trek stache 9.8 review

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Six-Month Review: Trek Stache 9.8

This is the world’s best hardtail mountain bike—hands down

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

What We Like: The only complaint we had with last year’s alloy Stache 9 was its weight. But now Trek has gone to a carbon frame and wheels and lopped off almost 2.5 pounds. Plus there’s added compliance.

What We Don’t: The low-profile Chupacabra tires roll fast but don’t have enough bite to keep up with the bike. And while the drivetrain is fine for what it is, a 1×12 with a 50-tooth granny would make it even better.

The Verdict: Anyone who complains that 29+ is too big and unwieldy has never ridden the Stache 9.8 . It’s a hardtail for the big-hit, high-speed, no-limits crew. I stand by my prediction that this bike will eventually make standard hardtails obsolete. And after another half-year on the upgrade, it’s clear that the Stache stacks up to many full-suspension rides as well. In short, it’s big fun.

In case you’re still stymied by the nomenclature, 29+ puts three-inch-wide tires on 29-inch rims. 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. Thanks to all that circumference, the wheels roll over objects with ease. The tires also have the largest contact patch of anything short of a full fatty. Historically, the drawbacks have been extra weight, additional rolling resistance, and a lack of maneuverability, though Trek has largely eliminated these issues through smart design and materials. The Stache, with its big wheels, is a dirt-gripping, rock-shredding, fast-rolling hardtail machine with few peers.

Trek kept the geometry from last year’s alloy Stache and upgraded to carbon. The raised drive-side chainstay, which allows for a short (420 millimeter) back end that both fits the big wheels and makes the bike snap forward when you stomp on it, looks classy here compared with some other brands’ gawky renditions. The arrangement means that the Stache can’t accept a front derailleur, but that’s less of an issue here, since the low overall weight means 11 or 12 gears is plenty. And though the Stache is a hardtail, the combination of big wheels, slack head-tube angle (68.4 degrees), and 120-millimeter fork makes for a bike that’s ready for the most raucous trails.

The Components

At $4,700, this bike is not cheap, but all the bits and pieces are high-quality, including SRAM Guide RS brakes, a SRAM X1 drivetrain, and a 120-millimeter RockShox Pike fork. For an ultimate build, we’d probably lean toward 1×12 gearing, with a 50-tooth ring to ease the sting on steeps. We also tried out a 140-millimeter fork, which some testers preferred for its handling on rowdy trails—an upgrade worth considering if you live somewhere like Sedona, Arizona. That said, the stock fork is plenty and more versatile.

Trek gets a special shout-out for its increasingly broad and sophisticated line of Bontrager components. The carbon Line Pro 40 wheels are what transform this bike: the 41-millimeter internal width allows lower pressure and tons of footprint on the tire, but the wheels are still zippy and light, courtesy of the carbon layup. The Stache is available in complete builds down to $2,100 and as a stand-alone frameset for $1,580. One smart option for those on a budget might be to buy a cheaper overall build, then upgrade to the Line Pro wheels, which retail for $1,200.

All the other Line Pro bits (stem, bars, grips) are nice, too, but the new Drop Line dropper seatpost is the standout. The action is smooth, and the head seems to avoid the loosening and side-to-side play so common with other brands.

Everyone likes to refer to 29+ bikes as the monster trucks of the mountain world, but the Stache doesn’t ride big or awkwardly. Yes, the hubs are higher than on comparable bikes, but Trek engineered the fit so that you sit at the same level as on a normal 29er, so you really feel like you’re in the frame and not on top of it. Likewise, thanks to that tight rear end, accelerations are quick and immediate, and handling is surprisingly deft. Even on the sharpest switchbacks, I never felt too long or gawky to clear corners. There’s none of the pedal-strike issues you get with 27.5+, either.

As with all plus-size bikes, you do feel some extra heft in the wheels relative to a standard 29er or 27.5er. But in this case, it’s less about the weight (the full setup is about 70 grams per wheel heavier than comparable high-end 29ers we weighed) than the rolling resistance. Basically, you forgo a bit of efficiency for more traction. Which is to say that the Stache will never keep up with a flat-out race bike—but it’s not trying to be a XC machine. Rather, it’s a fun-hog that can go plenty fast.

Other than fitness racing, there’s basically nothing this bike can’t do. Freerider Cam McCaul proved it . The tires’ huge contact patch and the oversize, inertia-busting wheels combine to create a bike that holds speed and traction. Here in the desert Southwest, where the trails are loose and scrabbly, we were amazed at how hard we could push into turns and down drops without the bike ever letting go. It’s true that the Chupacabra tires are a bit underbuilt for truly rough and rocky terrain, but once we switched to meatier tread (Maxxis Rekon+), the Stache was virtually unstoppable. (We’ve also heard rumors that Trek is working on a burlier plus-size tread.) With the bigger rubber, we blasted down choppy chutes, smashed off head-high drops, and kept pace with every full-suspension trail bike in the test.

The Competition

Lots of brands have gotten into the plus-size hardtail market in the past year or two, though most have gone the easier route of 27.5+. Bikes in this category, like the Specialized Fuse and Jamis Dragonslayer , are great—with three-inch rubber adding confidence and comfort over skinnier-tired hardtails—but they can’t compete with the extra girth of 29+.

Before the whole 27.5+ craze, a few brands were making dedicated 29+ mountain bikes. The one that started it all, the Surly Krampus , as well as its offshoot, the E.C.R ., remain exceptional, affordable options, if a little dated by current standards. The Jones+  has proved to be an excellent touring and bikepacking machine, though the boutique price tag may deter some. Meanwhile, the Niner ROS 9+ and the Salsa Woodsmoke are probably the bikes most comparable to the Stache. Both are excellent and well worth a look. But Trek has invested a lot into the Stache, and I believe that the bike’s refinement and pricing options make it the most capable in its class—and perhaps one of the most proficient on the entire market.

Bottom Line

A couple of years ago, I was an hour from the end of the Leadville 100 when a guy with a barrel chest who probably outweighed me by 80 pounds passed me like I was standing still. At the finish he was chugging two beers, one of which he graciously set down to go fetch another for me. That guy is pretty much the incarnation of the Stache. It’s a big, brawny, fun-loving bike with speed and agility that belie its stature. It’s not for everyone. But you’d be hard-pressed to find a more entertaining trail bike.

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Review: Trek Stache 9.8

by Barney Marsh August 24, 2017 2

In Issue 111 of Singletrack Magazine , Mr Barney Marsh reviewed three different wagon wheelers as part of a 29+ group test

For many, the Trek Stache was a sign that the 29+ ‘thing’ was going mainstream. For such a large manufacturer to throw its weight behind what heretofore had been a profoundly niche endeavour made many people sit up and take notice, as did the increasing numbers of enthusiastic advocates. But once you’ve invested in something, you’re almost duty bound to extol its virtues. And our test Stache has many, many virtues, at least on paper.

The frame is made from Trek’s OCLV (optimum compaction, low void) defence grade (apparently) carbon, so it’s strong and light – and it’s formed into a frame that is very distinctive looking. Everything is Boosted, of course, but the obvious distinction is an elevated chainstay, which runs parallel to the chain.

This last takes some getting used to, sure, but to these eyes it’s a little easier to look at than the Salsa Woodsmoke’s back end. Trek calls this the Mid-Stay, and it’s also home to some internal cable routing for the rear mech. It’s not all that long either – that altitudinous chainstay keeps the rear end tucked in as close as possible, so you get a 420mm back end, which would be more than respectable on a bike with wheels considerably smaller than these. Effective seat tube angle is 73.5° and the head angle is 68.4°. Reach on our XL test bike is 470mm, which is fairly normal for this size of bike.

As befits the flagship of the Stache range, the 9.8 comes with some pretty serious gear draped all over it. The drivetrain is a mix of SRAM’s X01 (rear mech) and X1 (er – pretty much everything else), with SRAM’s Guide RS brakes.

Front end boing is taken care of with RockShox Pike RC Solo Air fork with 120mm of travel, and effective rolling is provided with Bontrager Lone Pro 40 wheels, which have some very pretty carbon rims, laced to some very flashy hubs – all brushed aluminium, carbon and straight-pull spokes (28 of them). Tyres are Bontrager’s Chupacabras in a 29×3.00 size – so plenty fat.

And given that Bontrager is Trek’s house brand, there’s plenty more Bontrager to come too. A Bontrager Montrose Elite saddle is fitted to a Bontrager Drop Line stealth dropper post with 125mm of travel. The stem is a commendably brief 35mm long number from (take a guess) Bontrager (yay!) that holds a Bontrager carbon bar, which keeps your pinkies 750mm away from each other.

It’s an impressive looking bike, once you’ve got over the initial confusing looks. This is, after all, an XL, but despite this the wheels still look completely enormous. But you do get used to it, and the bike even starts to look purposeful after a while. Those carbon wheels assist acceleration tremendously, and it seems to be a running theme that 29+ tyres don’t drift in corners to quite the extent that 27.5+ wheels can. Regardless, the Chupacabra tyres rewarded straight-line effort with scads of grip, even in clart, and cornering was a happily predictable experience. Climbing was actually almost (dare I say it) fun!

The short back end made lifting the front of the bike an effortless experience, and, much like the Woodsmoke and the Jones, it was a joy on twisty singletrack.

The Stache also felt surprisingly confidence-inspiring when the trail got a little more rowdy. It was easy to forget you were riding a hardtail at times, and the scant relative weight of the bike, coupled with those huge tyres made it seem to float effortlessly over much more gnarly terrain than I expected. I even took the Stache down to the local dad-jump spot, where it acquitted itself admirably (even if I did not) – it’s well weighted in the air, and with a fraction more air in the tyres than usual there was little of the predicted squirm even upon my frequent squiffy landings.

There’s no provision for a front mech, so you’re stuck with 1x drivetrains, but, despite this, the 1×11 cassette with a 30T chainring felt just about right. The gap between the elevated chainstay and the chain seems a little tight in some gears which made me curious about whether the frame would accept SRAM’s new 1×12 Eagle transmission, but Trek assures me that Eagle works fine, at least with a 30T chainring –it didn’t have any info to hand about any larger rings – but what sort of a monster puts large chainrings on a plus-bike anyway?

I can’t say I was remotely fond of the saddle, and after a few rides in appalling weather I’m afraid to say that the seatpost stopped working. However, unlike many dropper posts, servicing it is a straightforward task that’s easy to do at home, so it’s less of an issue if you keep an eye on it.

I was surprised and extremely impressed with the Stache. I admit that I was sceptical when I first rode it – the Trek was my first experience of 29+ bikes after all, but it completely won me over after a ride or two. It’s a monster truck that rides like a sports car. Boom.

As, frankly, is the Trek Stache. The numbers are pretty similar to the Woodsmoke, and it boasts a slightly less – um – divisive back end, which also serves to slam the rear wheel as close to the seatpost as it can. So it’s no surprise to say that it rides as well. It accelerates, corners, climbs and descends like a much more conventional feeling bike, but with the added traction bonuses that the huge tyres confer. And it has the bonus of a smattering of extra carbon to keep the weight down where it’s important.

Trek Stache 9.8 Specifications

• Frame // OCLV Mountain Carbon Fibre
• Fork // RockShox Pike RC Solo Air, 120mm Travel
• Shock // N/A
• Hubs // Bontrager Line Pro, 110x15mm Front & 148x12mm Rear
• Rims // Bontrager Line Pro 40 OCLV, Tubeless Ready
• Tyres // Bontrager Chupacabra Tubeless Ready 29×3.00in Front & Rear
• Chainset // SRAM X1 30t X-Sync Direct Mount
• Rear Mech // SRAM X01, 11-Speed
• Shifters // SRAM X1, 11-Speed
• Brakes // SRAM Guide RS, 180mm Front & Rear
• Stem // Bontrager Line Pro 35mm
• Bars // Bontrager Line Pro Carbon, 750mm Wide
• Seatpost // Bontrager Drop Line, 125mm Travel
• Saddle // Bontrager Montrose Elite
• Size Tested // XL
• Size Available // XS, S, M, L, XL
• Weight //  12.95 kg (28.5 lb)

Review Info

Barney Marsh takes the word ‘career’ literally, veering wildly across the road of his life, as thoroughly in control as a goldfish on the dashboard of a motorhome. He’s been, with varying degrees of success, a scientist, teacher, shop assistant, binman and, for one memorable day, a hospital laundry worker. These days, he’s a dad, husband, guitarist, and writer, also with varying degrees of success. He sometimes takes photographs. Some of them are acceptable. Occasionally he rides bikes to cast the rest of his life into sharp relief. Or just to ride through puddles. Sometimes he writes about them. Bikes, not puddles. He is a writer of rongs, a stealer of souls and a polisher of turds. He isn’t nearly as clever or as funny as he thinks he is.

Comments (2)

It’s a monster truck that rides like a sports car. <- Quote of the week B-)

HI, I’m interested in a Stache. As you rode an XL how tall are you? I’m 6’1 and currently ride size Large Yeti sb4.5c with a 60mm stem, but thinking i may get a XL frame in the Stache also. cheers

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Trek Stache 9.8 Review – An Unusual 29 Plus Hardtail on Test

Forget the clichés and preconceived ideas about wheel sizes, because that mentality would lead you to presume that a 29+ like the Trek Stache 9.8 must be completely unrideable, nothing but a wallowing fat bike. But jump on this Trek with an open mind and you’ll be blown away by the broadened horizons that it presents.

Trek launched the 29+ Stache last year to a plethora of noise from the industry. While it was a first for Trek in terms of wheel size, 29+ isn’t actually a first for the industry, as it’s already a favoured choice for bike packers who choose these oversized wheels for the comfort gains, generous handling, and great roll-over characteristics. However, think again before presuming that the 29+ Stache is made for loading down with panniers and being ridden like a loaded pack horse

It’s all about the fun!

At the other end of the spectrum entirely, we’ll warn you not to let the initial lashings of carbon fibre and the hardtail frame make you think it’s a racing weapon. Look a little further and you’ll find the oversized 3.0″ Bontrager Chupacabra tires, a 120 mm RockShox PIKE fork, a Bontrager dropper post, and a nice 65 mm stem matched with wide 750 mm bars. All of these elements are obviously added to make sure you’re grinning on the trails and not grimacing with the effort of racing hard. The whole bike weighs in at 11.63 kg on the scales.

