The new edition of the Trek Slash is more uncompromising than ever and has been customised even more consistently for downhill use. What can the high-pivot enduro bike from the USA do in the test?
Equipment Trek Slash 9
- Fork: RockShox Zeb Select
- Damper: RockShox Vivid Select+
- Circuit: Sram GX AXS Transmission
- Translation / Bandwidth: 30; 10-52 / 520 %
- Brakes: Sram Code Bronze 200/200 mm
- Telesupport / Hub: Bontrager Line dropper / 170 mm
- Impellers: Bontrager Line Comp 30
- Tyres: Bontrager SE6/SE5 Team Issue 29/27.5 x 2.5
Measured values
- Total weight 17.3 kg (without pedals)
- Weight Impellers 5352 g
- Acceleration impellers 4084 kg x cm²
Uncompromising downhill bike
The martial look alone of the latest Trek product reveals that the Slash doesn't want to do things by halves and has been uncompromisingly trimmed for downhill. The new frame appears more massive than ever and, like the Downhiller Session, has a rear triangle with high-pivot linkage and two pulleys. In addition to the optimised wheel lift curve, the Slash also comes with all kinds of adjustment options that influence the rear triangle progression, the steering angle or the size of the rear wheel. This gives the new frame maximum flexibility and allows it to be perfectly customised to the rider, but also significantly increases the weight.
At 17.3 kilos, the aluminium Slash is a big chunk and weighs 1.4 kilos more than the top carbon model (tested in BIKE 11/23), which in turn is 1.5 kilos heavier than its predecessor. There is a similar dilemma with the frame size as with the load. While the Slash in size L is quite long with a reach of 490 millimetres, our current test bike in size M/L was rather on the short side at 459 millimetres and didn't fit perfectly.
The suspension works solidly in rough sections, even if the high-pivot aha effect didn't materialise. Yeti, Canyon and Marin could go one better here. On the other hand, the rear suspension has a lot of pop and supports an active riding style. Positive: Despite the massive, solid frame, the stiffness is not too high. Less pleasing: The lack of grip from the rear tyre takes the Slash to its limits far too early. On the climbs, the bike struggles with its many pounds and a bobbing rear end that requires the platform.
Dimitri Lehner, Editor-in-Chief FREERIDE
The Trek Slash 9 doesn't quite live up to the promise of its looks and has to let one or two of its competitors go. Its high weight and poor tyre grip unnecessarily restrict its range of use.
Test judgement
