Trek Stache 9.7 Review

The Trek Stache 9.7 is a fast, light, and unforgiving carbon fiber hardtail. The Stache is a perfect example of a bike that performs extremely well on a narrow range of terrain. Three professional mountain bike testers rode this hardtail for six weeks to determine its key ride characteristics and important subtleties. This 29+ bike runs massive 29 x 3.0 tires, paired with a lightweight carbon frame and a relatively short wheelbase. The result is a steamrolling, monster truck, that produces an exceptionally fast and surprisingly quick-handling ride on buff trails devoid of sharp corners. While it takes a moment and a bit of effort to get these mammoth wheels rolling, once you have momentum, it is stunningly quick on the uphill and the descent. Medium to sharp corners are problematic as are rougher or bony trails that translate too much of the trail surface to the rider. At $3799 the Stache is a nice value given the quality of the build and performance. That said, this bike is not a very good option as an only bike and some may find the Trek to be too expensive as a second bike.
REASONS TO BUY