Appearances can be deceptive

With a closer look at the frame’s design, it’s obvious that Trek have worked to make sure this bike doesn’t handle like a lumbering truck. Significant details, such as the absence of a front mech, the wide Boost rear axle standard, higher asymmetrical chainstay on the drivetrain side, and the short rear end are all small but inherently crucial design elements that affect the ride of the 29+ Trek Stache. It’s got super-short 420 mm chainstays that can even be shortened to a radical 405 mm thanks to the horizontal dropouts. However, the Stache’s real superpower comes from the 29+ wheels, as they dish out massive traction and roll effortlessly over bumps on technical ground.

Acceleration 2.0

On mellow trails, the Stache’s lack of rear suspension and its carbon wheels lend themselves to super-quick acceleration, and it rolls along the flat like a racecar. It’s in its element when popping off lips and drops, so start hitting some turns, tight corners, manuals, and whips, and you soon understand why Trek made such a short rear end on this bike. For a hardtail the Stache is surprisingly comfortable, seeing it roll over roots and rocks with ease, though we did notice that the tread was out of its depth when it got really muddy – and of course, if you’re hitting some serious gnar you’d be wishing it was a fully.

The geometry of the Trek Stache

The Trek Stache 9.8 in detail

Fork: RockShox Pike RC Brakes: SRAM Guide RS Drivetrain: SRAM X01/X1 Seatpost: Bontrager Drop Line 125 mm Stem: Bontrager Line Pro 65 mm Bars: Bontrager Line Pro 750 mm Wheels: Bontrager Line Pro 40 OCLV Carbon Tires: Bontrager Chupacabra 3,0″ Weight: 11.63 kg Pice: € 4,499

Rarely has a bike left us grinning as much as this Trek Stache 9.8! Its agile handling, direct nature, and comfort all make for a super-fun ride. The combination of the 29er wheels and the plus-size tire really allows you to play. However, for us to fully recommend this bike, we’d have to think about how much money you want to invest in your smiles. After all, the retail price of this bike could see you grab yourself a nicely kitted-out fully.

• Masses of traction and comfort thanks to the oversized tires
• Super-fun handling

Weaknesses:

• Wallowy tires in the mud

For more information on the Stache 9.8 visit the Trek website

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more .

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Trek Stache 9 - long-term review

Big wheels + huge tyres = monster-sized fun

James Huang / Immediate Media

James Huang

Balloon-like 29 wheel-and-tire package floats over rough ground, excellent geometry, great suspension fork

Slippery tire compound, hard edges on saddle, burdensome wheel and tire weight, super-short rear end occasionally rubs on legs, expensive

‘Plus-sized’ mountain bikes are just barely breaking ground but Trek is already bucking the emerging trend with its new Stache 9 hardtail, slapping 3in-wide tyres on 29in wheels instead of the smaller 27.5in ones.

Cast aside your images of a slow and cumbersome machine though – the wheels and tyres may be huge but the Stache 9 is remarkably nimble and far more entertaining than you’d expect on paper. If your main goal is just having fun when you hit the trails, the Stache 9 just might be the bike you’ve been waiting for.

This ain’t no lumbering big-wheeler

The Stache 9 may wear Sub-Ringlé rims that are the same diameter as on a standard 29er but they’re nearly twice as wide and end up about two inches taller in total when you account for the matching 3in-wide Bontrager Chupacabra tyres. Given such a massive disparity, then, it’s no surprise that those huge feet large define the Stache 9’s personality on the trail.

The 45mm-wide rims and 3in-wide tyres make for a huge footprint on the ground

When you combine that bigger overall diameter with the huge increase in air volume and lower operating pressures – roughly 12psi for this 70kg (154lb) test rider – what you get is more akin to a hovercraft than a mountain bike in terms of isolation. With so much pillowy goodness underneath you, the Stache 9 positively floats over small-to-medium rocks and roots without so much as a hiccup to disrupt your flow.

Those bigger tyres also put more rubber – and more knobs – on the ground, and there’s a corresponding boost in all-around traction, depending on the ground conditions (more on that later). The Stache is impressively adept at technical climbing that might otherwise stifle a bike with less grip but cornering traction is especially good, particularly with the excellent 110mm-travel Manitou Magnum Pro suspension fork doing a great job of keeping the front tire firmly planted on the ground.

Manitou is back! The Magnum Pro fork is fantastic

The lack of similar movement out back (plus the tyres’ minimal tread) makes the back end occasionally prone to kicking out but all things considered, it’s generally quite controllable and yields heaps of tail-out hooliganism.

Those big meats are just one of the two characteristics that define the Stache 9’s personality, though; the other is its rather unique frame geometry.

Despite having wheels that are two inches bigger in diameter, the Stache 9’s radically shaped frame yields a hyper-compact and adjustable rear end. In its shortest setting, the chainstays measure a miniscule 405mm from bottom bracket to rear axle – a full 3cm shorter than a full-suspension Trek Fuel EX 29er trail bike with the same decrease in wheelbase.

The rear end is ridiculously short and makes for correspondingly ridiculous manoeuvrability

That stubby overall length makes the Stache 9 surprisingly manoeuvrable in tight quarters and unlike with most full-blown fat bikes, at no time does anything feel weird through the bars. It’s a piece of cake to flick the bike from corner to corner and even though the balance point is higher up off the ground, that ultra-short rear end still makes it far easier to loft the front end for bunnyhops and manuals than you might think.

Despite that agility, the Stache 9 is still confidently stable at warp speed. The front end is reasonably long, the head tube angle usefully slack, and the bottom bracket is quite low – and let’s not forget about the additional stabilising effect of all that rotational inertia.

Overall, the one word that best describes the Stache 9 is ‘fun’. Remember that friend you had in college? The big dude who dwarfed the rest of you in height and weight but could still keep up and was always the life of the party? That’s pretty much the Stache 9 in a nutshell.

You can’t escape physics

The Stache 9 is all about momentum. Between the terrain-flattening ability of the bigger and higher-volume wheel-and-tyre package and the extra cornering traction, you basically have to slow down a lot less than usual but you still have to get all that mass rolling initially. The bike isn’t especially hefty as far as trail bikes go with an actual static weight of 12.26kg (27.03lb, 17.5in size, tubeless, without pedals) but its substantial rotational weight can make it feel much heavier.

The Bontrager Chupacabra tires roll quickly but there's no escaping their substantial weight and inertia

Sun-Ringlé says each rim weighs 655g, the actual weight of the tires is nearly 900g apiece, and each tube is upwards of 400g (although thankfully, it’s easy to convert to tubeless). That’s about 800g of extra weight as compared to a typical 27.5in trail bike setup but it feels like much more when you consider the exponentially amplified rotational inertia effects of the Stache 9’s larger-diameter wheels.

Steady-state climbing at moderate speeds isn’t so bad as a result but it’s impossible not to notice the extra effort required to extract quick surges in speed. Crux moves where you need a sudden burst of forward thrust can be particularly challenging – hampered in no small part by the woefully slow-engaging DT Swiss rear hub. As Tom Marvin, tech editor of BikeRadar’s sister print publication, What Mountain Bike, puts it, “It’s not a bike that likes to be sprinted on.”

