So. I've just ridden a Trek Stache….

Yeah the shop did the tubeless for me. They said it wasn’t hard, used Gorilla tape. Those tubes are quite meaty!

I’ve had the wheels off a few times while interfickering, they’re not heavy.

But I’m expecting to put a heavier tyre on the front when wet season arrives.

Is there any consensus about tyre pressures folks?

I’d be keen to try one of the 2016 ones, but nowhere seems to have any in 21.5.

just the 17.5 and 18.5 left I think Gavin.

Anyone know how to get extra travel out of these Manitou Comps? At full travel (110mm) there is still 20mm or so of stanchion left so I guess it’s hitting a bumper or something.

ps the saddle is crap.

another question: anyone on a Stache 9 with XT brakes and the SRAM shifter – does it come with Problem Solvers or just 2 clamps? (Trying 2 clamps on my S7 to run XT brakes but can’t get positioning to work for my lickle hands).

Any closeup pics of the S9 setup please?

Alex I see from your pics you’re running 2 clamps, brakes outboard. I’ll give it another try.

Anyone know how to get extra travel out of these Manitou Comps? At full travel (110mm) there is still 20mm or so of stanchion left so I guess it’s hitting a bumper or something.

You’re not supposed to- the top of the stanchion isn’t actually used. IIRC because otherwise the fork arch and the downtube would be getting a bit familiar.

edit- let the pressure out if you want to see where the ‘correct’ bottom out location is

I bought a 5 a few weeks ago becuase the colour is ACE and the saddle is fine :0)
Being cheap helped too.

Struggles on rocky fast trails unsuprisingly as it’s rigid but I still need to buy an accurate pressure gauge so I can repeat air pressures and reduce by small amounts.

Compares to a 4″ Fat bike it’s not as comfortable but it weighs a lot less and goes fast.

Thrutching up steep stuff is amazing I’m currently eyeing up a rockysteppymanmade climb that I’d never thought I’d even think I could clean.

Dalbeattie by Tom Levell[/url], on Flickr

@swanny sure I understand thanks. But the ’17 models are specced at 120mm travel not 110mm, for the same named fork and frame geo, so I bet it’s just an internal mod.

My 5 is the only bike I ride now

So fast once in the flow.

Still B+ rear and 29+ front and 11/12 psi (Topeak D2)

Also, XT brakes, Stooge Moto bar, 60 stem (21.5), Layback post, and a creaking Hope BB (screw together expensive one)

I thought the saddle ok to begin with but now I can feel a centre ridge and it’s looking worn

One thing – check your headsets as I did and it was rusty. A few have found the same on mtbr

@swanny sure I understand thanks. But the ’17 models are specced at 120mm travel not 110mm, for the same named fork and frame geo, so I bet it’s just an internal mod.

Ah, sorry, misunderstood the question. You might be able too but the ’17 models might have slightly longer stanchions!

So fast once in the flow.

amen. takes a bit of booting up but once it’s rolling, hang on and work it! a big bag of fun.

does anyone know anywhere that has the 5 at £1k? Having had a week or so on a mates I’m very keen to get my hands on one and am just re-eligible for C2W again

I should get looking quick as the new 5 has a suspension fork

yeah – think I’m going to end up looking at 2nd hand . . .

Bonesetter your right about the headset. Mine was grumbly on my 7 and when I took it apart the lower race was shot and rusty as hell. I replaced it with an cartridge acb and then it pours all day……

Chomp, Stans Cycles in Shrewsbury had a Stache 5 in size 18.5ins a few days ago. Didn’t look at the price, but assume it will be same as Trek website if they still have it.

^ Should be able to get that for £1100

Chris – yeah, just not enough factory fit grease – what’s a cartridge acb?

Anyone know how the stache 5 rides compared to a stooge. Looking to go b+ on either

I’ve owned both, at the same time

Geo of the the stache means you’ll be more weight forward, but you’ll get used to that, and of course you can tweak the cockpit (I ran a Stooge Moto bar which works fine)

Stache CS’s are super short and it feels it. With B+ and if you like the CS’s short then you’ll be popping off anything you can find, albeit at higher speed stability sacrifice

Stache is mega lightweight too

Stooge gets the nod for me though, and shines better in B+ mode. You can feel the steel

Sorry bonesetter I missed your question. Its a angular contact bearing. Its a lot better quality than what I had originally in mine.

