Pole Voima 190mm Travel EMTB

[Paris Doo]

Don't get me wrong but "climbs like a mountain goat / more playful and easier to throw around, manual and bunny hop" are the most common Pinkbike (or any other review) cliche.

I have ridden bikes with really steep seat tube angle and they are really uncomfortable in everything except for the steepest uphills.

 

[Redders473]

What blows my mind is you can get a full build voima ID for nearly 200 euro cheaper then a voima ID with race motor excluding taxes etc

 

[Paul Mac]

Don't get me wrong but "climbs like a mountain goat / more playful and easier to throw around, manual and bunny hop" are the most common Pinkbike (or any other review) cliche.

I have ridden bikes with really steep seat tube angle and they are really uncomfortable in everything except for the steepest uphills.

I agree the playful, agile terms get thrown around without any context.
But I can flat out tell you riding both back to back I could stand the K1 up to balance point on the flat, where I could only get the K2 up a foot.
It was black and white (trying not to use cliché) , I mean night and day. (Damn it)

 

[Onetime]

What blows my mind is you can get a full build voima ID for nearly 200 euro cheaper then a voima ID with race motor excluding taxes etc

View attachment 109427

But in addition to the limited edition race motor and race axles, the Race ID comes with all of the options, protective wrap, chain guide/chain guard, PE slider and Huck Norris inserts. So if you want it all, you gotta pay. Or just get the regular ID pack for less.

 

[Redders473]

But in addition to the limited edition race motor and race axles, the Race ID comes with all of the options, protective wrap, chain guide/chain guard, PE slider and Huck Norris inserts. So if you want it all, you gotta pay. Or just get the regular ID pack for less.

I understand what your saying but a full bike or a chain guide, invisframe and some huck norris inserts come on.....

99% of folk won't ever race their bike so they won't need the race mode which i imagine sometime this year might be a aftermarket tune that can be applied to CX motors.

 

[Durrti]

This is my right swing arm from my less than 6 month old Voima!! Noticed the arm was beginning to separate in the upper seam and crack at the rear link after my last ride. Pole wants to inspect the arm before they will replace will keep you all updated.

 

[wavekiter]

The 80* seat tube is why it climbs like a mountain goat and probably the best climbing ebike made. And as people who have ridden both say, the smaller size is more playful and easier to throw around, manuel and bunny hop. You don’t have to get a smaller size if you don’t want to though, so get whatever size you want. But once you’ve ridden it you’ll understand.

Let me play devils advocate

I'd argue against downsizing, but rather increasing stack.

I'm 180cm, T-REX posture with very long legs and short torso /arms

I went for the K2 and never looked back...
It's a great bike for manualing and bunny hop, and I find it honestly agile... after having installed a riser bar.

The wheel base allows to ride very aggressively, while the high bottom bracket makes for fast cornering (remember to keep weight distributed on both pedals).

Personally, I don't recommend downsizing for someone who wants to go fast.

 

[Onetime]

Let me play devils advocate

I'd argue against downsizing, but rather increasing stack.

I'm 180cm, T-REX posture with very long legs and short torso /arms

I went for the K2 and never looked back...
It's a great bike for manualing and bunny hop, and I find it honestly agile... after having installed a riser bar.

The wheel base allows to ride very aggressively, while the high bottom bracket makes for fast cornering (remember to keep weight distributed on both pedals).

Personally, I don't recommend downsizing for someone who wants to go fast.

Well, I think Leigh Johnson, (Pole’s factory e-ews pro racer) will beg to differ. He is tall and he downsized to go faster. The bike is fast either way, it just comes down to rider preference. As they say, to each his or her own, or different strokes for different folks. I didn’t have a choice, at 5’7, I’m always on a small. Oh, and I also had, (sold my Voima frame and ordered the race ID frameset) a high rise bar on mine.

 

[Paul Mac]

Well, I think Leigh Johnson, (Pole’s factory e-ews pro racer) will beg to differ. He is tall and he downsized to go faster. The bike is fast either way, it just comes down to rider preference. As they say, to each his or her own, or different strokes for different folks. I didn’t have a choice, at 5’7, I’m always on a small. Oh, and I also had, (sold my Voima frame and ordered the race ID frameset) a high rise bar on mine.

Their other team rider at the time was Joe Nation, he's 5'10" and sized down to the K1.
I think that's the beauty of this bike you go with what you prefer, there's no right or wrong

 

[Plummet]

View attachment 109435
View attachment 109437
This is my right swing arm from my less than 6 month old Voima!! Noticed the arm was beginning to separate in the upper seam and crack at the rear link after my last ride. Pole wants to inspect the arm before they will replace will keep you all updated. View attachment 109436

Well that is definitely fubar. What is your weight and what's your riding style? Biggest features that you hit?