It might take a bit of extra effort to get the Stache 9 going but once it does, it's an absolute beast on rocks and roots

Trek has unfortunately also squandered away some of the inherent traction advantages of the 29 format with the Stache 9’s tyre choice. The Bontrager Chupacabras’ low-profile tread design produces impressively low rolling resistance, and both bites exceptionally hard and drifts predictably on softer surfaces. Those similarly low-profile cornering knobs can’t dig into hardpack as effectively, however, and without the benefit of rear suspension or a slightly squared-off profile to lean on, the back end is prone to stepping out suddenly.

“The lack of a proper shoulder was my biggest issue with the Chupacabra,” said Marvin. “I rode some fast grassy trails and it took virtually nothing for the rear especially to step out of line. That made it fun on fast swoopy trails where you could kick it out to look like a boss, but not so good in loose stuff.”

Bontrager supposedly has some more aggressive 29 tyre designs pending and they can’t come soon enough.

Fantastic frame, great kit

It’s taken Trek quite a bit of work to wrap the Stache 9’s alloy frame so tightly around those gargantuan wheels and tires. The seat tube closely follows the arc of the 3in Chupacabra casing, for example, and there’s a wafer-thin single-sided forging that just barely lets the non-driveside chainstay squeeze in between the tyre tread and crankarm.

Between the elevated chainstay and clutch-equipped rear derailleur, chain slap is kept at a minimum

Trek gained a few more millimetres by using the new wide-format Boost 148 rear hub and drivetrain spacing and even though the PF92 bottom bracket shell provides more real estate to spread things apart relative to a PF30 or conventional threaded shell, the driveside chainstay still has to be elevated to make room for the drivetrain.

There are dedicated forgings and intricately hydroformed shapes nearly everywhere you look, too, such as that non-driveside chainstay section, the neat sliding thru-axle rear dropouts (which also allow for singlespeed setups if you’re so inclined), and the way the top tube and seat tube flow into the adjoining stays. Meanwhile, the stubby tapered head tube allows for a reasonably low grip height. Cable routing is a mix of internal and external and it’s quite well done.

Frame designer Ted Alsop credits modern hydroforming techniques as the key to making elevated chainstays work long-term

According to Ted Alsop, the Trek engineer who designed the Stache, a large frame with all associated hardware weighs 2,025g (4.46lb).

That rather neat frame is dressed up in a solid mix of kit, too. Trek house brand Bontrager naturally supplies the Rhythm Pro carbon low-rise bar, forged alloy stem, lock-on grips, and lightweight Evoke RXL saddle but aside from that it’s all SRAM, Shimano, and other big names.

The SRAM X1 drivetrain delivers the same shifting performance and usefully wide range of the top-shelf XX1 package but at a far more attainable price while Shimano’s Deore XT hydraulic disc brakes – with bigger 180mm-diameter rotors all around – are as strong and reliable as ever.

Perhaps the most pleasant surprise, as alluded to above, is the Manitou Magnum fork. It’s amply stiff with its 34mm-diameter upper legs and stout cast magnesium lowers but it’s the performance of the internals that’s most impressive.

The bottom bracket shell and non-driveside chainstay stub are made from a single forging

Manitou says it designed the Magnum specifically from the outset for plus-sized tyres and that’s certainly a believable claim after six months of testing. It’s extremely supple off the top – largely canceling out the bounciness of the big tire casing – and highly controlled through the modest 110mm stroke. The spring rate also ramps up nicely as it approaches the bottom-out point and there are heaps of adjustments to fine-tune things to your liking, too – including air chamber volume if you’d prefer more spring rate progression. All in all, it’s a great little (big?) fork.

Out back is a DT Swiss 350 rear hub and it’d normally be tough to complain about finding such a bulletproof and proven unit on the spec sheet. However, Trek has neglected to request DT Swiss’s finer-toothed ratchet rings, leaving an utterly lethargic engagement speed in its ugly wake. It’s fine when you’re pedalling along but potentially crippling when the trail gets technical.

The adjustable dropouts allow for singlespeed running, too

Likewise, the KS Lev Integra dropper seatpost is a fantastic value-added inclusion – one might even argue that a dropper is more important to all-around trail fun than rear suspension – but once again, this one was problematic. Dropping the post went just fine but it regularly got stuck in the compressed position, only popping back up if you kept the lever depressed and bounced on the saddle. Not good.

That Evoke RXL saddle also has rather hard rear edges but aside from that, it’s a comfy and supportive place to spend your day.

Wicked fun but also conditions-dependent

How much you like the Stache 9 will likely depend a lot on the nature of your local trails. If you regularly find yourself on tacky dirt rollercoasters with endless high-speed ups and downs – not unlike the terrain in Trek’s Midwestern US headquarters, coincidentally – then the Stache 9 is almost guaranteed to get you grinning from ear to ear. In those situations, the rotating weight won’t matter much (and in fact, might even help) but the killer traction and manoeuvrability will be huge bonuses.

Riders constantly faced with lots of climbing, however, will invariably have a tougher time keeping those portly wheels and tyres turning over.

Either way, the Stache is still a fun machine and Trek deserves major kudos for delving so far off the straight-and-narrow to bring this to market. It’s not a question of whether the bike is fun to ride; it’s really just a question of how much fun you’ll have. In some ways, you can think of the Stache 9 like pizza (albeit a rather pricey one). When it’s good, it’s really, really good – but even when it’s bad, it’s still pretty good.

For more information, visit www.trekbikes.com .

Complete specification:

• Frame: Trek Alpha Platinum Aluminum
• Fork: Manitou Magnum 34 Pro, 110mm travel
• Headset: FSA IS-2, 1 1/8-to-1 1/2in tapered
• Stem: Bontrager Rhythm Pro
• Handlebar: Bontrager Rhythm Pro
• Grips: Bontrager Race Lite lock-on
• Front brake: Shimano Deore XT BR-M785 w/ 180mm RT81-M rotor
• Rear brake: Shimano Deore XT BR-M785 w/ 180mm RT81-M rotor
• Brake levers: Shimano Deore XT BL-M785
• Rear derailleur: SRAM X1
• Shift lever: SRAM X1 trigger
• Cassette: SRAM XG-1175, 10-42T
• Chain: SRAM PC-1130
• Crankset: SRAM X1 1400 w/ 30T X-Sync chainring
• Bottom bracket: SRAM PF92
• Rims: Sun-Ringlé Mulefüt 50SL, 32-hole
• Hubs: DT Swiss 350 Centerlock w/ Boost spacing
• Front tyre: Bontrager Chupacabra, 29x3.0in
• Rear tyre: Bontrager Chupacabra, 29x3.0in
• Saddle: Bontrager Evoke RXL
• Seatpost: KS LEV Integra
• Pedals: n/a
• Weight: 12.26kg (27.03lb, 17.5in size, tubeless, without pedals)

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Rider and Rig: Zach Shriver’s Trek Stache + CT packlist

We take a look at Zach Shriver’s all carbon, 29+ trail slayer, the Trek Stache 9.8. We also hear about how it was set up for bikepacking the Colorado Trail, as well as exactly what gear Zach carried. It’s a great checklist for anyone planning to undertake this beautiful, challenging journey.

