![]() When they say its for the multi bike owner looking for a unique trail hardtail they’re not kidding. This could just be me, but I also smacked my heal on the chainstay enough times for it to be noticeable. I also felt the handlebar was too wide (which I’ve never said before). There is nothing, frame and fork are completely smooth. Where it fails is a complete lack of rack mounts, so that eliminates commuting and bike packing. ![]() ![]() With a shock on the front this bike would slay single track and mountain trail, and if you’ve read any of the reviews by the big bike mags that seems to be a consensus all around. The Bontrager Chupacabra tires were smooth rolling on hardpack and didn’t have bad vibration on paved roads. The big wheels, lightish weight and short wheel base make it great at clearing obstacles and pushing into corners. The Statche 5 was nimble on a local single track, comfortable to spend a decent amount of time in the saddle and a wheelie machine. This bike breaks my heart not because it stinks but because it rides so well but is not made for any of the things I would have in mind for it (to be fair the Trek rep said this bike is for people with multiple higher end rides that’s looking for a fun, unique hardtail for trail). After I got my hands on the bike I was very happy with how little it weighed (with pedals I’d confidently say 26-27lbs) and I found the reach very comfortable for such a big tired bike. I have been looking at the Stache 5 from the point of view that it would make a kickass commuter (If you’ve read past posts you know my daily ride is dying from a cracked frame) and a possible bike packing rig. It also sports the boost 148/110mm hubs of which I’m not a fan of the new sizing but that is a different post entirely. Other than the 29+ wheel set the thing that really sets the Stache apart is it’s incredibly short chainstay at just 420mm. ![]() The 5 has a steeper head tube angle at 70.3 degrees than its front shock brothers (they run at 68.4 degrees). I test rode a 17.5 frame size/18.5 bike (you’ll see when you see the sticker on the seat tube). The bike sizing has an actual and “trek” sizing. The lack of 15mm bolt through did mean that we got deflected off line when pushing very hard through rutted sections but it was rare and the front end generally tracked superbly well though the tyres are not designed for wet slippery winter conditions and let go easily.Ĭlimbing is not hard work on the Trek, the rear end can be firmed up with the pro pedal but it was rarely used and the central position on the bike meant it was easy to move our weight forward and aft as required.I had put out feelers a month or two ago about test riding a Stache 5 and pretty much gave up after my third contact said they are only bringing in the 7 and 9 this year, so I was pleasantly surprised when I got a call this weekend to take one out for an afternoon ride. Up front the Fox F-Series 32 is a good balance for the smooth shock out back and the bike was balanced and poised. Small bumps and stuttery sections were smoothed out and once into the mid and end sections of the stroke there was no yaw or wallow, just a deep controlled plushness… very impressive. That DRCV really does work and the back end was tight and controlled and never bulked at anything. That long top tube and reasonably long wheel base means that the bike is stable and predictable, that is not to say that it isn’t fun, it carries speed well and it was easy to get into a fast flowing rhythm, a shorter stem would be better to quicken up the steering a touch but that is easily sorted. Once on the bike it immediately feels comfortable and stable, the roomy cockpit is laid out just right and we soon found ourselves riding without really thinking about the bike as it just felt right.
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