Stanton Switch9er Hardtail First Look: Rowdy, Modern, Aggressive, Steel, and Handbuilt in the UK
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- Опубліковано 2 гру 2020
- The Stanton Switch9er is a rowdy, modern, aggressive hardcore hardtail built in the UK. In this episode we take a first look at the frame and build it up to prepare it for review. Have you ridden a Stanton before? Which model interests you the most? Which color would you choose? Learn more about the bike here: bit.ly/2JlWNvC
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A few corrections and notes.
The taiwan frames use 4130 triple butted tubes, not the same reynolds DBZ tubing as the uk frames. I have a uk frame here in this video.
Out of all the frame builders and company owners I've talked to, Dan Stanton is the most knowledgeable BY A LONG SHOT.. He is passionate about what he does and i was amazed at his humility and willingness to share his knowledge and decision-making that goes into each of his designs. I was blown away by the amount of thought and experience that went into this bike. I have immense respect for him and his bikes.
The appearance of a weld has nothing to do with it's quality. I've seen gorgeous welds that were weak, and crappy looking welds that were as strong as it gets. I get a lot of bikes across my shop these days, and my expectations are high, especially for a hand built steel frame from the UK, especially at this price.
This is one of the uk built models, not the taiwan one.
Some companies copy others when they design bikes. Not Stanton. Dan's knowledge and expertise is second-to-none. His passion for hardtails shines through and i respect him more than just about anyone in the industry.
Despite my respect for the company, this is a review, and I try to review with integrity. It's impossible to be 100% unbiased in life, but I truly try my hardest to provide my viewers with objective info and to share what I find.
After releasing this video, I've been in contact with Dan. He assures me that the issues I experienced are not the norm for his frames.
If this bike rides half as good as I hope, it's going to be something special.
I'm an engineer who designs welded structures and you're right about how it's hard to assess the strength of welds from appearance only. Joint fitup and weld penetration matter a lot and you can't see that without ultrasonics. In theory a smooth looking weld - especially a smooth transition from weld to the parent steel - is generally less susceptible to slowly developing a crack over time, but I don't know if that kind of failure is common on bikes vs. cracking suddenly from a big hit. But it still would have looked better and possibly benefited frame longevity if they had used a grinder or careful TIG technique to smooth the welds on this one.
Interested by your comment on communication. I used to lust after a stanton saved up for a purchase for 1.5 years, it was my dream bike - getting in contact and ordering one in the thousands of pounds range which was a bike deal for me. The communication was awful, and it was Dan Stanton's email address himself, their ability to help me out and advise was awful, because of this I cancelled the order and then they tried to say I couldn't, and guilt tripped me, then I finally allowed me to cancel - one of the worst customer experiances I've ever had and this would have been the biggest single item purchase of my life.
Great looking bikes, and maybe they ride well, even if they are a bit expensive but the customer service was so bad they've lost my trust for life.
You are exactly how people want you to be, honest. Far from picky or harsh.
I’ve got a Switch9er frame in gloss British Racing Green on order to build up for my 50th in the New Year. Very excited to say the least!
Congrats!
Finally!! I've been wanting to see one in a while!
Can't wait for the review 😍
finally!!!!!!!! Cannot wait for the riding review, and sincerely thank you so much for this. Doing the Hardtail lovers a big big world changing favour.
:) literally just came from drooling over the Stanton website and came to see what you were up to. Cool, can't wait for full review.
Very cool! Can’t wait for the ride review!
I love to watch your builds the bikes you ride remind me of what my older brother and dad were riding back in the late 90s early 2000s and that’s what got me into mountain biking how beastly the hardtail bikes looked
I've been fascinated with Stanton, especially their Ti. Love that hub!
I’ve been losing sleep myself waiting for this bike too!! Such a great build. That Helm mk2 is sweet. Can’t wait for the review.
So excited you are finally reviewing this frame! I have added the frame to my cart several times this past year, but continue to cancel and hold off. Lets see how it goes!
I can't wait to see it on your trails!
