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Since it’s release our Morf hardtail has rapidly won people’s hearts, generated a core cult following, and what we had initially aimed to be an ideal stable mate to a modern day full suspension bike ended up being a lot of peoples one-bike-to-rule-it-all weapon of choice. It wasn’t long before riders were requesting the same premium ride quality and progressive handling characteristics on a 29er platform. We began to see the benefits of 29er’s with proper geometry, so it got us thinking...
We hit the drawing board, began prototyping, and quickly realised how a 29er chassis would enable us to express our ultimate geometry figures whilst reaping the benefits of bigger, faster wheels. After several prototypes, 1000’s of kilometres of hyper sensitive testing and endless amounts of tweaking we have found the optimum formula, and off the back of this extensive in-house research & development, striving for progressive, safe and fun performance we are proud to finally be able to announce the new Stif Squatch!
Retaining our signature frame feel, which some industry leading product testers quoted as being ‘the best steel frame feel on the market’ was vital for us when designing the Squatch, so taking what we honed with the Morf, refining it further and tuning it for the 29er platform was a key part of our development process. Bespoke 4130 chromoly steel tubing is used throughout with custom tube shaping providing our desired ride feel attributes.
Ovalizing the top tube and chainstays has allowed us to create the a super compliant ride without compromising on stiffness in all-important areas – this means things stay comfortable during high frequency chatter but stomp on the pedals or enthusiastically load a corner and you’re greeted with predictable positivity. Looking down to where the drive-side chainstay meets the BB shell is our signature 12 Bore chainstay bridge that gives a dialled chainline with upto a 34T chainring and clearance for chunky mud-shed 2.6’’ tyres. It gives a proper weld surface without sacrificing tube stiffness. It’s a key ingredient in allowing for our super short 430mm chainstays.
Bottle cage bosses on the downtube and an ISCG05 chainguide mount mean it’s ready for long days on big terrain. To keep things as simple and reliable as possible there’s no weird standards – there’s a threaded BB, a standard 44mm headtube and everyday seat tube and clamp diameters.
As with any hardtail, good geometry is the key ingredient to behaviour on the trail and we wanted to push the boundaries.
We get pretty tired of the whole ‘revolutionary low, long and slack’ spiel that’s get regurgitated during new bike launches, especially with hardtails that get reviled with bold claims about being radically different from the rest, when in fact they’re not really dissimilar to boxy shaped bikes we were riding 10 years ago.
The Squatch is different – it is properly low, it is suitably slack, the seat angle revolutionises climbing and long reach measurements that provide a proper rider space. Our triangle of reach, BB drop/height and headangle make the Squatch safer, faster, and ultimately way more fun to ride than any other hardtail on the market.
130mm, Short offset & Short Stem
Designing the frame around a 130mm travel fork means the frames geometry is preserved as best as possible, regardless to where it is in the forks stroke. Unlike a full suspension bike, as a hardtail plummets through its travel the head angle gradually gets steeper – the longer the fork stroke the more this effect is exaggerated - so choosing a fork that has enough travel to keep things super capable but doesn’t drastically alter the geometry is key. A stout 130mm travel fork nails this sweet spot and provides enough buffer to keep you out of trouble whilst always keeping the bikes geometry highly consistent
The Squatch is designed around and shipped with a short 42mm offset fork which brings us closer to the steering axis therefore generating a greater ‘trail’ measurement, which when complimented with a 35mm or shorter stem makes for steering that’s more sensitive to micro adjustments as well as being more stable at higher speeds. Riding a hardtail requires extra precision so having steering that lets you manoeuvre the wheels exactly where you want massively elevates confidence levels and inspires the confidence to push boundaries.
80mm BB Drop
BB height/drop was an area we wanted to focus on with the aim of mirroring the dynamic ride height of a modern full suspension bike.
With the cranks sitting 80mm below the wheel axles it translates to a BB height of 293mm which keeps the rider’s mass as low as possible creating maximum stability when cornering. Dropping into the corners pocket feels natural with a total in the bike feeling, encouraging a more aggressive lean angle which allows for the corners apex to be pushed into with reassurance in order to generate grin forming levels of forward motion.
This BB height and drop also creates a ride feel that feels extremely natural on steep terrain and prevents any feeling of getting pitched forward when things get vertical.
64° Head Angle
Settling at 64° has resulted in stable and confidence inspiring feel without any vagueness or steering flop. Pairing this with the 130mm fork also means there is no drastic head angle change regardless of fork position.
78° Seat Tube Angle
Why should a bike that’s been designed to rip on the descents be compromised on the climbs? Yeah, it shouldn’t!
We approached designing this bike in two halves, one for climbing, one for descending – two fairly out there numbers that create strong descending prowess and a mind-blowingly efficient climbing manner and it’s the 78° seatangle that making climbing a total cinch. It’s truly incredible how efficient, balanced and damn right easy this seating position makes things.
