Yorkshire-based Stif Cycles has long sold bikes from the likes of Orange and Santa Cruz, but this is the first time in its 33-year history that it has actually had its own name on a head tube. The Morf is that bike — a long, slack, 650b-wheeled hardtail, which has been designed by Stif staffer Sammy Smithson, in partnership with frame designer Brant Richards, to be a true ‘do it all’ ride.
- Best mountain bike: how to choose the right one for you
- Which is faster: hardtail or full-suspension?
Stif Cycles Morf spec overview
- Fork: Rockshox Pike Solo Air RC 130mm
- Rear derailleur: Shimano XT M8000 GS RD
- Shifter: Shimano XT M8000 SL
- Brakes: Shimano XT M8000
- Rotors: Shimano RT86 ICE TECH 180mm
- Crankset: Shimano XT M8000 32T w/BB 175mm
- Cassette: Shimano XT M8000 CS 11-42T
- Chain: Shimano HG70011
- Handlebar: Burgtec RideWide, 30mm rise, 800mm wide, 31.8mm clamp
- Stem: Burgtec Enduro mk2 35mm long, 31.8mm clamp
- Grips: Burgtec Lock-On
- Headset: Hope 2H with Hope top cap and bolt
- Seatpost: KS LEV Integra with Southpaw 150mm travel
- Saddle: Burgtec the Cloud with cromo rail
- Front wheel: Hope Pro4 hub laced to WTB Frequency Team i25 TCS rim
- Rear wheel: Hope Pro4 142x12mm laced to WTB Frequency Team i25 TCS rim
- Front tyre: Maxxis Minion DHF 3C EXO TR 27.5 x 2.3 tubeless
- Rear tyre: Maxxis Minion DHF 60/62a EXO TR 27.5 x 2.3 tubeless
- Tubes / sealant: WTB TCS Sealant and WTB TCS valves
Stif Cycles Morf frame and kit
The intention with the Morf's geometry was to give this rigid-rear-ended machine similar riding characteristics to a modern full-suspension trail bike. It has a fairly long reach (435mm on the medium size), a raked out 65-degree head angle and the chainstays have been tightened up to a very short 420mm. The bottom bracket height is a reasonably average 311mm.
ADVERTISEMENT
The frame is made from 4130 chromoly steel. There’s a bend in the down tube to prevent any clashes with the fork crown and Stif has used ovalised tubes at the rear end to give a small amount of flex and bump absorption. There are a few neat details, such as an inboard mount for the rear brake and replaceable bolt-through dropouts. The frame’s signature feature is the ‘12 Bore’ chainstay bridge, which allows the back end to be made as short as possible while also providing clearance for 2.4in tyres.
The complete bike (the frame is available on its own for £499 / $623.75 / AU$838.32) comes with a burly RockShox Pike fork, in 130mm (5.1in) travel guise. Stif says that a longer fork would make the front end dive and steepen the bike’s geometry too much as it neared full travel. The brakes and 1x11 drivetrain are both Shimano XT, and although no chain device is supplied, there are tabs for fitting one.
Stif Cycles Morf ride impression
Stif Cycles Morf early verdict
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
via BikeRadar All the latest from BikeRadar.com http://ift.tt/2gxUEfK
No comments:
Post a Comment