UK based Stanton Bikes have made quite an impression on us since they first came on the scene a few years ago. Why? Well it’s simply becasue they make some of the best hardtail frames that we’ve ever ridden, so good in fact that several of their frames have made it into our Dirt 100 over the years. Out of all of their frames though it’s the Slackline that we love the most, and it’s the one they started out with. Great geometry combined with quality tubing and finish. What more could you ask for?
Anyway, Stanton have just announced that their latest 27.5″ wheeled version of the Slackline, dubbed the Switchback, is about to land on these shores. It has been in development for the past two years, and they reckon that anyone who loved the Slackline is going to absolutely love this one. It’s very much built with the same ethos as the Slackline, i.e. it’s been designed to be able to throw its hand at almost anything, and put a massive smile on your face along the way. It shares the same Reynolds tube set as the Slackline, and although tweaked slightly for the larger wheels the geometry remains very similar, apart from an even slacker headtube angle. 64˚ static! To further improve this frames do-it-all nature there are also new interchangeable dropouts. You can choose between 12×142, 10×135, or horizontal dropouts.
The first shipment of these frames is likely to sell out in no time, so if you really want to get hold of one I’d suggest contacting Dan at Stanton Bikes asap and pre-ordering one. You can get hold of him at [email protected]
In the meantime some more photos of this new frame are in the gallery below, and the tech specs and geometry follow that…
Stanton Switchback Features
*Double butted, seamless, air hardened Reynolds 631 main tubes
*Reynolds 631 44mm head tube
*Cold worked Reynolds 525 seat and chain stays
*30.9 dropper compatible seat tube (34.9 clamp)
*Custom CNC’d logo top tube brace
*Gusseted down tube
*I.S.C.G 05 mounts
*Custom CNC’d interchangeable dropouts (12×142, 10×135, horizontal)
*Full length gear outer cable
*73mm BB shell
*Pewter head badge
*Under lacquer graphics
*Stove enamelled paint
Geometry
*Head angle 65.75 degrees (64 degrees static)
*Seat angle 72.5 degrees
*Head tube 44mm
*Headtube lengh 110mm on the 16.5″ and 120mm on the 18″
*Seat tube length 16.5” and 18″
*Seat tube internal diameter 30.9mm and 34.9 seat clamp
*Actual top tube 22.5” on the 16.5” frame, 23.3 on the 18” frame
*Virtual top tube 23.62” on the 16.5” frame, 24.42″ on the 19” frame
*Chain stay length Actual 415mm
*Bottom bracket height 315mm
*Frame weight, 16.5″ Switchback is 5lbs 5oz
All measurements are taken with a 140mm travel fork at 25% sag
Price: £550.00
