The tires also have the largest contact patch of anything short of a full fatty. Thanks to all that circumference, the wheels roll over objects with ease. Though there’s variance depending on brands and specs, these tires measure an inch or more taller than even the burliest 29er setup, some two inches taller than most 27.5+ setups, and 2.5 inches taller than normal 27.5 setups. In case you’re still stymied by the nomenclature, 29+ puts three-inch-wide tires on 29-inch rims. And after another half-year on the upgrade, it’s clear that the Stache stacks up to many full-suspension rides as well. I stand by my prediction that this bike will eventually make standard hardtails obsolete. It’s a hardtail for the big-hit, high-speed, no-limits crew. The Verdict: Anyone who complains that 29+ is too big and unwieldy has never ridden the Stache 9.8. And while the drivetrain is fine for what it is, a 1×12 with a 50-tooth granny would make it even better. What We Don’t: The low-profile Chupacabra tires roll fast but don’t have enough bite to keep up with the bike. But now Trek has gone to a carbon frame and wheels and lopped off almost 2.5 pounds. I don't deny that on very techy, long descents laden with big rocks, drops and other such fun, nothing beats out a solid full suspension rig.What We Like: The only complaint we had with last year’s alloy Stache 9 was its weight. "But wait! That's heresy!" Nothing descends like a proper full suspension bike, right? Well, that really depends on where you ride it.
With 3-inch rubber running on 50mm wide rims and a good suspension fork, the tire volume coupled with front travel provides enough cush to allow flat out hooliganism on the descents - comparable to a full suspension trail bike. Having said that, the Stache does not ride like any other hardtail I have ever thrown a leg over. And the Stache feels almost as velcro'd to the dirt as a fat bike, which is loads more than a regular skinny 29er. However, if you've ever ridden a fat bike, you can't deny they have copious amounts of traction. Now, I realize that the phrase "fat bike" is like a four letter word in the MTB community so rest assured, I'm not saying the Stache is in any way shape or form a fat bike. The term I use to describe this is the 95/95 rule, 95% the speed of a regular 29er, 95% the traction of a full on fat bike. What I observed after nearly 12 months on the Stache is that 29+ wheels roll almost as fast as standard 29ers (2.25-2.5) but provide almost as much climbing traction as a fat bike.
But let me draw it out for you.įirst of all, set aside any biases you may have regarding 29+ wheels. This is a bike that will completely redefine how you ride!Ī bold claim? Yes. The Trek Stache is a mold cracking, paradigm shifting, maverick of a bike design all packed into a very innocent-seeming hardtail who's silly big wheels are but the tip of the iceberg of its true magic. only).įree ground shipping on orders over $50 (U.S. only).įree shipping on orders over $60 (contiguous U.S. only)įree shipping on orders over $50 (contiguous U.S.
2017 TREK STACHE 5 FREE
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