Issue #010 Review

Grouptest: EWS Race Bikes – Trek Slash 9 review

20.08.2014
by

By now Rene Wildhaber has become a legend of the enduro scene and a lock for top places. So it was obvious that this test should also contain his personal workhorse: the Trek Slash.

Trek Slash 9 (4 von 12)
The Trek Slash 9 is the working horse of René Wildhaber.
2‘04.50
The Trek impressed us downhill at the stage with a time of 2‘04.50.

The standard model Slash 9 has very few things on it which need changing, but our test model had some changes. The frame now sits on very stiff and light Bontrager Rhythm Pro Carbon wheels, there were some shifting upgrades, and a RockShox Pike fork was added. For the test in Finale Ligure, a special Schwalbe tire combination of Magic Mary and Hans Dampf in the Super Gravity version was fitted. The Bontrager equivalent SE4 Team is currently only available in 26” and 29”.

Trek Slash 9 (5 von 12) e_trek_slash_data
e_trek_price

The seating position on the bike is compact and central. The low front end of the Slash is immediately noticeable; the reason for it is the very short 11cm head tube in frame size L. It was therefore no surprise that the bike felt more at home on flatter sections than steep rough ones. Riser bars would help to create more security here.

Pretty short. The very short head tube of the Trek Slash creates lots of pressure on the front wheel. This is a positive feature on narrow sections of the course, but forces the rider to slow down in steep high speed sections.
Pretty short. The very short head tube of the Trek Slash
creates lots of pressure on the front wheel. This is a positive feature on narrow sections of the course, but forces the rider to slow down in steep high speed sections.

The very linear rear suspension smoothes out the bumps nicely and offers very good traction. The RockShox fork, with its firmer suspension curve, doesn’t harmonize fully with the back end. This does help to stop the front wheel from diving inadvertently, however.

The considerable pressure on the front wheel makes the bike feel agile, maneuverable and playful, but at high speed it reacts more nervously despite its long wheelbase. On the whole, the Slash is more of a fun-oriented bike.

The Trek helps you to gain valuable seconds on the narrower more winding sections of the course. Here the bike scores points for its superb handling and efficient suspension, which does not waste any energy when pedaling and allows you to build up a lot of speed by pushing down on the bars.

The rear end is truly great under braking thanks to the ABP technology (Active Braking Pivot), which keeps it fully active, offering lots of security and control.

Fully active. The patented ABP technology positions the pivot coaxially with the rear hub, which keeps the rear end fully active under braking forces and thus offers greater traction.
Fully active The patented ABP technology positions the pivot coaxially with the rear hub, which keeps the rear end fully active under braking forces and thus offers greater traction
Super soft. The RockShox Pike is probably the best enduro fork currently on the market. Although it differs in progression from the rear suspension on the Trek, this has a positive consequence: a super plush rear end and a plush (but slightly firmer) front end which remains high in its travel.
Super soft: The RockShox Pike is probably the best enduro fork currently on the market. Although it differs in progression from the rear suspension on the Trek, this has a positive consequence: a super plush rear end and a plush (but slightly firmer) front end which remains high in its travel.
Sensitivity. A lot of sensitivity is needed to find the perfect set-up of the Fox DRCV shock. Even small variations in air pressure can affect the performance of the rear end enormously.
Sensitivity: A lot of sensitivity is needed to find the perfect set-up of the Fox DRCV shock. Even small
variations in air pressure can affect the performance of the rear end enormously.
e_trek_slash_geometry

The Trek Slash 9 is available for 4.999 EUR.

Conclusion: The adapted Trek Slash impresses with its very agile and playful handling. On really hard steep parts you unfortunately have to drop down a gear due to the slightly front-heavy riding position.

Go back to the article: Grouptest: Enduro World Series Bikes

You can read an in-depth feature about the EWS Race Bike test and our conclusions in the ENDURO issue #010! As usual it’s free & only digital for iPad, Android-Tablets and Online-Viewer: Issue #010.

Text & Photos Christoph Bayer

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