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Tire duties are handled by Bontrager's 29-3 tires, a reasonably wide tire designed to work well in a variety of trail conditions.įox Evolution Series 32 Float w/CTD (climb-trail-descend) damper, rebound, E2 tapered steerer, 15QR thru axle, custom G2 Geometry w/51mm offset, 120mm travelīontrager Race Lite Low Riser, 31.8mm, 5mm rise, 9 degree sweepīontrager Duster Tubeless Ready 28-hole disc rimsīontrager sealed cartridge bearing 15mm alloy front hub, Bontrager sealed cartidge bearing, alloy axle, alloy freehub, 142x12 rear hubīontrager Rhythm Elite, 31.6mm, zero offset ![]() Our test bike came with a 90mm stem, which we found to be a bit long for our liking and switched out for a shorter, 50mm stem. The 720mm wide Bontrager handlebars have very little ( 5mm) rise, with 9 degrees of backsweep. A 120mm Fox Evolution Series 32 Float fork with CTD provides the Stache's front suspension. We were glad to see a set of Shimano SLX brakes on this bike, as we continue to be impressed by their consistent, low maintenance stopping power. TREK STACHE 7 DROPPER TRAVEL PLUSAcid green Race Face Turbine cranks ( with 38 and 24 tooth chainrings) spin on a press fit bottom bracket, while shifting duties are handled by a Shimano XT Shadow Plus rear derailleur and SLX front derailleur. The Stache 8 comes with a well thought out parts package. The chainstays are 445mm, and have plenty of clearance to run even fatter tires than the Bontrager 29-3's which are spec'd. The Stache has a relatively slack head angle of 68.3° or 68.6° depending on the frame size. Reducing the trail of a bike should allow for quicker handling despite the longer wheelbase that comes with bigger wheels. Trail is the horizontal distance between a bike's steering axis and where the front wheel touches the ground ( the contact patch). To achieve the goals of this geometry, on the Stache 8 the fork is offset 51mm in order to reduce the trail of the bike. The Stache features what Trek calls G2 Geometry, which was originally introduced by Gary Fisher ( whose brand Trek absorbed in 2010) to improve the handling of 29 inch wheeled bikes. TREK STACHE 7 DROPPER TRAVEL FULLThe majority of full suspension bikes are coming with 142x12 rear ends, so the inclusion of this standard on a hardtail like the Stache means riders with more than one bike in their quiver will be able to swap wheels without encountering compatibility issues. The Stache has a 142x12 rear axle, but adaptors are available that would make it possible to run a conventional 135x10 axle. ISCG 05 tabs are included for those who want to run a chain guide. The tapering does necessitate a direct mount front derailleur, since it's not possible to run a traditional style clamp around a squared off tube. ![]() This tapering does decrease the amount of seat tube available for raising and lowering the seat, but with a dropper post ( the frame includes routing for a stealth post) this would not be an issue. The seat tube shape is unique, flattening dramatically as it nears the bottom bracket, which increases rear wheel clearance. The Stache 8 is constructed of hydroformed Alpha Platinum aluminum, which is Trek's highest level aluminum alloy. Our 17.5” test bike weighed in at a very reasonable 25.8 pounds without pedals. Not intended to be a featherweight race bike ( although it's certainly race worthy), the big wheeled Stache is aimed squarely at riders seeking the simplicity of a hardtail with modern amenities like a 2x10 drivetrain, 142x12 thru-axle rear, and the option to run a dropper post. Hardtails seem to be experiencing a resurgence lately, as riders seeking a low-maintenance departure from creaky pivots and loose bearings return to their roots. While Trek has been making headlines more for their long-travel DH bikes piloted by a certain redhead, the Waterloo, Wisconsin, based company has continued to refine their short travel and hardtail offerings. ![]()
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