Falling In Love with the All-New Trek Slash

Intro

Look here Trek Slash, it's not me, it's you. I just don't have a place in my life for a 170mm travel 29er. Who does? A 469mm reach on an M/L size? That's a bit much for my 5'9" frame and how is that really a size? Wait, you're saying there's more to you than reach and travel numbers? Ok, I'll listen, After all, a mind is like a parachute. Steeper seat angle, slacker head angle, integrated tools, and storage, I like all these features. Do go on...

Highlights

• OCLV Carbon frame (alloy options available)
• 29-inch wheels only
• 160mm (6.2-inches) of rear wheel travel // 170mm (6.7-inches) fork travel
• ABP suspension design
• Removable Knock Block provides 72-degrees of turning in either direction
• Internal cable routing
• Proprietary RockShox Super Deluxe - 3-position compression
• Integrated tool storage in head tube
• In-frame storage system
• 34.9 Seat tube
• BSA 73mm threaded bottom bracket with ISCG mounts
• Boost 148 rear spacing with 12mm through axle
• Measured weight (size M/L, no pedals): __ pounds (___kg)
• MSRP $7,999 USD

The all-new Trek Slash has been leaked on the Vital forums for some time and received a few lackluster replies from our community. The Meh-sayer crowd may want to take a second look. Our first glance at the Slash's stats had Vital testers feeling like this big-rig may need a spinner knob on the handlebars to handle switchbacks and only the biggest of descents would be worth riding. After all, isn't under-biking all the craze these days? With so many good bikes out there that can do so much, what's the point of the Trek Slash outside the EWS tape? This is where things took a hard left turn, the new Slash isn't a good bike. It's a great bike.

Geometry

The new Trek slash access all of the current trends in an aggressive design and even pushes things with five size offerings. Within the standard Small to Large range is an ML size for riders on the cusp of the medium and large or those who just want a longer bike. With the Slash being ridden by multiple testers, this is where we landed. By the numbers, here's the breakdown of our M/L Slash: seat angle: 75.6, head angle: 64.1, reach: 469mm, chainstay: 435mm, seat tube length: 435mm. A 35mm stem and 150mm Bontrager dropper rounded out the fit department. As suspected, in every respect, the Trek goes longer, lower, and slacker where it matters.

Setup

In testing the latest Remedy and Rail, Vital testers have had a tumultuous relationship with the ReActive Thrushaft system spec'd. Quite honestly, in both cases, a production shock would have been preferred. The Slash does still have a Thrushaft but gone is the ReActive valving and the curiously small piggyback is now full-sized. The shock itself is still custom and exclusive to the Slash, featuring a numeric compression adjustment and relocated climb switch. 

The compression adjuster has three settings: +, 0, and -. The + setting increases damping and is designed for smoother trails. The - setting is for steeper, rougher terrain while the 0 setting is a more neutral compression setting. We set the dial for 0 with 30% sag.

Only slightly less-leaked than the Slash was the RockShox ZEB, which graces this bike with its muscly presence. Setup was just under 70-pounds for our 170-pound testers. High-speed compression was wide open with 6-clicks of low speed.

A quick trim of the bars and we were off to the trails!

On The Trail

The Slash was shuttled to Trail 4, the same rowdy descent used in our e-bike tests, for a proper flogging. Next was the bike park for laps on laps. In both scenarios, both testers immediately loved the Slash. For such a large bike, it was fast on its feet and eager to maneuver and pop down the trail. Throwing the Slash into corners is great fun, just lean harder and it seemingly never loses composure. Smaller tables and jumps are easily popped with much better feedback than any bike this size should deliver.

At the end of the test, the Slash had us reassessing what a long-travel 29er should be.

What's The Bottom Line?

Alright, Trek Slash, where does this leave us? You aren't perfect but your flaws are fleeting and easily remedied. When it comes down to what matters, the bones that make you what you are, therein lies the magic. The details are sound, the climbs easily tackled and at the bottom of the hill it is all smiles. At the end of the test, the Slash had us reassessing what a long-travel 29er should be. As we said, the Trek Slash isn't a good bike, it's a great bike.

Visit trekbikes.com for more details.

Vital MTB Rating

• Climbing: 4 stars - Excellent
• Descending: 5 stars - Spectacular
• Fun Factor: 5 stars - Spectacular
• Value: 3 stars - Good
• Overall Impression: 4.5 stars - Outstanding

About the Tester

Brad Howell - Age: 41 // Years Riding: 26 // Height: 5'9" (1.75m) // Weight: 170-pounds (77.1kg)

Brad started mountain biking when a 2.25-inch tire was large, and despite having threads, bottom brackets sucked. Riding in the woods with friends eventually lead way to racing, trying to send it at the local gravel pits, and working in bike shops as a wrench to fix those bikes. Fortunate enough to have dug at six Rampages and become friends with some of the sport’s biggest talents, Brad has a broad perspective of what bikes can do and what it means to be a good rider. For several years Brad worked in the bike industry and got to see the man behind the curtain. These days, though, he just likes riding his bike in the woods with friends.

Video and Photos by Shawn Spomer