trek stache 29 plus

• ALL MOUNTAIN
• ACCESSORIES
• ALL (130 Forums)
• WHEELS & TIRES

Trek Stache 9 29 Plus bikes

Stache is an all-new species of 29+ mountain bike performance. The wide 3" tires grip relentlessly, amplifying all the benefits of 29ers, while remarkably short chainstays deliver a fun, lively ride.

• USER REVIEWS

I own the Stache 5, 2018. I wanted to wait a while before I posted a review, so that I could give a fair analysis. I've now owned the bike for 8 months. I bought the bike because I wanted a simple, dependable, and comfortable steed that I could ride daily with minimal fuss; i.e. ride it hard, put it away wet. So far, this bike has been pretty close. I did, however, blow up the freehub body, and had to replace it. I won't be surprised if it happens again, either (I'm 220 lbs, so...). When it does, I will probably bite the bullet and replace with a DT Swiss 350. I also replaced the stock BB right away with a Wheels Mfg. thread-together unit to keep the dreaded press-fit creaks away. My Stache handles well, and is exceptionally quiet (which I really like). I notice a very slight drag, probably due to the width of the rubber, but the upside to all that rubber is the smooth ride over the rough stuff. The trade-off is absolutely worth it, to me. I suppose the ultimate compliment to any bike is this; "Would I buy one again?" The answer is a resounding, yes. It's just plain fun!

Press-fit BB. Slight drag from all that rubber. A little bit harder to get up to speed. I barely notice.

Just the fun factor of this bike is worth it. I have a carbon 9.6 stock apart from pedals and grips. Climbs like a champ traction and mud clearance are great. Built like a tank, goes anywhere and everywhere. Bombs downhill. Tyre pressure in single digits

Wheelset is 50mm wide a curse and an advantage. Heavy wheelset but price was right on the bike. Can always upgrade.

First off, I have to say that I absolutely love riding this bike. The problem is that it's constantly in the shop. I've owned it for a little over a year now and really don't have that many rides/miles on it. Right after I bought it, it developed a horrible creaking noise from the head tube. While it was being serviced for the creaking noise, the tech discovered a crack in the frame where the fork attaches. This was non related to the creaking noise. So, they warranted the frame. Once I finally got it back, the rear hub seized up. Again warranted, but I had to wait an absorbent amount of time because they wanted to warrantee the "driver" and when that didn't work I had to wait for a warranted wheel. I finally get it back, and on the 1st ride after all that, the horrible creaking came back (with a vengeance). So, I'm very disappointed & definitely not purchasing another Bontrager/Trek product again.

Poor build quality...

Stache 5 2017 Cos there's no category for it. Straight away this big bike design feels awesome. The design is genius, it really is a "one bike garage", can do it all, albeit in it's own unique way. Your riding style will change. You will bomb faster, climb up steep sections like a Sherman Tank. This aluminium frame is stiff, forks , rims, strong. Tyres fast, greater when tubeless. Big proud grins after doing miles, pushing limits!

The stock grips are shitty. Instant replacement with ESI. Its a heavy bike but c'mon look at the size of it. I would love a dropper. But I need a little rest anyway. I'd love it to roll more easily on long gruelling ascents but really it's a fitness issue. Actually it's not a problem it's just different because when I've sped up, I've had to apply the brakes occasionally when approaching uphill switchbacks. Wide bars have given me problems, bruises, fucked knuckles, near (certain death) misses and laundry duty. And heel strikes on the chain stay tubing cos it sticks out to accommodate the boost hubs etc. BIG PROBLEMS WITH RELIABLE PARTS. DON'T BUY ONLINE BIKES. The large online stockist of Trek in NZ were unhelpful, rude, condescending on the phone, and implied I should have come to them earlier. But I had the shitty Bontrager 148 boost hub worked on three times. Its a terrible design, obviously under- engineered. I rode single track 3 times a week. Then it recently dissintegrated. If it was a local retailer I could have rolled in and said CHECK IT OUT! They would have been shocked and understood like human beings. However, I upgraded cos who wants shitty product replaced with identical shitty product. Apparently poor old Trek have been suffering some harassment about warranty faultiness and cyclists have been taking advantage. OH WELL, FUCK OFF! Don't get me wrong, I love the design concept. It's just not able to take a hammering. By the time I'm finished with the frame, I'll have replaced everything on it. And then I'll get the FULL STACHE FRAME!

The bike just makes me smile all the time. I have the 2017 Stache 9.8.

The only weakness I find is that the seat stays hit my legs when I'm in relax mode while costing some, but not when I'm actually riding....kinda like when you push your leg straight to rest the legs on a fast street downhill.

I've been XC racing and a solid hardtail bike lover since 1993. I ride now mostly in the Austin Texas rocky technical type of trail. This bike is really EXACTLY what everyone is saying about it....It's truly bad ass. For some reason, which I can not explain, I am faster on the is bike than I am on my much lighter standard 29er HT. I PR on segments I've ridden many times in the past (and I'm not even really trying to push it). I'd say the three words that describe this bike are CONFUSED, BALLS, VELCO. This bike confuses me b/c it does stuff I truly can't believe. For some reason this bike gives me balls, b/c I can ride up and down very technical stuff I used to walk. And when I'm on singletrack, I feel like the bike is Velcroed to the trail. BTW, my Stache 9.8 is 25.07lbs. I lost the dropper post for a carbon post, went tubeless and put an AbsoluteBlack 32 Oval ring (the 34 oval does not fit, as it hits the frame).

Nimble Light Fast Traction, Traction, Traction Momentum Easy wheelies!