You've convinced me that my next HT frame will have external cable routing.
He’s a sweet talker be careful
Great review, honest and helpful. True Stanton did drop the ball on the finish and communication. For me good communication is key for a great client experience. I look forward to seeing the trail review it should be good to see its performance.
Yep a Stanton hardtail has been my dream bike on paper & pictures for years. Steve - We're relying on you to give us the reality check on how it rides. No pressure : )...but we will appreciate your candor.
Coming soon. I just finished up the edit last night.
When I was in the market for a hardtail earlier this year I looked at a Stanton Ti. But for whatever reason I ended up with a Sonder Signal Ti. Can't wait for your review of the Switch9er.
I’ve lucked out...2nd hand switchback Ti, cane creek coil at 160, amazeballz. Then I grabbed an outlet switchback FS 160, British racing green...also amazing...bike park, local trails...the shizzle.
My favourite channel! By far!
Hey I Know this video is old, but just want to say big thanks for the review and being honest about your experience. Thank you!
Looking forward to the ride review. Thank you for being so honest with the problems you see in the frame and their communication. I agree that for this kind of money those are important to know about. The Ti frames would be super cool, but they are expensive given they are not custom. Of course I know that some custom Ti frames cost even more....
Really appreciate honest reviews, love hardcore hardtails, I looked at the stanton but went pipedream moxie in the end
Very much on my shortlist too. Great choice.
Love that hub. All I wanna hear is the sound of the tires on the trail. Plus that infinite engagement will make you look like a super hero on technical climbs.
Excited to hear your riding thoughts on this bike! I'm currently riding the UK made Switch9er in the same color but custom graphics color (silver graphics with silver Pike Ultimate). It's my first hardtail in 15 years, so I don't have much to compare to, but I love it! I'm faster than I was on my Rocky Mountain ETSX full sus and feel I can ride with more confidence. Think a big part of that is just modern geo.
I’ve told my that my next wheel set will have ONYX hubs, they definitely are the best. I definitely think that we are seeing a resurgence of nice steel and Ti frames from UK. That Switch9er looks amazing and the Ergon grips match great! I looked up the Stanton Ti frame and it’s a super nice triple butted Ti frame, it’s definitely a better value than most Ti hardtail’s sold online. Plus what’s really awesome about Staton is their “ Swapouts” so if you have nice SS specific 142x12 hubs you can keep using them without some cheesy spacer kit.
Looking forward to the ride review.
I love the color. Great looking frame. I wish I could afford a build like that.
Super stoked for this review - if it doesn't suck, this might just be my next frame. Either that or a Sherpa... Maybe I'll up my Patreon tier and you can help me decide. All depends on how it climbs!
Buying something handbuilt in Britain has always been a gamble lol. It's nice to know some bloke in the midlands welded and painted it but honestly, when you look at the quality you can get from a factory there's little going for it apart from being able to tell your mates, "yeah well my bike was handbuilt". I have an orange alpine and while I like that it's been built just up the road from me, the welds leave a lot to be desired.
Yeah, unfortunately orange has a poor reputation for the appearance of their aluminum welds. Apparently they hold plenty strong, which is what really matters.
Looks sharp!! ✌️
My first ride with my husband (shortly after we met), he remarked on how banged up my pedals were. He was a roadie and didn't have the concept of hitting rocks. I agree on the "badge of honor."
That is the frame I have been waiting for you to have a chance to ride. I love that you build them up yourself and get to see and deal with every issue that comes up. I might have missed it in the video but is that a 16.5” frame? Thanks for the first look and once again a very thorough job!
Yes, 16.5
The Stanton YT channel has a tech talk with Dan Stanton describing the reason he chose 631 over 853. 631 is a less expensive, thicker and heavier tube that's ultimately stiffer than 853. If they built this bike with 853 it would either require a gusset tube or heat treatment. Heat treating 853 makes it harder, so while the front triangle may be 3 grams lighter, it loses the suppleness that Reynolds is going for and it would cost more. 631 is a value judgement based on knowledge of the Reynolds product lineup relating to cost, weight, and ride quality. That dude's very clear and open about his goals. It's great.
