Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of going for a bike ride with Thomas Stoll knows why a Stoll rides like a Stoll. But first things first. To hand over the latest offshoot from the Swiss bike manufacturer, Managing Director Thomas Stoll suggests a short set-up session. All Stoll frames are manufactured exclusively in Germany by carbon specialist Bike Ahead according to their own specifications. Despite the suspension travel of 140 millimetres at the front and 135 at the rear, the T3 SL remains under the 12-kilo mark even with pedals. An absolute dream value, especially as the trail bike comes with a storage compartment in the down tube - equipped with a pump, inner tube and mini tool.
Thanks to the short head tube and the 502 millimetre reach in size L, you sit in a very sporty and propulsion-oriented position despite the short handlebar/stem unit. Just a few metres after the start, we're already on the first climb, or rather the climb, which rises towards the sky with a 25 percent gradient. I immediately appreciate the saddle elevation and the pressure on the front. Somehow I don't want to do without the low weight, the sensitive yet very smooth rear suspension and the fast-rolling tyres in order to be able to follow Thomas' firm pedalling on the next 700 metres of ascent. The former marathon pro loves sporting challenges and is still fit enough to finish on the podium at the Swiss Epic. His sporting ambitions - the DNA of every Stoll bike, so to speak - can be found in all of his products. So it's no wonder that the T3 SL climbs excellently.
Equipment:
- Fork / shock: Fox Factory 34 Grip X / Float
- Gearing / range: Sram XX AXS Transmission / 520 %
- Brakes: Shimano XTR / 180/180 mm
- Wheels: Bike Ahead Three Zero
- Tyres: Schwalbe Albert Trail / Nobby Nic Supertrail soft 29 x 2.4
- Seatpost / Stroke: Yep Uptimiser 3.0 / 185 mm
- max. system weight: 120 kg
- Warranty: 5 years
- Special features: German manufacture; carbon layup on request
From the test lab:
- Total weight: 11.73 kg without pedals
- Weight of wheels: 4421 g
- Impeller inertia: 3281kg x cm²
Driving machine for expert drivers
After a short breather at the summit - who wants to get cold - the descent is just as sporty. The setup circuit is a veritable hairpin bend Eldorado. Thomas and the T3 SL are in their element. Steep ramps with loose ground and the tightest hairpin bends demand precision from bike and rider alike. The test bike can be positioned with ease and the rear wheel can be moved effortlessly. Only the rather generous wheelbase requires a clean line choice. The sporty, low front end also requires an experienced rider, as a lot of weight rests on the front wheel.
Just like on the climbs, the suspension also scores points for sensitivity on the descents. Personally, I would have liked slightly more potent tyres for more grip. But this is precisely where the manufactory plays to its strengths: Every customer can configure their dream bike from a wide range of options during a test ride and subsequent consultation on site in Switzerland. The range is not only limited to the high-priced add-on parts, but also to the frame. Depending on the rider's weight and preference, the carbon layup is customised, which is reflected in the weight, frame stiffness and ultimately also in the robustness. The customer can also decide whether they want a storage compartment in the down tube, a lighter flatmount brake mount on the rear triangle or a frame without cable openings if they choose a wireless drivetrain.
Stoll T3 SL: Customised down to the last detail
For our test bike, the desired changes are limited to a 15 millimetre higher front end and grippier, more solid tyres. Just nuances that place the very sporty T3 SL more centrally in the trail bike category. Thanks to the slightly higher front end, the riding position is slightly more upright and the riding position is more confident, especially on steep downhill sections. You stand better on the bike. The seat length is also slightly shorter. Even for steep climbs, there is still enough pressure on the front.
The more powerful tyres not only provide more grip, but also increase the wheel weight. With the minimalist Schwalbe Wicked Will tyres, the Bike Ahead wheels were almost borderline light for a trail bike. Acceleration and propulsion were beyond reproach, but on fast descents the bike became nervous too quickly and didn't handle very well. Although our choice of tyres adds a little more inertia to the system, it pays off twice over on the descents thanks to more grip and smoothness. Even with the heavier tyres, the T3 SL still weighs less than 12 kilos without pedals.
A real force on the trail
The Stoll pulls out all the stops in the customised setup for a hefty 11,700 euros and meets my taste for an all-rounder to a tee. The T3 SL is a real force on my home trails. The light-footedness inspires you on the climbs - even gravel bikers can be annoyed with the Stoll - while the sensitive but progressive suspension and the smooth geometry tempt you to take every drop and every steep descent downhill.
The T3 SL combines these characteristics to offer the widest possible range of use, which is only possible at this level due to the price. The frame kit alone is 5300 euros, Bike Ahead wheels and handlebar stem unit as well as Sram-XX and Fox Factory components do the rest. Only the XTR brakes in this top spec were noticeable for their frequent squeaking and lack of braking power, especially at the start of each ride. As the jumps in reach between the sizes are quite large, ranging from 35 to 55 millimetres, a test ride is recommended, whether with or without Thomas.
Conclusion from Peter Nilges, BIKE Test Manager
The Stoll T3 SL pulls out all the stops and pretty much hits my ideal idea of a trail bike on the head. The range of use of the lightweight fullys is huge. It's just a shame that the complete bikes only start at a price of around 8,000 euros, which severely limits the range of buyers.
Lightweight alternatives
Really light trail bikes that weigh around 12 kilos and offer 130 millimetres at the rear are extremely rare. Two options that are also possible alongside the Stoll are these:
Cube One 44 C:68X SLT
The One 44 C:68X has a carbon frame that offers 140 millimetres of travel at the rear and is said to weigh just 1900 grams. In the top SLT configuration, the complete bike should only weigh 12.2 kilos. Cube achieves the low overall weight with Fox Factory suspension, Newmen carbon rims and lightweight Schwalbe tyres.
Last Asco
The Asco from German mail order company Last also comes from Bike Ahead's carbon production and offers 140/130 millimetres of suspension travel. The trail bike we have already tested for 8400 euros weighed 11.93 kilos without pedals. The frame alone weighed 1942 grams and fulfils the ASTM 4 classification. The frameset is available from 4399 euros.
How a Stoll is made
All Stoll frames are produced by hand at Bike Ahead in Veitshöchheim. This is what production looks like from A to Z.
