Trek has updated their enduro bike, the Slash, and the 29er moves through 160mm of rear axle travel to accompany a massive 170mm fork. Revised models are available in a variety of colors, with aluminum and carbon fiber frame options, and the fanciest carbon builds can be painted in a variety of colors and patterns through the brand’s Project One customization system.
In addition to the usual geometry upgrades, the new Slash uses SRAM’s universal derailleur hanger, a home-mechanic friendly external 73mm BB, and, based on feedback from pro riders like Casey Brown, the designers opened up the steering radius with the Knock Block so riders don’t have to nose pivot through switchbacks quite as often. Alloy Slash frames now include the stash door under the water bottle for quick snack storage.
The geometry shifts for this 2021 model are not monumental, as Trek felt that the previous iteration was already well cut. The bike has a flip-chip in the rear rocker pivot that moves the head tube angle between 64.6° and 64.1° and the seat tube from 76.1° and 75.6°. The chip also raises or lowers the BB by 7mm, shifts the chainstays by 2mm, and the reach by 6mm. In the low setting, the reach measurements are 425mm, 450mm, 469mm, 486mm, and 516mm across the small-XL size run, balanced by 437mm chainstays throughout. The short seat tubes should allow some riders to buy longer bikes than they typically would depending on what style of riding they have in mind for the Slash.
All of the 2021 Slash models have internal cable routing. The cables and housing don’t run through internal guide tubes, but Trek says that the snack/stash door makes routing a quick and simple process. Above that door, all sizes can fit a water bottle, and just behind the hydration, the frame and suspension kinematic are designed to work well with most conventional shocks. This long travel enduro whip has ISCG05 chain guide/bash guard tabs around the BB, though it doesn’t appear that any of the builds includes a chain guide.
Slash alloy framesets are available for $2,199.99, and the full carbon version goes for $3,999.99.
Complete builds for aluminum frames start out at $3,499.99 with a RockShox Yari RC fork, Deluxe Select+ shock, Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheelset, SRAM Guide T brakes, and an NX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain. The next step up the alloy model lineup retails for the same price as the carbon frameset, at $3,999, with a RockShox Lyric RC fork, Super Deluxe Ultimate shock, SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, and a pair of SRAM Code R brakes.
The nine different carbon frame builds kick off from $4,799.99 for the Slash 9.7, with a Fox Rhythm 36 up front, DPX2 EVOL shock, Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheelset, SRAM NX and GX mixed drivetrain, and SRAM Code R 4-piston brakes. The top end carbon Slash adds $5000 to its original frameset price, and includes the recently released RockShox Zeb Ultimate fork, RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock, Bontrager Line Elite 30 carbon-rimmed wheelset, a SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain, and a set of SRAM Code RSC brakes
Head to the Trek Bikes website for more info on builds and pricing.
