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. The Squatch ticks all the boxes when it comes to the desirables for consumers and mechanics alike: ISCG-05 tabs sit around the bb for those looking to add some drivetrain security; there is a threaded bb and external cable routing all around to make maintenance a breeze; a 44mm headtube and 12x148mm rear axle for the most universal compatibility; and bolt-on dropouts to ensure its not the end of the frames life if the worst was to happen. Therefore, 78 degrees is the slackest the seat-tube angle will ever be, meaning it effectively steepens as the saddle is dropped. FOX FACTORY RACING SHOX LOGO Sticker By allnewproducts From 1.61 100 Motocross Sticker By deannaburg From 1.39 Fox Racing Sticker By drinkwaffle From 1.39 Rockstar Sticker By VirginiaCummi From 1.29 Official Fox Merchandise Sticker By sallieocha From 3.21 UNIQUE Fox design - Watercolor Sticker By Gawop From 2.14 NO FEAR Sticker Weight: 18.8kg (L) - without pedals: Brand: Stif: Its immediately evident on the steep-and-up, feeling almost like youre riding your own personal furnicular. We are a credit broker not a lender. Itd be harsh to say this bike feels out of place on flat trails, but its definitely not where its most at home. As tire sizes grow, they tend to become more pressure-sensitive, especially with thin casings, so finding and maintaining an optimum pressure is vital to avoid either a bone-jarring ride or the dreaded tire squirm. Credit is provided by Novuna Personal Finance, a trading style of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. 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. Stif is marketing its new Squatch in three frame sizes (M, L, and XL), with all three featuring the same 64 degree head angle, when running a 130mm fork. Stem: Burgtec Enduro MK3 | 35mm Stif Squatch Pro is a progressive hardtail with a steel frame and super-low bottom bracket height, 29in wheels with 2.6in tyres enhance grip and comfort. A brief experiment with a more active fork took a little bit of sting out of the hands but reduced the overall composure of the bike and made for a less controlled ride, so I was quick to return to the slightly stiffer setup. 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. Look on Stif site for sizing/geometry.</p><p>There is marks on the chainstay by where the crank . On our top end build we get a top end fork: a RockShox Pike Ultimate. Exactly how much improvement the Torque Caps provide is hard to quantify, but front-end flex was certainly not a concern. In the mean time the main details are: SA 78 HA 64 Reach 480mm size large Chain stay 430mm Seat tube 450mm BB drop 80mm = 293mm BB height 29x2.6" tyres experimenting with cushcore to run lower pressures as I'm used to 3.0" tyres on my hardtails. Stif also says its key in allowing the short 430mm chainstays. Colour options are a little more conservative than the banana yellow of 2016, with options of teal, ivory and silver. 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. off-road.cc Editorial and general enquiries: info@off-road.cc Outrageous fun factor in the corners. Hubs: Hope Pro 4 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. Please see the Kona owners manual, provided with your bicycle, for additional information. 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. The Rekon makes sense to me for summer, but given I mainly ride hardtails in winter, Id always go burlier. Overall, cycling sales are down 21.2%, with Singletrack Issue 147 Art Print - Rider Resilience. Post navigation Financial Services Register no. This volume makes a lot of sense on a bike with no rear suspension, since you need all the help you can get with taking the sting out of the landings. Stif Squatch Frame Medium Teal. 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. You get a similar custom 4130 tubeset and angles that will make . Sure, this stuff is slightly heavier than the. 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! 130mm travel, 29 wheels, 4130 steel and modern numbers throughout, mean the Stif Squatch might just be the winter whip of choice. Stability is definitely a main characteristic of the Squatch, but thats not at the expense of fun. . Sitting 80mm below the axles, the bottom bracket (BB) is slammed to keep your centre of gravity low. 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. The register can be accessed through www.fca.org.uk. Medium frame in very good condition. Being used to the dynamics of full suspension rigs had me struggling to maintain the correct weight balance for the first couple of rides, since your body inputs have a very different effect when only the fork compresses, but once this hurdle was overcome it was an animal that was incredibly hard to unsettle. Softer 3C Maxxis tyres offer better traction while the bigger 2.6in casings really helps isolate you from vibrations. The chainstays are svelte as they loop up towards the rear axle and the seatstays are flattened in the middle, presumably to add comfort. Advertising and commercial: sales@off-road.cc, Mountain bike, bikepackingand gravel bikes. Today we are delighted to introduce it's 29" wheeled sibling- The Squatch. However, weve built the frame measuring 78 degrees from the BB centre to the saddle rail at max seat post extension. Halfords has issued a trading update which appears to show that the cost of living is taking its toll on its cycling business. 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. 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. Upfront, theres a Maxxis Minion DHF in 292.6in. How does Stifs 29er steel hardtail shape up? Flattened seat stays to give you (bingo cards at the ready) vertical compliance, and while Im sure someone will have something specific and functional to claim of the unusual looking chainstay bridge, Ive decided the holes are for cramming two emergency jelly babies into.