stif squatch frame weight

To put it simply, this is one very modern seat angle! The Pipedream Moxie is right in the Squatch's firing line too, with similar geometry (though a slightly slacker 77.5 effective seat tube) and a competitive build, but that's more expensive at 2,900. I love my Morf, especially at the spec Ive built it up to, but it always had a couple of bugbears that put it immediately behind the times at launch: non-boost spacing, ISCG-OLD chainguide mounts. Tom Marvin is a technical editor at BikeRadar.com and MBUK magazine. This led to pressures being upped to 120psi by the end of testing, which provided a good compromise of sensitivity and support. Its spritely on the pedals, too, and the 430mm chainstay shines it's a lively and flickable ride, despite the 1238mm wheelbase and big wheels. This bb drop is set to mimic a full suspension bike of similar intentions when sagged, so it should not ring alarm bells when compared to a static figure from a full suspension bike geometry chart. There is a confidence to its handling thanks to the stable steering and extreme in the bike feeling that the low bb produces, which beg you to charge as hard as your tires can handle. Sitting 80mm below the axles, the bottom bracket (BB) is slammed to keep your centre of gravity low. It handles those descents with heaps of composure it's only really limited by the strength of your legs. Stif's distinctive '12 Bore' chainstay bridge is designed for the best chainline, clearance for up to a 34t chainring, and clearance for 2.6 rubber out back. Yes, 2,500 is a lot of money to throw at a hardtail, but for what you're getting the Squatch represents pretty good value. Notwithstanding the foregoing, frames purchased prior to May 1, 2015 are covered under the previously-existing warranty for five years from the original date of purchase. The chainguide tabs are, at last, ISCG-05, and the spacing is for a boost hub. Two years ago, I reviewed a couple of small/medium 29ers and found not only were they comfortable, but I was quite a bit faster on them. With a 130mm fork up front, its head angle slackens to 64-degrees, balanced by a 78-degrees seat angle. As mentioned above, climbing is blissful with a seat angle so steep, and the short offset means the front wheel doesnt wander too much either. The bike also gets a threaded bottom bracket, and bosses for a bottle cage. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. That means that on choppy descents and hard landings, the effect of suspension travel steepening your head angle is reduced, again contributing to greater stability. Point it at a bigger lip though and it is quite happy flying high at speed, being stable in the air and allowing for more sketchy landings to be survived thanks to its inherent stability. We are a credit broker not a lender. He has a particular focus on mountain bikes, but spends plenty of time on gravel bikes, too. Price: 2499 /2950 /$3500 Photography by Adam Lievesley // @adamlievesleybmx. Bottle bosses are in place on the downtube, and there is a 160mm post mount to accommodate any rotor size. A thoroughly contemporary hardtail thats a proper hard-charger on technical trails. Stif Squatch Frame only - 599 The signature 'chainstay hole' remains Stif Squatch AM Build - 1899 - featuring RockShox Pike Select 130mm, Burgtec cockpit, saddle and pedals. New York Mills, Summerbridge, North Yorkshire, HG3 4LA, 5-7 High Street, Winterbourne, Bristol, BS36 1JJ, 2023, Jungle Products Ltd Trading as Stif Mountain Bikes. These felt great right off the bat, and hardly needed any tweaks off the defaults fro me weight. Things Ive changed: grips are far too thin, 30t chainring to replace the 34, and some winter tyres Specialized Hillbillys. The geometry is at no point the element holding you back, but the limited ability to iron out the square edges of the terrain leads to an incredibly physical ride where your arms and legs must work hard to absorb impacts that you do not even consider on a fully suspended rig. Deputy Tech Editor here at off.road.cc Liam can alsobe found photographing bikes as well as riding them. Stanton Bikes Set To Return, With Dan at the Helm? In the rare event that the postage estimate won't cover your delivery we will contact you with a postage quote. Starting at $49,900, the Expedition starts low and aims high, with our option-loaded 'Deluxe' review version costing close to $75,000. The best Stif Mountain Bikes Stif Squatch Frame are on sale