New bicycle: Trek Stache 5
Since my GT Zaskar 9r was stolen last winter, I've been using my GT Zaskar Carbon Pro as a winter bike. This bike is very fast and aggressive, but it does not give you any confidence to ride on snow. I think it's the small 26" wheels. I just don't like it for technical riding anymore.
On my way back from work one day, the front derailleur sucked up the chain for a full stop. I was not quick enough to release the shoes from the pedals, and down I went. Embarrassing. The chain suck I blame the salting of the roads for. Well, I should have lubricated the chain that morning also, but it should really not be necessary to lubricate every day.
I've always enjoyed riding on snow and ice. As I did not look forward to using the Zaskar, I played with the idea of using a fat bike for winter. Well, that was before I tried one. I tested a second hand bike for sale with 4.0" spiked tires. I chose the old Selbu road from Hommelvik and pedaled to the top. And I've never been so tired from biking! The bike was heavy and the tires gave a lot of resistance. Rolling down, the bike was really unpredictable when cornering. I was not impressed, and gave up on the fatties.
Not quite. I knew from riding my full suspension bike that I wanted wider tires than 2.2. And I love large bikes, so the idea of 29+ bikes was really attractive to me. I also believed that with the large rear tire, I could manage without the rear shock. My kids have Specialized 24x2.8 bikes for two years, and they have worked well for them.
But no where could I find a 29+ bike to try. It ended up with me ordering a 2019 Trek Stache 5. And I had wait a month for it. I ordered the 21.5" size as well.
It arrived on Saturday. I took the kids out for a ride the same day. Conditions in the snow were tough and both me and the boys struggled a bit in the snow. Neither of us had spikes, although that was not the main problem for the day.
Today, I took the bike for a serious test. The road up to Estenstadhytta was free of snow and ice so the ascent was not tecnical. Despite its 15 kilos the bike climbed reasonably well too. Back down I chose the ski tracks. And the bike was amazing. The confidence made it really fun to ride on the snow. It's a big bike when you look down on the front wheel. But there is control and predictability all the way. The dropper post also helps when you are going downhill.
I expect this bike is going to be a lot of fun. It's not going to replace my other bikes. It's an addition to technical riding. The 1x10 setup is for climbing and not for long gravel trips. But for that I have the Scalpel 2. I've ordered 29x2.8 studded tires from Terrene which will be used for next season.
On my way back from work one day, the front derailleur sucked up the chain for a full stop. I was not quick enough to release the shoes from the pedals, and down I went. Embarrassing. The chain suck I blame the salting of the roads for. Well, I should have lubricated the chain that morning also, but it should really not be necessary to lubricate every day.
I've always enjoyed riding on snow and ice. As I did not look forward to using the Zaskar, I played with the idea of using a fat bike for winter. Well, that was before I tried one. I tested a second hand bike for sale with 4.0" spiked tires. I chose the old Selbu road from Hommelvik and pedaled to the top. And I've never been so tired from biking! The bike was heavy and the tires gave a lot of resistance. Rolling down, the bike was really unpredictable when cornering. I was not impressed, and gave up on the fatties.
Not quite. I knew from riding my full suspension bike that I wanted wider tires than 2.2. And I love large bikes, so the idea of 29+ bikes was really attractive to me. I also believed that with the large rear tire, I could manage without the rear shock. My kids have Specialized 24x2.8 bikes for two years, and they have worked well for them.
But no where could I find a 29+ bike to try. It ended up with me ordering a 2019 Trek Stache 5. And I had wait a month for it. I ordered the 21.5" size as well.
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| 2019 Trek Stache 5 |
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| Quick rest at Estenstaddammen. |
Today, I took the bike for a serious test. The road up to Estenstadhytta was free of snow and ice so the ascent was not tecnical. Despite its 15 kilos the bike climbed reasonably well too. Back down I chose the ski tracks. And the bike was amazing. The confidence made it really fun to ride on the snow. It's a big bike when you look down on the front wheel. But there is control and predictability all the way. The dropper post also helps when you are going downhill.
I expect this bike is going to be a lot of fun. It's not going to replace my other bikes. It's an addition to technical riding. The 1x10 setup is for climbing and not for long gravel trips. But for that I have the Scalpel 2. I've ordered 29x2.8 studded tires from Terrene which will be used for next season.
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