This review is for the Stache 5, 2016 with the rigid carbon fork. This bike is amazing. I own a carbon full suspension 27.5 bike, a 29er, and have been riding for over 20 years. This bike just blows me away in terms of its capability and how much fun it is. Trek rocked it with this design. The short chainstays, geometry, and shorter wheelbase keep this bike trailworthy and playful. Easy to wheelie and manual and very nimble, surprisingly given the format. But again, Trek designed this bike right. I'm setting PRs on both ups and downs and I don't even feel like I'm trying because our trail conditions in the Sierras are really bad right now. I can't wait until they tighten up this fall and I can really let this thing rip. I like this bike so much I've decided to buy the 9.8 and turn up the fun factor to 11. I demo'd yesterday an Ibis Mojo3 and a Rocky Mountain Pipeline 770 MSL to make sure I didn't want to go the full sus 27.5+ route. After yesterday my mind was made up, the 29+ is the way to go and Trek's Stache is the best one on the market right now. Other manufacturers would do best if they took a look at what Trek did with this bike and followed suit. Again, the geo and short chainstays are what are making this bike so much fun. Gobs of traction, amazing momentum, and playful characteristics had made this bike my go to bike while the others just sit in the garage. With a Pike up front this thing is going to be unreal and the simplicity of not having to deal with the rear suspension is really nice.

29+ tire format is awesome Big and apparently strong bike, yet still pretty light Horizontal dropouts allow SS Frame geometry is good Bike handles nicely for its size

See weaknesses below

This review is for the 2016 Trek Stache 5 with rigid carbon fork (mine is setup as a single speed). Great bike overall and I'm pleased I bought it. Coming from a very long time 29 SS perspective, I REALLY like the new (to me) 29+ platform. The big 3" tires are WAY better than my old 2.2 tires. Makes a huge difference rolling over roots and ruts, a big upgrade over traditional 29er. The tires work so well I actually don't mind riding rigid for the first time since the 1990's! Although I haven't owned the bike that long, it certainly appears to be constructed a lot stronger than my old Gary Fisher/Trek Rig SS. I broke 4 of those frames (all warrantied), which were very lightly and cheaply built. This frame seems much beefier and much more likely to hold up to long term use. But at the same time, this frame is still relatively light. It's not a pig and I'll gladly pay the slight weight penalty to get a bike that can reliably hold up to my 200lb frame riding SS. Likes: 1. I like the short wheelbase geometry for all the reasons explained, which is pretty similar to the short wheelbase Gary Fisher geometry on my old Rig. 2. I really like that the bike comes with horizontal dropouts that allows for dedicated single speed usage. It's not the best chain tensioning system for SS, but for a bike that's primarily designed for geared riders, it'll do. 3. I like the newer 1.5 tapered headtube design. I think this makes sense from a weight savings/strength perspective. 4. I like the wider boost wheel spacing because of the added strength it provides for these plus size bikes. (although the Trek 5 doesn't have 110 boost spacing on its rigid fork!) Dislikes: 1. Running as an SS you're very limited on how large a chainring you can put on the front. The raised chainstay keeps the max size of the chainring to about 32-33t depending on how big a cog you put on the rear. Otherwise, the chain will hit or at least slap against the lower part of the chainstay. I'm running a 32:17 right now and the chain just BARELY misses the chainstay (and hits it occasionally when slightly slack). If I tried to go up to a 33t chainring, it would hit the chainstay. Or if I tried to put an 18t or larger cog on the back, again I'd have interference problems. You can kind of work around it by using different combinations of cogs and chainrings, but it's still less than ideal for an SS. 2. Due to the wider chainstays and seatstays (necessary to accommodate the fat tires), my heels/shoes occasionally hit the chainstays/seatstays as I crank on the pedals. There is very little clearance between the crank arms and the frame members. I think this may be helped by a wider BB, but that might disturb the delicate chain/chainstay interference balance by moving the chainring outboard. For now I'm just dealing with it and trying to develop new muscle memory to keep my feet/heels from hitting while pedaling. Overall it's not a showstopper, just less than ideal. 3. I haven't had the bike that long, but the pressfit BB is creaking. I think this is going to be a persistent problem. They should have made it a threaded type, bad call on press fit BBs. 4. I was very disappointed to find out that my trusty Avid BB7 mechanical disk brakes would not fit on the rear of this bike. The caliper's mechanical arm interferes with the frame members when slid rearward (as required for SS usage). Avid BB7s are by far the most popular and best mountain bike disc brakes ever sold. And Trek didn't design this bike to fit them? That's a mistake. Also, the rear brake mount is pretty flimsy due to the bike's relatively poor sliding dropout design. Its flexible nature acts as a sort of "tuning fork" helping to exacerbate vibrations that causes brake squeal to burst into an outright howl. 5. The rear shimano hydraulic brake on my bike leaks and contaminates the pads causing severe brake squeal and poor brake performance. Cheap brakes overall. 6. The front rigid fork, despite what the Trek Stache 5 website claims, is not 110mm boost spacing. This is odd considering Trek invented that new standard and now their flagship "boost" bike doesn't have it up front? 7. The rear hub is cheap and weak. The cassette freehub ratchet is already starting to skip after less than 10 rides. I have spoken to other Stache riders and this is a high failure item. 8. The rear axle holding nuts are made out of aluminum. They can be cracked very easily due to their delicacy. And yes a torque wrench is always a good idea, but when adjusting chain tension on the trail (as sometimes required riding SS), I don't carry a torque wrench in my tool kit. These nuts should be made more robust. This one's not really a dislike, just a word of caution. The Stache 5 comes equipped with a 29-1/2" wide bar. It's a WIDE bar that is wider than most others out there. I almost broke my hand when I clipped a tree recently. Be AWARE of the added width if you're used to a more narrow bar.

