MTB innovation 2024: Trail bike under 10 kilos: The Stoll T3 and M3 fullys enter the 3rd round

Noble, light, individual and expensive are the attributes that are inevitably associated with the Stoll brand. The small Swiss manufacturer, which now has eight employees, has focussed on high-end, whether on the road or off-road. Together with its partner Bike Ahead, Stoll manufactures the finest carbon frames in Germany. In addition to optimised weight and flawless workmanship, Stoll bikes are characterised by a high degree of customisation. Carbon layup, equipment and suspension travel are tailored to the customer's needs, so to speak.

Stoll MTB: One platform = three different bikes

Even in the third generation of the Stoll T3 full-suspension bike, nothing has changed in terms of perfectionist standards and maximum customisability. Based on a geometrically identical main frame, Stoll puts three different bikes from Marathon to All Mountain on the tyres. Only the rear triangle and the shock linkage differ from model to model and can be combined. The M3 marathon fully, which weighs from 9.4 kilos and has 120 millimetres of travel at the front and rear, is the sportiest variant in the Stoll portfolio. The T3 SL weighs just 500 grams more and is a classic trail bike with 140 millimetres of travel at the front and 135 millimetres at the rear. In the T3 Evo version, Stoll realises 150 millimetres of suspension travel at the rear wheel in combination with a 160 mm fork.

1700 grams for the frame

The third expansion stage of the frame in the lightest configuration should weigh just 1700 grams. This means that the new frame weighs around 200 grams less than its predecessor. The greatest weight reduction was achieved with the newly designed main frame. Stoll M3, T3 SL and T3 Evo share the same frame shape for the main frame, but have a different carbon layup as before. Depending on rider weight and intended use, there are two different layups to choose from, which influence stiffness, stability and weight. In order to make the new main frame even lighter, Stoll has opted for a beam construction on the two-part top tube, which also serves as the front shock mount. This allows the frame to absorb the load as straight as possible and, compared to its predecessor, less solid material is used, which has a positive effect on weight.

Weight has also been successfully saved on the few aluminium parts in the new series. The two rockers that connect the VPP rear triangle to the main frame now weigh just 176 grams. The main bearing points have also been widened to improve the flow of power from the head tube via the bottom bracket to the rear wheel axle.

Postmount and flatmount

Stoll uses two different shapes and brake mounts for the one-piece rear triangle. The Marathon-Fully M3 has slimmer tube cross-sections, which results in a weight advantage of 100 grams. In addition, a compact flatmount brake mount for brake discs up to 180 millimetres in diameter is used. The 600 gram rear triangle for the trail versions has more volume and therefore stiffness and a classic post-mount brake mount. Compared to the Marathon version, which offers space for 38 chainrings, the chainstays on the T3 Evo are five millimetres longer at 443 millimetres, which is intended to increase smoothness. Depending on the rider's weight and intended use, the main frames and rear triangles can be freely combined. For example, riders up to 80 kilos can also combine the lightweight main frame with the lightweight flatmount rear triangle in the T3 SL version.

Refined VPP kinematics

In the third generation, Stoll continues to rely on a VPP rear triangle with a virtual pivot point. Compared to its predecessor, however, the kinematics have been fundamentally revised. The new fully has been given more anti-squat for more efficient pedalling. The progression has also been reduced to make better use of the suspension travel. The extremely high progression was a point of criticism with the predecessor. The different suspension travels of 120, 135 and 150 millimetres at the rear are made possible by the use of three different damper linkages/rockers. In addition, the M3 has a shock with 47.5 millimetres of travel, while the trail models work with 55 millimetres.

Stoll MTB with new geometry

With a reach of 500 millimetres in size L, the new Stoll is on the long side. In size XL, the reach even goes up to 540 millimetres, which means that even very tall riders can enjoy a Stoll this time. As the size jumps are quite large, a test ride is definitely recommended. With a steering angle of up to 64.3 degrees, the T3 should be sufficiently stable. The seat angle has also been steepened, but is not too extreme for a sporty seat length.

Individual details of the Stoll bikes

The fine details and detailed solutions have also been carefully honed. For example, the main frame can be ordered with an optional storage compartment in the down tube. The storage compartment offers sufficient volume for a tube and a mini pump and can be opened from below via a flap secured with Velcro. Lightweight and rattle-free. The reinforcement for the storage compartment adds around 60 grams in weight and costs an extra CHF 450. To keep the look absolutely clean, there is a version for mechanical or wireless shifting. The wireless version does without additional cable entries in the main frame and rear triangle. In order to maximise the integration of the rear brake hose, Stoll uses a Bike Ahead Cockpit (The Unit), where the hose is routed into the handlebars and then runs through the headset. This keeps the look as tidy as possible. To protect the brake lines, a steering stop is of course on board, which has been form-fitted into the top tube.

A Stoll for 6000 euros?

The price of the new Stoll starts at CHF 8500. In the Silver configuration, the T3 has a Sram GX AXS Transmission drivetrain, Newmen wheels and Rockshox Ultimate suspension. The Topspec Platinum costs CHF 12500. For this, the customer gets everything that is beautiful and expensive. The frameset alone costs CHF 5000.

If you want to spend a little less money and still become a Stoll rider, you can go for a T2, which is still in production but is only equipped with discontinued components. The price points here are an attractive CHF 6000 and CHF 7500.

Interview: 3 questions for the Managing Director, Thomas Stoll

BIKE: You're sticking with the VPP rear triangle in the third stage of development, but you've still made a lot of tweaks to the kinematics. What were the development goals?

Thomas Stoll: As far as the suspension is concerned, we have taken a big step forward with the new model. The first series of our fullys, the T1, was extremely drive-neutral but had a rather sporty, firm rear suspension. In the second series, we designed the suspension to be super sensitive, but this came at the expense of efficiency. In addition, the progression was quite high. The T3 now combines the optimum of the strengths of its predecessors. It responds very well, still works efficiently and offers good usable suspension travel.

What details of the T3 are you personally particularly proud of?

That's a difficult question. I would say it's the interplay between the suspension performance and the new design. The details and the 2D silhouette of the new frame are already very good. We were also able to tweak the weight again.

What is the biggest difference to its predecessor?

On the trail, the new T3 feels very familiar compared to its predecessor. It has the same sporty DNA. However, in many areas, especially when it comes to the suspension, the new bike rides much better. Our own benchmark tests with well-known competitors have also shown this.