Thanks Chris

Cheers chap. Been told that the stooge mk3 frame arrives end of march with improved fork and two sizes. Think that’s the one to go for.

It’ll have to be, unless you can find a used Stache 5 – no more new ones

Seems an odd move dumping the rigid 5 from the range. It’s the only one I’ve seen out and about, which suggests it sold ok. I quite fancied one too, but couldn’t get a demo on a superlankytallguy sized one.

I got one of the last 5’s in 19.5. That was back in August.

It’s the best colour by far 🙂

I swap between using the rigid fork and a Lefty. Put some XT brakes on and went tubeless. One of the most fun bikes I’ve ever ridden. Slam that rear wheel!

My stache 5 has been transformed by fitting some 2.4 conti mountain kings for the mud…..I can now ride it without fear of getting slammed in to the ground in the greasey stuff!

My stache 5 has been transformed by fitting some 2.4 conti mountain kings for the mud…..I can now ride it without fear of getting slammed in to the ground in the greasey stuff!

Is that on the standard rim?

Yep…..and the added bonus of masses of mud clearance too

Stedlocks, I’m completely sold on that. I thought I’d have to get new rims. Dont rate the current tyres at all.

Doing it today. Cheers.

Stedlocks – I can’t get the 2.4s on for love nor money. I’ve tried two different tyres, cO2 and compressor. Just don’t seem to want to lock on the rim.

How did you do it?

There’s not a chance in hell I’d be putting a 2.4 tyre (particularly a Conti) onto a 45mm rim. That’s a VERY flat, square tyre. Schwalbe recommend nothing larger than 29mm for a 2.5″ tyre.

Managed to get the rear 2.4 x-king protection on. Had to double tape it so it was slightly tighter all around.

Went up a treat. Rides loads better than the 3.00 chumbawumba tyre. Faster and grippier.

Won’t be going back to those Bontragers again. That said the 3.0 on the front can stay for now as I experiment with semi-fat front.

Love the Chupas. Ok maybe not so much right now in our mud but they get by.
How much wear have yours had and how much do you want ;0)

The Chupas are working ok for me in the Peak, muddy climbs seem to be their downfall which is a shame but I can live with that as if it’s that muddy I’d be better off riding elsewhere. I’ll run them until they’re dead then replace them with something meatier.

On proper rocky trails they’re grand.

Think I posted these on the other Stache thread but here’s mine. It seems to really suit being built up a bit more hardcore with a big bar, dropper and tiny stem. It seems almost a shame to waste the bike’s potential building it up like Stedlock’s bike.

There’s not a chance in hell I’d be putting a 2.4 tyre (particularly a Conti) onto a 45mm rim. That’s a VERY flat, square tyre.

The MKII 2.4 is a stupid profile with the side knobs half way down the sidewall. Squaring it up with wide rims is going to vastly improve it.

How much wear have yours had and how much do you want ;0)

900 odd miles. Which is okay.

But it’s a lethargic tyre for not much grip.

It seems almost a shame to waste the bike’s potential building it up like Stedlock’s bike

I’m guilty of that too. And will be rid of probably it in the spring as it’s just turning into a winter heffer for me. It doesn’t really do anything my other bikes do, but it is a lot cheaper so less cocnern.

I guess it all comes down to the conditions you ride in regularly as the Chupas are working great for me. I’m lucky that in my area there is no real mud to clog things up; mainly a sand base mud.

Before I bought the Stache I was also considering a steel B+ option, specifically a Tarn and posted a question about this; one post that hit home was from pigyn: ‘I say don’t bother with steel for 3″ tyres, what’s the point? Compliance you can’t feel through 3″ of squish?’.

Anyway, in the end picked up an ex-demo as new Stache 9 and been really impressed with it, it’s like a fun fat bike. It’s agile and can actually be ridden fast without my legs exploding.