29+ wheels tyres geometry 68 in front and rear put it very easy to push front wheel . fork work very well is seem 110 is enough with this bike. i can climb areas more easy and relax then at my yeti sb9c , it really fun to ride this bike and you always fill that hard tail is a great advantage since it give you extra power when you stand and attack hard opticals . tyers in my opinion are the part on bike that every one fill , and to ride on 10-12 psi is great .

not found yet

i really love this bike i think that Trek did a great job , the different i see from other bikes with 29 and 27.5 plus is that on every part of the bike was planning this bike was build from beginning as 29+ bike . each part is particular the frame is small compare to others and build very nice , chain stay is short , fork is amazing , i really suggest to everyone to take a ride and to fill this bike.The stache 9 will make you a better rider and improve you skills , my friends call it "mobidick"

Similar Products Used:

i have yeti sb9c still keep it , i rode before rip 9 ,

Fast, light, versatile.

Ks lev dropper post, rear wheel/spokes

I purchased my stache 9 after doing a demo on one kingdom trails in June. I fell in love with how fast it was, how nimble and quick you could throw the bike around. My ownership had been a wonderful experience for a few months, and then I started to have issues with the ks lev dropper, long story short it failed twice prompting it to be removed and sent back to ks for warranty repairs. I eventually removed it and installed a Easton dropper. This issue was not a deal breaker but was annoying. I'm moved on still in love with the bike and then on a ride a had 3 spokes break somewhat randomly right at the hub on the rear wheel. I accepted it and had my lbs replace them. On my next ride after getting the bike back I break 2 more spokes less than a mile into the ride on a fire road...I bring it back to my lbs and at this point they decide to contract trek for a warranty wheel replacement. Trek makes a quick decision to replace the rear wheel under warranty, however at the time failed to mention they don't not have any "9" wheel sets in stock. The mechanic at the lbs gets a surprise a week later when trek sends him a "7" wheel. Confused he calls trek then they basically tell him "tough" it is what it is. The lbs calls me before installing the wheel to tell me and states he was upset with trek on their decision to send a lesser model wheel set. With no other option a authorize him to install the wheel. I will also mention the wheel does not match it had red decals instead of green to match the bike. I am beyond frustrated that trek finds this acceptable. I paid a premium price for a premium bike and I expect to get what I paid for. I have also spent approximately $8,000 with trek in the last 3 years on just bikes alone, if I add up all the countless bontrager gear I'm sure it's close to $10,000. Is this how you treat a customer? The money doesn't really matter, it's the principle that trek would find this acceptable I paid for the dt Swiss hubs and that's what I expect on my bike. Through my frustrations I have met 2 other people on the trails with the stache 9 with the EXACT same issue with their rear wheel spokes. Trek has an issue here that are not willing to admit just yet. Well I'm going to let everyone know what they are getting them selves into, prepare to have rear wheel issues and trek not do their part as a manufacture and warranty the correct part. I will be looking elsewhere when it comes to my future bike purchases....

Short wheelbase, short chainstay, slack head angle, SRAM 1x11, XT brakes, KS Lev dropper, Manitou fork.

The only thing I needed to change was the longish stem to a 60mm and a wider hbar with slightly more rise which are personal preference things.

Been riding the bike since April including local XC races and I haven't rode my other bikes which I sold recently. I will spare you the technical explanation and just say this bike is ridiculously FUN on every ride. Get out and ride this thing you'll be happy you did.

2011 Trek Rumblefish 2, 2014 Trek Remedy 9 29, 2014 Trek Superfly 9.8

Get the latest mountain bike reviews, news, race results, and much more by signing up for the MTBR Newsletter

Hot Deals See All Hot Deals >>

• CLASSIFIEDS
• TERMS OF USE
• PRIVACY POLICY
• ADVERTISING

VISIT US AT

© Copyright 2024 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved.

Trek Stache 9 29+ (2016) review

• Danny Milner
• November 30, 2015

First they got bigger, now they’re getting wider — who says you can’t reinvent the wheel? The new Trek Stache 9 29+ hardtail rolls on 3in rubber

Product Overview

Overall rating:, trek stache 9 29+.

• Makes you grin like an idiot every ride
• Tyres get destroyed in rocky terrain and it's bloody expensive

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:.

• Huge 3in 29er Plus tyres offer improved rollover and incredible traction
• High asking proce for a hardtail with SRAM X1-level kit
• Backbone of the Stache frame is a wide press-fit BB92 shell the promotes direct power delivery
• Bontrager’s 80mm Rhythm Pro stem had to go to sharpen the Stache’s steering and shift rider weight rearwards

Trek has never been afraid to experiment with alternative wheel sizes. The Stache 9 29+, however, takes this open-minded approach to a whole new level, with 3in tyres, mounted on 50mm wide 29er rims and slotted into ultra-short chainstays.

>>> Click here to find the best plus sized mountain bikes

The monster-truck tweaks also include wider Boost 110 and 148 dropout spacing, to accommodate those bulbous treads. And while it’s a beautifully-made frame, with extensively sculpted aluminium tubing, at £2,700, it’s definitely an expensive hardtail.

A slow starter, but big-wheel momentum will quickly take over (Kirkman)

The Trek Stache 9 29+ makes its remarkably short chainstays possible by eliminating the front mech, and pairing an elevated driveside chainstay with scooped-out seat tube. They’re so short, in fact, that the rear axle sits just 410mm behind the BB when in the forward dropout setting, even with huge 3in Chupacabra tyres.

Being Boost, the Manitou Magnum’s 15mm axle is 10mm wider than usual, and the fork offset has also been increased to 51mm to sharpen the handling. As such, the steering feels totally natural, even though the footprint of the tyre is of Sasquatch proportions.

