Trek Slash 9.9
The enduro race bike focuses on top-end speed
The enduro race bike focuses on top-end speed
With the release of the new 2021 Slash, Trek is working to return one of its enduro race bikes to the front of the pack. Formerly, this bike was not only a capable enduro racer, but still versatile enough to be fun on less extreme trails. Yet, enduro has changed, and the bikes with it. They feature longer travel, long and slack geometry, and are generally designed to tackle the most difficult trails around. As the Slash moves in that direction, can it retain it’s all-rounder reputation?
Trek does follow the trend by making i ts enduro bike bigger. Suspension travel bumps up to 170 mm at the front via the new Rockshox Zeb Ultimate fork, and 160 mm at the back. The Slash is slacker by a degree and, the biggest change, significantly longer. Trek uses a steeper seat tube and shorter stem to maintain a balanced position in the bike, while adding a substantially longer reach. All these changes are aimed at making the Slash more stable at speed and over steep, rough trails.
This release is more than just a major update to geometry though. The cumulative effect of well-considered details throughout the frame make for a completely redesigned Slash. Crucially, several proprietary parts are dropped, or made optional. Knock Block 2.0 adds a much wider range of handlebar movement – 72 degrees instead of 58 – resolving one frustration with the previous generation of Slash. The down tube’s fork-crown clearance is increased, so it is no longer necessary to run a Knock Block stem, either.
A superlative Rockshox Super Deluxe Ultimate Thru Shaft shock replaces the Re:aktiv damper of years past. Both shock and Knock Block changes open up a range of aftermarket upgrade options, including a coil shock.
Rockshox’s Ultimate damper adds a different style of suspension adjustment to the Slash. In addition to a hard lock-out, there’s now a tuneable “open” setting. The three positions – neutral, positive and negative – are designed to adapt the compression damping quickly to your riding style. Set it to bash through steep, rough terrain then, with the turn of a dial, it’s ready to rail berms in the bike park.
Trek adds its own in-fame storage system to the carbon-fibre and aluminum frame Slash models, as well as a steerer-tube-stashed multi-tool and chain breaker. There’s also more down-tube protection, the top half of which is removable, plus room to run longer dropper posts in all sizes and a 73-mm bsa threaded bottom bracket for easier service.
The 9.9 model comes decked out with Bontrager Line Elite 30 carbon-fibre wheels, full sram x01 drivetrain and Code rsc brakes. A Bontrager Line Elite 34.9 dropper post and carbon-fibre bars make for a very race-worthy build.
How do all the changes pan out on the trail? With the Slash’s slacker and much longer design, the bike stays comfortable and stable as speeds increase. A light frame and build do help keep the bike lively when the trail levels out slightly, but the Slash is more focused on racing. This enduro bike is at its best when you’re pushing the pace or the trail is pushing you.