at Stif Mountain Bikes Sales 2022. The Squatch is different it is properly low, it is suitably slack, the seat angle revolutionises climbing and long reach measurements that provide a proper rider space. The original owner shall pay all labor charges connected with the repair or replacement of all parts. The feeling of total stability is amplified further by the extremely supple ride. The Squatch also gets a 430mm chainstay, all this equates to a 1238mm wheelbase on a large frame. Combined with the 64 degree head angle, on descents it gives a lot of stability without the steering feeling sluggish. The warranty does not cover labor costs, custom finishes, normal wear and tear, or damage from commercial use. During this one-year period, Kona shall repair or replace, at its sole option, all parts that are found by Kona to be defective and subject to this limited warranty. THE DIRT The frame tubes merge into each other nicely with some tidy welding and reinforcement. After several prototypes, 1000s of kilometres of hyper sensitive testing and endless amounts of tweaking we have found the optimum formula, and off the back of this extensive in-house research & development, striving for progressive, safe and fun performance we are proud to finally be able to announce the new Stif Squatch! Common to these sizes is a 64-degree head angle; 78-degree seat angle (effective, at max extension); 430mm chainstays and 80mm bottom bracket drop. 704348. The tyres I get on a bit better with Maxxis DHF than I used to, but still find it more prone to washing out that a DHRII or Onza Ibex. For the last 4 years we've watched our original steel hardtail the Morf defy trends and changing standards to remain a rider favourite and cult legend. An incredibly sure-footed 29er, excellent up and down. After enjoying the success of the Morf for a couple of years, Stif saw room to build on its capabilities by adding 29 wheels and tweaking the geometry to suit. Halfords has issued a trading update which appears to show that the cost of living is taking its toll on its cycling business. From $101.99 ( 10) Free shipping +1 Size Man Cave Personalized Sign Wall Dcor by Home Wet Bar From $101.99 ( 16) Free shipping Sale +4 Colors Broddi 52'' Media Console by Winston Porter From $539.99 $899.00 ( 3008) Fast Delivery FREE Shipping Get it by Thu. My only takeaway from this (apart from i should buy one) is youve overtaken CK in the beard wizard stakes. Dropping into the corners pocket feels natural with a total in the bike feeling, encouraging a more aggressive lean angle which allows for the corners apex to be pushed into with reassurance in order to generate grin forming levels of forward motion. In terms of spec, this build (PRO 175) is one of three options, which has a SRAM G2 RSC Brakes, SRAM GX drivetrain, and a Rockshox Pike Ultimate doing most of the work. Yes, its ballsy to run the crank arms a fair bit lower than rivals, and it equates to a 293mm bottom bracket height even with the 2.6in tyres. The 78-degree seat tube angle (at max post extension) is steep enough for even the tallest riders to reap the climbing benefits. Reviews, buying advice and news. Santa Cruz Bicycles pivot bearings are warranted for life to the original owner of the bike. Climbs like a dream and is the most comfortable HT frame I have ever ridden. The Stif Squatch AM will set you back 1,900 with the PRO priced at 2,500. To keep it as weatherproof as possible, Stif applies an Ed-black anti-rust treatment to the frames which should resist any rusting of the steel tubes in even the worst winter conditions. It took a little getting used to, and provides a lot of room to move around. BIKE REVIEWS 130mm travel, 29 wheels, 4130 steel and modern numbers throughout, mean the Stif Squatch might just be the winter whip of choice. Its testament to the Squatch that a couple of perfectly arced turns, easy manuals and mistimed landings with zero consequences had me fully trusting the chassis. The curve in the seat tube means you have a minimum 78 degree seat angle from rails to bottom bracket; if youre not so tall and run your seat lower than the maximum height, that effective seat angle gets even steeper. A very capable frame with modern aggressive geometry. Tons of details on top of the frame shape include heavily-crimped seat stays flattened widthways (similar to many carbon road bikes) that flex and dampen heavy hits and repeated bumps. A well-equipped auto body repair shop has the