Jackson-born Zach Shriver is a firefighter who works in Los Alamos, Santa Fe. In a former life, Zach was a pro mtb racer based in Durango. Over the years, he’s represented the Rockshox Devo Team and been a member of the US National MTB team, racing internationally. These days, Zach gravites towards the adventurous side of mountain biking, where he puts his skillset as both an incredibly strong rider and his mountain experience to great use; along the way, he also spent a couple of years fighting wildfires with the Hotshots, so is no stranger to minimal camping and spending time in remote areas. In fact, Zach grew up backpacking with his family since the tender age of three! When it comes to mountain biking, Zach is a precision instrument. His cadence never fluctuates and fitness and his bike handling skills never fail to humble and inspire me – he regularly cleans sections of trails that I didn’t imagine could be ridden, with or without bikepacking gear. Having recently moved from a full suspension rig to a more bikepacking-friendly hardtail, his choice of bike is a clue to his racing background – a full carbon, lightweight setup – and his considered gearlist is well honed from years of backpacking. It makes a great template for what to carry on the Colorado Trail, a balance that reflects his desire to enjoy its incredible, technical trails to the maximum, while still carrying everything required for a complete, relaxing, backcountry experience.

Trek Stache 9.8 The 9.8 is Trek’s top level Stache and comes with all the carbon trimmings. It features a revised geometry for 2017 with even shorter chainstays than before, thanks to both Boost spacing and its now classic elevated driveside chainstay.The stock bike is built with 29+ tires and a carbon wheelset, but you can also fit 27.5+ and 29er tires; the Stranglehold adjustable thru axle allows chainstay length to be adjusted. For the Colorado Trail, Zach swapped out the Bontrager Drop Line 125 for a rigid carbon one, in the interests of reliability and so a standard seat pack could be used. The 30T chainring was also swapped out for a 28T, given the load carried, the distance covered, and Colorado’s unforgiving topography. In hindsight, Zach says he’d definitely have preferred a 26T chainring to help tackle some of the trail’s steeper climbs, as well as allowing for some respite during the inevitable afternoon fatigue. At the other end of the scale, spinning out in the high gears was rarely an issue. For this trip, Zach kept to the stock tires as they’re grippy and fast rolling. They held out well during the course of the ride.

• Frame: OCLV Mountain Carbon
• Fork: RockShox Pike RC, 120mm travel
• Headset: Integrated, cartridge bearing, sealed, 1-1/8″ top, 1.5″ bottom
• Handlebar: Bontrager Line Pro, OCLV Carbon, 35mm, 15mm rise, 750mm width
• Stem: Bontrager Line Pro, 35mm, 0 degree
• Seatpost: Bontrager carbon
• Saddle: Bontrager Montrose Elite, hollow titanium rails
• Grips: Bontrager Race Lite, lock-on
• Crank: Race Face Next SL Cinch Fatbike
• Crank Arm Set: SRAM X1 Carbon, Direct Mount X-Sync
• Pedals: Enduro-type XT (large platform)
• Bottom Bracket: PF92
• Chainring: 28T (though next time, a 26T)
• Chain: SRAM PC-1110
• Cassette: SRAM XG-1175, 10-42, 11 speed
• Shifter: SRAM X1, 11 speed
• Rear Derailleur: SRAM X01, Roller Bearing Clutch
• Brakes: SRAM Guide RS hydraulic disc
• Brake Levers: SRAM Guide
• Rear Wheel: Bontrager Line Pro 40, OCLV Carbon
• Front Wheel: Bontrager Line Pro 40, OCLV Carbon
• Tires: Bontrager Chupacabra, 29×3

Bikepacking Bags & Packing Zach invested in a full compliment of Revelate bags before the trip. As an experienced backcountry backpacker, we’ve listed the gear he carried and where he carried it. It makes a useful checklist for anyone aspiring to ride the Colorado Trail, or something similar. Zach carried a large, minimal, Black Diamond shelter in case of monsoon storms, which shared with another rider on the trip. But he generally slept out under the stars. Note that the flag was an addition for July 4th celebrations!

Revelate Egress Pocket

• Cache battery
• Cell phone cord
• Electrolyte tabs
• Spare standard 29er tube
• Toiletries: Ibuprofen, Aspirin, multi vitamins, toothbrush, toothpaste, moleskin and duct tape (in case of blisters from hike-a-bikes/wet feet)
• Various snacks eg Lara and Cliff Bars
• Emergency iodine tabs in case Steripen fails
• Bontrager shock pump

Revelate Sweetroll (medium)

• Big Agnes Zirkel (20 degree bag, great design but overkill for the ride!)
• Riding tights
• Patagonia down puff jacket with hood
• Bontrager warm gloves (windshell/waterproof)
• Biemme light, thin warm hat (windstopper and warm)
• Darn Tough wool socks (kept dry for camp)
• Smartwool longsleeve zip top (for round camp, in case other gets wet)
• Smartwool boxer brief
• 2 x lighters in ziplock

Between Sweetroll and Egress Pocket

• Patagonia shell
• Tent pole wrapped in Tyvek ground sheet

Revelate Ranger framebag

• SMALL COMPARTMENT
• Tools: chain lube, dynaplug, brake pads x1 set, SRAM quick link, spare cleat and bolts, spare derailleur cable, 3 end caps, 2 ferrel caps, tire boot, patch kit, small Stans sealant, Park multi tool, extra tire lever, mini channel lock, spare seat binder bolt
• USB-rechargeable Steripen – NB, make sure this is the rechargeable model
• Bontrager mini pump
• LARGE COMPARTMENT
• 2nd small fuel canister
• general heavy food
• Sog multitool/knife (in mesh pocket)
• ti spork (in mesh pocket)

Revelate Ranger Viscacha

• BD Megalight tarp with stakes
• Neo Air Thermarest
• Patagonia lightweight rain pants
• Jetboil pot with stove, one small small gas canister inside
• extra food (lighterweight)
• paracord for hanging food or emergency repairs
• 2 x King Cage Manything Cages on fork legs with 2x 1L Nalgene bottles (small top, so they are compatible with the Steripen). These were only filled when necessary, with a further drinking bottle stored in Zach’s Rapid Pack (see below). One bottle nests around metal canteen cup, which is used for morning coffee and boiling water on fires to save fuel.
• Bontrager baggy shorts and separate chamois
• Bontrager carbon race shoes (note that a shoe or boot with a more flexible sold would have been better)
• Darn Tough wool cycling socks
• Bontrager full finger gloves
• Sleeveless cotton t shirt for comfort (changed out for lightweight layer if raining
• Bontrager road helmet (more vents and lighter)
• Oakley glasses

Bontrager Rapid Pack (instead of backpack)

• large water bottle used as primary drinking bottle
• gel packs and bars in the pockets (quick food)
• drivers license
• credit card

Top tip for the CT – water management Going light makes all the difference to how rideable the trail will be, how manageable the many hike-a-bikes will feel, and how much you’ll enjoy its incredible, manic descents! On the whole the route is well watered, so to save weight during the day, carry a rechargeable Steripen. This will allow you to quickly clean clear creek water along the way. Drink a bottle at each stop and refill immediately, tiding you through to the next creek. Adding some Nuun rehydration tabs occasionally really helps too. There are some sections of the ride where you’ll need more than 1-2 bottles at a time, but for the most part, this is sufficient.