I'm super stoked about this bike and kind of disappointed by your initial critiques. Craftsmanship is key in a premium steel frame. Compared to your Canfield build, this seems second best. I'm still really excited to see where this goes!
I have so much respect for Dan. He's the most knowledgeable frame builder I've come across, and a really great guy. It hurt me to mention the issues i noticed.
As far as I'm aware 853 is heat treated 631
@@jeremyatkinson4976 You're right. Thanks for catching that. I just spent the last 20 minutes scanning the Stanton channel and can't find the talk. Dan and another guy are on a couch with a 9er on display behind them. Anyway, the decision as I remeber it was that Stanton would have ended up with 631 ride quality with 835 pricing so they opted for 631.
It may have been that they required the 631 wall thickness on the 835 tubeset to get through EN or IS testing.
@@jasoniannone9675 Yeh I watched the same vid. I'm a bit of an info junkie. Cotic went a different way . On the BFEmax they only use 853 on part of the main triangle
Glad I bought a Cotic now, after seeing this :D
LOVE THE ONYX HUB!
It's one of my all-time favorite components ever made.
@@hardtailparty yes sir agreed! Got an onyx on a RaceFace 40mm Offset Rim 27.5x3.0 Tire...this wheel will transfer to my next hardtail for sure.
Well done Steve, been waiting for this video for a long time, cant wait to see your next video after riding this wonderful beast! Hope you can review the Hunt Enduro wheels in the future another English brand i’ll keep sending msg to them
I just received some hunt Enduro wheels this week. I'll be destroy them on a few builds coming later this month.
Great to see Stanton on the channel hopefully this leads to more UK brands
Cotic, ragley stanton, we're getting there...
I have a 2009 Cube LTD Race 26" xc hardtail that need to be replaced with a modern trail hardtail. I love your channel! Thanks for all contents.
Steve, please make a review on Stif Squatch. I will ask them to send you a bike.
eu.stifmtb.com/collections/stif-squatch
I've reached out. It's high on my list of bikes to try.
Thats a beautiful frame
Have to say the welds on my uk built Switch9er are perfect 👌
Love my Switch9er.
Would love to know how it compares to the El Roy. About to pull the trigger on getting one, but just going to wait for your review on the El Roy.
Great reviews
Ay up Steve, greetings from Yorkshire! Looking forward to this one. Already got my name on a solarismax frame but was a tough call between that and the stanton with no opportunity to try them..
Love the channel btw, as much for the beautiful scenery as the excellent content, we're battling through rain and mud at this time of the year, I've started pretending I'm in Sedona to get out the door!
Keep up the great reviews :)
Do you still remember what tire seize can be squeezed in there? I know it is 2.4 officially, also remember that you also try to go bigger 😅
Ya man excited for your review. My communication with them so far has been pretty good thankfully!
I regularly email them and I know they are unbelievably swamped. They've had huge problems with sourcing steel for their bikes this year because of shut downs so their supply lines have been greatly disrupted while orders have gone through the roof.
Good input though man! Honestly is needed from reviewers!
Dude, that's how I felt with the Nukeproof Scout. The headsets were already put in and I was so surprised by that
Most frames i get these days have a headset included. It's so nice
AMEN to an Onyx hub, I love the soft engagement, it was the only hub that did not aggravate my knee after ACL surgery. anything with a paul system hooked up harsh and bugged my knee.
Very interesting
What other hubs have you tested after your ACL surgery?
@@Jthe5th I 9 tourch and hydra. DT swiss 240 and 350, Hope pro 4. and project321. All of which use pawls and when the pawls lock in, the pedal feel is solid. Those hubs only bothered my knee when I was kicking the pedal to get over an obstacle, I have no issue with either hub now, my knee is doing great. But for the first couple months after I got the OK from my PT that biking was OK the soft feel of the Onyx did feel the best. I bought and sold off a lot of hubs, I still like Onyx the best. Granted being event after surgery, I don't how unique that experience was.