Stiffness, damping and tracking on the 110mm travel Manitou are on-the-money too, but even though we’ve used Manitou’s 15mm HexLock axle several times before, we still can’t get it tight first time, every time.

Check out Trek’s new Procaliber softail

You’d expect killer components on a £2,700 hardtail, and they’re largely delivered, but the X1 series isn’t SRAM’s highest-tier 1×11 drivetrain and adds grams as a result.

This bike is all about the tyres , though, and with lower pressures, a giant contact patch, aggressive tread and good rubber compound, the 3in Chupacabras have tenacious hold. The casing is relatively thin, to save weight, so it’s easily damaged, and offers little in the way of pinch-flat protection.

The Chupacabras worked best with pressures as low as 12psi, as this stopped the tyres from bouncing uncontrollably, while still ironing out the trail effectively. Run them any softer and the tyres squirm too much, accelerating sidewall wear further. Still, they bring a completely new level of braking control and balance to a hardtail.

The Chupacabra: vast, tenacious grip at low psi but easily damaged (Kirkman)

Performance

The Stache is seriously confidence-inspiring. So much so that you often need to remind yourself to tap the powerful Shimano XT brakes and rein it in. Climbing or descending, grip levels are off the scale, and once those big wheels start motoring, it takes a surprising amount of nerve to push the Trek out of its comfort zone.

The super-short chainstays make it a breeze to manual, and the bike feels surprisingly nimble, even though the wheels are massive. Leaning into corners feels a bit like skiing — just stand upright, trust the front tyre grip, steer from the hips and the rear wheel follows tightly behind.

In loam, dry dirt or loose gravel, there’s grip for ever, and the Stache can absolutely rail turns once you acclimatise to how stable the fatter tyres ride.

Cut-and-shut back end, with short chainstays via a deformed seat tube (Kirkman)

It definitely requires more effort to lean it over, and in that respect the Stache feels like a more pronounced version of how a regular 29er rides. It’s no buzz kill, though, and the safety net of the Velcro-like traction means you can chuck the Stache around the trail with reckless abandon, and this makes it seriously good fun to ride.

Overall, rolling resistance feels marginally higher than a ‘standard’ 29er going up or along flat singletrack, and the first few cranks always feel lost dragging the wheels up to speed. There’s a tipping point, however, at which resistance morphs into momentum and the Stache hammers through all but the roughest terrain. It’s then that the concept begins to make a lot more sense and becomes a lot more fun.

For more information click here

The Trek Stache 9 is a radical departure from trail hardtail tradition, but it’s certainly no fat bike. Instead, it’s a bold reinvention that’s paid off big time. Despite having the tallest, widest tyres on test, once up to speed, clever engineering and geometry ensure the Stache is an incredibly fast, fun bike that’s somehow almost BMX-like in its playfulness. Sure, the 29 Plus wheel size isn’t without inherent compromises — tyre weight and durability being the key ones. It also has questionable credentials in wet, muddy conditions, but we challenge anyone who loves mountain biking to ride the Stache and not come away impressed.

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 .

Words & Photos:

You may also like

New MAXXIS Aspen ST – A new XC tire with minimal rolling resistance

The FOX Transfer Factory 2025 seatpost with 240 mm travel in review...

Fancy an epic road trip? Come with us for our unique roof-top tent...

New 2024 Yeti SB165 on test – Fun > Fast

New RAAW Jibb V2 on test – Old terrier, new tricks?

Unstoppable – the new ENDURO issue #059 is here!

• Stache 5 29+

The Trek Full Stache.

The elevated chainstay helps deliver the super short back end.

StraightShot down tube. All the stiffness and strength you're after.

The Control Freak cable routing helps keep things clean - and quiet.

Yes, that is a 3.0" tyre on a 29" rim.

We used a Shock Wiz to help get the setup just right.

TESTED: Trek Full Stache 29 Plus trail bike

Trek have brought the Stache back to Australia - but the Full Stache is not just Plus, it's a full-suspension trail and adventure beast!

The Stache name from Trek is something we have seen before but never a Full Stache. Gone are the days of the 29 Plus Stache hardtail here in the land down under. Last season the original Stache was pulled from production due to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) requirement that all bikes imported into Australia require some form of chain guide. Due to the elevated chain stay design Trek was unable to mount a front derailleur or chain guide to the original Stache. This imposed requirement could be seen as perhaps an odd move by the ACCC, one that perhaps should be based upon the spec of a bike, and not its ability to run any form of chain guide or front derailleur. We loved the original Stache thanks to its burly build with trail handling and adventure capability.

That was then, and this is now… Which brings us to the Full Stache we have today, and we must say that other than sharing tyre size and part of a name, the Full Stache is not just another hardtail and full suspension version of its predecessor but in our eyes, it is a completely different bike. We did notice though that on paper the Full Stache appears to tick most of the modern boxes for geometry and spec… but most noteworthy, it has those big a$$ tyres on it!

What's the deal with Plus bikes anyway?

These big tyres, or plus tyres, have been the butt of rider’s jokes for some time with names like mid fat, half fat, and semi chubby just to name a few, meaning that many riders steer away from the plus-sized bikes without even trying them. Let’s just quickly pause as we all think back and remember what happened when 29ers came out and everyone joked about them... We are not saying that you will see plus tyres on a Downhill World Cup podium (although, that day could very well occur) but we are saying they do have a place in the mountain biking world, and not just for your entry level or e-MTB rider.

When going through the listed specs the Full Stache brings the spiked punch to the party, with its frame further featuring the full range of proven Trek technologies – Active Baking Pivot, Mino Link adjustable geometry, Control Freak internal routing, and Straight Shot downtube with Knock Block Frame Protection.  There also appears to be a switchback to the Full Floater shock mounting design of Treks gone by. Mix all of this with some handsomely short chainstay’s coming in at 430mm long it’s very easy to look past the stigma some plus bikes have received in the past. You can shorten the back to 427mm by putting the Mino Link in the high setting. This also moves the head angle from 67 to 67.4 degrees.

