE:
This fork will accommodate 3 types of brakes; 55-73mm X-Long Reach Caliper, U-Brake and V-brake.
* Bruiser Polo Fork – Aftermarket
* 400mm Axle to Crown
* 4130 Heat Treated Chromoly
* Weight – 1260g w/300mm Steerer
* 1-1/8″ One-Piece Fully CNC’d Steerer
* 990 Brake Mounts with Removable Studs (plugs included when not using studs)
* V-Brake Compatible
* 55-73mm X-Long Reach Caliper Compatible
* Removable Brake Housing Guide
* Headset Compression Plug Included
* 400mm Axle to Crown
* 32mm Rake
* 6mm Dropouts
* Stainless MKE Badge
* Black ED Coated Inside and Out for Full Rust Proofing
* Your Choice of Solid Color (excluding pearl coats or metalflake)
* Lifetime Warranty
More info: Ben’s Cycle
New from MKE
Jul 17th
Milwaukee Bicycle Co. and I made a new fork for bike polo. Thanks Drew! This is just a sneak-peek. Keep an eye on Ben’s Cycle for more details soon.
Birdie’s polo bike
Jul 1st
click any photo to see large
A Trek T1 seen at Ladies Army II and ESPI 5. Steel fork, Milwaukee Bicycle Co. parts, Velocity rims.
Win this Milwaukee Bruiser
Apr 30th
In the size of your choice of course. Find out how at benscycle.blogspot.com
Milwaukee “MKE” Grips in Black
Mar 24th
I haven’t tried these out yet but my Oury’s are busted and I need something new. I have the CNC made MKE bar end plugs already but these grips come polo-ready with plastic bar end plugs for anyone who need them. Like I’ve said before, if you play bike polo with unplugged bars you are a big jerk. Go to MKE and get a pair.
More info: Benscycle.net
Bike Polo Shafts by Milwaukee Bicycle Co.
Dec 29th
Made from 7075 T6 Series 4 Aluminum, these poles are constructed with the strongest commercially available, aircraft-grade aluminum alloy and are twice as strong as the industry standard, rated to 75,000 PSI.
Overall Length: 49″ Length of Straight Section: 35″ Diameter of Straight Section: 0.73″ Length of Taper: 14″ Diameter @ End of Taper: 0.46″ Powder Coated: “Eddie” Orange Weight: 195 grams
I have not used this product or even seen one for that matter but it solves the constant problem of not having anywhere to get ski poles/ mallet shafts. The price is $15.99. A little steep when compared to the $4 – $6 some thrift stores charge per used ski pole. But with thrift stores there is still the crossing your fingers that they even have some. Also that they are aluminum, straight, long enough, and not beat up too much. Any way, there was a time when people only played on beater bikes, but now some people are building up new frames for polo. Likewise, players are going to start making mallets out of new shafts.
More info: Ben’s Cycle
Problem Solvers Cable Doubler 1:2
Dec 14th
As seen on Ben’s Cycle blog. Follow the link to see pictures of Kremin’s set up.
Problem Solvers Cable Doubler 1:2. Allows one brake lever to operate two brakes.
1 lever :2 brakes
One brake lever to operate a front and rear brake at the same time. The idea has been tried before, from some cheap dual pull levers, to doubling up standard single levers on top of each other on one side, or custom fabricating old gyro cables to pull two brakes. I’ve never paid much attention to the crap people have come up with to get two brake calipers actuated by one lever but this seems to be the best. Mostly because it simply solves the problem, and does so BETWEEN the lever and calipers. Meaning you can use the components you chose. Just add this to the cables.
Ben’s Cycle has them for $39.99
For more info visit Ben’s Cycle
Nickel Bar ends by MKE
Nov 23rd
These are exactly what bike polo players need. Capped bar ends. If you like this throw back to the days before readily available machines end caps, spend the $11.99 for a set (nickels are included). You need something to keep from core sampling yourself or friends out on the court, it might as well be something cool.
More info: Milwaukee Bicycle Co.
COG Magazine issue 7
Nov 11th
Earlier this year in Milwaukee there was a bike polo tournament. Peter DiAntoni (peterdiantoni.com) of COG Magazine was there taking team portraits. I was also there as a player but in between games I of course was taking photos as well. A few of them were even used in the 8 page story COG Polo Invite by Captain Jake Newborn (of Hero Squad fame). Jake also wrote a review of the Eight Inch Scrambler frame and fork, his old polo bike before getting sponsored by Milwaukee Bicycle Co. And Joe Burge, another member of Hero Squad and sponsored Milwaukee polo player, also wrote a review of a goofy little bike he used to play polo on. haha.
COG Magazine is full of beautiful photos and covers the spectrum. Seattle to Boston. Milwaukee to Taipei. Nagasawa to Lucas Brunelle.