Wow looks like an awesome bike faint wait to see it on the trail. Have you ever looked at the Jamis Dragon slayer I have been looking at buying one. I wanted your opinion on it.
I haven't ridden one yet, but I hope i get the chance one day.
Love the channel mate, seen a few of your videos but always forgot to drop a sub. Would love to see you try out a Pipedream Moxie! I’m getting my hands on one very soon and I’d love to hear your thoughts, another very slick UK-based manufacturer with a very strong cult-like following up here in the Tweed Valley in Scotland.
You have mentioned a number of times why you like the Crane Creek Helm, could u maybe do a review on it and explain a little bit more why. Also have you considered trying the coil version? have any thoughts on that too? Im trying to pick a fork for my switch9er and still undecided.so you comments would be interesting
Love the British Racing Green!
It's sooo BRG, my brain thought it's a Jaguar e-type!
My thoughts too. It’s really the right color for this bike.
@@cesraihandary I was thinking MGB GT but anything BRG is cool in my book. :)
Hi, ive been watching your channel, and just wanted to get some advice, im building new bike right now the banshee paradox v3, and im planing to put 27.5 tire with 30mm inside diameter of the rim, ive watch your video riding at santa cruz at braille and flow trail, i rode those trail once and i love it, now my question is what would be the best tire for those trail
Really interested in this. Just on the stand it looks like it means business. I have looked at this as one of the UK 'boutique' options. Stanton is at the upper end of pricing for a complete build compared to the likes of Ragley and Byrd - more on par with Cotic IIRC...is it money well spent? We will find out...although I am pretty confident it ain't gonna suck.
British Racing Green does make sense on this bike.
Just a minor detail but,
You’ve got STA twice in the geometry chart.
I know, it stands for SteererTubeAngle and SeatTubeAngle, but this might confuse some people.
HTA and STA would be better.
Head Tube and Seat Tube.
Like I said, just a little thought of mine. 😉
Keep up the great content. 🤙🏼
Oops, good on my end. It was supposed to say hta and sta.
Interested to see what you have to say about the new Jamis Dragon once it actually becomes available! Reynolds 520 "All-Mountain" HT. Aggressive geo, external routing, and it comes in a sweet green!
I'm interested to ride it
maybe it's a UK thing but nukeproof scout has similar dropper cable routing. nukeproof also comes with a foam insert so the cable doesn't rattle in the downtube. man you need to get nukeproof to send you a scout!
Have you tried Ohlins suspension? Running it on my nukeproof scout, i think it's alot more dialed then my friends fox 36 factory. Lmk what u think.
I've only ridden it on a friend's Enduro.
What?? I love the Helm quick release. I bought a used Helm for my Chameleon specifically because I wanted that quick release. But my current storage and future camper-van transport needs require removing the front wheel often.
I have also found communications with UK companies to be spotty at times (I've bought a fair amount of parts for my classic British cars from the UK). I'm considering a steel DH frame from a small UK builder. For better or worse, I "need" a DH frame like a hole in the head, so I'm not too concerned about getting it quickly as long as I can get what I want. We'll see how it goes.
British racing green 👌🏼
Hey Steve, are u looking to review a chromag bike in the future? I’m looking to get one but can’t find any solid reviews on it.
Coming soon
I'm still bummed Moots never responded to my email, but the 44 Marauder is the one I am most hoping for now. I really enjoy hearing your thoughts on premium frames like these; I appreciate your honesty and your dedication to being thorough.
I 2nd a 44 Marauder. I'd love to hear how an East Coast bike would differ from the West coast brands.
👌 nice
Would you be able to do review on a Ragley big Al?
I've reached out to them. Fingers crossed i get one to review. Im hopeful
The paint on my switchback is flawless and I'm a vehicle detailer so I've got an eye for it. Really surprised at the finish on that when usually all I hear is people praising the finish on their new frames. Maybe they sent that one on purpose because they couldn't sell it like that
Totally possible, which would make sense for a review on a bike that won't be sold. I'm glad to hear your paint is flawless, they matches the other reports I've heard.
