TREK SLASH 9.8

II’ve ridden a lot of long-travel trail bikes in my time. Some were good, some were excellent (and a couple weren’t worthy of a review at all). The Slash is ridiculously good. The 150mm rear suspension oozes tech: a proprietary RockShox shock coupled with Trek’s Thru Shaft technology, RE:aktiv damping and an APB rear pivot. Quite a mouthful. But the only thing you really need to know is, it’s probably the best rear suspension around right now: tracks like a boss, smooth over small bumps, laughs at big hits. Along with the 160mm Fox 36 fork, ridiculously light frame (and how’s that colour scheme?), solid build including SRAM Eagle GX, 150mm dropper post and light, stiff Bontrager wheels – it also offers excellent value for serious trailies and enduro racers looking for a bike straight out the box.