Trek has really put a lot of effort into designing the Full Stache’s suspension system and this certainly shows out on the trails. However, to start, it did take some time to dial in our suspension setup, both front and rear, as using our standard go to setting for this 130mm travel 29er was achieving nothing except continued grief for the first two runs, even when using a Quarq Shock Wiz to help us with our setup.

While riding back up one of the rocky test tracks for our third run of the morning it suddenly dawned on us: tyre pressure! We started off our first two runs with 25psi in the rear and 22psi in the front. While for a smaller, and let’s say normal size tyre, this could be considered “normal”, these pressure settings were way WAY too high for the plus sized tyres on the Full Stache. Before entering the same trail we had been riding all morning, we dropped the pressure to 22psi in the rear and 18psi in the front and WOW! What a difference that made. The Full Stache was like a totally different bike, commanding your attention and wanting you to absolutely push through to the limits like its big meaty enduro brother - Slash. The stock Bontrager tyres aren't your only choice, as major brands like Maxxis and WTB also have models available in 29x3.00". Trek do say you can slim things up with a 29x2.6" set of tyres - but you need to be aware that this will drop the bottom bracket height.

Now, if dropping the psi changed the ride so significantly and in such a positive way, perhaps we could firm up the suspension to eliminate the harsh bottoming we had experienced on a few sections of trail earlier, thus being able to push the Full Stache as hard as it was telling us it wanted to be ridden.

Sure enough these changes again made the Full Stache faster and by now the plus sized tyre look was totally normal. With our rider brimming with confidence and sporting a big grin on his face we started chasing more performance and gains from the Full Stache. By about the 10th run on our set of test trails we had settled on a sweet spot for suspension – running the fork slightly firmer than the rear suspension as it was taking the brunt of the hits and at 130mm travel, the fork was starting to feel a little under sized for what the Full Stache was capable of delivering when you put your mind to it. Trek have confirmed the Full Stache has been designed to take a 140mm fork if needed - so go right ahead and extend if you need to.

So why go 29 Plus full-supension?

One of the big selling points across 29ers is rolling speed over rocks, and mixing that with the Full Stache’s plus size tyre, which delivers grip and speed, and holy cow you have a trail bike that is super fast and gives you a mini Downhill bike feel when entering a rock garden. Even with our tyre pressures dropping as low as 20psi in the rear and remaining at 18psi in the front we did not notice any tyre roll from these big 29x3” plus size tyres. During the testing period we also ran the Full Stache with tubes, however, there is still the option to gain more performance by going tubeless (both valves and rim tape are included).

The Full Stache is not pretending to be anything it’s not and Trek have done an outstanding job developing a plus sized trail bike that all levels of rider can enjoy equally, and it's aimed right at people who want to shred primitive trails on all-day (or multie-day adventures) or those who just want to find the limits of what is possible with absolute bucket loads of traction. The Full Stache is really all about how you ride it and what you are going to use it for. Explore, find new lines, ride bikes, have fun.

Some have commented that the original Stache design didn't quite suit bikepacking due to the dropped top tube, but BedRock Bags do create bags that work perfectly with the Full Stache .

The Full Stache 8 sells for $4499 and has a GX Eagle 12-speed setup with a RockShox Pike RL Solo Air fork, Fox Float EVOL shock, SRAM GX Eagle and Bontrager finishing gear on it's aluminium frame. The bike comes in 17.5" (tested), 19.5" and 21.5" sizes. Need smaller? Trek suggest you look at the Fuel EX 29 if you need a 15.5" frame.

Trek’s new Full Stache is a Sherman Tank with disco flair. Take it from us, go ride one before you say it’s not the bike for you. You won’t regret it.

Words: Ben Morrison

Photos: Nick Waygood

Related Articles

First Rides on the 2024 Specialized Epic EVO

RockShox Flight Attendant learns as you ride!

TESTED: Polygon Siskiu T9 mountain bike

Latest news.

TESTED: BrakeAce brake analysis system

Kyah Simon daring to believe in Mariners ALW fairytale

TESTED: Skratch Labs Crispy Rice Cakes and High-Carb Sports Drink

Trail and Enduro MTB Tyre Test - 24 tyres ridden and rated

Superior Bikes find a home with BikesOnline

GROUP TEST: 8 Budget Mountain Bikes Under $2000

Trek goes Full Stache with new full suspension 29 Plus trail bike

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Fans of 29+ rejoice, Trek sees you. After a surprising amount of success with the original Trek Stache 29+ hardtail, Trek is back with something a bit more plush. The new Full Stache could be just what you’re looking for – if that’s a burly 130mm travel trail bike with massive tires to get you out into the backcountry.

Obviously, when it comes to the Full Stache, it’s all about the wheels and tires. Built specifically around 29+, Bontrager even came up with a new XR4 29 x 3.0″ tire for the build. 29+ is like a 29er on steroids, with even better roll over abilities and a substantially larger contact patch for improved traction. But all that rubber requires special considerations for the build.

In order to fit the wheels and tires in the frame while still keeping super short 430mm chainstays, Trek opted for a raised driveside chainstay design – sort of like the original. They also rotated the main pivot forward in front of the bottom bracket. Note that this does limit you to a 32t chainring, but with these massive wheels and tires that probably won’t be an issue.

That allows for 130mm of travel out of the RE:aktiv Fox Float shock, even with the monster tires. 130mm of travel puts it on par with the Lenz Behemoth 29+ (in the 5″ travel version), but the Full Stache edges the Lenz out in the chainstay department by 5mm.