necessary equipment to check the suspension. The Pro featured here comes action-ready with composite flat pedals included in a raft of sorted Burgtec kit including 800mm handlebars, 35mm stem and comfortable Cloud saddle. With bigger 29in wheels and a super-low-slung chassis it should, on paper, be a monster when the trail gets gnarly. FedEx Orders can be tracked at https://www.fedex.com/apps/fedextrack/?action=track, * Royal Mail 24 Tracked Next Working Day if ordered before 3.30pm Mon-Fri, **FedEx 24 Hour for orders placed before 12:00pm Mon-Fri. *Orders shipping to Northern Ireland via Courier will be subject to a delivery charge, we will be in touch upon receiving your order to discuss your delivery charge or you can Contact Us to discuss pricing prior to ordering. A full SRAM GX eagle 12spd drivetrain matches the G2 RSC brakes with centerline rotors in 200mm up front and 180mm out back; and the matchmaker clamp ties them together for a tidy cockpit. Although I cannot quite determine the precise level of compliance on offer, I was certainly able to figure out what the Squatch is capable of under the control of an average rider, and I had a great deal of fun in doing so. The Squatch is definitely not just a big-wheeled Morf. Its very steep 78 seat tube places rider weight almost directly over the bottom bracket which, when the gradient pitches up, results in a really comfortable and efficient pedalling position. KS Lev Integra, The best mountain bike: what to look for in a mountain bike, Best mountain bike jerseys: top rated tops and what to look out for, Best mountain bike mudguards: keep your eyes clear of flung filth, Best mountain bike multi-tools: rescue broken rides, Specialized Trail Rain waterproof jacket review, Altura Ridge Thermal Waterproof trousersreview, Best hardtail mountain bike 2022: classic trail shredding machines. Ten years ago, I tried a small 29er and felt like I was on some weird janky clown bike. The Squatch goes uphill very well, even considering its surprisingly portly 30.1lbs with pedals. Headset: Hope ZS44/EC44 Four years ago, I got hold of Stifs 27.5in wheeled Morf for review, liked it so much I built one of my own, and still have it. The Pro model leads with the RockShox Pike ultimate fork, sporting its flashy silver paint. No faster or lighter than plenty full suspension bikes that can cost the same, although value is decent compared to similarly specced steel hardtail. Seatpost: KS Lev Integra | 200mm, WHEELS Advertising and commercial: sales@off-road.cc, Mountain bike, bikepackingand gravel bikes. Its rather low profile tread is fast rolling but seriously limits braking power, and its very easily overwhelmed in the wet. Any questions please just ask. Outside of testing bikes, Tom competes in a wide range of mountain bike races, from multi-day enduros through to 24-hour races in the depths of the Scottish winter pushing bikes, components and his legs to their limits. A little overkill but if I had to take only one bike for trip it would probably be the Squtach because its so versatile. When not riding he can be found at the climbing wall, in his garden or cooking up culinary delights. If you need any help, advice or technical info on the Stif Squatch, our resident experts are: Perfectly poised, way more compliant than most of its rivals and also nimble and easy to chuck around, the well thought-out Stif Squatch Pro is a compelling package. Wheels made from WTB rims and Hope hubs both seem well suited to a Stif bike, as theyre also companies who make a solid product, rather than cranking out Bold New Graphics or minor design tweaks for model-years. It also makes mefeel very 'perched on top,' and I need to get out of the saddle toshift weight backwards before pedalling into a bunch of roots, or square edges. This fork features a short 42mm offset to increase the trail value and offer stable handling without having to add to the overall length of the bike. Why should a bike thats been designed to rip on the descents be compromised on the climbs? Ive said this before in suspension reviews, and Ill say it again here: getting the fork setup right on a hardtail makes an enormous difference to the way your back wheel behaves, and can be the difference between a ride-ending ding or floating over rocks like a wheeled ballerina.