Endurance test mileage: 5,790 km | 84,520 m elevation gain
You can twist and turn it however you like, but the T1 from Swiss manufacturer Stoll clearly exceeds the limits of a purely rational purchase. At 8540 euros, the bike ranks in the S-Works league and has to compete with the top models here. In return, however, you don't get off-the-shelf products, but a frame customised to your own requirements and laminated in Germany. Carbon specialist Bike-Ahead from near Würzburg not only builds the frame, but also supplies the wheels with wide carbon rims. In combination with the Fox suspension, a Sram XX1 Eagle and solid tyres, the bike weighs in at 11.3 kilos. An excellent value for a trail bike and a guarantee for the best propulsion. Despite 138 millimetres of travel at the rear, the VPP rear triangle also works very quietly and efficiently, which makes reaching for the shock platform almost superfluous.
Since July 2017, the T1 has had to show what it can do and was not spared during the wet and cold winter months. The first unusual incident occurred after just 450 kilometres: The carbon on the inside of the front rim buckled without any external influence. A short time later, the same phenomenon also occurred on the rear rim. The wheelset was immediately replaced by Bike Ahead with a reinforced version, which has held up perfectly to date. Frequent washing after muddy rides ruined the lower headset bearing after 1300 kilometres. Here, too, Stoll provided a remedy by fitting a new bearing and an effective additional seal. Two months later, the right-hand bottom bracket was also spinning badly and had to be replaced. A fork service after 2000 kilometres and a chain change were part of the usual wear and tear. However, the frame and its rust-free stainless steel ball bearings were unimpressed by the endurance test.
TUNING
Chassis upgrade
An AWK air unit with two air chambers was retrofitted for finer tuning of the progression and a tighter characteristic curve. However, with the rather short spring travel of 140 millimetres, the difference compared to before is small.
The optimum grip
The original silicone grips had to give way to various screw-on grips in the search for the optimum grip. Ergon GE1, ODI Aaron Gwin 2 and SQlab 70X emerged as favourites over the course of the test.
DEFECTS | MAINTENANCE
450 and 1000 km: Rim defect
Due to excessive spoke tension and insufficient fibre use, the bike-ahead rims became compressed.
1340 km: fixed tax rate
The lower bearing was running rough due to water damage. An additional seal (white) provided a remedy for the replacement.
2500 km: Chain and chainring
The Sram Eagle chain and chainring have been replaced.
3470 km: minimum drop
The Yep-Uptimiser proved to be very reliable for a hydraulic support, but had to be serviced once.
RELATIONSHIP HIGHLIGHT
First-class trails were on the programme at the Trail Games in St. Moritz. They ranged from flow to high alpine at an altitude of over 3000 metres on the Piz Nair. Despite the snow and sometimes muddy conditions, the Stoll was great fun. There was not a single puncture during this mission. Not even a flat tyre, although the frame offers the ideal space for a spare tube in the two-part top tube.
CONCLUSION by BIKE test manager Peter Nilges on the Stoll Bikes T1
The T1 is an all-rounder at the highest level. With the exception of the rims and the usual wear and tear on the add-on parts, the frame was fully convincing even after several thousand metres in altitude.
THE TESTER PETER NILGES
40 years / 1.79 m / 69 kg
Driver profile: Former cross-country rider with a trial/dirt background and pronounced enduro tendencies
Favourite areas: Moab, Siegerland, Finale Ligure, Vinschgau Valley
Readers' opinions
"Stoll's all-round carefree design of the bike works. Not only visually and sportily super, but also simply stress-free." Thomas Bohn, facebook
"I ride around 100,000 metres a year, winter and summer, home trails and alpine routes. So far, the Stoll has done everything without any problems, no defects." Andreas Prokoph, facebook
Technical data Stoll Bikes T1
Material / frame size Carbon / L
Price / weight 8540 Euro / 11.3 kg without ped.
Suspension travel (front / rear) 140 mm / 138 mm
Wheel size 29 inch
Fork Fox 34 Float Factory
Damper Fox Float Factory
You can find this article in BIKE 1/2019. You can read the entire digital edition in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or the print edition in the DK shop reorder - while stocks last:
