Back in the Coliseum or today in the boxing ring, duels are an exceptional way to scout out the strongest. Right now the enduro world is seeing a standoff between the Specialized S-Works Enduro 29 and the Trek Slash 9.9 29 Race Shop Limited. But to end this stalemate, we invited the two big hitters of the big-wheel arena for a duel. One winner: machine vs. machine.
For this duel only the best were invited to step up and compete. Both bikes have taken the scene by storm since their respective launches and – let’s be honest – it wasn’t so long ago that big-wheeled bikes were ridiculed by the majority of riders. 29ers were thought to be heavy and as cumbersome as a steamroller, with wheels as unstable as a drunk dad on a pair of platform shoes. But their image has since changed, and it’s fair to say they’re having something of a revival. More and more brands are launching 29ers, and there’s a definite buzz both on the trails and in social media. Ask us, and we’ll say there’s definitely enough hype to send the two most exciting bikes of the next season into the ring.
The opponents
In the left corner: the Specialized S-Works Enduro 29
Long-term advocates of 29″ wheels, Specialized were way ahead of the game with their launch of the Enduro 29 in 2013. Setting new standards when it came to handling, Specialized have now presented its successor, sporting a host of improvements, revised geometry, and an exclusive Öhlins suspension on the very lovely top model. It looks ready for pinning.
Fork: Öhlins RXF 36 160 mm
Rear shock: Öhlins STX (Custom) 165 mm
Brakes: SRAM Guide RS Carbon
Drivetrain: SRAM XX1 EAGLE
Seatpost: Specialized Command Post IRcc 125 mm
Stem: Syntace Megaforce
Handlebar: Specialized DH Fact Carbon
Wheels: Roval Traverse SL
Tires: Specialized Butcher Grid / Slaughter Grid
Weight: 13,19 kg
Price: € 8,699
The SWAT box, subtly hidden inside the downtube, has room for a tube, pump, or windproof jacket, meaning you can sacrifice a hydration pack on shorter rides.
One universal bearing size shows wisdom from Specialized; should one break, then you won’t have to replace the whole set in one.
With mind-bogglingly complex internals, the Öhlins STX rear shock teams said complexity with a brilliantly simple set-up.
They might be super-lightweight and the root of the Enduro’s lively handling, but these superb Roval Traverse wheels don’t come cheap.
The challenger: the Trek Slash 9.9 29 Race Shop Limited
Much more than just a revision, Trek have given the Slash a veritable overhaul, changing from its 27.5″ wheels to burlier 29″ ones. As pioneers of the Boost standard, the American brand are basically responsible for unleashing this current 29er boom, as the wide rear means you can design shorter chainstays and more strength and stiffness for the wheels. The carbon frame, FOX Factory suspension, and SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain will have any credible enduro rider frothing at the mouth.
Fork: FOX 36 TALAS FACTORY 160 mm
Rear shock: FOX FLOAT X2 FACTORY 150 mm
Brakes: SRAM Guide Ultimate
Drivetrain: SRAM X01 EAGLE
Seatpost: Bontrager Drop Line 125 mm
Stem: Bontrager Line PRO
Handlebar: Bontrager Line PRO OCLV Carbon
Wheels: Bontrager Line ELITE 30
Tires: Bontrager SE4 Team Issue
Weight: 13,39 kg
Price: € 7,499
This fiery matte red paint job does a grand job of showcasing the striking frame design, making the Slash a real showstopper!
There’s a Mino link to adjust the geometry on the Slash. We preferred the low position on descents and didn’t change the geometry once.
Trek have designed the Slash with a Straight Shot down tube that dramatically boosts front-end stiffness – but it requires the use of a Knock Block steerer stop to protect the low-slung frame from the fork, which makes it trickier to get the bike in a car boot.
The cables run internally through the downtube.
The weigh-in – The facts
Before the showdown can get started, there’s time to take a brief look at the geometry and specs of the two big-wheelers, and there are some similarities, discrepancies, and weaknesses of note. Both bike are kitted with own-brand components to some extent. The gorgeous and fast carbon wheels on the Specialized are a bonus, and the Trek comes decked out with an arguably great cockpit. When it comes to seatposts, the 125 mm of drop on both rigs is minimal! Tire choices are on-point, but Trek have gone for the better all-round models. In terms of geometry, they both seem pretty sorted with marginal differences on paper, although we expected noticeable differences on the trail.
The ring – The test route
There’s a conveyor belt of battlegrounds, including the gnarly mountainous trails of the Kronplatz in the Dolomites, as well as the diverse bike park tracks at Bike Park Oberammergau. From meticulous man-made flow trails to root garden massacres, the bikes will have to hit their limits across the whole riding spectrum from technical to mellow.