Offered in only one Alpha Platinum Aluminum frame configuration, the frame features many of Trek’s technologies like ABP, Knock Block Steerer Stop, a Mino Link geometry chip, Control Freak internal housing, and G2 geomtry. Naturally, the frame is Boost 148 with a tapered head tube, post mount, and it runs a PF92 bottom bracket.

With the Mino Link adjustment, the High/Steep setting runs a 67.4° head tube angle and 343mm bottom braket, while the Low/Slack setting switches to 67° at the head tube angle and 338mm for the bottom bracket. The bike comes stock with a 130mm travel suspension fork, but it has been tested with a 140mm travel fork as well if you want to slack it out even further.

Offered in one complete build for $3,699, or as a frame only for $1,999, claimed weight for the complete build is claimed as 33.88lbs/15.36kg with tubes. Sold in 17.5 19.5, and 21.5″ sizes, Full Stache is available now for your big tire enjoyment.

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.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Great except for the chopper headtube angle. Must ride really bad and slow. Really slow turning and handlebar flop.

Considering the HT angle is practically the same as their Fuel EX (67/67.7*), which is one of the best and best selling FS trail bikes available, I’m inclined to think you don’t know what you’re talking about and for sure have never ridden this bike. Please take your trolling elsewhere.

Someone call an ambulance cos Ascarlarkinyar just got burned lol

Hey Boom, I just bought a Fuel Ex and man its an amazingly fun bike to ride. Love it 🙂

Nice bike Trek! Yes to 29+!

August/September ship dates.

Some just arrived at the lbs.

I rode one at my LBS today… very nice.

Rode it last night and going to ride it again tonight. Fun bike. Still trying to dial in the suspension, etc., pretty plush. Bit heavy compared to my other Stache but plush. ascarlarkinyar must be trolling, handles great. Did I say Plush?

I just don’t get it why people want that much slow handling rotational weight. Ridden the Stache HT, and can’t say I liked it… But obviously a lot of people do, so I understand they made a fully.

Plus bikes are like driving a 4×4 at low speed, it’s not especially exciting but you can just go blump blump blump over all the rocks without any drama. They’re rubbish for going fast on uphill or downhill, but to get on and go for a nice ride in the country they’re actually really good. I admit to being surprised at how popular they have become, I was expecting a repeat of fat bikes.

I have a HT stache that I ride with skinny tires/rims and stock tires/rims (carbon). There’s a little difference in rotational weight but overall my times on climbs are about the same when going full gas (rotation weight takes, but also gives). If its a long smoother grinder the skinnies win out, but if it’s technical, the fat tires win hands down. You can relax your body and let the tires do the gripping and ride smooth. In races I’ve seen the skinny tires have to do all sorts of yo-yo accelerations to get over loose or rocky sections where I just get zen. The same goes for descents: big tires aren’t slow, I can pull far greater G’s than skinny tires–that fun and fast.

Stache HT uphill is slow given the amount of tire contact and weight. Downhill is another thing, rocket speed fun with trackiooooonnnnn, slow speed very nimble. I’d love to try the Full, but my current need is for a faster uphill bike.

Should be called Trek Ziff

Would like to know how it runs with 2.6 tires, I am looking at 130mm travel 2.6 as my next bike, riding 29+ Rigid, after cracking my dual suspension with 2.4 tires.

Word from Trek is you can run the full state with 2.6 or larger tires. The smaller you go the lower the BB clearance. Unofficially you can fit 2.6 (with gobs of clearance) in a fuel ex though it’s supposedly designed for a 2.5 max. Same 130/130mm travel. I currently am running a 140mm travel fork with 2.6 Specialized butchers. Though they truly measure out at 2.5. even at 2.6 they would be fine.

At that point I would probably get a Fuel EX and run 29×2.6 front and rear. It clears without issue. I love the Fuel, one of my favorite bikes on the market right now.

I’m on a 9.8 with 2.6 Nics. Unreal combo. Such a great bike.

That’s alot of bike! Needs a motor-ha ha! (Kidding)

Sad that frame desisn is now evolving to preculde 2x 3x drivetrains. Not having a FD mount is one thing, putting a chainstay where the fd goes is another. I am going to go buy the lastest 2x CC frame so I can keep it long enough to call it a life.

Try eagle and you’ll never want a front derailleur again.

I have bad knees and am surrounded by steep terrain. I switched to 1X in 2015 and never want a FD again.

Does anyone actually ride plus bikes? The industry is going crazy for the concept but I am not seeing any out on the trails.

I haven’t ridden my 29ers since I built my Mojo 3+ bike! In fact, I just parted out both of them and bought my 10&12 yr olds small 2011 Jet 9 frames on eBay. Yup, they both have NINER’s with ENVE wheelsets! Super sick kids bikes! Oh, yes people do ride plus bikes…..then give their old 29er technology to their kids

You bet. Great for people wanting traction and confidence to just hold on and ride over stuff.

I’m riding them. Loving it too.

I would have preferred if this bike came with 2.8 tires which is how most 27+ bikes now come. The challenge with 29+ is getting the wheel weight down to a reasonable level. Using light 2.8 tires on i30-35 rims (as compared to heavy 3.0 tires on i45 rims) can lighten the wheels significantly while still retaining most of the “Plus” magic. A 140mm fork on this bike would also be a great addition.

I’ve been riding 29+ for two years and I like it a lot. However, your not going to “get” 29+ doing a couple of laps around the bike shop parking lot. You need to ride a 29+ (with a light wheel setup) on a few technical trails to understand why it is becoming popular. Roll over anything. Get traction everywhere. Float across deep sand or gravel. What’s not to like!

