Trek Stache 7.0 vs. Niner Sir 9 (1 Star)

[hwdlr]

Hi,
I'm trying to get into bikepacking, and am looking for a good starter bike. I am hoping to bike the Great Divide next year, and would like to be able to use the bike for singletrack in addition to bikepacking. I can't decide between the Trek Stache 7.0 or the Niner Sir 9 (1 Star). Also open to any other suggestions within a similar price range...Thoughts?

[cackalak]

I'm not a big fan of the current Sir9.  They really jacked up the geometry.  I would pick the Stache of those two choices.

Other options depends on what type of singletrack your'll be riding and really, what your goals are for the tour.  If you want to set PR's and go all out, then something light and fast would be ideal.  I'd get any light XC type mountain bike hard tail (Spec Epic HT, Trek Procaliber, Canyon Exceed, etc).

If not, something like a Surly Karate Monkey would be great.  Either set up with 29x2.1" tires or 27.5x3" tires (if you want more plushness, although may be overkill for most of the GD route).  It would be a fun bike to take on most singletracks.

[trailhead]

I picked the Sir9 for my next rig, it was similar in geometry to another plus bike I have but has the added ability to run 2x, fit a rear rack, run 29 or 27.5plus. As for "jacked up" which I assume means a high stack, perhaps yes, but many touring setups favor that.

The stache is a 29 plus bike, beyond what I can fit over and so I consider that to be very different.