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'singletrackworld_com-leader-1','ezslot_10',666,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-singletrackworld_com-leader-1-0'); SRAM GX drivetrains are something I heard a few local riders grumbling about straight after launch, but I understand SRAM revised the mech cage to address some issues. But the lower centre of gravity puts you in a similar position to a full suspension bike, making it super easy to load the tyre edges fully for maximum grip. All bikes and frames are shipped with FedEX 24hr Tracked Delivery within the UK. Stack reads high on paper at 653mm for M and L and 661mm on the XL frame (with the differences dictated by the 10mm extra length on the headtube of the XL), but again this number should not feel so extreme when compared to a full suspension machine. Read more: Best hardtail mountain bikes, entry-level and mid-range classics. Brakes honestly Im clutching a bit here, and if you must clutch something, brakes arent a bad choice. Upfront, theres a Maxxis Minion DHF in 292.6in. Outrageous fun factor in the corners. Looking down to where the drive-side chainstay meets the BB shell is our signature 12 Bore chainstay bridge that gives a dialled chainline with upto a 34T chainring and clearance for chunky mud-shed 2.6 tyres. Outrageous fun factor in the corners. Competition comes from the likes of the Ragley Blue Pig Race and Ribble HT 275 Pro, and though they're both cheaper the former by 200 (for the 2021 model) and the latter 300 their builds arent quite as sorted, and their geometries arent as progressive. Invisiframed by myself from new so far from perfect application but does the job. As well as that, shorter travel helps preserve the geometry. 80mm BB Drop, 430mm chainstays and a 64 headangle complimented with a short offset 130mm Rockshox Pike and 35mm Burgtec Stem combine to create a planted and responsive ride feel that inspires confidence and amplifies fun way past 11. For sizes, Stif has opted again for three choices with a medium, large and extra-large offerings. Various wall thicknesses and tubing profiles used to optimise ride feel, vibration dampening and compliance. BB height/drop was an area we wanted to focus on with the aim of mirroring the dynamic ride height of a modern full suspension bike. Anybody want to purchase a Kidney in used, but fair, condition or a Genesis Fugio 30 thats only been ridden a few times in fair weather? Stifs Squatch takes a lot I liked about the Morf and brings it into 2021 with big wheels. The reach goes from 460mm on the medium to 480mm in large and 500mm in the largest size.. One of our sales team will contact you upon receipt of your order to arrange a suitable delivery date. The return process is simple: Fill out the Warranty Bearing Replacement Form, upload a copy of your purchase receipt, and we'll get a new set of bearings out to you within 48 hours! Hubs: Hope Pro 4 The frame is treated with an anti-rust coating both inside and out, and there's an ISCG05 chainguidemount. Along with the four carbon models, BMC also introduced two aluminum models that both come in well under $2,000. Rear tire: Maxxis Rekon 29x2.6, 3C EXO+ TR, DRIVETRAIN All in all though, the Squatch is really only designed to go up or down. . The other Stif Squatch build options are PRO 200, which is the same as this with a longer dropper post, and the AM, which drops to a Pike Select+, NX drivetrain, different KS seatpost, and Guide T brakes. Stif makes the Squatch in three sizes (M-XL) to suit riders from 55- 66 (165cm -198cm). The Pike Ultimate is an easy to set up fork. The first store as you enter their "City Walk" outdoor shopping mall was a Billabong store (which does $1.5b revenue - 5x Fox Racing).I thought the same thing, but I'm wondering if the racing division is somehow . All fine choices. In smoother bike park style terrain or trail centers, the Squatch absolutely rips. Not deal breakers, but old standards are ticking clocks when it comes to choice of parts. Stif has nailed the tyre specification too. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state and country to country. They kindly lent me their Pro build for a thrashing in the depths of the UK Midlands Winter. The Stif Squatch Pro sports design features from the brands 27.5in Morf frame, but with more out-there geometry that places the rider lower in the frame. https://www.royalmail.com/track-your-item, https://www.fedex.com/apps/fedextrack/?action=track, choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. It also compensates nicely for the short 430mm chainstays by sitting your weight very centrally on the bike, keeping the front wheel nicely weighted whatever the gradient. Front tire: Maxxis Minion DHF 29x2.6, 3C EXO TR That seat angle is particularly interesting in my eyes, with the 78-degree figure quoted at max extension this means that it will end up steeper for most riders who run the seat post somewhat into the frame and will further steepen thanks to the sag of the fork. Stif Squatch Frame Medium Teal. Theyre different bikes, but clearly siblings with the same mischievous streak running through them. Click here to learn more or click OK below to dismiss this message. Where a full suspension rig can somewhat isolate impact forces through your legs from effecting the fork, a hardtail has a greater reaction on the fork and so requires some extra support to prevent it from using its travel too frequently. Front Description: The Performance Series 2.0. As with any hardtail, good geometry is the key ingredient to behaviour on the trail and we wanted to push the boundaries. Already have an account with us? Propping up the front is a 130mm-travel RockShox Pike Ultimate, with a short 42mm offset and stubby stem to keep handling composed yet sharp. Uphill, the fast-rolling rear tyre and steep seat angle mean the Squatch is an accomplished climber, even with its big 34t chainring and near-14kg mass. Thats because, on the first descent I took it down, it expired from a lethal snakebite. With more than twenty years of mountain biking experience, and nearly a decade of testing mountain and gravel bikes, Tom has ridden and tested thousands of bikes and products, from super-light XC race bikes through to the most powerful brakes on the market. Given that hardtails are ideally around 20mm shorter than full suspension bikes to compensate for the fork compressing independently, you may want to down size on the Squatch. Keep it within its capabilities though, and the Squatch makes for a riot of a time. Ovalizing the top tube and chainstays has allowed us to create the a super compliant ride without compromising on stiffness in all-important areas this means things stay comfortable during high frequency chatter but stomp on the pedals or enthusiastically load a corner and youre greeted with predictable positivity. Rims: WTB KOM trail i30 Today we are delighted to introduce it's 29" wheeled sibling - The Squatch. Its a bold statement, but its the hardcore hardtail Id buy with my own cash if I was in the market for one, so hats off to Stif for totally nailing its latest creation. Once some burlier rubber was fitted, in the form of a DH casing Minion DHR 2.4, things began to fall into place, but the tire pressure conundrum was still an ongoing battle. Website: Stifmtb.com, CHASSIS Bespoke 4130 chromoly steel tubing is used throughout with custom tube shaping providing our desired ride feel attributes. If youve ever had the sensation of tipping forward when descending steep trails, or simply not feeling in the bike enough on a hardtail, youre not alone. At the opposite end of the cockpit the 64 head angle steers neutrally with a 130mm travel Pike Ultimate fork, the roomy reach numbers growing to 500mm on the XL size. Thankfully, geometry has come on leaps and bounds since the beefed-up road bike days, and we can now have no-compromise machines that climb and descend equally impressively. The Squatch frame alone can be purchased for 599.99 if you want to build your own custom dream machine; or Stif offers full builds in two spec levels. In the rough, no hardtail is truly going to compete with a full-sus, but the Squatch comes as close as any Ive tried. Registered UK Company No: 03291752, Jungle Products Ltd FRN: 719212 trading as Stif Mountain Bikes are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. It wasnt long before riders were requesting the same premium ride quality and progressive handling characteristics on a 29er platform. Obviously, alertness to not clipping anything at speed is needed, but no more than any other low-slung bike, and theres less clipping rocks and roots climbing here than on plenty long-travel suspension bikes. Stif selected this lower travel number to preserve the geometry as best as possible when pushing hard, with the premise that a more consistent and predictable geometry is better than extra travel across most situations. Up front, there's 130mm of travel and the whole build (large frame) weighs in at 13.3kg. It handles those descents with heaps of composure it's only really limited by the