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'singletrackworld_com-banner-1','ezslot_7',665,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-singletrackworld_com-banner-1-0'); As with Stifs last hardtail, the Squatch is designed to mimic characteristics and geometry of a full suspension bike, and to assist with this theyve given the Squatch a massive 80mm bottom bracket drop. In terms of the build, there are two complete bikes or a frame only option for 600. 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. Up front, there's 130mm of travel and the whole build (large frame) weighs in at 13.3kg. The best hardtail geometry Ive ridden combined with a supple steel feel and 2.6in tyres that smooth out vibrations and reduce fatigue. 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. Those arent the only neat tricks Stif has up its sleeve. For sizes, Stif has opted again for three choices with a medium, large and extra-large offerings. Save 35% + Lezyne pocket drive HV pump when you subscribe to MBUK magazine, JANUARY SALE | Get 3 issues for 5 when you subscribe today, 9/3/3/b/933bbb38cfdad3fa12fb88f53c70db2d9ae3486c_Stif_Squatch_01.jpg, hardtail is truly going to compete with a full-sus, RockShox Pike Ultimate, 130mm (5.1in) travel, Maxxis Minion DHF (f) and Maxxis Rekon (r) 29x2.6in, WTB KOM Trail i30 rims on Hope Pro 4 hubs. Bottom Bracket: SRAM Dub GXP Threaded 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. The person with the smartest and most helpful replies will earn some sweet new gear. 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. The Squatch hails from Yorkshire-based bike shop Stif and is an evolution of its hard-hitting, 650b-wheeled Morf hardtail. Predictable in all situations the chunky Maxxis Minion DHF holds tight lean angles, while the low-profile Rekon breaking away more readily for extra fun while keeping the cranks spinning with less effort. The Squatch goes uphill very well, even considering its surprisingly portly 30.1lbs with pedals. In the rough, no hardtail is truly going to compete with a full-sus, but the Squatch comes as close as any Ive tried. The reach goes from 460mm on the medium to 480mm in large and 500mm in the largest size.. Stif wanted the Squatch to be at the forefront of capabilities for an all-mountain hardtail; so it sports some fairly extreme geometry numbers that would have been considered obscene a few years ago, without tipping into the insane realm. Register a new Kona bike within three months of purchase, and the original owner qualifies the Kona frame for a free Lifetime Warranty. 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. 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. That steep seat angle does come with something of a trade off, though. Any implied warranties (including without limitation the warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose) which may not be disclaimed under applicable law are limited in duration to the period set forth above or the applicable statute of limitations, whichever is shorter. In the wet, the Rekon doesnt cut the mustard, but when its dry it has just enough tread to keep the rear wheel in check when carving corners. Its not like you need the increased length for stability, as thats already provided by the ultra-low BB. If the estimate is correct your order will be shipped immediately. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state and country to country. Stif Squatch Pro Pros: The best hardtail geometry I've ridden combined with a supple steel feel and 2.6in tyres that smooth out vibrations and reduce fatigue. The Pike Ultimate is an easy to set up fork. All bikes and frames are shipped with FedEX 24hr Tracked Delivery within the UK. COMPONENT REVIEWS TERMS OF USE Five reasons why you should have a hardtail in the fleet, Best mountain bikes for under 3,000 - capable trail bikes that won't break the bank, Your complete guide to the RockShox fork range, DMR Defy 35+ Special Edition Liquid Camo stem review, Winter mountain biking - your guide to riding in the cold, Selle Italia X-Bow Superflow saddle review, 2023 International Gravel Events - the best of global races, Specialized lays off 8% of global workforce, USE Exposure Zenith MK2 front light review. All material Farrelly Atkinson (F-At) Limited, Unit 7b Green Park Station BA1 1JB. 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. Website: Stifmtb.com, CHASSIS Thats because, on the first descent I took it down, it expired from a lethal snakebite. It's not particularly happy if you split the difference and ride on flatter singletrack, but if you're a hardcore hardtail fan the Squatch's aggressive ride will keep you happy in the techiest of terrain. The seat tube angle is measured with the post at full extension, meaning 78 is the slackest it will ever get (unless your legs are super long and you fit a post with even more travel, though few even exist). [Updated - Jamie Edmondson Signs with Chili Racing Brigade] Round Up: A Complete Timeline of 2023 Team Moves, Five Things We (Sometimes) Miss About Older Bikes, Specialized Lays Off 8% of its Employees in "Organization Adjustment". First thing's first, the frame. Adventure-Ready At $585,000 Function Meets Form . Unless otherwise specified we will use a Royal Mail Tracked Delivery service to dispatch your order. 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. 704348. Stif has been mindful of enabling a generous reach value for its Squatch and as a reference, the size large frame stretches to 480mm from its front center to the rider's balance position. Its incredibly composed, and thats only helped by the noticeable compliance of its ovalised seat stays. RETURNS & REFUNDS, Copyright 2017-2023 The Loam Wolf | All Rights Reserved |. Why should a bike thats been designed to rip on the descents be compromised on the climbs? In the event of a non-warranty situation, Santa Cruz Bicycles will make replacement parts available to the original owner at a reduced charge for the applicable warranty period described above. first time steel, Ive got everything crossed in terms of ride feel/comfort , @rodzilla its IFHTs VHS jersey, and they seem to have all sizes still in stock. 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. Longer, flatter sections of pedaling receive the butt end of the compromise, with your more upright seated position adding to your aerodynamic drag when the speeds are high enough, and potentially utilizing a less effective set of leg muscles. 