Short and tall riders rejoice - Our seat-tube features a curve to help with tyre clearance and allows for our super short 430mm chainstays. Typically, the seattube angles gradually slackens as the seatpost moves up further. However, we’ve built the frame measuring 78 degrees from the BB centre to the saddle rail at max seat post extension. Therefore, 78 degrees is the slackest the seat-tube angle will ever be, meaning it effectively steepens as the saddle is dropped. This means tall riders with long legs take advantage of our steep seatangle and shorter riders actually get a steeper angle still, something that better suits the proportions of shorter riders too.
Stif Squatch Frame
Our Squatch Frame is shipped with a seatclamp, dropouts and rear axle
Geometry
| M | L | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size Range | 5'5" - 5'11" | 5'8" - 6'2" | 6'1" - 6'6" |
| Sizing Sweet Spot | 5'6" - 5'9" | 5'10" - 6'1" | 6'2" - 6'5" |
| Reach | 460mm | 480mm | 500mm |
| Stack | 653mm | 653mm | 661mm |
| Head Tube Angle | 64° | 64° | 64° |
| Seat Tube Length | 420mm | 450mm | 480mm |
| Front Center | 790mm | 810mm | 834mm |
| BB Height | 293mm | 293mm | 293mm |
| BB Drop | 80mm | 80mm | 80mm |
| Wheelbase | 1208mm | 1228mm | 1253mm |
| Chainstay Length | 430mm | 430mm | 430mm |
| Head Tube Length | 100mm | 100mm | 110mm |
| Seat Tube Angle | 78° | 78° | 78° |
Stif Squatch Frame Features
- Recommended Fork Travel: 130mm
- Max Fork Travel: 140mm
- Brake Mounts: 160mm Post Mount
- Headset Size: Top: ZS44/28.6 - Bottom: EC44/40
- ICSG-05 Tabs: Yes
- Seatpost Diameter: 30.9mm
- Seat Clamp Diameter: 34.9mm
- Bottom Bracket Size: 73mm Threaded BSA
- Max Tyre Size: 2.6"
- Recommended Crank Length: 170mm
- Max Chainring Size: 34t
- Water Bottle Mounts: 1 Set, inside front triangle
In The Know...
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Delivery & Returns
Warranty Info
Delivery & Returns
Unless otherwise specified we will use a Royal Mail Tracked Delivery service to dispatch your order. Once your order is dispatched you will receive an email with a tracking number. You are able to track your order at https://www.royalmail.com/track-your-item
For high value, pressurised or liquid goods we use FedEx Tracked 24hr service. FedEx Orders can be tracked at https://www.fedex.com/apps/fedextrack/?action=track
Pricing:
Orders under £19.99
Royal Mail 48 Tracked: £3.49
Royal Mail 24 Tracked*: £4.49
Fed-Ex**: £6.50
Orders £20 - £49.99
Royal Mail 48 Tracked: £2.49
Royal Mail 24 Tracked*: £3.49
Fed-Ex: £5.99
Over £50 - £99.98
Royal Mail 48 Tracked: FREE
Royal Mail 24 Tracked*: £1.00
FedEx 24 Hour: £3.99
Over £99.99
Royal Mail 24 Tracked*: FREE
FedEx 24 Hour**: FREE
* Royal Mail 24 Tracked Next Working Day if ordered before 3.00pm Mon-Fri
**FedEx 24 Hour for orders placed before 12:00pm Mon-Fri
*Orders shipping to Northern Ireland via Courier will be subject to a delivery charge, we will be in touch upon receiving your order to discuss your delivery charge or you can Contact Us to discuss pricing prior to ordering.
Bike Orders
All bikes and frames are shipped with FedEX 24hr Tracked Delivery within the UK. Bikes are assembled and fully checked by our mechanics prior to dispatch, therefore lead times can vary. One of our sales team will contact you upon receipt of your order to arrange a suitable delivery date
International Orders
International Orders are sent using Royal Mail International Tracked Delivery. These items are usually delivered within 3-7 working days of despatch.
All International order postage costs are an estimate. If the estimate is correct your order will be shipped immediately. In the rare event that the postage estimate won't cover your delivery we will contact you with a postage quote.
For full details of our returns policy, follow this link.
Warranty
Lifetime Frame Warranty
Santa Cruz Bicycles will repair or replace at its option any frame or rigid fork made by Santa Cruz Bicycles it determines to be defective in materials or workmanship. The warranty will be in effect for the lifetime of the frame or fork and is available only to the original owner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, frames purchased prior to May 1, 2015 are covered under the previously-existing warranty for five years from the original date of purchase.
Lifetime Reserve Carbon Wheels Warranty
Santa Cruz Bicycles will repair or replace at its option any Reserve rim made by Santa Cruz Bicycles that is damaged or destroyed by riding. The warranty will be in effect for the lifetime of the rim and is available only to the original owner.
Lifetime Bearing Warranty
Santa Cruz Bicycles pivot bearings are warranted for life to the original owner of the bike. The return process is simple: Fill out the Warranty Bearing Replacement Form, upload a copy of your purchase receipt, and we'll get a new set of bearings out to you within 48 hours!
Lifetime Handlebars Warranty
Santa Cruz carbon handlebars are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for life from the original date of purchase.
No-Fault Replacement
In the event of a non-warranty situation, Santa Cruz Bicycles will make replacement parts available to the original owner at a reduced charge for the applicable warranty period described above.
Limitations, Exclusions, and Disclaimers
The sole remedy available under the foregoing express warranty and all implied warranties is the repair or replacement of defective parts with those of equal or greater value, as determined by Santa Cruz Bicycles in its sole discretion. The warranty does not cover labor costs, custom finishes, normal wear and tear, or damage from commercial use. The warranty is void if the part is modified from its original condition in any manner or used outside normal intended use, as determined by Santa Cruz Bicycles in its sole discretion. The warranty for damage arising from accidents, crashes and other impacts is limited to offered replacement at a reduced charge as set forth above. Any implied warranties (including without limitation the warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose) which may not be disclaimed under applicable law are limited in duration to the period set forth above or the applicable statute of limitations, whichever is shorter.
The foregoing warranty is the sole and exclusive warranty offered by Santa Cruz Bicycles. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, all other express and implied warranties (including without limitation the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose) are hereby disclaimed. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall Santa Cruz bicycles or any of its owners, officers, employees, representatives, agents, or affiliates (or any of their respective successors or assigns) be responsible or otherwise liable for any direct, incidental or consequential damages arising from the purchase, use, or ownership of its products, including without limitation damages for personal injury, property damage, or economic losses, whether based on contract, warranty, negligence, product liability, or any other theory.
Some states and countries do not allow some or all of the foregoing exclusions or limitations, so they may not apply to you. If any portion of the foregoing warranty (or the exclusions or limitations thereto) is deemed invalid or unenforceable pursuant to applicable law, it shall be deemed modified so as to be valid and enforceable to the maximum extent consistent with such law. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state and country to country.
Stif Squatch / Morf
Our Squatch and Morf Frames are sold with a 3 Year warranty against manufacturing defects and we offer Crash Replacement Pricing for 5 years from purchase
Cervélo
Starting January 1, 2004, each Cervélo USA Inc. (Cervélo) bicycle frame purchased after this date is warranted by Cervélo USA Inc.against defects in workmanship and materials for as long as the frame is owned by the original owner, excluding paint and decals. (Cervélo bicycle frames purchased before this date came with a four-year warranty). This covers ALL bicycle frame models Cervélo offers. This warranty is expressly limited to either the repair or replacement of the defective frame–the decision to repair and replace to be at the sole discretion of Cervélo–and no other remedies are available under the warranty. Cervélo does not warrant against damage caused by normal wear and tear, improper assembly, improper maintenance, or installation of parts or accessories not originally intended for use with or compatible with the frame or bicycle sold. Cervélo does not warrant against damage or failure of Cervélo bicycle frames caused by accident, misuse, abuse or neglect. Any modification of the frame or its components shall void this warranty. All claims under this warranty must be made through an authorized Cervélo distributor. Claims will be processed only after provision by the claimant to Cervélo of proof of purchase and completion of Cervélo's online product registration (which can be found here). Purchase Cervélo product only through authorized Cervélo retailers. This is your assurance of original Cervélo quality. Please visit our retailer locator to identify your preferred, authorized Cervélo retailer. All authorized retailers are listed on this site. Cervélo's warranty policy is valid only for Cervélo products purchased through authorized Cervélo retailers. Cervélo products purchased through any channel other than an authorized Cervélo retailer are not covered by the Cervélo warranty. Subject to the laws of your jurisdiction which prevail where applicable over the terms of this warranty, Cervélo shall not be responsible for incidental or consequential damages suffered. This warranty does not cover labor charges for parts changeovers.
Click here for more info on Cervélo warranty
GT Warranty
Every bicycle has a useful product lifespan. This limited warranty is not meant to suggest or imply that the frame or components can never be broken or will last forever. This limited warranty covers manufacturing defects that occur within the normal lifespan and use of the product.
GT bicycles must be registered on gtbicycles.com or in person by a GT Retailer in order to activate the lifetime frame warranty described below.
Frames, excluding those listed below: Lifetime of the original owner.
Frames of Gravity, Freeride, Downhill, Dirt Jump and other ASTM Category Five Bicycles: Three years from original retail purchase.
Swing Arms, Chainstays, Seatstays, and Shock Links of Full Suspension Frames: Five years from original retail purchase.
GT Branded Components: One year from original retail purchase.
for more details on GT Warranty T&Cs visit https://www.gtbicycles.com/eur_en/bike-registration