Follow Us On

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

• Crosscountry
• Rider Notes

2016 Trek Stache 7

A 29″ aluminum frame crosscountry bike with high-end components. Compare the full range

For This Bike

View more similar bikes →

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.

Similar Bikes

(descending)

Add custom gearing

5'0" – 5'7"

5'5" – 5'11"

5'9" – 6'3"

6'1" – 6'6"

🐐 Estimated

Do you have this bike? Help other riders make a decision about which size will work for them by sharing your own size and fit notes. Report your fit

Aug 2017 · Barney Marsh

Trek has committed hard to the 29+ wheelsize with the Stache 9.8 - a carbon fibre trail hardtail built around 29x3.0in tyres and a 120mm travel fork

Read Review

Jul 2017 · Cass Gilbert

We take a look at Zach Shriver's Trek Stache bikepacking rig, and hear about exactly what he carried on the Colorado Trail.

While it's clear the Stache wasn't designed for the nastiest, steepest terrain, for trails where it shines it lights up like a near-sighted goalie...

Trek has doubled down on its plus-size hardtail for 2017 with the Trek Stache 9.8.

Mar 2017 · Christoph Bayer

The Trek Stache 9.8 doesn't fit into established categories. With its huge 29" plus size wheels it attracts all the attention, but how does it ride?

As we’ve learned over the past few weeks, however, first impressions aren’t everything, but we certainly have done a lot of laughing whilst riding this thing, it’s a whole lot of fun! Ahead of our review, here is a little preview of this very unique bike. Oh, and does anyone know what a Chupacabra actually …

Huge amounts of traction from the 29+ tyres.

Stranglehold dropout allows for 29+, 29" or 27.5+ wheels.

Geometry is fun and lively.

Manitou fork axle is very fiddly.

No dropper post.

Call it what you want — tweeners, plus size, midfat, skinny fat — plus size bikes are here and the industry is latching on, for better or for worse. By mid-summer 2016, you can expect to see a 27.5+ bike in the wheelhouse of every major bike brand. However, 29.5+ is far less common, with Trek Bikes being one of the only major brands to adopt these extra tall, extra wide crawlers.

Nov 2015 · Danny Milner

First they got bigger, now they’re getting wider — who says you can’t reinvent the wheel? The new Trek Stache 9 29+ hardtail rolls on 3in rubber

Makes you grin like an idiot every ride

Tyres get destroyed in rocky terrain and it's bloody expensive

Last updated June 29 Not listed for 2,485 days

Trek Stache 9.6 29 Plus Hardtail Mountain Bike 2017 Black/Black

With Pre-Order , you can purchase the latest items added to our store in advance of them arriving with us.

Your Pre-Order is prioritised (at no additional charge); meaning that as soon as the product arrives with us, we can wrap it straight back up; ready for collection via Click & Collect or despatch to you — it often never even hits the stock room shelves!

With Pre-Launch , the date when we expect to receive the product ourselves is still a little too hazy to be confident in accepting Pre-Orders.

So, instead, you can submit your email address against the item you are interested in and we will email you as soon as stock arrives on the system.

Estimated Delivery & Collection Dates are given on Pre-Order and Pre-Launch products. They are for indication purposes only and can change at any time without notice.

The dates we provide are based on indications given by our suppliers. Whenever we get updated information from our suppliers we will endeavour to update the Estimated Delivery & Collection Dates provided on product pages.

Not happy with your purchase? Send it back to us or return in any of our stores and we will give you a full refund or exchange!

In the unlikely event that you are dissatisfied with your purchase please feel free to return your goods within 60 days of the purchase date for a full exchange or refund. Any item (excluding food and underwear) can be returned to us for any reason provided it is returned in ‘showroom condition’, with its original packaging, tags and a valid receipt/delivery note. Simply box up your items for return, include a cover note with the word REFUND or EXCHANGE inside & follow the below steps for safe return to our warehouse; where your return will be processed promptly.

Return Items by Post

It is your responsibility to ensure that the item is returned to us in a safe and secure manner, and in the event of a refund or exchange, in saleable condition (in original packaging and including all warranty, cards, manuals and accessories).

Customers are accountable for return shipping charges.

• You should always keep proof of postage and we advise you to use a ‘signed for service’ when returning goods.
• Send your package using a recorded delivery method (always keep a copy of your receipt!) to the following address:

Leisure Lakes Bikes, Unit 9 Centurion Industrial Estate, Centurion Way, Leyland, PR25 4GU

Checkout by Amazon Returns

If you used the pay by Amazon option when checking out then please send your package using a recorded delivery method (always keep a copy of your receipt!) with a note inside stating whether you want an exchange (what you want it exchanging for) or refund, to the following address:

Leisure Lakes Bikes Unit 9 Centurion Industrial Estate Centurion Way Leyland, PR25 4GU

Bike & Bulky Item Returns

If you wish to return your bike to us please keep it in the box it arrived in and call us on 01772 644340 and we will arrange a collection.

Please note the following:

• a) If we have sent you the incorrect bicycle, we will cover the cost of collection and delivery of the correct model.
• b) If we have delivered the bicycle you ordered, but upon inspection you decide it is not the bike for you, we will charge you £50.00 for the collection.

Please do not ride the bike as a full refund cannot be given if the bike has been used or damaged.

Return Items to a store

Any item (excluding food and underwear) can be returned to any Leisure Lakes Bikes store not just the one you made your purchase at, including those made online. The item must be returned in ‘showroom condition’, with its original packaging, tags and with a valid receipt/delivery note.

Wrong size or you don't like the item?

If returning items that are not suitable for either refund or exchange you are accountable for the delivery cost in returning it to us. You should always keep proof of postage and we advise you to use a ‘signed for service’ when returning goods.

