On top of their full range of new Evolink mountain bikes just added in 2016 (including those that we reviewed just at the end of 2016) Finnish bike maker Pole has just introduced a new swingarm design for this upcoming season that adds compatibility for both Boost and Non-Boost rear wheels. Basically the new Evolink swingarm uses Boost’s 148mm spacing, but if you want to stick with 142mm, you can still do that too with a spaced out rear derailleur hanger and non-driveside spacer. Check out how after the jump…
The new swingarm for 2017 means that all of their new bikes will be Boost and still 142mm backwards compatible. It also means that if you are currently riding one and want to upgrade to a Boost wheel, you can do so by swapping in the new rear triangle and getting your crank’s chainline spaced over.
Since Pole have now switched over to an I.S. rear brake mount, to use the narrower 142mm hub in the Boost 148 swingarm, you just use their non-driveside dropout spacer, a spaced out rear derailleur hanger and some 3mm spacers on the brake mount.
So 2017 brings with it more stiffness in the rear end and improved control with the stiffer redesigned swingarm, plus at the same time an updated upper rocker link that is also stiffer than the 2016 model, but all with no weight penalty. The new link design also gives more mounting flexibility that lets you flip your shock around to keep mud flung off the rear wheel from getting into your shock’s seals.
