Optima - Stinger - Anyone try this bike?

[Rob]

I was wondering if anyone knows anything about Optima's new bike called the
Stinger. What does weigh? Any reviews?

Rob
V-Rex, Vivo (wife's ride)

[Mark Leuck]

http://www.bentrideronline.com/Vol4.1/Optima%20Stinger.htm

Post by Rob
I was wondering if anyone knows anything about Optima's new bike called the
Stinger. What does weigh? Any reviews?
Rob
V-Rex, Vivo (wife's ride)

[Just zis Guy, you know?]

Post by Mark Leuck

Post by Rob
I was wondering if anyone knows anything about Optima's new bike called
Stinger. What does weigh? Any reviews?

http://www.bentrideronline.com/Vol4.1/Optima%20Stinger.htm

I have one, done just under 4,000 miles on it - see

<http://chapmancentral.demon.co.uk/Web/public.nsf/Documents/Bike_Optima_Stinger>

First, let me make it clear that this bike is huge fun. I walked into
the bentmonger, saw the bike, wanted it, rode some others, rode the
Stinger and wanted it even more, went back the following week and took
away the display model. It's that kind of bike.

This is a typical Dutch bike, made of an alloy of Aluminium and
depleted Uranium, but climbs surprisingly well for all that. I have
two cassettes, a standard 11-25 (?) and a 13-32 I use for hilly rides.
I have managed to climb 1 in 8 with the 11-25, but it was hard work!

In current trim with mudguards, a SON and lights, Air Zound, mirror
and so on, the bike weighs nearly 40lb, and I average the same speed
as I do on my 30lb auax bike.

It's a very comfy bike, and tracks nicely. It's not a lowracer but it
does let me blow roadies away on the way to work; it feels more stable
the faster it goes and is reassuring at 40mph plus, it stops well and
on the few occasions I've overbraked on slippery roads it's gone down
in a very controlled manner allowing me to just stand up - I've not
yet hit the road even in icy conditions even though I always use
slick tyres.

I've had two faults, both were dealt with promptly. The rack bent
(it's folded aluminium) - this is probably due to abuse while it was
in the shop, as it was their demo bike. The frame suffered a fatigue
failure at a weld after a few thousand miles, and they replaced the
frame and rear fork without any fuss at all. Some Barons had a
similar failure but mine is the only Stinger I know of which has
suffered this. I am big and quite strong.

Carrying capacity is limited. I have mounted the platform of a
Blackburn-type rack on top of the built-in rack on mine, and use an
Ortlieb Bike Box on that. It is possible to put enough in the Bike
Box to bend the rack, so I don't overload it. I don't carry heavy
loads anyway, and if I want to I will get a BoB.

If I were buying again I would be happy to buy the Stinger. I would
do a ride-off against the Speedmachine. Last time I tried them
back-to-back I preferred the Stinger but the Speedmachine is a better
load carrier.

Some disappointments: bog-standard Deore components (some now upgraded
to LX on mine), and Magura Julie discs which suck badly, but the bike
is a joy to ride.

Guy
===
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
http://chapmancentral.demon.co.uk

[Rob]

Post by Just zis Guy, you know?

Post by Mark Leuck

Post by Rob
I was wondering if anyone knows anything about Optima's new bike called
Stinger. What does weigh? Any reviews?

http://www.bentrideronline.com/Vol4.1/Optima%20Stinger.htm

I have one, done just under 4,000 miles on it - see

<http://chapmancentral.demon.co.uk/Web/public.nsf/Documents/Bike_Optima_Stin
ger>

