'13 Trek

The trail waits in anticipation, the woods are quiet, then WHOOSH! The sound of tires pierces the silence. Big wheels roll over the roots, wide tires rip through berms and 120mm of travel tames the rocks. The 29er has grown up from its XC roots with Trek's Stache 7. Trek loaded the aluminum frame with all the marks of a fully capable trail bike like a tapered head tube, ISCG05 mounts, dropper-post routing and a 142x12mm through-axle rear end. That rear end in enhanced by wonderfully short chainstays that make this 29er rail twists and turns like it was its job. Which it is. The specs are just as legit with 2x10 Race Face cranks and SLX gearing including the new Plus rear derailleur that sports a clutch to keep chain retention high and chain slap low. The hardtail is officially back ladies and gentlemen!