TESTED - All-NEW 2021 Trek SLASH Long-Travel 29er MTB
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- čas přidán 2. 09. 2020
- We're having to re-think what it means to ride a long-travel 29er thanks to the new 2021 Trek Slash. With 160mm of rear travel and 170mm up front, the Slash handles descents like a race-ready Enduro World Series mountain bike but climbs like a bike with 40mm less travel. Our $8,000 Trek Slash 9.9 X01 was stocked with solid parts, but we have to critique the GX-level cassette and we managed to crack a Bontrager Line 30 carbon rim. It is covered by Bontrager's warranty. The integrated downtube storage was great, while the BITS tool in the steer tube was a bit finicky. The RockShox suspension delivered as promised with a great ride and effective 3-position damping control on the custom Super Deluxe shock. While the seat angle may be slack for some, never did it impact climb performance or position for our test riders.
Vital MTB rates the 2021 Trek Slash 4.5 out of 5 stars.
#MTB #mountainbike #biketest
Read our complete, in-depth review of the Trek Slash - www.vitalmtb.com/product/guid... - Sport
"Easily remedied"- I see what you did there.
Can't lie, that looks amazing. Color is sick.
So uhh, I see everyone saying how beautiful this bike is. Why doesn’t Kona get the same Love for the process? Looks the exact same to Me. Aside from riding feel, I’m talking about looks. Don’t @ me
@@jordanpalmer949 Kona Process X looks better IMO. Love that thing. There ya go 😆
That front end shot of the frame Fucking sick
cant lie is a beagest lie ever , do u know that bro ?
@@muhamadmirxan4040 You're the biggest lie ever
Now I have a excuse to get those burnt orange Hydra Hubs.
You'll want them. Pretty sure this thing comes with the 54t line 30 Carbon (elite) wheels (not the pro wheelset with straight pull hubs).
Or Chris king matte mangos
@@michaelrowe6087why is straight pull better again?
One the best reviewes I've found thanks a lot for this. Love the brutal honesty and straightforwardness. Also the fella with the green goggles rips so hard holy crap!
I've had a 2021 Slash 9.8XT since early December, I love it! Coming off of a Pivot Mach 5.5, I find the Slash climbs as well as the Pivot did. The stiffness in the frame is noticeable, the bike holds a line so well, once your used to it, it's easy to trust. The rear shock is as good as all of the reviews say it is, set it at 30% sag, dial in your preferred rebound and go shred, the 3 compression settings do just as they're described to. All in all, I love it, don't regret the decision, and wouldn't change my decision. Only things I changed were the tires, stem, bars, and grips + OneUp EDC tool in the stem. Get one if you can find one!
How do you cope with the harsh ride and bad small bump compliance?
On a scale of 1-10, how playful is it? It doesn’t look super playful. Hens the question. Lol. I’m thinking of buying one.
I been watching some other reviews on the Trek SLASH but yours is more direct and honest. thanks and looking forward to some other reviews.
Awesome! Thank you!
Love this format for the video! Really embellishes what you guys liked and didn't like.
Good to see they have made the reach longer , I used to be a trek fan , then started finding their bikes just too short ,
Like the look of this
Just purchased the slash 9.8 and got my first ride on it. And I am blown away. Bike climbs tough steep technical terrain and descends like a dream
I just got a 2021 Trek Slash 9.7. The bike is amazing, it is easy to throw around but when you need it to stay on the ground it will. I love it, and would definitely recommend it.
I subbed after the intro but nom nom nom had me hooked. Best review ever, I really want a slash now!
Its amazing! Buy it dude, i donr regret a single penny
I think it looks great and it's cool that trek listened and got rid of the reactiv damping. I'm excited to see other colorways.
yeah, we were stoked on the more "normal" shock. you can see all 2021 slashes here www.vitalmtb.com/product/combination/YBMC/2021/Trek,5/Bikes,3/Slash
What do you think about the new Slash? And who wants to challenge Kevin to a manual contest 🤣🤣 Full, in-depth review of the Slash on Vital MTB www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Bikes,3/Trek/Slash-9-9-X01,31337#product-reviews/3913/expand **(hawk-eyes will notice the 50t X01 cassette on the bike while Brad is discussing gearing. It's a wheel we took off a Trek Rail to finish our test after cracking the original rim and we didn't bother swapping the cassette)**
Running 28-51T shimano 12 speed. Pretty practical in the mountains. 32T in the city.