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Trek Stache 9.8

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Size / 15.5", 17.5", 19.5", 21.5"

Weight / 12.43

At a glance

Where to buy.

Specifications

• Frame OCLV Mountain Carbon, Boost148, Midstay, E2 tapered head tube, internal derailleur & dropper post routing, Carbon Armor, PF92, Stranglehold dropouts, G2 Geometry
• Fork RockShox Pike RC, RockShox Pike RC, Solo Air, Charger damper, E2 tapered steerer, Boost110, G2 Geometry w/51mm offset, 120mm travel
• Wheels Bontrager Line Pro 40, OCLV Carbon, Tubeless Ready, 54T Rapid Drive, Boost110 front, Boost148 rear (tubeless strips and valves included)
• Wheel Size 29"
• Tires Bontrager Chupacabra, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewalls, 120tpi, aramid bead, 29x3.00"
• Chain SRAM NX, SRAM PC-1110
• Crank SRAM X1, SRAM X1 Carbon, 30T Direct Mount X-Sync
• Bottom Bracket PF92
• Rear Derailleur SRAM X01, SRAM X01, Roller Bearing Clutch
• Shifters SRAM X1, SRAM X1, 11 speed
• Brakeset SRAM Guide RS, SRAM Guide RS hydraulic disc
• Handlebar Bontrager Line Pro, OCLV Carbon, 35mm, 15mm rise, 750mm width
• Saddle Bontrager Montrose Elite, hollow titanium rails
• Seatpost Bontrager Drop Line 125, under-bar remote lever, 2-bolt head, 31.6mm, zero offset, internal routing
• Stem Bontrager Line Pro, 35mm, 0 degree
• Grips Bontrager Race Lite, lock-on
• Headset Integrated, cartridge bearing, sealed, 1-1/8" top, 1.5" bottom

Q: How much is a 2017 Trek Stache 9.8?

A 2017 Trek Stache 9.8 is typically priced around $4,699 USD when new. Be sure to shop around for the best price, and also look to the used market for a great deal.

Q: Where to buy a 2017 Trek Stache 9.8?

The 2017 Trek Stache 9.8 may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: How much does a 2017 Trek Stache 9.8 weigh?

A 2017 Trek Stache 9.8 weights 12.43.

Q: What size wheels does the 2017 Trek Stache 9.8 have?

The 2017 Trek Stache 9.8 has 29" wheels.

Q: What size 2017 Trek Stache 9.8 should I get?

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Trek builds a stiffer Stache with new Carbon 29+ Hardtail

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Showing their commitment to huge tires and elevated chain stays, the Trek Stache is getting an upgrade. Even though Salsa beat Trek to the punch by showing us the carbon 29+ Woodsmoke at Saddle Drive, Trek has been catering to the 29+ crowd for some time with their aluminum Stache. Built with a elevated chain stay and a PF92 bottom bracket, the design allowed for ridiculously short chain stays that would still swallow a 29+ tire. In the mind of Trek’s designers and engineers, that was the key to making the bigger tires work in a trail capable hardtail.

Now, Trek is expanding on that initial Stache with the addition of two carbon frames.  Built with the same features, the carbon bikes do offer improved geometry which will make them even more capable as all around rippers…

In terms of the frame details, the Stache 9.6 and 9.8 carbon frames are very similar to their aluminum counterparts. The elevated chain stay allows for a 405-420mm chain stay length while maintaining proper clearance for the chainrings and wide 29 x 3.0″ tires. Both bikes feature the Stranglehold adjustable dropouts which allow for multiple tire sizes or for the use of single speed drivetrains (even belt drive thanks to the elevated stay). Part of the tire clearance equation is Boost 148 dropouts matched with the PF92 bottom bracket. The only difference between the carbon and aluminum bikes out back is a 5mm lower BB on the new carbon frame for more aggressive handling.

The carbon frames also grow at the top tube with a 15mm longer reach. Both aluminum and carbon bikes now offer 120mm front travel with the top end Stache 9.8 (top) receiving the new RockShox Pike 29+ fork. The Stache 9.6 carbon (above) runs the RockShox Yari, both forks run Trek’s G2 geometry with a 51mm offset. The geometry of the aluminum Stache will remain unchanged.

Stache framesets will also be offered but only of the carbon variety. Compared to the alloy counterpart, Trek claims the carbon frames are almost a pound lighter, shaving 400g. That results in a claimed weight for the Stache 9.8 of 27.2 lbs (12.33kg).

While the aluminum bikes use unaltered frames, the new longer 120mm suspension forks join new color schemes for the Stache 5 (black) and 7 (green) Alpha Platinum Aluminum bikes. Trek points out that the maximum chainring size is 32t, though all bikes ship with a 30t. Carbon Stache will be available in 15.5, 17.5, 19.5, and 21.5″ frame sizes, while the Alloy Stache models add an 18.5″ size. Pricing will range from $1,579.99 for the Stache 5 alloy, to $4,699.99 for the Stache 9.8 carbon with a Bontrager Line Pro parts kit, SRAM X01 1×11 drivetrain, and Bontrager Drop Line post. Carbon frame sets will be offered for $1,579.99 and all models should be available by September with the aluminum models available now.

TrekBikes.com

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor . He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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Kick a%$. Me want. Wonder if I can earn enough from plasma donations to afford. Maybe, but I won’t be able to ride when I am a dried up raisin person unable to get up off the garage floor…

Wait – you can trade your blood for bike parts! My mind drifts into dreamland…

Looks awesome!! Well dun Trek!!

Love my Stache 9, Carbon would be very nice. Any upgrade on the MuleFut wheels, Carbon also? Would love to shave a couple more pounds.

The 9.8 comes with Line 40 wheels which are carbon and made in Waterloo, WI. Also available aftermarket for (I think) around $900/set. My dealer was showing me them yesterday.

These make the Woodsmoke look like sh*t! It’s almost like some chinese designer working for Salsa glimpsed this Trek when it was in the proto stages and proceeded to copy it uglier. Well done Waterloo.

Tell me more about these Chinese designers who work for Salsa. You clearly know something the rest of us don’t.

“It’s almost like” he used a simile.

Sweet ! I’m waiting for a Woodsmoke versus Stache shoot out !

Wow, there’s something other than a Magnum now. Hate to rag on the small guy, but my last ride on manitou (RM Sherpa) was no where near as pleasant as on RS and Fox. The fatter tires couldn’t make up the difference.

32×10 is more than enough on a 29 (leave alone 29+) bike. XC world cups can be won on 34×11. It is just those wannabe pros thinking huge gearing is needed, otherwise they would spin out.

What about Nino running a 38?

Ninos rides 27.5″ wheels. Not 29″

Did, not anymore;)

Nino probably rides a 38 because 32×50 would be quite useless for him, even on a 29er, as he rides now. But not too long ago, when Shimano-sponsored riders only had 11-36 or 11-34 to choose from, 34 x 11 proved to be good enough.

