![]() ![]() We started our rides in the back of the pack, thinking we’d hold up anybody behind us. It was also light and nimble enough to pull off the ground if a corner was so tight it required a hop or two.Ĭornering: Simply put, the Stache finds traction in ways we didn’t know were possible. Switchback swivel: Tight switchbacks were no match for the playful Stache. We’re all familiar with the small amount of travel in the Climb mode of full-suspension bikes that allows the rear tire to conform to terrain rather than bounce plus-size tires provide the same function for hardtails. Furthermore, we vouch for its ability to pull us up loose punches that left us scouring the trail for more traction on our standard trailbikes. Remember, this isn’t a bike designed to arrive at the destination first it’s designed to get the rider there wearing a wider smile than the rest of the crew. Will it beat a hardtail with standard 29-inch tires up the hill? Probably not, but it’ll certainly be chomping at the back tire of such a bike. Sure, they’re slow to get rolling, but the momentum of such massive tires keeps them rolling fast without the rolling resistance of larger full-fat tires. Winning combination: Sun Ringle Mulefut 50SL wheels and Bontrager Chupacabra tires keep the ride forgiving, yet fast-rolling and lightweight.Ĭlimbing: It’s easy to get a glimpse of the massive tires (with an overall diameter of 30.2 inches) and expect them to slowly crawl up the climbs, but that wasn’t the case. The internal routing of the dropper post and rear derailleur is a nice touch, but left us wishing the remaining cables were also internally routed through the downtube. It’s essentially the poster child for all the plus-size models out there and has left many wondering what Manitou is now offering after years of being on the back burner. The Manitou Magnum Pro fork has a stout appearance with its wide crown, and begs to be put through its paces like the new kid on the block it is. Keeping up with the industry-wide push first introduced by Trek last year, both the front and rear hubs sport Boost sizing, with 110-millimeter front spacing and 148-millimeter rear spacing. It makes a statement with its massive tires and blacked-out frame accented by minimal, yet loud, decals. The Stache 9 looks inviting and capable from tire to tire. Meeting in the middle: Trek utilized a mid-stay design that attaches higher on the seat tube in order to allow for shorter chainstays. Of all the cool features on the new Stache, it’s safe to say the mid-stay is the defining one. This enabled Trek to bring the tire incredibly close to the seat tube and offer a 29+ bike with a mere 16.5-inch chainstay length. Utilizing a “mid-stay” rather than a typical chainstay, the drive-side stay attaches to the seat tube above the chainline without needing to provide the additional space needed by a chainstay between the tire and chainring. It’s designed to provide snappy geometry atop 29+ tires. The asymmetrical design of the rear stays is the most notable of the frame’s features. ![]() ![]() It’s not the bike we’d choose to grab on race day, so we appreciate that they didn’t use carbon for this top-of-the-line build, which kept the price down a bit. It inspires fun, whether you like it or not! WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?Īluminum through and through, the Stache is designed to offer stiffness at an affordable price. Grazing on rocks: Our test rider’s spirit animal would certainly be a mountain goat, but we also believe any rider would see trail obstacles in a totally different light from the saddle of a Trek Stache. Riders will enjoy the Stache most if they understand that it provides a unique and fun experience, but one where they can still find themselves holding on for dear life if they choose to push it hard enough. Although the unique experience of the plus-sized fun bike has typically come with toned-down speed and a much more planted style of riding (and a little extra goofiness), the Trek Stache now offers an extremely playful geometry for riders looking to send just as many obstacles as they would on other hardtails, only with a little more traction along the way. We know we’ve been using this phrase a lot lately, but the Trek Stache really is a “fun bike” for the rider who’s looking to get out and experience the trails in a totally different way. ![]()
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