And now that the bike is in the large hands of JeffJ to ride for a bit, I have some thoughts to share on the Stache 9 and on 29+ et al. I have ridden it now under typical So Cal summer trail conditions, both on open fireroad and singletrack and taken it up and down rock stepped trails to see what even bigger diameter wheels do for you in decently techy sections. We got it out of the box here, and hit the trails without delay. I cannot remember a bike I more anticipated hitting my doorstep than the Trek Stache 9, a uniquely designed 29+ aluminum hardtail that also happens to run 27+ set-ups (all need to be Boost standard hubs). They held out well during the course of the ride.We begin where we ended last time…on trail with the Stache 9. For this trip, Zach kept to the stock tires as they’re grippy and fast rolling. At the other end of the scale, spinning out in the high gears was rarely an issue. In hindsight, Zach says he’d definitely have preferred a 26T chainring to help tackle some of the trail’s steeper climbs, as well as allowing for some respite during the inevitable afternoon fatigue. The 30T chainring was also swapped out for a 28T, given the load carried, the distance covered, and Colorado’s unforgiving topography. It features a revised geometry for 2017 with even shorter chainstays than before, thanks to both Boost spacing and its now classic elevated driveside chainstay.The stock bike is built with 29+ tires and a carbon wheelset, but you can also fit 27.5+ and 29er tires the Stranglehold adjustable thru axle allows chainstay length to be adjusted.įor the Colorado Trail, Zach swapped out the Bontrager Drop Line 125 for a rigid carbon one, in the interests of reliability and so a standard seat pack could be used.
The 9.8 is Trek’s top level Stache and comes with all the carbon trimmings. It makes a great template for what to carry on the Colorado Trail, a balance that reflects his desire to enjoy its incredible, technical trails to the maximum, while still carrying everything required for a complete, relaxing, backcountry experience.
#Stache 7 vs stache 9 full#
Having recently moved from a full suspension rig to a more bikepacking-friendly hardtail, his choice of bike is a clue to his racing background – a full carbon, lightweight setup – and his considered gearlist is well honed from years of backpacking. His cadence never fluctuates and fitness and his bike handling skills never fail to humble and inspire me – he regularly cleans sections of trails that I didn’t imagine could be ridden, with or without bikepacking gear.
When it comes to mountain biking, Zach is a precision instrument. In fact, Zach grew up backpacking with his family since the tender age of three! These days, Zach gravites towards the adventurous side of mountain biking, where he puts his skillset as both an incredibly strong rider and his mountain experience to great use along the way, he also spent a couple of years fighting wildfires with the Hotshots, so is no stranger to minimal camping and spending time in remote areas. Over the years, he’s represented the Rockshox Devo Team and been a member of the US National MTB team, racing internationally.
#Stache 7 vs stache 9 pro#
In a former life, Zach was a pro mtb racer based in Durango. Jackson-born Zach Shriver is a firefighter who works in Los Alamos, Santa Fe.
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