New faulty items/ Wrong Item Received

If you have received items that are faulty or not what you ordered send them back to us (using the steps above) and we will cover the delivery cost of the return if it is within 14 days of delivery. If we have supplied the correct product, it is not faulty or it is outside of the 14 days we can not be liable for your postage charges. You should always keep proof of postage and we advise you to use a ‘signed for service’ when returning goods.

In the event that you have received items that are fault or not what you ordered, please send them back to us as soon as possible. Only in these cases will we cover the cost of the return shipping charges.

Faulty Items

If you have received items that are faulty please send them back to us using the steps above. Please include a covering letter describing the fault and if you would like the item replacing or refunding. Once the item arrives back at our Mail Order Centre you will receive an email notifying you about the progress. Faulty items are then forwarded onto the suppliers to confirm the warranty issue. Please be patient with us as we need to receive this confirmation from the suppliers before we can process your request for a replacement/refund.

When returning the item please use Royal Mail1 st Class Recorded* so that you have a tracking reference just in case! If your item arrived faulty we will refund your postage cost. If the item was in full working order at the time of delivery to you, we can not refund your return postage cost.

*In the event that you return a faulty/incorrect item we will refund your postage charge as long as it is 1 st Class Recorded or a lesser value service. We do not refund premium services.

Refunds will be processed using the same method of payment used for the original purchase. Credit and debit card refunds must be made to the card used for the original transaction, cheque payments will be refunded in cash but due to banking restrictions can only be refunded at least 14 days after the original purchase date. Due to the high incidence of fraud we regret that we are unable to offer any refund without a valid receipt/delivery note.

Refunds will be made for faulty or incorrect items, including any delivery charge incurred by the buyer (excluding ‘Special Delivery’) in the return of the item. If the products you ordered are delivered to you in good condition but you wish to return them for any reason we will refund the full value of the goods excluding any carriage charge upon receipt of your returned goods.

Items won’t be considered lost until after 15 working days of items beingdispatched. Once the 15 working days are up we will issue a refund or replacement.

Not received your order?

If you have not received your order please call us on 01772 644340 and a member of staff can confirm the shipping date. Unfortunately we cannot consider an item to be lost until 15 working days has passed (according to Royal Mail procedure). Once the 15 working days have passed we will be able to issue a full refund or resend your order.

Season:2017

Code:2024000-20172017MATBLA

The Trek Stache 9.6 29 Plus Hardtail Mountain Bike 2017 is an all new species of 29+ mountain bike performance. The wide 3" tyres grip relentlessly, amplifying all the benefits of 29ers, while remarkably short chainstays deliver a fun, lively ride. The Alpha Platinum Aluminium frame incorporates much shorter chainstays to create a lively ride quality, without leading to things getting to rough to handle!

Trek Stache 9.6 29+ 2017 Features

• 120mm travel and 29+ wheels let you roll over anything
• OCLV Mountain Carbon frame is light, efficient, and tough
• Boost148/110: stronger wheels, more tyre clearance, shorter stays
• The stranglehold dropout gives you options: 29+, 27.5+, or 29er

Upgrades from Stache 7 2017

• OCLV Mountain Carbon frame
• KS eThirty Integra dropper post

Trek Men's Bike Sizing Guide

We have put together a general sizing guide for Trek road and mountain bikes. Please see the below for a general size and check out the Trek Bikes Sizing Guide for all bike model guides and how to measure yourself. 

Trek Men's Road Bike Sizing Guide

Trek men's mountain bike sizing guide, trek men's commute bike sizing guide, write a review for trek stache 9.6 29 plus hardtail mountain bike 2017 black/black.

Important Links

Our services, help & info, customer support, opening times.

Our mail order phone lines are open:

Monday : 10am - 5pm

Tuesday - Friday : 9:30am - 5pm

Before calling, please visit our Contact Us page & have a look at our F.A.Q's - you may find the answer to your query!

11 UK Stores

Our stores are open 7 days a week*!

To find your nearest store & check their individual opening hours please visit our store finder page here .

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• Wheels and Tires

29 wheels (not plus) on Trek Stache 2016

• Add to quote

Hi guys, I'm considering wheelset upgrades right now (have another thread on this page, appreciate the help) and was curious about how feasible it would be to put regular 29" wheels (boost) into a 2016 Trek Stache 7. I dig the plus 29" stock tires for sure but in a bid to thin the heard (my wife's suggestion) could I get a good set of boost 29er wheels to fit the stache and then sell off one of my xc hardtails? The goal would be to make the stache more of an aggressive XC bike (saving weight from the bigger wheels). In order to this what factors do I need to consider? An XD driver for the GX 11 spd cassette? Boost hubs? anything else? Also open to suggestions on what wheelset you would consider in the $5-600 CAD range. Thanks!  

I've got a 2016 Stache as well. Smaller tires work fine on that bike. It drops the bottom bracket height a tad, but there's still plenty of clearance especially compared to an FS bike that sits in it's travel. You may want to find a rim that can work good for tires between 2.4 to 3.0 range like the Stan's Baron MK3 with the 35mm internal width. Stan's puts it in the 2.8 to 3.2 range, but I beg to differ and I'm not aware of any 29 x 3.2 tires anyway. Built with DT Swiss 350 or Hope Pro 4 hubs the wheelset can be pretty close to your price range.  

Bontrager Line Elite 30mm rims, including Shimano driver and 108 POE hubs about 600- Retail. Or, buy a takeoff set here or pinkbike for around 400. 29mm ID, great hub, strong wheels that take a 2.2- 2.6 with ease. Just my 02- I run these one my 2016 Stache 9 in single speed mode.  

• ?            
• 15.5M posts
• 516.1K members

Top Contributors this Month