Issue #030, Review -

Pole EVOLINK 140 29 Review

Long, longer, Pole EVOLINK 140 29. In comparison to this bike, all other bikes in the test look like children’s bikes. It’s clear that with its super-slack head angle and the enormous wheelbase, it is immensely stable. But can you get it around tight turns, and how fast is it really?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: Let’s go Racing! – The 10 fastest enduro bikes in test

Pole EVOLINK 140 29
Pole EVOLINK 140 29 | 150/140 mm (front/rear) | 14.30 kg | € 5,600

With the Pole at your side you’ll be sure to win the question of whose is the longest. After all, the reach in size L measures 510 mm and the wheelbase is nearly 10 cm longer than most of the competition at 1,314 mm. With geometry like that, the components quickly become peripheral. But they needn’t: the RockShox Lyrik RCT3 fork has not disappointed, and neither have the DT Swiss EX 1501 SPLINE ONE wheels. The BikeYoke REVIVE dropper post works silently and has the most beautiful remote lever on the market. Unfortunately, Pole only installed the 125 mm version – we would have preferred the 160 mm version. Huck Norris inserts were installed in both the MAXXIS Minion DHR II in the front and the Minion SS at the rear to protect the rims from the savage rocks of Liguria.

Pole EVOLINK 140 29

If you believe the preconceptions, the Pole shouldn’t have been very fast on our test track – especially the narrow sections, where this monster should have been stopped in its tracks. Also, the extreme geometry would have required hours of getting used to – but far from it. “Get on and feel at home” is the motto. Obviously the enormous length of the bike can be felt on the trail, but not in a negative way.

Pole EVOLINK 140 29 Pole EVOLINK 140 29
Pole EVOLINK 140 29
Helmet Giro Switchblade | Goggle SCOTT Prospect Enduro | Jersey Mons Royale Redwood 3/4 Raglan T-Shirt Dirt | Shorts Alpinestars Pathfinder Shorts

On board you have a massive range of movement and the EVOLINK forgives almost all mistakes. The wheelbase ensures maximum stability, and the long chainstays distribute the rider’s weight evenly, which becomes especially evident on open turns. Without having to shift their weight, all our testers had enough pressure on the front wheel. Even very tight turns can be mastered with the Pole, though they require a bit more effort. Particularly striking is how the Pole saves your energy. Unfortunately the 150 mm RockShox Lyrik does not quite match the potential of the bike – a 160 mm version would have been a better choice. With a super-steep seat tube angle you sit very centrally on the bike and pedal in a relaxed position, but you won’t win any sprints on the EVOLINK 140 29.

The Pole EVOLINK 140 29 in Detail

Fork RockShox Lyrik RCT3 150 mm
Rear shock RockShox Monarch Plus RC3 140 mm
Brakes SRAM Guide RS
Drivetrain SRAM XX1 / X01
Seat post Bikeyoke Revive
Stem Race Face Atlas
Handlebar Race Face Sixc
Tires Maxxis Minion DHR II / Maxxis Minion SS
Wheels DT Swiss EX 1501 Spline One

Pole EVOLINK 140 29
Overwhelmed
The RockShox Lyrik is a great fork. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have enough travel for the Pole EVOLINK 140 29. A 160mm or even 170mm version would have been the better choice for this monster of a bike.
Pole EVOLINK 140 29
Variable
Thanks to interchangeable inserts, the rear is compatible with both 142 mm and 148 mm-wide hubs.
Pole EVOLINK 140 29
Agricultural
If you’re looking for a bike with finely designed details, you’ll be disappointed with the Pole. The tubing and the design seems rather agricultural. However, the cables can either be routed internally or externally.
Pole EVOLINK 140 29
Huck Norris
Huck Norris is a foam insert that is designed to protect the rims. It works, but it’s expensive: € 89 per set is no bargain.

The geometry of the Pole EVOLINK 140 29

Size XS S M L
Seat tube 420 mm 440 mm 460 mm 480 mm
Top tube ? mm ? mm ? mm 621 mm
Head angle 64.5° 64.5° 64.5° 64.5°
Seat angle 77.5° 77.5° 77.5° 77.5°
Chainstay 456 mm 456 mm 456 mm 456 mm
BB Drop 20 mm 20 mm 20 mm 20 mm
Wheelbase 1224 1254 1284 1314
Reach 420 mm 450 mm 480 mm 510 mm
Stack 630 mm 630 mm 630 mm 630 mm
Wheelsize 29″ 29″ 29″ 29″
Pole EVOLINK 140 29
The Pole will glide through the most ferocious rock gardens like it’s on rails and still manage to manoeuvre through tight sections!

Conclusion

The Pole EVOLINK 140 29 is the most radical, and at the same time the most benign bike in the test. It impressed us with its confidence-inspiring composure and immense stability. Despite (or because of) the long geometry, it’s also suitable for less experienced riders and reveals its full potential especially on long, hard stages.

Strengths

– there is no trail too hard for this bike
– tremendous stability
– very well-balanced weight distribution

Weaknesses

– Suspension fork does not do the bike justice
– Not enough stroke on the dropper post


For more information head to polebicycles.com

The test fleet

For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: Let’s go Racing! – The 10 fastest enduro bikes in test

All bikes in test: Canyon Canyon Strive CF 9.0 Team | Giant Reign Advanced 0 | Lapierre Spicy Team Ultimate | Nukeproof Mega 275 RS | Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon 90 | Santa Cruz Hightower LT | SCOTT Genius 900 Tuned 2018 | Specialized S-Works Enduro 29 | YT JEFFSY 27 CF Pro Race