strength of your legs. Put on a 140mm fork, Spank Vibrocore wheels, TRP Quadiem brakes. Post navigation This will not apply to everyone of course, since many will not consider it a great idea to ride the Squatch as an enduro rig replacement, but for those looking to take on some serious terrain it is an important consideration. It never once felt like the front wheel was trying to tuck under me in corners. The builds share the same general themes, with a 130mm RockShox Pike fork up front; SRAM brakes and Eagle 12spd drivetrain; WTB KOM trail i30 rims; Burgtec contact points, and a KS dropper. One thing to remember with the low-slung BB is that it generates a longer downtube, so the medium Squatch feels more like a large full suspension bike. More than that, however, it simply feels dead right in every situation. Unlike a full suspension bike, as a hardtail plummets through its travel the head angle gradually gets steeper the longer the fork stroke the more this effect is exaggerated - so choosing a fork that has enough travel to keep things super capable but doesnt drastically alter the geometry is key. If you get a Squatch as an alternative to your full suss for winter, you might just end up reversing which one you call the big bike. Drop the saddle, point it downhill and the bike comes to life. On these chunky descents is where the tire pressure was oh-so crucial, with the difference of a couple of psi making such profound improvements to the terrain ironing. The 200mm dropper in place on my test bike was a godsend in these situations, providing the all-important leg clearance to allow for a very dynamic ride on the bike and keep things rolling. 3 sizes: 653|460, 653|480, 661|500, stack|reach. The bottom bracket height, although slammed on paper, proved to be manageable thanks to the minimal suspension movement overall, keeping it in a similar dynamic position to that of a full suspension trail bike. Balancing this slack steering angle are relatively generous reach numbers, with the size L Squatch measuring in at 480mm. SRAM NX. Exactly how much improvement the Torque Caps provide is hard to quantify, but front-end flex was certainly not a concern. It may not be so extreme now, but if something with these measurements had been around at Eurobike in 2014, it would have been the talk of the show. Thanks! Bottle cage bosses on the downtube and an ISCG05 chainguide mount mean its ready for long days on big terrain. The Burgtec Cloud saddle was not the best fit for my derrire, which was only made more apparent by the lack of rear suspension ensuring every impact on the rear tire was transmitted to my body when seated, but saddles are very person-specific, and it may well work for you. We get pretty tired of the whole revolutionary low, long and slack spiel thats get regurgitated during new bike launches, especially with hardtails that get reviled with bold claims about being radically different from the rest, when in fact theyre not really dissimilar to boxy shaped bikes we were riding 10 years ago. Tom has written for BikeRadar, MBUK and Cycling Plus, and was previously technical editor of What Mountain Bike magazine. Daring geometry - with sensible fork travel You might notice that some of these photos do not feature the stock spec Maxxis Rekon 292.6in rear tyre. SRAM G2 brakes arent as powerful as Codes for heavier riders. Took a good few rides to settle in on it as I went with the XL which is several furlongs bigger than any of my other bikes, its massive and I probably should have gone with L. Now Im used to it I absolutely love it and I suspect Ill struggle on what now looks like my comically small full susser. Weight: 18.8kg (L) - without pedals: Brand: Stif: RETURNS & REFUNDS, Copyright 2017-2023 The Loam Wolf | All Rights Reserved |. Hes also worked out that shaving your legs saves 8 watts, while testing aerodynamics in a wind tunnel. The register can be accessed through www.fca.org.uk. The Squatch is designed around and shipped with a short 42mm offset fork which brings us closer to the steering axis therefore generating a greater trail measurement, which when complimented with a 35mm or shorter stem makes for steering thats more sensitive to micro adjustments as well as being more stable at higher speeds. We are a credit broker not a lender. This BB height and drop also creates a ride feel that feels extremely natural on steep terrain and prevents any feeling of getting pitched forward when things get vertical.