The Stache line is 1x only and our top-end Stache 9 tester is equipped out of the box with SRAM X1 components and an X1 crank sporting a 30t chainring. The weights for these plus-sized offerings are respectable-the 29x3.0 tires weigh in at 910grams, and the wheels themselves tip the scale at 2,280grams/pair (1,090g front, 1,190g rear). The wheels on our tester came outfitted with tubes, but when I swapped them out to a tubeless set-up, the whole system aired up easily and securely on the first try. The rims are tubeless ready, as are the tires, and include cutouts to keep weight in check. The Stache 9 is delivered with single wall Sun Mule Füt rims laced to DT Swiss 350 Boost hubs. Rebound is externally controlled from the bottom of the right leg. This adjustment dials in the last 15mm of the stroke to prevent smashing thorough the last bit of travel. Manitou also included the Hydraulic Bottom Out (HBO) adjustment found elsewhere in its line. This allows the rider to set platform for climbing and trail riding and, when needed, turn the low-speed compression lever to the full open position for aggressive down-hilling and rough terrain. Compression adjustments are composed of separate high and low speed circuits, with the former adjusting the latter while in the firmer modes. Air volume of the positive side of the spring can be adjusted by removing the top cap and moving preinstalled spacers up or down on the shaft of the cap to dial in spring curve, very similar to bottomless tokens from Rockshox or air volume spacers from Fox and Push. The left leg features the Dorado air system, a dual chamber air spring inflated from a single Schrader valve on the bottom of the left leg. The lowers retain the reverse arch design of other Manitou offerings. It uses a similar hollow crown to support sturdy 34mm stanchions, but the pitch of the crown-the distance between the legs-is increased to accommodate plus-sized tires and 110mm Boost spacing at the dropouts. Manitou’s new Magnum fork is loosely based on the single crown Mattoc. The frame has space for two water bottles in the usual configuration of seat and down tube. Moving forward, the Stache keeps things low in the front with a 100mm head tube (size 17.5 frame) holding a Manitou Magnum Pro fork in place. All this leaves no room for a front derailleur, so the Stache is 1x only. This gives extra strength and more clearance around the hefty 29x3.0 Bontrager Chupacabra tires that come stock on the bike. The pressfit-style BB92 bottom bracket shell and the first 4 inches of the left stay are forged as one piece. Even there, Trek has a trick up its sleeve. But only on the drive side-the left stay attaches in the traditional position. Yes, you read that right: an elevated chainstay. To get a rear center as short as was wanted, and to stay with a normally sized bottom bracket shell, Trek anchored the drive side chainstay above the bottom bracket. They hold the rear wheel solidly in place with a 12mm thru-axle. It also features a remarkably tight wheelbase, which is adjustable thanks to sliding dropouts that Trek calls Stranglehold. If I had a place in my "garage" and time to maintain it, I'd totaly buy the Stache instead of any other 29" HT out there.New from the ground up, the Stache frame takes full advantage of Boost 148, the wider spacing of the rear dropouts and realigning of the chainline that Trek and SRAM brought into play last summer. It's been a true pleasure to test ride it. One of the most fun bikes I have ever ridden. Just remember to put a sub 50mm stem on it, to make it feel more humane. It's a true explorers bike, long mile hauler, and since 29+ tyres are only slightly larger in radius than regular ones, you can easily put regular 29" wheels and tyres and enjoy a cool 29" HT in the summer time. It does suck on gravel corners at speed and in berms but it's not that bad. What else? I could manual it and bunny hop it, it's not much harder to do than on a regular 29er while wheelies are simply EPIC. Then the cushioning gives it a very "noble" way of riding a singletrack, things are smooth but not stupid smooth. Then it allows you to climb stupid sht, at least as long as you keep it rolling, those tyres are fkng heavy and will punish you for stalling. I rode a trail that is barely rideable in the summer on the whole length, where Stache just kept going. It rides well through loads of soft crap, which is especially in the early spring. It allows you to stay in the saddle where even 10k S-Works Anything would tell you to carry it. It has tons of grip but a svelte 29er like Epic would still kick it's arse on a wet climb. Let's cut the bullcrap it is not faster in any single "ordinary" instance of riding a bike. From Plus sympathetic I went to full on PLUS supporter. I rode the aluminium version of this bike.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |