Switchback vs switch9er

anyone?

Only comment I can make is that my mk1 Switchback was fantastic. Should never have sold it. Not tried a Switch9er but I guess it's more aggro with bigger wheels rather than the Sherpa.

yea.. i love the look of the sherpa but definately intersted in something similar to slackline

I know Mike from the YT channel 'Mike's MTB Adventures' has had both. I don't think he's a member of this parish though. You could try and message him through his social media details on YouTube.

He seems to suggest the Switch9er is faster

I ride both back to back at a demo at peaslake a couple of years ago. Twisty rooty single-track, I had more fun on the switchback. If I was riding bigger faster stuff as well, and wanted one bike to do a FSer type job, I'd get the Switch9er. If I wanted something to rag around twisty rooty single-track and complement a FSer, I'd get the Switchback.

Build will be a factor, obviously. The switchback had carbon spinergy wheels on which will have made it feel flickablier.

Get in touch with Jim at Pinnedtv as he's been riding a switch9ner for a while.
I've got a gen 3 Slackline but if I was choosing out of your two I'd go switch9er myself

I’ve got a gen 3 Slackline but if I was choosing out of your two I’d go switch9er myself

interesting? why because of the type of riding?

The Switch9er looks nice. Annoyingly I want a bike that’s pretty much halfway between that and the Sherpa geo and travel wise. Plus I like very short seat tubes with very long droppers on hardtails. Used to love the Mk1 Slackline

I've got a Gen 3 Switchback and a Switch9er FS, so can't really comment on the Switch9er, but have ridden similar 29er hardtails.

The Switchback is a little hooligan and definitely more towards the fun side of things, but still a very capable all round bike. I've used mine for all sorts - pump track, practicing jumps, local woods blasts, trail centres, and also longer rides.

Although it can do them it's probably least suited to longer rides, where a 29er would roll better, be more comfortable and efficient. I tend to take the full suss for longer rides as it's comfy and pedals well and feels like less of a slog grinding up fire roads.

As mentioned I've not ridden the Switch9er, but the geo looks like a scaled up Switchback with a little longer reach and chainstays to fit the larger wheels, so it will probably plow through rougher stuff with more confidence and climb a bit better.

I have a Switchback Mk2 Ti and I felt it was a fast enough bike as it was - didn’t feel that I had to hold back. This weekend I rode my mates new Sherpa Ti, which I built up for him - that rode nicely but the geometry didn’t feel as aggressive and slightly less capable despite the 29’er wheels. Lovely XC bike though.

Going off on a slight tangent, has anyone had any problems with Ti Stantons breaking/failing? They seem to be used for more aggressive riding but I’ve never heard anyone posting about them breaking. Seeing as there have been a lot of people reporting other Ti bikes cracking and failing on STW I just wondered how these held up.

The only Ti bike I can’t recall someone breaking was the Charge Blender Ti (but that was a long time ago.

As to my knowledge (I'm sure Dan talked about it on a video one time)...they've never had a Ti frame failure, I guess that's why they cost so much.

I've got a current Ti Switch9er gen3 and had a Gen2 Slackline,.quite hard to compare as it was a few years between owning. I think the Stanton bikes are all naturally quite fun because of their short chainstays.

One thing I will say about the Switch9er is, I found it easy to go quickly without really trying or feeling like you are going fast...it just seems to be a fast bike. I really like it and always have a blast riding it...fun bike.

I have a Switch9er steel and rode a Ti version yesterday. I was surprised at the difference. Steel version is a bit of a handful, albeit very capable and heaps fun. Ti version is far easier to lift the front wheel, flick, and a lot more responsive. Both in terms of turning and power delivery.

Switchback has the wrong size wheels.

Thanks people. Ti version would be lovely

he Switchback is a little hooligan and definitely more towards the fun side of things, but still a very capable all round bike. I’ve used mine for all sorts – pump track, practicing jumps, local woods blasts, trail centres, and also longer rides.

Like!!

Looking at the geometry differences

Switch9er vs Switchback
2. Reach (mm) 453 vs 448.25
6. Chainstay Length (mm) 428 vs 415
7. Wheelbase (mm) 1203 vs 1161.32
8. Bottom Bracket Drop (mm) 70 vs 43
10. Head Tube Angle 65.5˚vs 65˚

So switchback is slacker, slightly shorter reach, shorter chainstay and higher BB. Switch9er is 70mm drop!

I don't think BB drop means what you think it means...

what does it mean?

I think they're referring to the bit where you said the switchback has a higher BB.

Whilst the switch9er has more drop this is primarily due to the larger wheels raising the rear axel further from the ground, so it needs more drop to keep the relative BB height similar (from the ground).

This has got me looking at Stantons - I'm aware of them, but never really paid too much attention.

They are based in my town (Matlock) and I like the vibe looking at some of Dan's videos.

When I'm flush, I fancy doing a dream build on a switch9er FS Ti

If you’re in Matlock drop in and say hi, they’re working on getting a demo fleet up at the moment… dangerous, but it’s lucky I can’t fit a frame in my luggage allowance!

If you’re in Matlock drop in and say hi, they’re working on getting a demo fleet up at the moment… dangerous, but it’s lucky I can’t fit a frame in my luggage allowance!

Unfortunately I'm working away in London ☹️

What brings you to Matlock?

I’m over from Oz on a whistle stop tour of family and friends and figured a night in Matlock worthwhile to get a ride in with the Stanton crew.

Dan is a nice guy.

Thanks people. The ti versions look bloody amazing to be fair. think nearly a kg lighter too