Warm-up – The grand entrance
So which bike comes in giving it the ‘big’ and hyping up the crowd with a hair-raising entrance like the Undertaker? This part of the duel is easy – the fiery red Trek Slash 9.9 29 rakes in admiring glances and outshines the virtually unbranded (although arguably classier) Specialized S-Works Enduro, which could fairly easily be mistaken for its predecessor. But there’s a downside to the Trek’s fame; be prepared to bat away incessant demands for ‘a quick go’ on your shiny new bike.
Round 1 – The Climb
The first round is a test of climbing prowess. This shouldn’t be underestimated on an enduro bike, as we’d argue that being ‘capable’ isn’t always sufficient. Both bikes have really comfortable riding positions, meaning that long hours in the saddle can be ticked off with ease. Speed efforts on the Specialized are rewarded with nimble responsiveness thanks to its lower rotating mass, but both bikes suffer a classic case of pedal bob when you’re out of the saddle – however, firm up the rear shock and you’ll get a touch of respite. On steep climbs the Trek can’t answer the Specialized, whose steeper seat angle and more central riding position make it a far heartier climber. If you’ve got long legs, then you’ll be hanging over the back wheel on the Slash.
Round 2 – The Handling
There’s now a sort of general consensus about what works when it comes to the geometry of enduro bikes – and that’s precisely why there’s just a few millimetres separating the two. The Trek Slash’s head angle is 0.9° slacker, and the reach is 5mm shorter. Are these substantial differences? Not really! The bikes have virtually identical handling: direct and agile, largely thanks to their short chainstays. If you didn’t know better then you’d forget you’re on a 29er. Fortunately, the big wheels bring more stability to the trails, and the two bikes are assuredly capable on technical and steep terrain, rolling majestically over bumps and tracking their lines. The Specialized only comes with a 60 mm stem, however, which the judges deemed too long. But it’s just a minor detail, so the result remains a draw.
Round 3 – The Suspension
FOX vs. Öhlins is the order of the day for round 3. Both enter the ring with virtually unassailable reputations for high quality and efficient suspension. There’s a head-to-head fight going on at the front – with the FOX 36 Factory and the Öhlins RXF 36 both delivering superb performances and soaking up any size hits with buttery smooth sensitivity and great tracking. With barely a perceptible difference between the two forks, it’s time to look at the rear ends, where even at setup there are glaring differences. The FOX FLOAT X2 rear shock offers countless adjustment clicks for high and low speed compression as well as rebound set-up, so you’ll be able to dial in your preferred setting. But the Öhlins rear shock on the Specialized is way more limited, with a reduced number of clicks on each setting. For persnickety riders, this makes fine-tuning a bit trickier, but it’ll boost the likelihood of newer riders finding a decent setting.
On the trail the Trek is majorly capable of dealing with the burl and keeps a plush feeling as it soaks up bumpy terrain with decent feedback, efficiency, and no inclination to bottom out. The Enduro 29’s back end is firmer, more direct, a touch more lively, and quicker to pick to speed. Again, it’s another draw on this round as it all comes down to personal taste.
Round 4 – The Speed
Which one is faster? During testing this was thrown at us time and time again, but it’s not at easy one to answer. Influenced by the specific section of trail and the actual rider’s own style, it’s all open to interpretation. However, in the name of judicial fairness we set a two-minute stretch of trail and pitted the bikes against each other. The final results hovered around plus or minus two seconds, depending on the rider. In short: both bikes are brutally fast! The result: a draw.
Round 5 – The Details
Other than the way they ride, there are other factors that impact the fun you’ll unleash with a bike. Think of the details like the Specialized Enduro’s integrated SWAT box in the downtube where you can stow a tube, pump, or windproof jacket. Leaving a pack at home for short rides deserves a thumbs up. Both bikes are bottle cage compatible, and both have satisfyingly rattle-free internal cable routing.
A knockout round or won on points?
This head-to-head doesn’t end with a brutal knockout, but gets tallied up on points. The Specialized S-Works Enduro 29 doesn’t just rock up with a marginally better spec, but also a better overall performance. It has proven to climb better, go downhill on par, and flaunts some damn cool features. But considering the additional € 1,200 for the S-Works, no one would deny the Trek Slash 9.9 29 Race Shop Limited isn’t an equally great bike, winning admiration all over the trails with its efficient rear end and stylish look.
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For more information about the bikes check out specialized.com and trekbikes.com.
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