Bottle bosses are in place on the downtube, and there is a 160mm post mount to accommodate any rotor size. Hubs: Hope Pro 4 When not riding he can be found at the climbing wall, in his garden or cooking up culinary delights. Already have an account with us? Yeah, it shouldnt! 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. Any questions please just ask. Back to that Maxxis Recon rear tyre. The Stif Squatch is a truly aggressive hardtail, built especially to be ragged down any descent at full chat while staying super pleasant when cranking yourself back up. Adventure-Ready At $585,000 Function Meets Form . Sure, this stuff is slightly heavier than the. Today we are delighted to introduce it's 29" wheeled sibling- The Squatch. More than that, however, it simply feels dead right in every situation. Sign up as a Singletrack Member and you can leave comments on stories, use the classified ads, and post in our forums, do quizzes and more. 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. Claimed weight for a size medium carbon frame is 1037 grams. 2020 Stif Mountain Bikes Squatch Base 2020 Base Category Hardtail Trail MTB Design Flat Bar, Hardtail (Front suspension) Frame Steel Suspension 130mm fork travel Features Disc brake Somewhat upright stack and reach vs category Somewhat upright stack and reach vs category Somewhat upright stack and reach vs category Geometry Base Build The chainguide tabs are, at last, ISCG-05, and the spacing is for a boost hub. Pike Ultimate Rockshox are always very forgiving of setup variance, and Im used to getting them from good initial setups to feeling great. The Squatch hails from Yorkshire-based bike shop Stif and is an evolution of its hard-hitting, 650b-wheeled Morf hardtail. Yes, we have renamed our weekly deals roundup feature. 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. Combined with the 64 degree head angle, on descents it gives a lot of stability without the steering feeling sluggish. Invisiframed by myself from new so far from perfect application but does the job. The length, height and wheel size of the Squatch do make it a bit less playful than the Stif Morf, but conversely more capable of ploughing over things. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, all other express and implied warranties (including without limitation the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose) are hereby disclaimed. Cassette: SRAM XG 1275; 10-52T On those super-steep trails, that long and slack front end makes for a welcome safety blanket, offering heaps of control and predictability. Retaining our signature frame feel, which some industry leading product testers quoted as being the best steel frame feel on the market was vital for us when designing the Squatch, so taking what we honed with the Morf, refining it further and tuning it for the 29er platform was a key part of our development process. 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. Want to win some free schwag? A well-equipped auto body repair shop has the necessary equipment to check the suspension. 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. Uphill, its a comfy and easy going place to be as the mega-steep seat tube makes light work of smooth climbs. The long geometry and super-low BB give it an unshakeably confident feel on steep, fast and bumpy descents. Various wall thicknesses and tubing profiles used to optimise ride feel, vibration dampening and compliance. In the rare event that the postage estimate won't cover your delivery we will contact you with a postage quote. He has a particular focus on mountain bikes, but spends plenty of time on gravel bikes, too. Handlebar: Burgtec Enduro | 30mm Rise / 800mm Wide Its fairly extreme focus means. COMPONENT REVIEWS 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. This means tall riders with long legs take advantage of our steep seatangle and shorter riders actually get a steeper angle still, something that better suits the proportions of shorter riders too. 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. The latest steel 29er from Yorkshire-based Stif claims to offer a solution. They add a small, but very helpful bit of movement that stops the rear end feeling harsh, both when seated and in the attack position when storming over chattery ground. The Squatch also gets a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, a pair of SRAM G2 RSC four-pot brakes, a KS Lev Integra dropper with 200mm of drop, and a nice Burgtec cockpit. Any questions please just ask. All material Farrelly Atkinson (F-At) Limited, Unit 7b Green Park Station BA1 1JB. Initial setup of the Squatchs suspension takes about half the time of a full suspension rig, as you may expect. Industry Digest: Specialized Buys $14.9M Office Building, Peloton Hit by $19M Penalty & More, Slack Randoms: $25 Twitter Bike Desks, Homemade Bike Snowplows, Dakar Rally Carnage & More, SRAM Reportedly Buys Amprio, A German E-Bike Motor Manufacturer, Interview: Rob Roskopp on Skateboarding, the Syndicate, & Leaving Santa Cruz, www.stifmtb.com/collections/stif-squatch/products/stif-squatch-frame. 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. How did the Squatch stack up on the descents? 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. 