![]() So your first upgrade will definitely be a dropper post, and Trek provides Stealth routing to make it possible if that’s the way you want to go. There is one downside to the flattened seat tube design, though: you can’t drop the saddle more than an inch or two. Was it worth all the hassle? Well, it certainly looks amazing and the 442mm chainstays, while not being super-short, are shorter than on most 29ers. The final piece of the puzzle was to flatten the back of the seat tube to make everything fit together. This, in turn, has allowed the rear wheel to be tucked in nice and tight to the BB without scrimping on tyre clearance. Keeping the chainstay length in check was a priority for Trek when developing the Stache and, by switching to the stiffer bolt-through dropout design, the engineers have been able to retain the desired frame stiffness for tracking and power delivery while ditching the seat and chainstay bridges. ![]() The frame shares most design features you find on Trek’s full-suspension trail bikes, including a tapered head tube, ISCG tabs on the BB for fitting a chain device and 142x12mm rear dropouts the last of those isn’t commonly found on a hardtail - all of the other bikes on test this month have regular QR rear dropouts. Carbon frame sets will be offered for $1,579.99 and all models should be available by September with the aluminum models available now.First introduced last season, the Stache is billed as a trail-ready 29er hardtail designed to meet all the exacting demands of the modern mountain biker. ![]() 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. 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. 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. That results in a claimed weight for the Stache 9.8 of 27.2 lbs (12.33kg). Compared to the alloy counterpart, Trek claims the carbon frames are almost a pound lighter, shaving 400g. Stache framesets will also be offered but only of the carbon variety. The geometry of the aluminum Stache will remain unchanged. The Stache 9.6 carbon (above) runs the RockShox Yari, both forks run Trek’s G2 geometry with a 51mm offset. 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 carbon frames also grow at the top tube with a 15mm longer reach. 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. Part of the tire clearance equation is Boost 148 dropouts matched with the PF92 bottom bracket. 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). 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. In terms of the frame details, the Stache 9.6 and 9.8 carbon frames are very similar to their aluminum counterparts. Built with the same features, the carbon bikes do offer improved geometry which will make them even more capable as all around rippers… Now, Trek is expanding on that initial Stache with the addition of two carbon frames. In the mind of Trek’s designers and engineers, that was the key to making the bigger tires work in a trail capable hardtail. 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. 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. Showing their commitment to huge tires and elevated chain stays, the Trek Stache is getting an upgrade.
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