Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
This week’s Reader’s Rig comes from Adam in Sheffield, UK, who offers a look at his kid-hauling, singletrack-cruising Stooge Scrambler and shares some thoughts on how it perfectly suits his evolution as a rider. Meet Adam and scope out his Stooge here…
Words and photos by Adam Batty
Hi, I’m Adam. I live in Sheffield, UK, with my partner. We’re currently immersed in young family life with two kids under five. I typically spend my time playing in parks, looking at or getting close to trees, pretending to be a goat, washing pots, using Microsoft Word, and quietly questioning things (often whilst washing the pots). Which normally means I’m ready for bed by 9:30. I love most of these things.
I grew up near Sherwood Forest and its surrounding post-industrial landscape. Pine trees, disused quarries, singletack, and oppressive warehouses are the four cornerstones of my personality. I’m very grateful for the childhood my parents gave me. I always look back fondly on all the adventures we had on bikes, skateboards, or holidays in the mountains.
This is my Stooge Scrambler. It spends a good chunk of its days on the local trails in and around Sheffield, or on the moors and crags of the Peak District. An even bigger chunk of its time is dedicated to slow family adventures or park outings. It has had plenty of big days and bikepacking trips to test its credentials, too.
- Frame/Fork: Stooge Scrambler
- Rims: DT Swiss EX471
- Hubs: Hope Pro 4
- Tires: Rekon 2.6 (front) / Ardent 2.4 (rear)
- Handlebars: Stooge Moto
- Headset: Superstar Components
- Crankset: Shimano Cues 170mm, 30T
- Pedals: Shimano XT SPD Trail or cheapo flats
- Cassette: 11-46T
- Derailleur(s): Shimano Deore 11-speed
- Brakes: Basic Shimano 4 pots of a friend’s E-bike
- Shifter(s): Shimano Deore 11-speed
- Saddle: WTB Solano Medium
- Seatpost: Brand X 150mm dropper
- Stem: Ragley 50mm
- Front bags: Homemade tiny burrito bag
- Frame bags: Restrap
- Rear bags: Weecog tool pouch, Carradice panniers on a quick rack (sometimes)
- Electronics: Wahoo GPS, Exposure lights
- Other accessories: Lezyne power cage, SQ Lab Inner bar ends, safety pizza, a little bell
- Fenders: SKS
It represents a step in my shifting cycling interests. My tastes are moving more to the classic. Less flash, squish, and speed. Less dominating the landscape, more riding through it. The stooge felt like a good tool to keep me in that mindset. It still goes fast, though, if you don’t mind your brain shaking inside your skull.
I’ve built this bike with durability and affordability in mind. Hence, the square taper cranks, Hope hubs, and cheap Shimano brakes. But it’s also versatile. I can strip it down to just a frame bag and take the fenders off for some big day rides. Or I can put on the panniers, cargo cages, and the trailer to tow my daughter and all our camping stuff. One handy addition to this frame is the little visual reminders on my forks: prompts to smile and go with the flow on the longer rides. I sometimes forget these things and take myself too seriously.
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