Ty for existing Vital, you are still the best
Spot on review! and entertaining, thanks!
You can just tell when the tester enjoys the bike. riding is sick in this video
Proud owner of a Trek Slash 8 2021. Great bang for the buck for this version in terms of kit and the bike is a blast to ride. Never feels like you're overbiked or hauling a pig uphill or on flat stuff and smooths out rough stuff like its not even there. This slash is glued to the ground like as if by suction cups and its as if the bike has a mind of its own when it rights itself on botched landings. It strikes the right balance between fun and poppy yet stable and composed. A few minor issues though:
1. Glued downtube protection on the alloy frame make you wonder about Trek's design choices. Its an unpleasant surprise to find out that only carbon versions have it screwed on. There are very few in depth reviews on the allow versions which are the most popular/affordable to the masses.
2. The thru-shaft shock leaking a bit of oil
3. A few clicks/creaks here and there while riding (origins yet to be identified)
4. Some alloy versions have a large gap between the headset and head tube due to either machining or wrong bearings (as reported on some forums)
These things do detract from the overall positive experience. Hopefully Trek will get this sorted out for owners.
Love the review, currently considering getting one of these. Been using hard tails for years and that thing has more travel than the Intense M1 i raced/owned in the 90’s
value for money .I am in love with this /21 trek slash ,i tried my bff's and now in my bucket list. Such a super duper. Y'al should consider getting one
Wow looks amazing! Love the bright colors
I’ve been riding a 2021 Trek Slash 8 since summer 2021. Overall I really enjoy riding the bike. I did get a bend in my rear rim, however I was able to get a tube in it and continue my day with no issues. Suspension works great in my opinion. As a 6’2” 195lb rider who loves fast flowing trails, some climbing and small to mid size chunky terrain and jumps, this bike is perfect for me! 👍🏼
I have the 2021 9.8 XT. Got it in September this year. Put about 400 miles on it and climbed close to 60,000 ft in elevation. Took a while to get use to this big girl but now I am hitting bigger jumps with ease at my local trails. Came from a 2015 trek remedy 9 29 er and have recently PR’d some of the climbs on this new slash. Live the bike and would recommend it to others.
My brother bought one. I saw him ride it once... seemed happy.
Great review! This new trek looks pretty sweet!
Like a couple of people here, I have the previous 9.8 and I LOVE IT! ...except in the climbs... I have always thought it could do better at climbing because (in every other way) it will put a huge, great smile on your face. It does sound, from your review, that Trek have solved the uphill mystery: do you think it’s the geometry, or the shock, or perhaps a combination of all factors? Will I be upgrading? Probably not, but if you haven’t ridden a Slash, you probably won’t get how REALLY good this bike is.
Oh wow. That was just beautiful. I wish I could ride like that still. I'm just happy to be walking and thank God all the time that I'm able to ride with so far no problems. If I walk to the gas station 2 miles round-trip even on a good day I'm hurting bad when I get home but I can ride all day. I don't baby the rode but I'm not riding hard anymore or close to it. I stay of the trails but I'm happy I'm pedaling . . .... keep riding brothers, be grateful for your ability to ride hard and stay safe!!!
I’ve got a 2017 slash 9.8 and totally love it. Never once have I thought I need it slacker.... Steeper seat tube, sure I’ll take that. Trek please bring back the fire engine red color, easily best color I’ve ever seen on any bike.
New slash comes in that ferrari red u mention, version 7 if im correct
Just got a slash 7, it is amazing, supple, supportive and pedals super well
Been riding my Slash 2021 9.8XT for about three months, and it's a plush dream. Love this bike on the downs--can't believe how much speed this bike can comfortably carry--and it's been fine on the ups, too (but it's not an XC bike, so it did take some getting used to). Got to respectfully disagree with you on the gearing. I like the 30T chainring. Don't use the 52 much, but we've got a few brutal hills, and it's nice to have it. Got the BITS, too. Zero problems with loosening. The only thing I've felt the need to upgrade were the SLX brakes. Had the shop those for XTs upon delivery, which was only about a $50 upgrade. (Yeah, I'm sure the SLXs would've worked fine, but it's an XT, damnit.)
Got mine, I went for the trek slash 8 though. And your correct with this review, its an unreal bike. The m/l size for me is perfect. I've gone from uderbiked to overbiked for my local trails. And I love it.
is it good for jumping?
@@joaquino812 yea really good, very smooth, easy to get speed for the distance you need, suspension setup gives you a massive boost when you pump into a jump
How tall are you?
@@tm-nm7mc 5'10.5
Great video as always Sir
Wow, a few years ago I mated a 28t chainring with 50t cassette and it was so overkill and got lots of comments on the trail. Back then everyone was on 42t cassette and 32t chainrings, now what? My extreme gearing is now coming speced on large endro bikes! 52t with 30t chainring is next level!
@Kurtis MAYBE...However, i think the future there will be more powerful e-bikes. It will not be long before they're called electric dirt bikes. Seeing that aggressively slack bikes are worthless going up hill...e-bikes will become the dominate super slack bikes. That's the next level!
@@shockadellick yea but I think battery technology will need to catch up though. I have a high powered ebike and it just chews the battery
@@shockadellick electric dirt bikes already exist, but using this term for bikes will make no sense. Electric Trails bikes also exist.
@@shockadellick those are not legal on bike paths, e bikes are there are laws limiting the power output too, so super powerful pedal assisted bikes are not legal, atleas tin Norway you need moped licence, have licence plate and only ride it on the road,its classified as a motorized vehicle, so is throttle e bikes with powerful motor, most countries probably already have laws for this. Atleast in Norway this is easy to understand the law, it's well explained, nothing vague law.
@@shockadellick a cyclist can kill a pedestrian too, just by riding 50 km/h into someone, or hitting them and they get hit by a car for example, I am a careful cycling, I am fast, but I am smart about it and have good enough brakes to stop in time in ant situation, and stop long before things get dangerous, but idiots exist in any sport or vehicle type.
Wow that bike looks big! I love it!
I have the 2019 Trek Slash 8 and the M/L frame suits me (6ft) very well, on paper its too short but just feels great
'Change out the ring before you leave the shop'
Sure if i can find one
Have a 2019 Trek Slash 8, love the bike when I bought it, love it even more since I did some upgrades on it. Awesome bike to ride love the climb, llooovvveeee the decent bike handles everything really well. I'm sure the 2021 is probably really great to ride to, but I'll stick with my 2019 Trek. Oh and I have the one with the multiple blue green mix really like the color scheme as well.
Great review guys! Gotta say, as a new rider with below average fitness, I love a 30 tooth chainring (actually put a 28 tooth oval on my Ripmo AF). But yeah, hope eventually to get to the point where I don't need it.
How do you like your Ripmo AF? I do a lot of cross country 10 to 20 mile rides and occasional Trail/enduro riding.
How does that thing pedal for a relatively flat cross country?
Just ordered a 2022 slash 9.7.... will update accordingly!
Just picked up my 2021 Slash 9.9 and WOW I can’t believe how good it rides when compared to my 2020 Slash 9.8! The 2020 was awesome UNTIL you take your first ride on the 2021 👌
Dude, tell me please,- what frame size in your`s new slash 9.9 and old 2020 slash 9,8 ? And how you will compare frame sizing in 2020 and 2021 models range ?
Love mine so far! Got the 9.8 XT
Great video and fun - you got a new sub 😃👍🏻
I ride the 2017 Slash 9.8. Gotta say the wheels have been a huge disappointment... I cracked a rim on an extremely benign section of trail on my way to the nasty stuff... Otherwise I love the bike- it climbs surprising well and is obviously a blast coming back down. It looks like this new model has some very nice updates!
Thanks for this Nice vidéo 👌
Really beautiful Bike
Nice save. That shows some skill.
This bike is gorgeous, but I would like to see a review on the new commencal meta, and see how it compares to this bike.
Yes! I would like to see this too since I ordered the 2021 Meta AM Signature bike.
The commencal this year is a fully race comited bike, if you dont race at least once a month its overkill (words from yoann barelli, check his youtube /instagram), Trek will suit more weekend warriors/ common folks (although i think its overpriced as fuck)
Dont forget the TR. Id love to see a "reasonable" build tho, something you might actually end up buying. 8 grand? No thanks, seriously.
Lrv z yeah the lowest model is 3500. Do you think the commencal would be a good park bike tho? Like it could fly through tech
@@averymahon3774 Alas noone has really put out a review yet, id be curious to know myself.
I totally dont get why the "influencers" dont immediately jump on anything the likes of YT, Canyon or Commencal put out.
A radically larger number of people are going to buy one of their products, than the stuff they actually feed you with.
I guess the companies that dont have the audacity to ask 8k for a partially GX specced bike also arent that generous with their sponsoring money.
Sweet looking bike. That m/l size is right where I'm at!
Bought a Trek Slash 8 right after the release in the fall. Love this bike its amazing how it picks up speed. I find myself going way to fast way more than before. Only complaints are threaded bottom bracket and pivot bolts keep coming loose. The loam wolf mentioned this is a problem with their Trek test bikes and I have had the same. Just buy a BB wrench and make sure everything is tight.
I wish I could afford a bike like that, it’s a beauty 🍻
2020 Slash 8 owner here....love it, considering a 30t ring upgrade
I bought mine 2 months ago. Pretty awesome. I had a xx1 gold lying around the shop and a fox 38/180mm. Put some Magura Sl carbon brakes with polished calipers on it, few other goodies and it’s my fav bike With or without and swaps. Swapped out the Stock rubber for Michelin Wild Enduros. Any how. Wonderful bike.
I got my 2021 Slash 8 2 weeks ago and I love it. It is the best bike I have been on from jumping, handling and yes even climbing :)
i am really interested is it really good for jumping?
@@joaquino812 same how is jumping on it?
Imagine i have one in my room , oohhh the beautiful dreams
Nice that they've improved the seat angle but those damn rims still...
Weird because loads of other testers are loving the gearing. Doesn't seem like there's much by way of hills wherever this is. The Bontrager carbon wheels have damage replacement and lifetime warranty too I believe.
This dude can flat out ride .
I have a new ML sized Slash 9.8 GX in the cool Battleship blue color . That 30 tooth chainring is great , I got a little front end lift on a steep climb and it made Me think a slightly longer stem may be needed .
How would this compare with the Remedy? Is the Remedy simply smaller wheels, slightly easier on longer days/climbs? Sick videos by the way!
I am one of the early slash buyers and now I got it for bout 2 years and the rear shock makes problems always. After about 3 months it made weird sounds so I used the warranty and they said it would have been a building fault. Now just a lil bit later the shock is exactly the same again. Otherwise a pretty great bike with some potential for diverse upgrades❤
One thing a Trek has which I find very difficult to find in other bikes is that poppyness off every rock, bump and root easily. Its why I ride.
Only Ibis rivals it.
@@pjsanab that’s because trek stole dave wiggle’s suspension design
Will be picking up my new slash 8 in a day or 2. Pumped to ride it and compare to my 2020 slash 8
From the test the new Slash seems a very similar bike to Specialized Enduro MY 20. How is it in comparison?
Love the intro
I rented a 2021 alu slash 8 at angel fire bike park a few weeks ago and rode it for 7 straight hours until the chairlift stopped. It will jump as high as you have balls to preload the suspension, the pop is incredible on jump lines. It’s a little loosey goosey in steep tech, but I could get used to it. The knock block is stupid.
Such a great intro!!!!!!!!! 😂
Torn between Slash 7 and Stumpy Evo. Living in the Rockies, we have some really gnarly, burly terrain. At the moment, I'm looking for a quiver killer that'll provide a great platform to progress on.
Where was this bike tested?! I want to ride the trail at the 5:30 mark. Great video. Intro was a nice touch 🤣
that's Trail 4 outside of Boise. it's a moto trail that's a fast, gnarly descent on MTB that has some pedaling portions connecting the fun stuff.
30 tooth chain ring - ditch it for a 32 tooth AbsoluteBlack Oval.
Looks like Trek did a good update with this bike including the rear shock of which the older versions needed a MegNeg to bring them alive.
Would opt for a much closer ratio cassette instead of that dinner plate.
Why would you want less than 1:1 on electric anyway?