@@hardtailparty They have a new painter in the shop, Matt, maybe he used this frame as part of training. Simon's paint work is just stunning.
Hey Steve , can you drop the helm MK2 down to 120mm ?
Yes, there's a way, but i can't remember what needs to chage. Cane creek told me, but i forgot. It was something more than just spacers. Maybe it was a different oil or a different negative pressure or sometgong like that. Shoot their cusotmer service a call.
Excited to hear your opinion on this bike. Have you ever ridden Ibis S35 carbon wheels? Curious to see how they compare to the Zipps around compliance. They are a fair bit lighter. Love the channel!
My wife has them on her ripley. I haven't found another wheelset that rides like the zipps.
@@hardtailparty would you say they are more compliant than average? I like the wide rim for 2.6s
I need to steal my wife's wheels and toss them on my hardtail to get a better feel for them.
@@hardtailparty oooh, would love to see that! They claim that the shallower bead makes for a pretty comfy ride.
Ok enough from me - I should sign up as a patron! 😉
@@jodyconrad3855 I like stans shallow bead a lot. I believe they partnered together on that rim. Should be a good combo.
Nice looking bike , red would have been cooler
Good for you for calling out poor welds paint etc at that cost, plus knowing its going to be critiqued, they really should have pulled out all stops to impress... Embaressing
Sometimes we reviewers get the best of the best and they give us an unusually good experience, and sometimes we get the scratch and dent models that are hard for the companies to sell.
I really appreciate station sending this bike outz they didn't have to do that. It's not my intention to badmouth them or throw anyone under the bus, but the fact remains that Ive seen prettier welds. I have no reason to believe these welds aren't 100% functional and strong, they just don't look like a stack of dimes.
To inject some normal guy customer feedback, I ordered in beginning of August. It was a UK sherpa and was going to be my ss race bike next season. Lead time was 5 weeks per their site at the time. Zero communication since. I only knew the frames were delayed through a facebook group. In that time there was an order of Taiwanese frames that came in, didn't know or I would have swapped my order to that and had a bike. Then Black Friday ready to ship deals happened and I would have done one of those and had a bike. In both cases outstanding customers should have had priority. I called and was told they won't even have tube for my frame til February. 6 months, not 5 weeks. To top it off, they don't yet make, and may not make the ss dropouts for next gen sherpa, despite their site saying they are an option. Considering this was a ss race bike build for NUE and local races... I canceled and got my money back. Picked up a Hayduke for half the cost and should be here next week. Based on the owner's fb group, you probably want to loctite the dropout fasteners and torque!
I owned a Slackline 9 years ago and it had exactly the same paint issues, Dan didn’t seem to be that bothered then or now so it seems. A shame really. I only kept the Slackline for a month, it descended great but I didn’t enjoy it anywhere else really.
Wow, I wrote to them, and they sent you one!
How can i hear the hub when the air rushing over the knobbies is making so much noise?!
If you've got an I9 hydra, you won't hear any air rushing over the knobbies.
I've got a Stanton FS 160. Ordered one (in Feb) for my birthday (in May) a while back when they came out. It was months late. Recently it went for a respray, I say recently. It was 6 months ago!!! I now have a new frame as they lost mine!?!? That said the paint job looks AMAZING, and the bike is fantastic (but heavy). But their customer service is some of the worst. Best things come to those who wait?
Man, that sucks. Are you stateside?
@@hardtailparty Haha no I'm in the UK! That said I love the bike and its built to last (lifetime warranty). They are always friendly on the phone defo not like dealing with a big company, for betterr for worse. If you want something special they can do it but...you best be patient!
What were the other two bikes that had you as excited as this one?
I haven't announced them on the channel yet, but they're coming soon.
@@hardtailparty Cool, thought you were referring to bikes already reviewed. Can't wait to see what you have in the pipe.
