Trek Slash 8 Gen 5

The "Slash 8 Gen 5" model from Trek, released in 2023, is a versatile and high-performance mountain bike designed for challenging trails and descents. Priced at €3,499, this bike offers impressive spec and well-thought-out technical features.

The Slash 8 Gen 5’s frame is made from Alpha Platinum aluminium and features an internal storage compartment, a tapered head tube and the Knock Block 2.0 system. The internal Control Freak cable routing ensures a clean look and protects the cables. The down tube guard and Shuttle-Guard provide additional protection on challenging terrain. The frame is fitted with a threaded bottom bracket, ISCG 05 mounts and a 34.9 mm seat tube. The magnesium lever, the Mino Link system and the ABP (Active Braking Pivot) ensure optimum suspension performance. With a Boost 148 rear hub and 160 mm of travel, the bike is ideally equipped for tough conditions.

The bike’s maximum load capacity is 136 kg, whilst the bike itself weighs in at 15 kg. The braking system consists of SRAM Code R 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes, fitted with 180 mm SRAM CenterLine discs at both the front and rear. These brakes offer outstanding braking performance and reliability in all conditions.

The drivetrain features a SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed system, which enables precise and reliable gear changes. The RockShox ZEB Select fork, with 170 mm of travel, DebonAir spring and Charger RC damping, ensures excellent control and comfort on rough terrain. The crankset consists of a SRAM X1 Eagle with a 30-tooth chainring and a 55 mm chainline.

The cassette is an SRAM Eagle XG-1275 with a 10–52-tooth range, offering a wide gear ratio range. The handlebars are Bontrager Line aluminium bars, 820 mm wide with a 27.5 mm rise. The grips are Bontrager XR Trail Pro with aluminium clamps, whilst the stem is a Bontrager Elite, 35 mm long with a 0-degree angle.

The wheelset consists of Bontrager Line Comp 30 rims, which are tubeless-ready and feature a 6-hole disc mount and Boost 110 hubs. The saddle is a Bontrager Arvada with CrMo rails and a width of 138 mm. The seatpost is a TranzX JD-YSP39 with 170 mm of travel and internal cable routing.

The geometry of the Slash 8 Gen 5 comprises a reach of 52 mm, a stack of 65 mm, a seat tube length of 50 mm, a top tube length of 68 mm, a head tube angle of 65 degrees, a seat tube angle of 67 degrees, a head tube length of 14 mm, a chainstay length of 44 mm, a standover height of 78 mm and a wheelbase of 130 mm.

Overall, the Trek Slash 8 Gen 5 offers an impressive combination of stability, control and comfort, making it an excellent choice for ambitious mountain bikers.