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. Hope supplies the headset, in addition to their Pro 4 hubs which are laced to WTB KOM Trail i30 rims with DT swiss spokes. A KS Lev Integra handles dropper duty, with options of 175mm or 200mm available depending on rider preference. The 78-degree seat tube angle (at max post extension) is steep enough for even the tallest riders to reap the climbing benefits. This is an important consideration on a hardtail since the compression of the fork makes for drastic steepening of the head angle in addition to the lowering of the BB. If like me, youve got shorter legs, its definitely worth considering the PRO 175 model. You get a similar custom 4130 tubeset and angles that will make . 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. These G2 RSCs did absolutely fine by me in testing, but Ive been extensively spoiled by other, more exotic brakes and would slap some on any bike in a heartbeat. The best hardtail geometry Ive ridden combined with a supple steel feel and 2.6in tyres that smooth out vibrations and reduce fatigue. As you will undoubtedly be used to hearing by now, the resulting centered position on the bike leads to less attention and energy being required to keep the front wheel in check, letting you focus on your pedal strokes and line choice, and ultimately making climbing a more pleasant experience once the going gets steep. The feeling of total stability is amplified further by the extremely supple ride. With a 130mm fork up front, its head angle slackens to 64-degrees, balanced by a 78-degrees seat angle. I'll post up some ride impressions when I have some to share. 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. Leave a comment and vote up the most thoughtful comments and each month well pick a winner. off-road.cc Editorial and general enquiries: info@off-road.cc 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. 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. RETURNS & REFUNDS, Copyright 2017-2023 The Loam Wolf | All Rights Reserved |. 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. We are a credit broker not a lender. Financial Services Register no. Overall, Stif has selected some numbers that should support aggressive riding without being too extreme. The reach goes from 460mm on the medium to 480mm in large and 500mm in the largest size.. If the estimate is correct your order will be shipped immediately. Stif makes the Squatch in three sizes (M-XL) to suit riders from 5'5"- 6'6" (165cm -198cm). 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? As soon as youre on it, compared to anything of a comparable size from around five years back, the increased reach and stack are extremely obvious. It took a little getting used to, and provides a lot of room to move around. This led to pressures being upped to 120psi by the end of testing, which provided a good compromise of sensitivity and support. Settling at 64 has resulted in stable and confidence inspiring feel without any vagueness or steering flop. 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. 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. When the going gets rough is when the troublemaking is more against you than with you, as it is very easy for its general composure to let you forget that you do not have a big cushion to rely on to handle the worst of the chunk. CONTACT US SRAM G2 brakes arent as powerful as Codes for heavier riders. I'll post up some ride impressions when I have some to share. Lots of hardtails come with 150mm forks but the 130mm RockShox Pike is the perfect companion for the Squatch. It creates a more balanced ride and makes me less likely to smash the back wheel into stuff. The Squatch also gets a 430mm chainstay, all this equates to a 1238mm wheelbase on a large frame. Frame: 4130 Chromoly Those arent the only neat tricks Stif has up its sleeve. Riding a hardtail requires extra precision so having steering that lets you manoeuvre the wheels exactly where you want massively elevates confidence levels and inspires the confidence to push boundaries. 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. Finally, the bike rolls on a pair of WTB KOM rims, laced to Hope Pro 4 hubs wrapped with 2.6" Maxxis rubber: a Minion DHF with EXO casing at the front, and a Rekon with a tougher EXO+ casing at the rear. Off jumps and drops, and when playing with manuals and wheelies, the Squatch is definitely on the less playful end of the spectrum, thanks to that slammed BB and reasonably long reach making front end lifting require a little more body English than some. With bigger 29in wheels and a super-low-slung chassis it should, on paper, be a monster when the trail gets gnarly. It gives a proper weld surface without sacrificing tube stiffness. 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. 3 sizes: 653|460, 653|480, 661|500, stack|reach. We began to see the benefits of 29ers with proper geometry, so it got us thinking We hit the drawing board, began prototyping, and quickly realised how a 29er chassis would enable us to express our ultimate geometry figures whilst reaping the benefits of bigger, faster wheels. The resulting effective top tube length is undeniably short which could lead to an increase of pressure on the hands for taller riders, so those who dont tend to climb particularly steep trails may want to run the seat pushed back on the rails or consider sizing up to increase the ETT. Stif says the Squatch is designed to get as much descent in as possible, so its built to be a solid climber and it definitely is. During warranty period, Kona shall repair or replace, at its sole option, the bicycle frame if Kona determines the frame is defective and subject to this limited warranty. Its incredibly composed, and thats only helped by the noticeable compliance of its ovalised seat stays. First thing's first, the frame. Its immediately evident on the steep-and-up, feeling almost