I've heard it's a good idea to have the highest grade chain on these off-road beasties as well - so shimano XTR or KMC gold .. any suggestions ?
Eventually i hope Trek and others go belt drive and internal rear gearing and bring back double triple clamp forks or a revised AMP linkage system.
Always room for improvement .... and more speed.
Gorgeous
I just bought a slash 9.8 xt 2020, two months later they announced the release of the 2021 slash ...
Still can't imagine that climbs as well as my 2020 Rocky Mountain Instinct Carbon . And it has Ride 9.
i still find climbs where the 30x50 on my old bike is needed. but everything here is freaking steep!
I don’t even ride this way. I just bought a Haro Cop Bike and suddenly I am fed cool videos.
Slash vs Wrecking shootout
planning to get the slash 8 or remedy 8.
Whats good guys? need suggestions.
Thanks
that bike looks very nice
Hopefully I can get the slash 7 model. Am only 13 so the way I get money is cleaning my dads car. I wish I could clean it every day 😂
Did you get it?
@@natearellano4919 no
Recomend going to a hardware store and get a jog there. I 14 almost 15. Once i turn 15 i can get a job and can get 20 aud and hour. If u work around 40 hrs a week u could get that modle in 6 weks
I think the 30 tooth chainring is made for riders who are blown out on a big enduro day and have a tough climb to go. I do agree, however, that it isn't the most versatile.
Just got the 22 Slash 8 in Miami green. First ride is today...
At that 8k price range I’d expect it not to have these issues ?? GX Cassette? Cracked rim ? Dodgy stem noise. Scott Ransom Tuned has had the twin lock system for years. However beautiful looking bike and looks awesome in that colour but I’m glad I didn’t go for the TrekSlash. Well happy with my Tuned Ransom. Don’t get me wrong coz I do love trek bikes.
awesome trek slash
just picked up my 21 9.7 in this color, just checked and it does not have the in stem tool.
for half the price and only a pound more in weight, must say im quite happy with my new Sx29
I have a 2018 slash with a coil shock and it’s sick. The standard shocks a really subpar and bontrager finishing kit has anything but reliable. Once you get rid of the stock tyre, rims, bars, dropper and shock you have an exceptionally fun bike.
How do you get a standard shock mounted in place of the stock one? Did you buy bearing/spacer kits to mount a non trunnion?
Daniel Helms yeah so the 2017 has the same frame as the 18 and 19 but came factory without a trunnion shock so I got 2017 hardware and a 230x60mm standard shock and it just slotted in. My shop did say that the piggyback wouldn’t work with a small or medium frame however due to lack of clearance. Large and xl are fine though. If you a thinking about doing it i strongly recommend going for it. Makes the bike a completely new animal
@@stevenjalopnik1342 thanks so much, very helpful info! I knew there was a way... 🤙
I just got the remedy 8 it gets delivered on Wednesday is it good?
Why so heavy? My XL aluminum Yeti, SB-95 weighs less. Btw, I'm running a 10 speed 32/34 Absolute Black oval and 11x40, but I have to push it on steep climbs. My brother's Specialized enduro came with the 10x52 gearing and he rode up Burro Pass switchbacks when we rode Porcupine Rim in Moab.
I have 28 front chainring on my Capra, and more often than not I look for a slower gear than the 50th. And I am an XCM racer. Also TREK copied SWAT but did it wrong?
Just put a down deposit on a Trek Slash 8 today. Should get it sometime next spring.
This is a true review
A long reach 29er that's easy to manual for a shorter person? Or just a very skillful rider?
I wish this was offered in a mixed wheel configuration.
im getting a slash 7 tomorrow at 13, im extremely excited but id like to know what you think about the rock shox yari fork
The yari is fine. Not as fancy as a zeb but it works, nothing wrong with it.
This vs megatower?
"Root and nastiness? Nom nom nom!" LOL.
too much travel for me but god damn, I love that color!!
Whats the slash 8 like thinking of getting one but im a beginner
No way, I am holding out till next model with slaker head angle.
Can you guys do a Bike review of the Intense Cycles 2020 Tracer?
we'll see what we can do!
"Introduced it's" Specialized SWAT design... I mean... in frame design? Lol I'm sure it's a very capable bike though. Looks fun!