#Trek stache 9 update
#Trek stache 9 full

So, how does it ride? Frankly, itвЂ™s fun as hell.

Only something called Project Weird could wind up with the largest production tire diameter and shortest chainstays on the same bike. It isnвЂ™t just another hardtailвЂ“the new Stache is an off-the-wall experiment gone totallyвЂ¦right. Finally, Bontrager refined the 29+ tire, and the Stache 29+ was born. Then Surly came in with the Knard, leading to the addition of Boost spacing, which Trek was already developing to make better 29-inch wheels. SRAMвЂ™s 1Г—11 drivetrains allowed designers to stick the chainstay where a front derailleur used to go. So, the Chupacabra was bornвЂ“a 3-inch-wide tire weighing 860 grams, about the same as a 29Г—2.3 Maxxis Minion II.ДЄs it was being developed, Project Weird became a magnet for emerging technologies. Trek knew that this 29+ thing would never take off without a better, lighter tire that riders could accelerate and maneuver easily. The Surly Knard led the way as the first production 29+ tire, but it was heavy. Trek was also fortunate to have Bontrager, which Trek owns, helping out with tires. Luckily, Trek was already developing Boost 148 rear and 110 front axle spacing that could accommodate larger rubber. Larger-volume tires were added to the second prototype, but the bike had clearance issues.

#Trek stache 9 full

In the longest position, thatвЂ™s a full inch shorter than the 2015 Stache 29.ДЄnother takeaway from prototyping was that short stays are fun, but the tight rear triangle creates a harsh ride. The range they settled on for production, however, is still astoundingly stubby: The sliding dropouts are adjustable from 15.9 to 16.5 inches. By elevating the drive-side chainstay and moving the downtube out of the way, they discovered that вЂtoo shortвЂ™ is definitely possible.

#Trek stache 9 update

Needless to say, I was a bit taken aback when first laying eyes on this update of TrekвЂ™s popular trail hardtail.Дevelopment began in the spring of 2012 with a project dubbed вЂProject Weird.вЂ™ TrekвЂ™s mountain bike group wanted to find out how short they could make the chainstays on a 29er, and if it was possible to go too short. Figuring that 29+ was ridiculous, I assumed that itвЂ™d be of the more reasonable 27.5+ variety. When Vernon Felton and I flew to TrekвЂ™s headquarters this past March to check out the brandвЂ™s secret new bike, all we knew was that it would have plus-size tires. RYAN PALMER | TEST LOCATION: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA