2021 Trek Slash 9.9 X01 Bike
(discontinued)

Vital Rating:
Related:
Where To Buy
Free standard shipping on all bikes (continental U.S. only).
Flat rate shipping to Hawaii and Alaska.
Free standard shipping on all bikes (continental U.S. only).
Flat rate shipping to Hawaii and Alaska.
$6,799.99
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
We Ride the Not-So-Secret 2021 Trek Slash (and love it)
We're having to re-think what it means to ride a long-travel 29er thanks to the new Slash.
Rating:
Vital Review
s1600 SlashA 264868

Intro

Look here Trek Slash, it's not me, it's you. I just don't have a place in my life for a 160/170mm-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...

Strengths

  • From rough to buff, it masters all trails
  • Comfortable pedaling position
  • RockShox ZEB is butter-smooth
  • Endless confidence in the corners
  • Easily popped off features and jumps
  • Super Deluxe has meaningful adjustments
  • Plenty of frame protection that can be removed

Weaknesses

  • Stock gearing is too low
  • GX cassette on an X01 build
  • BITS tool in stem was finicky
  • Cracked rim

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): 32 pounds 5 ounces (14.65 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.

Seat Angle Update

On paper, the Slash's seat angle is not on par with other enduro bikes today. In practice, we did not notice the seat angle or even feel hindered by it. On perhaps only the most questionably steep portions of the trail, did we feel the need to get over the front of the seat to keep the front end in check. Riders with longer legs may find themselves sliding the seat forward on the rails to push their weight forward.

APPROXIMATE actual seat tube angle values with 150mm Bontrager Line Dropper at different insertion depths

Slammed seat post yields 77.4-degree actual seat angle
Mid-height seat post yields 76.6-degree actual seat angle. (These measurements are approximate for visual reference only).
High seat post yields 75.7-degree actual seat angle

Custom RockShox Super Deluxe shock with 3-position damping and lockout.

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.

The numeric rebound adjuster is handy.

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!

What was the worse-kept secret? The RockShox Zeb or the Trek Slash?

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.

From rock gardens...
...to slopestyle lines.
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 gordo

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Specifications

Product
Trek Slash 9.9 X01 Bike
Model Year
2021
Riding Type
Enduro / All-Mountain
Freeride / Bike Park
Rider
Unisex
Sizes and Geometry
S (High, Low)
M (High, Low)
ML (High, Low)
L (High, Low)
XL (High, Low)
Wheel Size
29"
Frame Material
Carbon Fiber
Frame Material Details
OCLV Mountain Carbon main frame and stays with Carbon Armor chainstay guard and dual-density full-length downtube guard, magnesium rocker link
Rear Travel
160mm
Rear Shock
Custom RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate, DebonAir spring, Thru Shaft 3-position damper, improved standard shim damper, numeric rebound, oversized thermal compensator, tunable open setting, 230x62.5mm
Fork
RockShox ZEB Ultimate, DebonAir spring, Charger 2.1 RC2 damper, tapered steerer, 44mm offset, Boost 110, 15mm Maxle Stealth
Fork Travel
170mm
Head Tube Diameter
Tapered
Headset
Knock Block 2.0 Integrated, 72° radius, cartridge bearing, 1-1/8" top, 1.5" bottom
Handlebar
Bontrager Line Pro, OCLV Carbon, 35mm diameter, 27.5mm rise, 820mm width
Stem
Bontrager Line Pro, 35mm length, Knock Block, Blendr compatible, 0° rise
Grips
Bontrager XR Trail Pro, alloy lock-on
Brakes
SRAM Code RSC 4-piston hydraulic disc, 180mm/200mm SRAM CenterLine, 6-bolt, round-edge rotors
Brake Levers
SRAM Code RSC
Drivetrain
1x
Shifters
SRAM X01 Eagle, 12-speed
Front Derailleur
None – 1x only
Rear Derailleur
SRAM X01 Eagle, 12-speed
ISCG Tabs
ISCG 05
Chainguide
None included
Cranks
SRAM X01 Eagle Carbon, DUB, length: 170mm (S), 175mm (M-XL)
Chainrings
30 tooth alloy, Boost (55mm chainline)
Bottom Bracket
SRAM DUB, 73mm, BSA threaded
Pedals
None included
Chain
SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed
Cassette
SRAM XG-1275 Eagle, 10-52 tooth, 12-speed
Rims
Bontrager Line Elite 30 wheelset – OCLV Mountain Carbon, tubeless ready
Hubs
Bontrager Line Elite 30 wheelset – Rapid Drive 108, 6-bolt, Shimano MicroSpline freehub, Boost 148 rear, Boost 110 front
Spokes
Bontrager Line Elite 30 wheelset
Tires
Bontrager SE5 29"x2.60" front, SE4 29x2.40" rear, Team Issue, tubeless ready, Core Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 60 TPI
Saddle
Bontrager Arvada, austenite rails, 138mm width
Seatpost
Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, internal routing, travel: 100mm (S), 150mm (M, M/L), 170mm (L), 200mm (XL)
Seatpost Diameter
34.9mm
Seatpost Clamp
Standard single bolt
Rear Dropout / Hub Dimensions
Boost 12mm x 148mm
Max. Tire Size
29"x2.50"
Bottle Cage Mounts
Yes – one inside front triangle plus integrated storage in downtube
Colors
Lithium Grey, Factory Orange/Carbon Smoke, or Carbon Blue Smoke
Warranty
Lifetime for main frame and swing arms to the original owner
Weight
31 lb 2.2 oz (14,125 g)
Miscellaneous
Internal storage in downtube with Bontrager BITS Internal Frame Storage Bag
Mino Link adjustable with High and Low positions
Knock Block 2.0 with increased turning radius from 58° to 72°
Control Freak internal routing
Shuttle friendly dual-density full-length downtube guard
Downtube clearance for fork crown
New suspension layout from the previous generation
Project One customizable
Price
Stock build and colors: $7,999.99
Project One customized: $8,499.99
More Info
What do you think?
Where To Buy
Free standard shipping on all bikes (continental U.S. only).
Flat rate shipping to Hawaii and Alaska.
Free standard shipping on all bikes (continental U.S. only).
Flat rate shipping to Hawaii and Alaska.
$6,799.99
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
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