I might hold off purchasing until I see the outcome of this. I'm pretty hard on gear.

 

[Nathan79]

Hi all

struggling to choose between k1 and k2.
5 foot 8.
29 inch inseam.
also. According to seat post calculator. Says I can only fit a 125. This seems very short.
anyone running a longer post over and above what the calc suggested.?

 

[Paul Mac]

Hi all

struggling to choose between k1 and k2.
5 foot 8.
29 inch inseam.
also. According to seat post calculator. Says I can only fit a 125. This seems very short.
anyone running a longer post over and above what the calc suggested

Are you measuring inseam to the floor in bare feet with the measure pushed up firmly using the spine of a book to push up?
I'm 5'9" with 32 inch inseam if measured as above.
I tried a 170 mm dropper in the Voima and still had about 15mm of adjustment.

 

[Nathan79]

Ah. Just tried book method. Measures 31 inch.
what size did you go with
k1 or 2

 

[Murphius]

Well that is definitely fubar. What is your weight and what's your riding style? Biggest features that you hit?

I might hold off purchasing until I see the outcome of this. I'm pretty hard on gear.

Agreed. My biggest fear with buying a Pole is that I know any frame related warranty issue would be a pain to deal with. The way the company has handled issues has been less than stellar from what I’ve seen.

 

[Paul Mac]

Ah. Just tried book method. Measures 31 inch.
what size did you go with
k1 or 2

Still seesawing between the two, but at this point think it will be the K1.
Looking at all the geo numbers the K1 is bigger than my 22 medium Rail in every dimension other than top tube length, and that's purely down to the steep seat tube angle.

 

[Onetime]

Hi all

struggling to choose between k1 and k2.
5 foot 8.
29 inch inseam.
also. According to seat post calculator. Says I can only fit a 125. This seems very short.
anyone running a longer post over and above what the calc suggested.?

I’m 5’7 with a 29-30 inseam and just sold my K1 frameset and ordered the new K1 Race ID frameset. I had a 9point8 150 dropper in mine. It was perfect for my size. I think you could probably get away with a 170 if it’s a got a short lower tube insertion length.

 

[Durrti]

Well that is definitely fubar. What is your weight and what's your riding style? Biggest features that you hit?

I might hold off purchasing until I see the outcome of this. I'm pretty hard on gear.

I’m 220lbs kitted up. I’m aggressive trail don’t hit any features per se, occasional trail hit here and there. I’ll keep you posted.

 

[Durrti]

View attachment 109435
View attachment 109437
This is my right swing arm from my less than 6 month old Voima!! Noticed the arm was beginning to separate in the upper seam and crack at the rear link after my last ride. Pole wants to inspect the arm before they will replace will keep you all updated. View attachment 109436

Post in thread 'Pole Voima swing arm CRACKED'
Pole Voima swing arm CRACKED

 

[Lightme]

Mullet with a fox 40. You know it makes sense.
EDIT Although you need a very low stack headset to fit a 40.

Thanks! Just ordered a Fox 40. Can I ask what headset you used? Trying to get all my components together for the build.

 

[Onetime]

Thanks! Just ordered a Fox 40. Can I ask what headset you used? Trying to get all my components together for the build.

If it’s a 1 1/8 straight steerer tube 40, then you need a zs44 for the top and a zs56 1 1/8 for the bottom.

 

[Lightme]

Thank you!

 

[cozzy]

Thanks! Just ordered a Fox 40. Can I ask what headset you used? Trying to get all my components together for the build.

I haven't bought the frame yet. Only the fork.
The 2022 29" 40 has a max stack height of 146.5mm.
The k2 upwards voima frame has a 140mm headtube, so you only have 6.5mm for the headset to stick out.
If not using a mudguard you can increase 40 stack to about 154mm without the tyre or seals hitting the lower crown.
So do ensure you buy a headset that claims it's low profile, not any old one.

 

[Lightme]

I haven't bought the frame yet. Only the fork.
The 2022 29" 40 has a max stack height of 146.5mm.
The k2 upwards voima frame has a 140mm headtube, so you only have 6.5mm for the headset to stick out.
If not using a mudguard you can increase 40 stack to about 154mm without the tyre or seals hitting the lower crown.
So do ensure you buy a headset that claims it's low profile, not any old one.

Appreciate the response, thanks.
I did just buy the Wolf Tooth Geoshift 1 degree angle headset, ZS44/ZS56 as I plan to mullet it. I hope this works out!

