After a year of sampling and prototyping fresh ideas for the Stanton Switchback Ti Mk2, we decided to get ourselves over to Italy to mark this special occasion and try our hand a producing an edit in a different country. The terrain we encountered was rocky, steep and quite simply one of the most picturesque place’s we’ve ever seen. We took our resident pinners, Oli Watson and Dan Bateson, with us to really try to express how well the new frame handles steep technical terrain. We had one bike built up on 2.8 Plus rear and 3” Plus front and the other bike was set up with the standard 2.4 front and rear.
The second generation Switchback Ti is the answer to many of your requests! The original aim of the Switchback was to design the most playful and confidence inspiring aggressive frame that we possibly could. This iteration follows on from its predecessor perfectly taking into consideration the requests of customers, advances in technology and available components to support this new standard.
Designed around the 27.5+ wheel platform, the Switchback Ti has our custom designed Yoke that creates space in the chainstays to accommodate a large volume tyre - from 2.4” tyres on standard 27.5” rims and 2.8” Plus tyres on super wide 27.5+ rims. This doesn't affect our incredibly short 415mm chainstays, we refuse to make compromises upon our class leading geometry
The 415mm chain stay length plus the bottom bracket height, head angle and reach measurement gives you an amazingly responsive and agile ride. This frame rails corners and descends like no other hardtail on the market - expect to leave the abstract idea that
“you’ll be faster on a full sus” behind you, the new Switchback Ti will have you leaving your full-sus in the garage! The geometry of the Switchback Ti has been optimised to help the rider feel confident on difficult, technical 'enduro' style terrain, while giving the ideal riding position to express your style and flare on the trail.
The frame is designed to suit modern fitments such as a Stealth Dropper compatible seat tube and a 44mm head tube for tapered steerer compatibility and full internal top tube routing. The frame will also be available in both regular and long in both the 16.5” and 18” frame sizes and thanks to our custom designed swapouts, you have the ability to run 12x142mm or a standard QR or single speed setup.
We chose triple-butted 3AL-2.5V aerospace-grade titanium tubing which delivers an incredibly lightweight and comfortable ride whilst retaining the strength and precision needed for technical riding. The Switchback Ti uses a custom drawn 3AL-2.5V aerospace-grade titanium seat tube to help brace the frame laterally, increasing the stiffness and intern the agility and precision of the ride.
With all our designs we refuse to compromise the quality and ride feel that we've created over the year. We’d rather pay more in jig fees and mouldings to ensure no alteration to our geometries when changing a design. All of our frames have the highest quality finishing details and excessive attention to detail, placing our brand in the premium category. Our Titanium frames are a high-quality scotchbrite and sandblasted finish. If you scuff your frame or get some cable rub, just get hold of some Scotchbrite, buff it back up and it will be good as new!
MENTIONS: @StantonBikesUK
So yeah, that Stanton looks amazing. The versatility of being able to choose wide or regular tyres depending on conditions and the playful geometry make it the perfect frame. If it were mine, I'd never look at other frames again. But I can't, I just can't. I'm sure you'll understand.
The prototype finish is lovely in the flesh but given how much the frames are the stock finish is good because you can tart it up when it starts looking a bit ropey. I plan on keeping mine for a very, very long time.
I went sold on 27.5+ until I had a go on a friends Sherpa run that way. I was a amazed at how fast and grippy it was.
www.stantonbikes.com/product/switchback-ti-mk-ii
I bet the steel option is cheap either.no Stanton is cheap!
I meant not cheap!no Stanton is cheap
I don't mind!I run standard seatposts on all my bikes,I don't get this dropper post hype.they are heavy and unreliable
When droppers first come out you had an option of a bar mount or a lever under the saddle.nice.sounds simple!but not anymore!I want the simplicity and reliability and I don't want crap all over my handlebars'.bring back the levers!
i love this kind of frames, but im poor LOL