Review the fathom 2021.
I'd love to, but giant is impossible to get ahold of. I can't find any decent contact info for them.
UK frames uses 631 steel for the switch9er and Taiwan frames 4130, so not same tubing.
Thank you for that correction!
How does this compare to the cotic bfe max in terms of build quality?
The welds look nicer into he cotic, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're any stronger. The cotic has a nicer paint job too.
@@hardtailparty thanks for the reply. Struggling to decide between the stanton and the cotic. Keep up the good work..it's an awesome channel 🤘
Out of curiosity when did you originally order your frame?
I ordered a Switch9er in August, at the time the website said two weeks to fabricate then off to paint... Four months and no frame later needless to say I’m pretty frustrated. Even if the Switch9er turns out to be the best bike I’ve ever ridden I don’t think I’d ever deal with Stanton again, or recommend them to a friend.
They are quick to respond to emails, but less than forthcoming with details.
My ordering process was a bit different since I don't pay for it. I usually reach out and say "hey, I'd like to review one of your bikes on the channel, what's your availability like?" I ordered this at the beginning of the year and ice had it for a few months now.
@@hardtailparty
Fair enough, sounds like you were still waiting 6-7 months, I’m just trying to decide if I’m being unreasonable.
Follow up question, I know the Brits run their brakes differently than ours. Any issues with setting that up? I’ve read on some brands the cable bosses are out of place and make things more complicated/ messy.
@@rusuat2855 zero issues with brake routing.
Also keep in mind that my wait times don't reflect actual customers, since most companies prioritize paying customers over reciewers.
try the Pole HT next! :D
I've been wanting to for a long time. last I checked with them, inventory was quite low. I'd love to try it though.
@@hardtailparty looking forward to it. I got mine after a fairly long waiting time recently. After a first testride I am very happy with the bike. Fits me like a glove.
It is also a lot more compliant than my other hardtail. But the bigger wheels and thougher tires that allow lower pressures take the major role in that.
Still interested to see how a person that can compare it to more hardtails rates it in therms of compliance. Independent of wheels and tyres.
Just being curious: are you considering a review of the MK4 from Stooge Cycles? It would be interesting what that fully rigid super slack hardtail is about... I couldn’t image anyone better to find out than you.
I REALLY want to. I've been emailing them it wouldn't hurt to have an interested subscriber or two email them as well and share what you posted.
@@hardtailparty will do 👍
Big steel HT fan, currently own a solarismax and it’s a brilliant multipurpose bike but will probably own a Stanton in the future.
I’ve seen a few Stanton’s on the trails and always try and talk to the rider and have a good look at the bike etc. Frame build quality is usually excellent (I always check welds as well 😁)
Do you think it’s possible that Stanton have sent you a QC fail destined for reviewers to thrash?
due to the pandemic and increase in bike purchases I think it’s fair to say that Stanton (and many other bike companies) are struggling to meet demand and their priority is paying customers.
Looking forward to ride review.
🏴
After talking to Dan, there was a mix up by a new employee. This frame was supposed to be sold as a factory second at the outlet but mistakingly got shipped to me instead. Hopefully this experience helps them improve internal communication at the company.
@@hardtailparty That makes sense but what a shame. My slackline welds and finish are perfect.
What about a Marino review? Inexpensive and fully custom frame builder from Peru?
I'm familiar with marino. Their business is booming right now and I wasn't able to convince them to send me one.
@@hardtailparty bummer
Great bikes, just a pity about Sram SX on the complete bike option, awful imo
Really? U would think atleast nx
Is that a helm mk2?
Yup
What do you think about that vs the fox 36?
@@INSIDIOUS1986 i much prefer it over a 36. Fox makes good forks, but I prefer the feel of RockShox and cane creek more. The helm mk2 is my all-time favorite fork. If you know how to adjust your suspension well, you'll love it.
You should try to get your hands on the Octane one Prone. Less than $300 for the 29er, tapered head tube, thru axle, and threaded BB. Seems to be pretty decent geo, especially on the 27.5 model
My goal is to ride and review every serious hardtail in existence. Hopefully i can get my hands on one someday.