Wolf Tooth GeoShift 1 Degree Performance Angle Headset

Adjust the geometry of your bike by changing the head tube angle by 1º with the GeoShift Performance Angle Headset. It allows you to change the head tube angle by -1º to make for a slacker geometry for added stability on fast descents, or by +1º by using the opposite orientation of the headset...

www.mtbdirect.com.au

Edit: states 6mm total stack, so I think I’m good.

 

[cozzy]

Appreciate the response, thanks.
I did just buy the Wolf Tooth Geoshift 1 degree angle headset, ZS44/ZS56 as I plan to mullet it. I hope this works out!

Wolf Tooth GeoShift 1 Degree Performance Angle Headset

Adjust the geometry of your bike by changing the head tube angle by 1º with the GeoShift Performance Angle Headset. It allows you to change the head tube angle by -1º to make for a slacker geometry for added stability on fast descents, or by +1º by using the opposite orientation of the headset...

www.mtbdirect.com.au

Edit: states 6mm total stack, so I think I’m good.

That looks like it would do it. Appears to be 10.9mm total from their table.
So you would need to raise the stanchion through the crown by about 5mm beyond the 137.5mm that fox states is the safe limit.
Also get a crown race that fits directly onto the steerer, not something like the hope reducer crown that still requires a crown race as this will rob you of precious mm.
Of course all this is theory & will be interesting to see how it all fits when you receive your parts.

 

[Fat Rat]

View attachment 109435
View attachment 109437
This is my right swing arm from my less than 6 month old Voima!! Noticed the arm was beginning to separate in the upper seam and crack at the rear link after my last ride. Pole wants to inspect the arm before they will replace will keep you all updated. View attachment 109436

I have never been a fan of excessive milling marks
Its seems to me your introducing break lines in the job like scoring a tile to break it
A good milled surface should be barely visible its one of the things that has put me right off these bikes from day one

I hope you get it sorted swiftly thou .

 

[Nathan79]

Still seesawing between the two, but at this point think it will be the K1.
Looking at all the geo numbers the K1 is bigger than my 22 medium Rail in every dimension other than top tube length, and that's purely down to the steep seat tube angle.

Just had a brief pedal on a k2.
felt ok size wise. Similar to the SA bullit size large but could feel the extra wheel base. used to ride a medium megatower before the bullit at 447 reach and was fine. Think you can get used to most geo,s really.

thinking could probably go K1 Though.
choices. Choices.

 

[Paul Mac]

Just had a brief pedal on a k2.
felt ok size wise. Similar to the SA bullit size large but could feel the extra wheel base. used to ride a medium megatower before the bullit at 447 reach and was fine. Think you can get used to most geo,s really.

thinking could probably go K1 Though.
choices. Choices.

I will have another ride on the K2 this week.
I have spoken to customer services at Pole and they state, as I know, I can ride either size, but would air towards the K2.
The problem with the last K2 I rode was the stem had been slammed to the head tube.
I think with 20mm spacers under the stem, it will not only shorten the reach, it would give me more leverage.
I will then choose a size and be done with it

 

[Lightme]

That looks like it would do it. Appears to be 10.9mm total from their table.
So you would need to raise the stanchion through the crown by about 5mm beyond the 137.5mm that fox states is the safe limit.
Also get a crown race that fits directly onto the steerer, not something like the hope reducer crown that still requires a crown race as this will rob you of precious mm.
Of course all this is theory & will be interesting to see how it all fits when you receive your parts.

Super helpful again, thanks!
This extra 5mm should compensate for the 4mm less a2c vs a Zeb 190. glad I did get the angle adjust set now. I was thinking I might now have needed, as the a2c decrease may offset the HA slackness given by the smaller rear wheel.

 

[gtaadicto]

I'm looking for a bike to replace my 2019 Vitus E-Sommet, and the Pole Voima is an option. However, I don't like two 29 wheels and I would like to mullet it. Does it work well with a 27,5x2,4 rear wheel? What about reduced BB height and pedal strikes?

 

[Onetime]

I'm looking for a bike to replace my 2019 Vitus E-Sommet, and the Pole Voima is an option. However, I don't like two 29 wheels and I would like to mullet it. Does it work well with a 27,5x2,4 rear wheel? What about reduced BB height and pedal strikes?

You can run it mullet, (several people have) or you could even run it full 27.5 if you want, (I did). But mine was 27.5 x 2.8. The BB is high to start with so it’s not to low with a mullet And most people run 165 or smaller cranks anyway so pedal strikes aren’t really an issue.