ROB’S TREK SLASH £4,050 (frame only)
Our tech-ed-in-chief reflects on a year aboard one of his favourite frames
I’ve loved having the Slash as my go-to bike over this past year. The 456mm reach, 437mm chainstays and slack 64-degree head angle of the medium frame seem to suit me and my riding style down to the ground. Every time I swing a leg over it, I feel at home instantly. And that little cubby hole in the down tube is a bonus, so I never forget the essentials when heading out on the trails.
But this year has been about more than just the Slash alone, as this particular build is pretty special. That’s down to the RockShox Flight Attendant suspension units I have bolted to it. For those not in the know, Flight Attendant works wirelessly, automatically altering the level of low-speed compression damping in the fork and shock to best suit the terrain. It’s a seriously clever bit of kit and works really well, doing exactly what it was designed to do.
I’ve not been able to catch it out, or ever felt like I needed it to shift settings from one mode to the next when it wasn’t. It’s simply done what’s been asked of it from day one. With the SRAM AXS app installed, tuning the compression levels and bias (how fast the system will lock out) is quick and easy, too. But since finding the sweet spot, I’ve been happy just leaving it to work away beneath me, unobtrusively.
As we reach the end of our time with the bikes, the question many will ask is, ‘would you buy it, though?’. That’s often a tough question to answer. When it comes to the Slash, though, I can confidently say, ‘yes, I would’ – but I’d opt for the cheaper alloy frame if I could. The carbon fibre chassis looks incredible, but I know the alloy one rides almost as well and costs a lot less.
As for Flight Attendant, if money were no object, then yes, I would shell out for it. Once set up, the system allows a long-travel bike like the Slash to feel more efficient and sprightly, making me want to ride further for longer. You still get a great suspension balance and feel on the downs, but a machine that feels more eager to be pedalled back up. The Slash cranks along pretty well already, but think of the benefits on an enduro rig that isn’t quite as energetic-feeling under power... On my budget, though, I’m not totally sure I could justify it, even if I am a big fan.