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. The steep seat tube angle really comes into its own when climbing seated on the Squatch in the steepest terrain. Deputy Tech Editor here at off.road.cc Liam can alsobe found photographing bikes as well as riding them. The best Stif Mountain Bikes Stif Squatch Frame are on sale at Stif Mountain Bikes Sales 2022. I'll post up some ride impressions when I have some to share. Derailleur: SRAM GX Eagle; 12s. STORE, ABOUT US Not deal breakers, but old standards are ticking clocks when it comes to choice of parts. eMTB Santa Cruz Bicycles pivot bearings are warranted for life to the original owner of the bike. Bottle cage bosses on the downtube and an ISCG05 chainguide mount mean its ready for long days on big terrain. Well Bastard Fast is the motto of Stif and proudly written on the Squatch chainstay, and the performance certainly lives up to it in the correct terrain. off-road.cc is dedicated to bringing you the best coverage of all off-road riding, Our sister site for road bikes road.cc While the Squatchs geometry is still altered as the fork compresses, its not a big issue thanks to the limited travel and progressive behaviour. Thanks! 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. 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. Rejoice! The warranty will be in effect for the lifetime of the frame or fork and is available only to the original owner. 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. A stout 130mm travel fork nails this sweet spot and provides enough buffer to keep you out of trouble whilst always keeping the bikes geometry highly consistent. 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. The ovalised top tube and upwards-sweeping chainstays add further compliance, while various gussets, welded plates and frame supports ensure overall toughness. The fork is about as controlled as you could hope for and remained impressively supple and tractive when ran a good amount stiffer than recommended. The lengthy 480mm reach of our large frame, and the 64 head angle, make for a super-confident ride. An incredibly sure-footed 29er, excellent up and down. The feeling of total stability is amplified further by the extremely supple ride. Fork: RockShox Pike Ultimate | 130mm travel 42mm Offset, COCKPIT The Stif Squatch is a full aggro 29 hardtail that eats descents for breakfast, while getting you back to the top efficiently and comfortably. The Squatch comes in two builds, the AM and PRO build. Its rather low profile tread is fast rolling but seriously limits braking power, and its very easily overwhelmed in the wet. As for the Squatch, Ive had mine about 2 months now. Theyre different bikes, but clearly siblings with the same mischievous streak running through them. Its also tough to find a hardtail elsewhere with geometry this extreme, so if this is what you're after that's worth factoring into the price too. Enough travel and control to mop up reasonably hard impacts, without overly affecting rider position and negatively impacting the dynamic geometry. Key to the ride quality is the profiled and multi-butted 4130 chromoly tubing combined with 29in wheels and 2.6in tyres. 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. Theres none of the hardtail sensation mentioned earlier of butt and feet kicking up and reacting to whatever the fork is doing especially off drops and down steeper sections. What that also means is that as the saddle drops, the seat tube effectively steepens, something that should suit shorter riders better or so Stif says. The Stif Squatch brings things bang up to date, with ISCG-05 tabs, boost hub spacing and, like pretty much everything else thats turned up at Singletrack Towers for the past year, 29 inch wheels. The chainguide tabs are, at last, ISCG-05, and the spacing is for a boost hub. Yes, we have renamed our weekly deals roundup feature. SRAM G2 brakes arent as powerful as Codes for heavier riders. Photography by Adam Lievesley // @adamlievesleybmx. It took a little getting used to, and provides a lot of room to move around. Chunky 292.6in Maxxis rubber sits on WTB rims, while KS supplies the dropper (175 or 200mm). https://www.royalmail.com/track-your-item, https://www.fedex.com/apps/fedextrack/?action=track, choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. The Squatch is definitely not just a big-wheeled Morf. How did the Squatch stack up on the descents? Expect your technician to give your vehicle a visual check, as well as to use diagnostic tools to tell you whats wrong and whats needed to put it right. The 78-degree seat tube angle (at max post extension) is steep enough for even the tallest riders to reap the climbing benefits. Frame: 4130 Chromoly I respect that, because upfront it tells me they havent rushed this out the door and have probably taken the time to get things right. 3 sizes: 653|460, 653|480, 661|500, stack|reach. Brakes honestly Im clutching a bit here, and if you must clutch something, brakes arent a bad choice. Given the rapid. 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. Registered UK Company No: 03291752, Jungle Products Ltd FRN: 719212 trading as Stif Mountain Bikes are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. 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. 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. A key aspect of the Squatch personality is replicating how full suspension 29er place the riders mass noticeably lower than the axles. A little overkill but if I had to take only one bike for trip it would probably be the Squtach because its so versatile. As with Stif's last hardtail, the Squatch is designed to mimic characteristics and geometry of a full suspension bike, and to assist with this they've given the Squatch a massive 80mm bottom. The component spec on the Squatch pro build is generally solid and leaves little to be desired, with the brakes being the only thing that I would want to change. 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.