Sea Otter 2015 | The Trek Stache is Back
The Trek Stache is back – and it is bigger (and fatter) than ever. Trek have taken it’s popular and well loved hardcore hardtail and beefed it up with the new 29+ wheelsize. Travis Brown states “We need to push the boundaries of the trail hardtail category with meaningful benefits”, and Trek are keen to point out the benefits of ‘going large’ in the tire department.
The new Trek Stache promises many advantages over its skinner wheeled descendants, with more traction from the bigger contact patch, better climbing and better descending for more confidence on technical descents. It will be available in three models, the 5, 7 and 9 and as a frameset only. Prices range from $1759.99 – $3879.99 depending on model and specification.
To fit the new plus size wheels, the Trek Stache is bristling with the latest axle standards, Boost 110 mm and 148 mm front and back to produce a stronger wheel. If you’re not quite ready to commit fully to the 29+ movement, Trek have included an adjustable Stranglehold Dropout with 15mm of adjustability allowing you to run 29+, 29 or even 27.5+ wheels.
To keep the lively ride of the old Trek Stache, Trek have kept the chainstays ultra short, the new elevated midstay (check out its new position above the chainring) and 1x drivetrain pull the rear wheel forward and permit a 405-420 mm chainstay depending on the position of the Stranglehold.
These short chainstays are the results of Trek’s extensive experiments in the ‘Project Weird’ Program, a series of crazy looking prototypes designed to test just how short you can go with a chainstay. After finding that while ultrashort felt rad to ride, it was a little harsh, they wished for a higher volume tyre – then along came 29+ and everything became possible.
The Trek Stache is running on the new Bontrager Chupacabra tyre, at only 850g it’s no heavy weight and with XR2 rolling and XR3 cornering compounds should provide plenty of grip. The Trek Stache also uses the new Manitou Magnum Pro and Comp forks with 110 mm spacing with enough clearance up to 3.25” tyres.
If you like you hardtails fun, agile and a hoot to ride, then the Trek Stache could be an ideal choice.
Words: Trev Worsey Photos: Robin Schmitt
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.