Maximum chainring is 32t? That leaves out any pros doesn’t it. Maybe this frame is just for old people.

It’s not really a XC bike, they have those. It’s a trail bike that happens to be a hardtail. No pro would want to race this anyway, it’s just fun. Plus, 27lbs is hefty for a hardtail

isn’t it kind of silly to design bikes for pros though? They make up a microscopic slice of the market and while many of my fellow riders may have delusions of grandeur, I don’t. I’d rather have a bike designed for the way I ride.

On my short list… The 9.8 has a killer parts spec! Carbon everywhere! Probably can get the weight close to 25lbs with a tubeless setup…

Missed this the first time I read that article, but the TT grows by 15mm? I have a Stache 5 in size 21.5 and have always felt slightly cramped on it. I know a longer stem sounds like the easy answer but I swapped over to 35.0 bars and good luck finding a nice stem longer than the stock stem was in 35.0. Interesting Trek did that, and kind of makes me want the new frame now.

As someone with long legs and a short torso, I am a long, low, slack hater. I have always enjoyed a short cockpit, so it will be the aluminum frame for me. Now I just hope they don’t change it while I save my cash for next year or two.

No rigid option :/

I bet this bike is crazy fun.

There are definitely alloy frameset options available too. $930

@Boom, I believe those are current models that once sold, will not be replaced. Trek had this in their FAQ on the bike: “Is carbon Stache available as a frameset? What about alloy Stache? – Only carbon Stache is available as an aftermarket frameset”

@Zach, just so you’re aware….Trek has 2017 alloy Stache F/S on their B2B website. In stock in all five sizes. It is the same color as the 2017 Stache 5.

Last year’s Stache F/S was the same color as the Stache 9.

Carbon Stache F/S will be in stock in all four sizes in early Sept.

stick a threaded BB in there and I’d buy it.

Second that. Press fit bb’s are a deal-stopper.

is it really though? Not weight, geometry, or tire clearance? Because that’s what Trek would have sacrificed by putting in a threaded BB

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Review: the trek stache is a mountain bike designed for float and fun.

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Trek Stache Custom Build

Payroll is a hidden downhill-only trail just off Deer Valley Ski Resort . It’s rated as a black diamond and drops about 450 vertical feet in less than a mile. The access point is easy to miss, as you’re bombing down T&G trail, so it’s one of the best-kept secrets in town. If you can find it, Payroll delivers one of the premier singletrack descents among Park City’s 500-mile network. This is where I went to test a custom-built Trek Stache 29+ hardtail ($1,730 frameset only).

I’d never ridden a “plus bike” prior to the Stache, which makes me a late adopter of this mountain biking trend. More commonly, these extra-fat-tire bikes have 27.5-inch wheels. So they end up riding like a 29er due to the extra girth of a 3.0-inch tire. However, when you mount one of these beefy treads on a 29-inch rim, the total circumference is comically large. There’s just so much rubber. And that’s really the point.

Freshly built and ready to rip

Payroll is designed as a narrow flow trail with two sets of double jumps, a couple drop-offs and a series of tight berms. But it’s not rocky or rooted. The Stache is designed with a dramatically sloping top tube and a high head tube. So when you drop the saddle all the way down, it rides like a BMX bike with monster-truck tires. Which makes the Stache and Payroll trail an ideal combination.

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The raised chainstay allows for huge tire clearance

The added tire volume lets you run pressure below 20 psi. As such, the tires offer a bit of cushion-like suspension and a metric ton of grip. My biggest challenge was getting off the brakes because this bike can carry so much more speed into and through turns; it’s just a matter of leaning it past the point where little 2.5-inch tires would break free. When it comes to rocks, roots, sand or mud, the Stache floats on top of everything. It’s like a powder ski with a 120mm waist: too fat to sink in and get bogged down.

The Stache initially caught my attention because the trails in Park City tend to be pretty smooth and flowy. It’s perfectly designed for trail bikes with 130mm of travel, but you can get away with less. The trails are also very fast. Whether climbing, descending or riding the flats, you carry a lot of momentum. As with the Specialized Epic HT , riding a hardtail offers a unique trail experience. And I figured the Stache would offer that same feel on steroids.

The extra-large XTR gear range

Rather than ride the stock build, which is largely assembled with Trek’s in-house components, I wanted to push the performance envelope by going higher end. The key decision, of course, was the wheelset and tires. But first I had to pick a drivetrain. Coming off the success of reviewing Shimano’s new XTR group , it was an easy choice. The key difference is that the Stache is better suited to the wide range cassette (11-51t) and the long cage rear derailleur for easier climbing. From there, I opted for Shimano’s new XTR hubs , which are the source of the new Micro Spline freehub standard. The next question: how to lace them up?

The Big Foot of mountain bike tires

One of the themes of this Stache build is that everything needs to be burly. This isn’t an XC hardtail, nor is it a bike for Strava PRs. It’s a hardtail that you punish like a full-suspension bike for the pure fun of it (with the added benefit of efficient climbing out of the saddle). It has to hold up to serious abuse. Still, I didn’t want to weigh it down. The wheel choice, then, was pretty clear. I sent the XTR hubs to ENVE to be built with its M640 hoops . The M6 series is designed for trail use, and with an internal width of 40mm, the 640s support tires ranging from 2.8 to 3.2 inches. Altogether, the set weighs about 1,700 grams, and each tire weighs about 900 grams.

It should be noted that I bottommed the rear tire on the rim on pretty much every ride — often making a loud ping! noise — but never flatted or compromised the rim in any way. Apparently, this is something you have to get used to with a plus bike in order to get the most out of it.

Super Light & Burly

In keeping with the burly theme, the crankset, bottom bracket and cockpit are all from RaceFace. In fact, this same set of Next SL cranks and Cinch power meter spindle were ridden on my Breck Epic race bike ; so they can certainly withstand abuse. The only difference is that these have a 32t, Shimano-12-speed-compatible chainring.

Command and Control

The cockpit features a RaceFace Next 35 10mm rise carbon handlebar with a Turbine R 35 aluminum stem. This is the new bar-stem standard (35mm) that increases strength with a wider diameter clamp area but reduces weight by shaving material. And since the Stache already has a high head tube, I didn’t need much rise from the bar itself. The Turbine R dropper post features the same construction and internals as the Fox Transfer minus the Kashima Coat. While the Kashima is smoother and faster, the actual performance difference from a dropper post is small compared to that of a shock that is constantly cycling. And the Turbine R’s black finish goes better with this build. That said, I prefer the lower profile Fox Transfer lever to the larger RaceFace version.

RockShox Pike

Front suspension options for the Stache are pretty limited. This is the new 2020 RockShox Pike Ultimate with 120mm of travel. Although the posted specs limit the 29-inch tire width to 2.8 inches, the 3.0 WTB Rangers clear the fork with plenty of room to spare. RockShox reduced stiction on this updated model with new wiper seals and damping fluid, allowing the fork to cycle faster through stutter bumps. The Charger 2.1 RC2 damper is simple to setup with psi, rebound control and high/low speed compression offering four tuning variables. With a 3.0-inch tire, its 120mm feels more like 140mm.

