It’s not every day that a new company comes along and makes such a big impact, especially when they’re ‘just’ making hardtails, but with their Slackline Stanton Bikes have got the whole ‘do–it–all hardtail’ thing so dialled that this frame has even managed to get some diehard suspension addicts hooked. Geometry is obviously key, and somehow Stanton have hit that rare nail on the head.
By rare we mean the one that allows you to go out for a full day of trail riding, then do a day of uplift, and then genuinely be able to hit the dirt jumps afterwards. A true jack of all trades, and weirdly also a master of lots. With an adjustable travel fork up front (in the 120–160mm area) along with 1×10 gearing this bike just brings a smile to your face wherever you are. The quality mix of Reynolds 853 and 525 tubing also means that strength is high and weight is low, and to get all this for four hundred quid is as exceptional as the frame itself.
Whoever said the hardtail is dead sure as hell hasn’t ridden one of these.
Price: £400.00