The all new Trek Slash promises to be one of the most capable enduro bikes on the market. Trek realised that the previous models were falling behind some of their rivals on the enduro market, most notably the new Specialized Enduro. So they went back to the drawing board and have designed a far more up to date version of their flagship enduro bike, complete with all new specs.
It has the seal of approval from the pros too after it was used in the backend of the Enduro World Series last year. The new bike also came with an entertaining advert (see below) that has been very well received. In this article we are going to take a look at the new Slash line-up, what’s different, the specifications, and then compare it with the other enduro bikes we have in our stores.
5 things you need to know
Redefining enduro with the all new Slash
The new Trek Slash was designed specifically with demanding terrain in mind. Trek themselves described it as “monster truck meets magic carpet,” which goes some way to expressing how Trek wants the rider to fly over tough terrain but be comfortable and have fun whilst doing it. The magic carpet element is showcased by the new suspension system. The travel has been boosted by 10 millimetres – now 160mm in the rear and 170mm in the front – and the main pivot has been raised to improve pedalling efficiency. There is also a larger seat tube so dropper seatpost enthusiasts can easily get one in.
They have also made crucial adjustments to the bike’s geometry which is now longer, lower and slacker than the previous incarnation. The Slash remains a little slacker than some of its rivals, but they have made adjustments for performance. A steeper seat tube angle of two degrees coupled with Trek’s OCLV carbon and ABP suspension, which has a pivot with the rear axle rather than on the chainstay, makes for a lighter structure overall. Therefore, the bike now climbs quicker than before, crucial for those long days in the hills.
Internal downtube storage provides ample space for your snacks, pumps and tools so you don’t have to lug your stuff around in a backpack. This is a new addition and unlike Specialized’s downtube storage, can be found on both the carbon and alloy models. The aim of the Slash is to take on the toughest and roughest trails and be able to compete comfortably in enduro races. With these changes, Trek hope to prove they can rival their competitors out on the trails.
Other enduro bikes we stock
As well as the new Slack, we also stock enduro bikes from the likes of Specialized, Orange and Giant. The Specialized Enduro Comp is the Slash’s main rival because it too is an incredibly capable bike over the roughest of trails. A lower and more forward positioned shock makes the bike feel a little more confident at high speeds and a re-angled chainstay makes for less pedal bob and more efficiency. A slacker head angle, longer reach and steeper seat tube means that the bike is as competent going uphill as it is down.
Giant’s reimagined 29er-ready Reign line is another competitor for the Slash. The carbon frame was totally redesigned for 29-inch wheels and the updated Maestro suspension system comes with 146mm of rear travel, which makes it effective over rough terrain. The bike was designed with the Giant Factory Off-Road Team in mind, so you know that you’re getting a quality enduro machine.
We also stock the super popular Alpine 6 Pro enduro bike from Orange. A new 230mm metric shock and revised suspension layout help to increase the rear travel and a newly tuned frame improves the bike’s control over small bumps. This new suspension system coupled with a revised geometry go some way to making the Alpine 6 Pro agile, stable and confident at the highest speeds. This really is a bike for the type of rider who wants to chuck their trail machine around at full speeds on the gnarliest of routes.
So, there you have it, the all new Trek Slash and its enduro competitors. When it comes to trail bikes, we have everything you need. Come down to your local JeJames Cycles store and see the bikes for yourself. Like most business, we are running slightly different procedures in our stores and you can find details on our current operations here.