Post by Just zis Guy, you know?
First, let me make it clear that this bike is huge fun. I walked into
the bentmonger, saw the bike, wanted it, rode some others, rode the
Stinger and wanted it even more, went back the following week and took
away the display model. It's that kind of bike.
This is a typical Dutch bike, made of an alloy of Aluminium and
depleted Uranium, but climbs surprisingly well for all that. I have
two cassettes, a standard 11-25 (?) and a 13-32 I use for hilly rides.
I have managed to climb 1 in 8 with the 11-25, but it was hard work!
In current trim with mudguards, a SON and lights, Air Zound, mirror
and so on, the bike weighs nearly 40lb, and I average the same speed
as I do on my 30lb auax bike.
It's a very comfy bike, and tracks nicely. It's not a lowracer but it
does let me blow roadies away on the way to work; it feels more stable
the faster it goes and is reassuring at 40mph plus, it stops well and
on the few occasions I've overbraked on slippery roads it's gone down
in a very controlled manner allowing me to just stand up - I've not
yet hit the road even in icy conditions even though I always use
slick tyres.
I've had two faults, both were dealt with promptly. The rack bent
(it's folded aluminium) - this is probably due to abuse while it was
in the shop, as it was their demo bike. The frame suffered a fatigue
failure at a weld after a few thousand miles, and they replaced the
frame and rear fork without any fuss at all. Some Barons had a
similar failure but mine is the only Stinger I know of which has
suffered this. I am big and quite strong.
Carrying capacity is limited. I have mounted the platform of a
Blackburn-type rack on top of the built-in rack on mine, and use an
Ortlieb Bike Box on that. It is possible to put enough in the Bike
Box to bend the rack, so I don't overload it. I don't carry heavy
loads anyway, and if I want to I will get a BoB.
If I were buying again I would be happy to buy the Stinger. I would
do a ride-off against the Speedmachine. Last time I tried them
back-to-back I preferred the Stinger but the Speedmachine is a better
load carrier.
Some disappointments: bog-standard Deore components (some now upgraded
to LX on mine), and Magura Julie discs which suck badly, but the bike
is a joy to ride.
Guy
===
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
http://chapmancentral.demon.co.uk

Interresting, I was able to take a Speedmachine out for a week, and love it.
There were two problems I found with it.
1. It's a heavy bike
2. I was having problems getting confortable on it

The things I liked was the ride was awesome, (unreal), and flat surface
speed was faster then my V-Rex.

I put Pantour hubs front and back on my V-Rex, but continual problems with
the rear hub has made me remove it. With both Pantour hubs on, it was not
even close to the ride of a Speendmachine.

Rob - V-Rex, Vivo (wife's ride)

[Just zis Guy, you know?]

Post by Rob
Interresting, I was able to take a Speedmachine out for a week, and love it.
There were two problems I found with it.
1. It's a heavy bike
2. I was having problems getting confortable on it

The Stinger is also a heavy bike (maybe a fraction lighter if the
Speedmachine has front shocks). I never found it hard to get
comfortable, but hardshell seats do come in sizes so maybe that was
the problem.

I tried several other bikes since, none have been sufficiently better
to tempt me *except* the Trice Monster (trike) which is stunning. I
still have to try a Windcheetah properly.

Guy
===
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
http://chapmancentral.demon.co.uk

[Dave Larrington]

Post by Just zis Guy, you know?
The Stinger is also a heavy bike (maybe a fraction lighter if the
Speedmachine has front shocks). I never found it hard to get
comfortable, but hardshell seats do come in sizes so maybe that was
the problem.

Tsk, Guy! ALL Speedmachines have front suspension, built into the head tube
inna-Cannondale-stylee...

Post by Just zis Guy, you know?
I tried several other bikes since, none have been sufficiently better
to tempt me *except* the Trice Monster (trike) which is stunning. I
still have to try a Windcheetah properly.

The Long-Term Savings Fairy came up with the goods and the XXL is on order.
I'm on the limit size-wise for the Micro / Monster and the Meteor hadn't
been invented at the time... I've done a considerable amount of
Windcheetahing and never really got on with the seat. It is, in fact, the
considered opinion of many that no-one gets on with a seat originating with
Mike Burrows other than Mike Burrows, though as Pat Field has done 3 P-B-P's
on Burrows machines, he may be the exception which proves the rule.

--

Dave Larrington - http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/
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Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
http://www.bhpc.org.uk/
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