Where other bikes have long since lost traction, the Trek only really starts to shine, delivering previously undreamt levels of grip in every situation.
#CHAINRING FOR STACHE 7 FULL#
The Full Stache takes the edge of steep slopes, off-camber passages, wet roots and rocks. The Trek Full Stache has awoken the inner child in our test rider, Manne, who is already raring to go on his next trail adventure. With the rear shock in Trail mode, there is no discernible pedal bob on the Full Stache, while the voluminous tires continue to provide lots of comfort. The centre tread is almost completely smooth which rolls easily on compact surfaces. This is primarily due to the tread pattern and the round profile of the tires. Although the weight of the wheel and tire combination takes a lot of effort to get going, they have surprisingly low rolling resistance. On hard-packed ground and level terrain, the Full Stache is more than capable of covering long distances, contrary to the visual impression the tires make. Although the SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain has plenty of gear range, the Full Stache lacks an even smaller gear to conquer the steep and high peaks of the terrain it’s made for. You’ll likely run out of leg power despite the 30T chainring, long before the bike reaches the limits of its climbing capabilities. Together with the active yet efficient suspension, the Full Stache will get you up the steepest and most technical climbs with ease. Thanks to the 3.0″ wide Bontrager XR4 tires, you won’t have any issues with the back wheel losing traction either.
Even with the Full Stache in the slack setting, you’ll never have to worry about the front wheel lifting. Due to the long stem and the low stack height, the front of the bike stays nicely weighted on steep passages. The riding position is aggressive and slightly stretched.
The Full Stache offers the right mix of comfort and efficiency for extended expeditions. When the next adventure calls, long hours in the saddle are inevitable. It only has space for one water bottle in the front triangle. However, bikepackers will be disappointed – the Full Stache doesn’t feature Trek’s usual mounts on the top tube to carry additional gear. Fortunately, the much-criticised Bontrager Line dropper post has been updated and delivers 150mm travel without any issues. Trek’s in-house Bontrager cockpit comes with a 60 mm stem. The raised chainstay keeps the chain nice and quiet. Peace and quietĮnjoying nature and the trails to the fullest is what the Full Stache is made for. With this combination, the braking power of the Full Stache 8 isn’t reliable enough for long descents. Trek combine SRAM Guide R brakes with 180 mm rotors front and rear. Rims/Hubs Bontrager/SUNringlé Düroc 40 29″
Shifting is taken care of by a SRAM GX-Eagle drivetrain. The rest of the componentry of the beautifully finished Full Stache is spot on though. Combined with 180 mm rotors front and rear, the SRAM Guide R is neither reliable nor powerful enough for this bike. One obvious weakness we spotted before we even rode the bike was the underpowered brakes. The FOX FLOAT EVOL shock provides 130mm travel at the rear, matching the 130 mm RockShox PIKE at the front. To create the clearance necessary to accommodate the bulky tires, the pivot point of the rear linkage has been moved far forwards on the aluminium frame and the driveside chainstay is raised above the chain. The € 3,499 Full Stache 8, is fitted with 3.0″ Bontrager XR4 tires mounted on 40 mm wide 29″ wheels, bringing the bike’s total weight to 15.31 kg. The Stache is an attempt to bridge the gap between long-distance bikepacking and fun on the trails.
#CHAINRING FOR STACHE 7 PLUS#
While plus tires never really got rolling in Europe, they have long become an established MTB trend in the United States. The Stache hails from the USA, the land of both endless possibilities and bikepacking. To understand the Trek Full Stache, you first have to understand where it’s coming from.