Trek Slash 9.9 XTR Gen 5

The 2023 "Slash 9.9 XTR Gen 5" model from Trek is a state-of-the-art mountain bike designed for challenging trails and aggressive descents. Priced at €10,499, it sits in the upper price bracket and offers a wide range of technical features that will appeal to both professionals and ambitious recreational riders.

The frame of the Slash 9.9 XTR Gen 5 is made from OCLV Mountain Carbon, ensuring high stability and a low weight of just 14 kg. The main frame and seat stays feature an internal storage compartment and are fitted with an internal Control Freak cable routing system. Further features of the frame include a tapered head tube, the Knock Block 2.0, Carbon Armor, a Shuttle-Guard and a threaded bottom bracket. The bike is also compatible with ISCG 05 for chain guides and features a magnesium lever, Mino Link and ABP for optimised suspension performance.

The bike’s maximum load capacity is 136 kg, ensuring high load-bearing capability. The braking system consists of Shimano XTR M9120 hydraulic 4-piston disc brakes with Shimano RT86 brake discs measuring 180 mm at the front and 203 mm at the rear, ensuring excellent braking performance.

The gearshift is controlled by the Shimano XTR M9100 12-speed shifter, whilst the RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork, with 170 mm of travel and Charger 3 RC2 damping, ensures excellent suspension performance. The crankset consists of an e*thirteen LG1 Race Carbon with a 30-tooth chainring configuration and a crank arm length of 170 mm.

The bike is fitted with a Shimano XTR M9101 cassette (10–51T, 12-speed) and a Shimano Dura-Ace/XTR M9100 drivetrain, enabling precise and reliable gear-changing performance. The handlebars are an integrated unit made from Bontrager RSL OCLV Carbon, with a width of 820 mm and a stem length of 35 mm.

Other features include Bontrager XR Trail Pro grips, an integrated headset with Knock Block 2.0, sealed cartridge bearings and a Bontrager Line Pro 30 wheelset made from OCLV Mountain Carbon. The saddle is a Bontrager Arvada with austenitic rails and a width of 138 mm, whilst the seatpost is a Bontrager Line Elite Dropper with 150 mm of travel.

The bike’s geometry offers a reach of 46 mm, a stack of 62 mm and a seat tube length of 42 mm. The head tube angle is 65 degrees, the seat tube angle is 67 degrees, the head tube length is 10 mm and the chainstay length is 44 mm. The bike has a standover height of 75 mm and a wheelbase of 121 mm.

In summary, the Trek Slash 9.9 XTR Gen 5 is a high-end mountain bike that impresses with its high-quality components and well-thought-out geometry, making it ideal for challenging trails.