Trek Slash 9.8 XT

The 2022 "Slash 9.8 XT" from Trek is a high-quality mountain bike that stands out thanks to its advanced design and high-performance components. The frame is made from OCLV Mountain Carbon – both the main frame and the stays – and features an internal storage compartment, a tapered head tube and Knock Block 2.0 technology. The internal Control Freak cable routing and Carbon Armor provide additional protection and a clean, tidy look. Other frame features include a Shuttle-Guard, a threaded bottom bracket, ISCG 05, a 34.9 mm seat tube, a magnesium derailleur hanger, Mino Link and ABP.

The bike’s maximum load capacity is 136 kg, whilst the bike itself weighs around 14 kg. The braking system consists of Shimano XT M8120 hydraulic 4-piston disc brakes at the front and rear, with Shimano RT76 discs measuring 180 mm at the front and 203 mm at the rear. The gear lever is a Shimano XT M8100 with 12 speeds. The RockShox ZEB Select+ fork, with its DebonAir spring and Charger 2.1 RC damping, offers 170 mm of travel and ensures precise handling and excellent damping on rough terrain.

The crankset consists of a Shimano XT M8120 with 30 teeth, a 55 mm chainline and a crank arm length of 170 mm. The external threaded bottom bracket is a Shimano SM-BB52 with a width of 73 mm. The cassette is a Shimano XT M8100 with a 10–51-tooth range. The drivetrain is rounded off by the combination of Shimano Ultegra and XT M8100 components.

The Slash 9.8 XT’s handlebars are Bontrager Line Pro made from OCLV carbon, with a width of 820 mm and a rise of 27.5 mm. The grips are Bontrager XR Trail Pro with aluminium clamps. The stem is also a Bontrager Line Pro, measuring 35 mm in length and featuring Knock Block and Blendr compatibility.

The integrated headset features Knock Block 2.0 and sealed cartridge bearings. The tyres are Bontrager SE6 at the front and SE5 at the rear, both in size 29 x 2.50. The wheelset consists of Bontrager Line Elite 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Rapid Drive 108 and is tubeless-ready.

The saddle is a Bontrager Arvada with austenitic rails and a width of 138 mm. The seatpost is a Bontrager Line Elite Dropper with a 150 mm travel, MaxFlow technology and internal cable routing.

The bike’s packaging dimensions are 23 mm wide, 119 mm high and 201 mm long. The bike’s geometry features a reach of 45 mm, a stack of 62 mm, a seat tube length of 42 mm, a top tube length of 61 mm, a head tube angle of 64 degrees, a seat tube angle of 67 degrees, a head tube length of 10 mm, a chainstay length of 44 mm, a standover height of 74 mm and a wheelbase of 122 mm.

The Trek Slash 9.8 XT is available at a price of 7,199 EUR and offers an impressive combination of advanced technology and robust construction, making it an excellent choice for discerning mountain bikers.