@@hardtailparty I'm building one up for my girlfriend and I'm trying to keep the price down...what brakes do you usually run on your hardtails? I was going to do 203 up front and 180 on the back with some shimano mt-420 quad pistons but I don't know if that'll be too much for a hardtail (I ride full squish).
@@mynameishaydn3287 no such thing as too much brake. That'll work well.
@@hardtailparty One last question...I don't want to over fork the bike, but I found a Lyrik RCT3 160mm fork new for around $370. I can drop it down to 140 but would the 160 be too much? They recommend 130-140 but I remember you saying in your Kona Honzo ESD ride video that having so much travel up front feels weird on hardtail because there's 0 in the back
I'd rather have130
It wasn't clear but is this the UK or Taiwan built model?
This is the uk model.
A friend of mine bought one of these, he was also sent the wrong colour.
Several months ago I bought Slackline 2 gen. on online sale, chosen color was BRG and one week later (after several confirmations and setting details of decals on emails) they informed me that it was technicaly not possible I was able to order it online as they were all out of stock that time. They proposed to cancell my order and return money, or to pay them extra money for regularly priced newer generation. I was really angry as this was my chosen frame after long reviews. So after around another week of discussions they told they have found one more frame of this generation in stock, but it is grey and I was offered 10℅ discount. Anyway, this experience when you have chosen one of premium brands and now you will have to ride your dream bike in random colour is far from complete satisfaction.
Maybe this one was built on Monday after a night at the pub? lol
Also, silent hubs are the best! They go much better with being out in nature than noisy hubs in my opinion.
"I don't know what colour he wanted"... ach he's getting green
you should look on nordest,much better!
Would love to see a review of the Nordest Bardino, I have one myself and it's awesome but so little on UA-cam about it. Good shout 💪.
The list of awesome steel bike manufacturers is so long! My personal window shopping list includes Nordest, Pace, Stanton, Canfield (thanks, Steve), Chromag, Marin, Pipedream, Cotic, Ragley, Shand, Norco, Pole, Guerrilla Gravity, NS, and Orange. There are so many desirable frames out there.
I've reached out to nordest, but I haven't been able to convince them that it's worth their cost to ship me one. A lot of these companies are smaller than we think. I'd sure like to get my hands on one sometime though.
@@hardtailparty They could get bigger if they sent you a bike. But... They might not be able to afford to send you a bike. Or, they might be doing fine as is and not want to get bigger. The Britango 2 and Bardino 2 are two bikes I would love to see on your channel test.
@@hardtailparty I think thats a big oversight form them.. You are the most seen channel about hardtails and they should send you their best frame even if they would need to get to you swimming across the sea.. hoping their frames are rust treated!!! Pity, since Nordest seem to build very nice and not so expensive frames..
Merida please
Talk to merida. I haven't been able to get a response from them.
@@hardtailparty i want to buy merida big nine 400 it's good
Thats a shame about the paint and the welds. I am sure they are overwhelmed but the whole point is that they make/paint frames in the uk. Which should mean better quality. Looks like not so much. Geo is great but they dont really have great quality control.
I suspect that weld quality is probably better in Taiwan. Indian owned brit tubing is perhaps stronger for a given wall thickness though. Taiwan Sherpa frames have slightly thicker walled tubing in places than UK frames.
For t he kind of money they command for a frame the paint and weld issues is a big deal to me!
paint problem, QA's fault?
I would assume so. Hoeeverx sometimes we media guys get the bikes that are scratch and dent or hard to sell. Makes sense since it's going to be tough for them to sell this bike after i ride it.
@@hardtailparty You would not be the fist one to have paint issues.
@@hardtailparty makes sense, since the unit won't be displayed in a store but be ridden instead.
Hey look, no seat tube gusset !
Right! It's a beautiful frame design. I love it.
Wow what a crap paint and weld job this is stanton!?
Prefer the orange p7