G2 Ultimate brakes with 180mm rotors

SRAM’s new 2020 G2 Ultimate disc brakes slot in just below its top-of-the-line Code models. Like all SRAM brakes, they are easy to setup and adjust. Given the aggressive setup of this Stache, though, I didn’t feel they had enough bite. When coming off of other bikes with higher-performing brakes, I found that I needed to adapt to the G2s by braking harder and earlier. It could also be that these huge (heavy) wheels are just harder to slow down. I may try a different set of pads, but my sense is that these are better suited to recreational trail riding as opposed to bombing Payroll with more tire grip than I can fully utilize.

Many ways to dial and adjust these brakes on the fly

Other component choices include the Selle SMP 209 saddle and Chris King NoThreadset headset . When all was assembled, it tipped the scale at 26.5 pounds, which is right in line with a high-end trail bike.

There’s no question: the Trek Stache is a blast to ride. It’s fun because it harks back to why we started riding in the first place...namely, for fun. It’s reminiscent of those early ‘90s front-suspension hardtails — like my trusty Yeti ARC with a RockShox Mag 21 — but the exaggerated tires and modern technology make it feel right at home on today’s black-diamond flow trails. Plus, it doesn’t fit into any of today’s bike category boxes; it’s a one-of-a-kind design and riding experience.

The only challenge for me, personally, is that I tended to ding my right ankle on the raised chainstay when giving it too much English or getting bounced around on rocky sections. This is because it’s right at the level of my back foot in descending position. I spaced out the bottom bracket and pedal a bit, which helped, but it didn’t fully solve the problem. I suppose an ankle pad would be an option for a long-term fix.

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Trek Bikes Stache 8 2013

Reviews / Hard Tails

At A Glance

The Stache is a new bike this year from Trek, aimed at anyone who likes having fun on the trail. It’s a hardtail 29er with a more playful geometry than an XC bike designed to be fun and lively. It should appeal to the hardcore hardtail fans out there, although it is only a 120mm travel bike those wheels are going to make it feel much more capable in bigger terrain. Trek have been building great 29ers for years now, and when this one arrived it looked stunning and instantly called out to be ridden, and ridden hard.

The frame is built using Treks Alpha Platinum Aluminium technology; it offers the lightest strongest alloy frame that they manufacture. It features an E2 tapered head tube, ISCG mounts, press-fit bottom bracket and internal derailleur routing. 142x12mm rear axle keeps the back end stiff and there is a stealth routing for the dropper post.

Front suspension is looked after by a Fox Evolution Series 32 Float w/CTD, E2 tapered steerer and a 15QR thru-axle.

Wheels are a Bontrager affair, as you would expect. Sealed cartridge bearing hubs are laced to Bontrager Duster Tubeless Ready 28 hole rims. Bontrager Expert 29x2.3 tyres offer the grip.

The drivetrain is a mostly Shimano affair with SLX 10 speed shifters an SLX direct mount front mech and a Deore XT Shadow Plus rear mech. 11-36t Shimano HG62 rear cassette with a rather lovely looking Race Face Turbine crankset with 38/24t gearing.

Stopping power is dealt with using the ever-reliable Shimano SLX hydraulic disc brakes.

Bontrager gear finishes off the rest of the bike, a Rhythm Pro 7 degree stem keeps the Race Lite Low Riser bars in place and a Bontrager Evoke 3 titanium railed saddle is held in place with a Bontrager Rhythm Elite seatpost.

Trek Stache 8 17.5in

Seat tube 419mm Effective top tube 600mm Head tube 103mm Chain stay 445mm Wheel base 1128mm BB Height 31.6mm Head angle 68.3° Seat angle 72.5° Reach 414mm

Weight w/o pedals 26lbs

On The Trail

The Stache is fast, that’s the first thing you notice about it, and yes 29ers are quick and all that, but here the geometry combines with the lightweight and stiff frame to offer some blistering acceleration. Just a couple of pedal strokes from the very responsive drivetrain and you are up to cruising speed and already enjoying the bike.

For a 29er the wheelbase is quite short, the compact rear end, 68.3° head angle and “short” travel fork combine to keep things playful as far as the corners go. There is endless grip in the dry, the Bontrager Expert tyres aren’t too capable in wet mud however, they definitely lean towards the race and speed side of the spectrum.

Trek have been working on the perfect geometry for 29ers for some time now and you can really feel it in the handling. I’m still a fan of the 26inch wheel in most situations, however jumping on the Stache I never felt as if it was cumbersome or hard to handle. The steering was responsive and the bike did exactly what you asked of it even in the tightest of single track.

Climbing on the Stache is excellent, the long top tube and longish stem keep the front end down on even the steepest of climbs and of course the hard tail rear end offers instant drive. Aluminium hardtails can often be a little “stiff” which can make climbing technical terrain difficult. The Stache’s bigger wheels and pliable rear end help to keep that to a minimum though.

Pointing the Stache down a steep hill is where the fun really begins though, this is a very capable bike make no mistake. I’ve ridden a few hardcore hardtails in my time and on a 26inch wheeled machine 140-150mm travel fork up front generally suits the really rough stuff. You could be forgiven for thinking that at 120mm the Stache is a little under-forked, yet during the course of our tests it never baulked, never stuttered and never felt under gunned. It was always planted and predictable, and blisteringly quick.

Achingly good looking, the Stache should be your go-to bike when you want to be fast and have fun. Its handling will surprise you, and might even change your mind about big wheeled bikes altogether if you aren’t already a fan. Reasonably priced it offers great value in terms of smiles for miles. Competent going downhill and responsive heading up, it’s a hardcore hardtail with the minerals for the big trails as well as the small.

This review was in Issue 25 of IMB.

Trek Bikes Stache 9

Trek bikes gary fisher piranha, stanton bikes switch9er ti, canyon bicycles stitch360, transition bikes pbj, merida bikes big trail 600, dmr bikes sect, ragley bikes big wig, vitus sentier 29 vr, commencal meta ht am essential, sonder transmitter carbon, pipedream cycles moxie.

By Rou Chater Rou Chater is the Publishing Editor of IMB Magazine; he’s a jack-of-all-trades and master of none, but his passion for bikes knows no bounds. His first mountain bike was a Trek 820, which he bought in 1990. It didn’t take him long to earn himself a trip to the hospital on it, and he’s never looked back since. These days he’s keeping it rubber side down, riding locally and overseas as much as possible.

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• Stache 9 29+

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2017 Trek Stache 9.6

A 29″ carbon frame hardtail trail bike with high-end components. Compare the full range

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Based on frame geometry and build specs.

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

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Dec 2018 · Mick Kirkman

The rugged Trek Full Stache 8 can pretty much go anywhere and roll over anything, making it the human-powered equivalent of a Land Rover.

Go-anywhere attitude with crazy levels of security and traction

Feels slower and heavier at times compared to ‘normal’ mountain bikes

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  Plus-sized bikes have rapidly grown in popularity; however, the focus has mostly been on 27.5-inch wheel sizes—that is, until now. Trek recently

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Here's the Week in Tech — all the gear news, tips, and announcements you need and none of the marketing gibberish you don't.

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Last updated July 21 Not listed for 2,464 days