Alright.
So I'm looking at building myself s new bike.
I really want a hardtail, something that I can use for trail centres and fun days out; thrashing about the local woods and quarries, and generally making an arse of myself.
But also for doing a bit of mincing about on the local trails; I'm not looking to replace my current bike (2017 Kona Unit), instead just add to my stable.
I think it'd be sensible, given that everything seems to be going 29" wheel, to use a frame designed for it (I switch my Kona between the 27+ and 29 rubber), but in my spares box I do have some i40 WTB Scrapers in 27+ and some 2.8 and 2.6 tyres, that I'd possibly look at using for the frame as an interim thing, but would this "fit"? I can't see if they have a wishbone like affair on the back like the Switchback on the website.. perhaps I'm being blind?
I know I should ring them, I've been emailing them about the frame over the last week, and I feel a bit of a berk asking so many questions about stand over, reach etc, but Dan and Beale have been hugely helpful so far.
It's a bit unclear on the website - if you hover over the normal version of the frame it says 29" but if you hover over the raw version it says 29 / 27.5+.
If you can wait, I have a Switch9er frame turning up later this week to swap for my Chameleon so I should be able to give you an answer in terms of clearance. The other potential consideration would be BB height..
Cheers, I might have an answer, the raw frame is a different finishing process, but the same frame, so I think you can use 29 or 27+ in it.
Dan's going to ring me later to chat about it, so I'll have some definitive answers soon enough.
Now I just need to figure out what colour I want my bike in..
How long have you been waiting on your Switch9er FrogStomp?
BB is quite pretty low on the Switch9er frames, a 27+ 2.8 tyre does fit in the back but when I asked Dan about it he said it wasn't designed for use with plus wheels and a Slackline or Switchback would be better if plus wheels were your thing.
It's more a case of, I have 27+ wheels and 29 wheels at the moment, and I much prefer my Kona unit on 27+, but that's mostly because it's comfortable like that, as such I've got spare wheels and stuff I could throw on it, until I build 29er wheels for it. I'd not say B+ is "my thing" though.
The reason I'm after an N+1 is because I want something more suited to helping my progression, something I can take to Chicksands when my mates go up there rather than sitting home and watching their videos on WhatsApp after :/, something to mess about in the local woods loops and play on jumps and stuff like a child, basically I'm a hooligan with the wrong bike right now. I love the Kona for doing Rutland Water loops, riding to see my folks, doing rides out on the local bridleways and stuff, but I don't think adding a fork to it will ever mask that it's the wrong bike for the "other" stuff I want to do.
The long term plan would definitely be to make some decent 29er wheels for it 🙂
My Switchback was great on 27.5 x 2.4. It is awesome on 27.5 x 2.8! Going fully + could be a great move.
So after a chat with Dan at Stanton bikes, I think a Switch9er may well be the wrong bike, and a Slackline is probably the better option for the sort of riding I do, and it will take a 29 wheel with a narrower tyre, if I decide to mix it up a bit, and definitely take my 27+ rubber.
So that's probably what I'll order.
Interested in the advice from Dan - was it along the lines of Slackline vs Switch9er = playful and agile vs monstertruck high speed smasher?
basically yeah.
Switch9er isn't as suitable for me and the riding I usually do, and given my inside leg and reach the Slackline would likely fit me better without custom geometry, meaning more money to build the bike up.
Basically, better metal in the Slackline, meaning it's more comfortable, the geo is better for all round riding, but it'll take some abuse too if I need it to.
Thread hijack apologies.
So has anyone got a switch9er and what's your thoughts on it?
Seriously considering the Ti version, prob in 18" as I want the extra length.
I've had one for just under a year and love it, previously had an orange p7 and it didn't ride anywhere nearly as well as the Stanton.
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Nobody is interested in the BOX!
Show us the frame! 😛
I was going to say thats a nice box....
Oh yeah open the box!
Well I'd love to share more, but Flikr isn't playing ball right now.
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[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49591594312_d0219ec15f_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49591594312_d0219ec15f_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2iyeTf9 ]received_527791791185523[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/70930025@N02/ ]davedorson[/url], on Flickr
Lovely! And I do like a live bike build 😉
unfortunately I don't have all the parts yet.
I've got a lot of spares, that I'm using to build it up.
Need a seat post, need a saddle, some pedals and a BB.
Need some other odds and ends, cable outers for the shifter, stuff like that.
I've got some Bontrager Comp Line 30's but they really need new bearings.
I've got some Stanton bars, some grips, XT brakes and 1x11 drive train, one suitable tyre..
The idea was to build it up slowly, so some of the spec might change 🙂
Nice one! Looks great!
So I've gotta say again, HUGE thanks to Dan, Beal and Si at Stanton for their hand in getting this sorted for me.
I'm not the easiest person in the world to deal with, ask a lot of questions, and I'm hugely fussy about stuff.
However, they took the time to email and call me a few times before I committed to anything, they also took the time to go above and beyond with the finish.
The black with the Heritage gold was my idea, for reasons.. the gold head badge paint rather than pewter, and the custom Reynolds sticker in gold was all Simon though, he even tagged me in a video once it was painted.
Dan talked to me about the riding I do, the bike I have now, how it measures up, the frame material, basically talked me out of buying a more expensive frame, as it wouldn't have been "right for me"
Beal was an absolute legend talking me through the order process (my stuff was all done via CycleSolutions C2W Scheme), sorted out the order on the website so I could track where they were, and made the admin absolutely no headache for me; they even sent the frame out, very very well packaged with all the stuff I needed in little baggies stashed properly away so as not to rattle around and scratch stuff in the box.
Basically, if you're considering buying a frame, talk to these guys about your needs, and see if they can help out. I'm UK based, and it's lovely to support a bit of UK industry once in a while.