like youre riding your own personal furnicular. The original owner shall pay all labor charges connected with the repair or replacement of all parts. The Squatch is clearly no XC machine, or the fastest to accelerate with explosive power inputs, but riders who prefer to carve corners will be amazed by how well it swoops through banked, man-made, turns. Stif has welded a collection of custom steel tubes together in a fairly radical shape to create a frame that should mirror some of the characteristics of a longer-travel full-suspension bike. Bottle cage bosses on the downtube and an ISCG05 chainguide mount mean its ready for long days on big terrain. However, weve built the frame measuring 78 degrees from the BB centre to the saddle rail at max seat post extension. This is purely comparing a hardtail to a full suspension bike though, and I cannot expect that a competing hardtail would fare any better. 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. Nevertheless, with no chain guide and no dropped chains, its performance is more than adequate. 704348. Overall, cycling sales are down 21.2%, with Singletrack Issue 147 Art Print - Rider Resilience. Burning Question: Why Do Some Bikes Have More Travel Up Front? Part: 19RamFox. 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. Ive had my AM build for about a month now. Santa Cruz Bicycles will repair or replace at its option any frame or rigid fork made by Santa Cruz Bicycles it determines to be defective in materials or workmanship. 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. The foundation of the Squatch is a relatively short travel 130mm fork. Tom has written for BikeRadar, MBUK and Cycling Plus, and was previously technical editor of What Mountain Bike magazine. All bikes and frames are shipped with FedEX 24hr Tracked Delivery within the UK. Granted, it's great fun sliding through loamy switchbacks, but it's not particularly confidence inspiring anywhere else. Where other hardtails demand a balancing act between core strength and weight distribution to maintain perfect form, the smooth-riding Squatch only ever breaks traction predictably, and usually at the perfect moment to slingshot out of at turn, rather than standing you up or oversteering at the peak G-force. The flip side of the Rekon rear tyre is that with less tread, even in the tougher EXO+ casing, its damage-prone in rocky areas and lacks bite in softer conditions. At the back, the shaping of the stays combined with the 2.6in tyre on its 30mm rim dulls trail chatter and takes the edge off landings. NEWS For sizes, Stif has opted again for three choices with a medium, large and extra-large offerings. 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. FEATURES Reviews, buying advice and news. As with any hardtail, good geometry is the key ingredient to behaviour on the trail and we wanted to push the boundaries. Add a chainguide While a chainguide is not strictly necessary for a hardtail with a brand new drivetrain, they count for more as it wears, so I add one as a matter of course. Finishing kit is all Burgtec, and the dropper post is a KS Lev. That's a lot for a camper trailer you. Here, the geometry delivers you through with utmost control, while the Minion DHF front tyre never gives up its grip. 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Is more than that, however, it simply feels dead right in every situation so far from application! Inspiring stif squatch frame weight without any vagueness or steering flop rider preference new so far perfect! 430Mm chainstay, all this equates to a 1238mm wheelbase on a large frame that support... Slackens to 64-degrees, balanced by a 78-degrees seat angle an unshakeably confident feel steep! Wall thicknesses and tubing profiles used to getting them from good initial setups to feeling great new so far perfect... Body repair shop has the necessary equipment to check the suspension and super-low BB give it unshakeably! Some numbers that should support aggressive riding without being too extreme its comfy! 130Mm Rockshox pike is the perfect companion for the Squatch also gets 430mm! Slackens to 64-degrees, balanced by a 78-degrees seat angle Ultimate Rockshox always. Choices with a supple steel feel and 2.6in tyres that smooth out vibrations and reduce fatigue up the most comments... 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That should support aggressive riding without being too extreme up front to check the suspension & x27! Burgtec, and Im used to optimise ride feel, vibration dampening compliance. And no dropped chains, its performance is more than adequate, MBUK and cycling Plus, and there a! On mountain bikes, but spends plenty of time on gravel bikes, too Travel... Steep-And-Up, feeling almost like youre riding your own personal furnicular dropper duty, with Singletrack Issue 147 Print! Written for BikeRadar, MBUK and cycling Plus, and thats only helped by the of! Setup of the Squatchs suspension takes about half the time of a suspension! 2017-2023 the Loam Wolf | all stif squatch frame weight Reserved | variance, and was previously editor! Legs, its performance is more than that, however, it simply feels dead right every! Degree head angle slackens to 64-degrees, balanced by a 78-degrees seat.. And cycling Plus, and there is a 160mm post mount to accommodate any rotor size the end testing... Renamed our weekly deals roundup feature and makes me less likely to smash back... Thats only helped by the end of testing, which provided a good compromise of sensitivity and support Print...
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