Here is TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsSTR’s long-fancied Stanton Switch9er FS Ti
Your Name
Dave Marshall (TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsSTR)
Bike brand and model
Stanton Switch9er FS Ti
Why this bike?
I’ve not posted a selfie in the box suggested as folk have seen my mush more than enough on the forum. That said, my bike also will be no stranger to regular posters or lurkers – I tend to go quite hard on posting pics.
I digress. I’d always fancied a Stanton as long as I’ve been aware of them, they just have that something about them. They are also based in my home town of Matlock.
Being a big advocate of ebikes, I guess they cater for most of my riding these days. When I got my first ebike, I sold my enduro’ish full susser, as it wasn’t getting used – it was just too similar, but without the assistance. Having always had a hardtail in my collection, when I wanted to get some purely leg powered miles in they seem like the perfect antithesis to a big bouncy ebike. I’d fancied a Ti Switch9er HT for some time, but every time I saw the FS I was drawn to that too like a moth to a flame. When the time came that I was in a position to put a nice build together, I’d settled on the FS – I have a perfectly decent Ragley to cover the HT duties anyway. The FS was far enough away from the monster truck ebikes with it’s stunning skinny tubes, a bit less travel and reasonably light weight that I was sure it would be a bike that would make me want to ride it and the decision was made. There was nothing else in the picture
I spoke to Dan (Stanton) a couple of times and was due to go up to the workshop and try one for size when the last one sold. I deliberated over whether to go for a Switchback instead as a mullet, but it was the 9’er I really wanted. It wasn’t long though before I found this one for sale as a frame and shock and here we are. I’d have liked to have got some atmospheric pics in the sun dappled woodlands of the Derbyshire Dales, but here we are in the eleventh week of a wet and miserable January, so my back yard will have to do.
There may well still be a Ti hardtail in the shed at some point though. Will it be a Stanton? Maybe if the Gen V Switch9er materialises in Ti form. My eyes are on a Radical Chilli Dog though as things stand – watch this space.
Fork
RS Lyrik Ultimate 3.1
Shock
Ohlins TTX M2
Suspension Set-up
No idea – I tend to set and forget, with maybe the odd tweak occasionally
Wheels
Hunt Proven Trail H Core
Tyres
Hutchinson Griffus
Brakes
Shimano XTR
Drivetrain
Shimano XTR mech and shifter, XTR cassette, 5 Dev alu cranks with titanium ring, KMC gold chain
Cockpit components
Title ST1 stem, Gusset MJ signature bars, PNW Loam grips
Seatpost
PNW Loam 2 silver post with Loam lever in green to match the forks
Saddle
DMR Oi Oi camo
Accessories
Superstar Components Ti seat clamp, Nukeproof Sam Hill DH pedals, One Up guide and bash
Size and Weight
Large. 15kg approx
Additional Comments
As previously mentioned, I bought the frame and shock second hand, with the full intention of doing my own build to my own personal spec. It’s turned out pretty much how I envisaged it and I’ve got to say I’m really pleased with the finished look. It took a few failed purchases with components that didn’t quite sit right and had to be changed before I was totally happy though. I may still change the Ohlins shock for an EXT Storia.
I initially set it up as full 29’er as intended, but it felt a bit tall. It’s no secret that these have a high BB. The bike seemed to climb brilliantly and attack singletrack with aplomb, but the verdict has remained undecided on tech and descending, albeit only a few rides in. With that in mind, I’ve switched out the rear to a 27.5 as pictured to give it a try (maybe I should have gone for the Switchback?), but haven’t ridden it in this set up as yet, other than round the block. In fact, I haven’t really tested the bike to its fullest in any set up, it’s being saved for decent weather while my Ragley hardtail covers winter duties.
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I love the look of these but two friends have had them and I don’t think either of them ever really gelled with theirs to the point where both have been replaced now. Pretty sure one described the feeling as sitting on top of it rather than in it – maybe the mullet setup would help with that…
Yeah, I can relate to that. One reviewer built his as a mullet from the off and raved about it – stating he probably wouldn’t have been as keen had he run it full 29. Will see how it rides in the drier weather, certainly feels a bit better on the street with the smaller wheel. You do have to run these with a fair bit of sag – 35% I think. I guess some people don’t get that memo and never have them set up right. Final option would be some 50mm rise bars – currently has 38’s (I think), but it has a fairly high stack as standard. Despite having 160mm forks, I built it as more of a trail bike anyway – with the ebikes for the burly stuff. As long as it doesn’t try and kill me on the descents I may live with it – but really want to love it…
Thanks for the post @Ben_Haworth
Lovely. The aesthetics of the frame would suit an EXT Storia perfectly, but that’d be one expensive change from your Ohlins for (probably) not much – if any – performance gain.
Quite a chunky interpretation of a ‘trail bike’!
That’s a very nice build.
I had a steel one and enjoyed it but I think going mullet would have been a good idea. I did toy with it but ended up swapping it for a lighter, snappier feeling alu trail bike, having bought a long travel ebike which served much of what the Stanton was bought for.
Contrary to others, I think the mullet would have made it better uphill as well as down. The slightly perched nature of the 29er plus high BB when seated made it more tricky for me on technical climbs. I never felt this on descents though, with a big helping of sag, it felt great on the downs and I never had that on rather than in feeling others describe.
Cheers
I’ve read that ideally if you’re sticking a 27.5 rear in then you should swap to a 27.5 linkage – guessing that might be designed so the BB stays at the same height though, so would be pointless for my experiment.
My case isn’t helped by having stupid long legs, so always struggle with the ideal set up. Not so bad on the ebikes as you can set the saddle slightly lower than the optimal pedalling height
I like the bike and I love the no cares about scratches nature of raw titanium but…what I always loved about Stantons was their paint.
I look at beautifully painted bikes sometimes then wonder at what point in the first couple of rides I’m going to put a chip or scratch in it.
I’m reasonably precious with the Stanton (for now) but did have an otb on the first ride when I clipped a rock with my pedal – zero damage
If I had a purely XC machine then maybe a stunning paint job, but saying that, even my gravel bike is chipped, no idea how.
The Peak and surrounding area isn’t particularly kind on paint
That’s a lovely bike – remember thinking that when you first were building it up and posting pics up. I imagine it’s one of those bikes that you buy/build with your heart at least as much as your head. I’ve two Ti bikes (HT and gravel bike) so have a bit of a soft spot for Ti. If my Aeris AM Carbon wasn’t such a damn good bike, I’d definitely be looking at one of those …
Lovely, but I am a little biased as I have a Ti Switchback and have loved the Ohlins shocks i have had.