Bike Check: Florian Nicolai's Trek Slash 9.9 2021 – The new race bike of last year's EWS runner-up

Rain and snow are not his thing! Florian Nicolai was one of the hot favourites of the first 2020 EWS race in Zermatt. We took a closer look at his race bike, the brand new Trek Slash 2021.

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check11 1140x760 — Florian Nicolai’s race bike is a size L 2021 Trek Slash 9.9 2021 with 170/160 mm travel (f/r) and 29” wheels.

While last year Flo lost the overall EWS victory to Sam Hill on the last stage in Zermatt, he was one of the hot favourites of this year’s TRAILLOVE festival, which took place in the renowned Swiss mountain resort. His chances of winning the Swiss stage were particularly good considering that Sam decided to sit out the European races due to the travel restrictions imposed by governments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

However, the crazy weather conditions forced organisers to postpone the start by several hours and reduce the race to just two stages. Given the extreme conditions, Flo didn’t want to take unnecessary risks with wet roots and slippery rocks. At the end of the day, he had to content himself with a rather unflattering 13th place.

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check21 1140x760 — Florian Nicolai | Born in 1993 | Nationality: French | Height 1.83 m | Weight 72 kg

When the Trek Slash was launched in 2016, it played a key role in shaping the 29er enduro bike category. Three weeks ago, the American brand launched its successor, the Trek Slash 9.9 2021, which has more travel, a revised geometry and a practical storage compartment under the bottle cage. We have already tested the brand-new Trek Slash 9.9 2021 for you. In this bike check, we’ll tell you the main differences between the production bike and Flo’s racing bike.

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check12 1140x760 — Just minutes before the start: Flo and his mechanic Andy Lund sheltering from a massive storm in the Trek pits.

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check17 1140x760 — By placing second in the overall rankings of the 2019 EWS, Florian secured the n.2 race-plate for this season.

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check22 600x400 — Flo uses 785 mm Bontrager Line 35 handlebars with 27.5 mm rise to navigate his bike through the racing course.

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check7 600x400 — A OneUp Components EDC mini tool is installed inside the steering tube and 30 mm stem.

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check25 600x400 — Flo’s contact points: a pair of ODI Ruffian lock-on grips…

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check6 600x400 — … and a standard, 138 mm Bontrager Arvada saddle attached to a 170 mm RockShox Reverb AXS dropper post.

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check3 1140x760 — In the practical in-frame storage box of the Trek Slash 2021, Florian carries a CO2 cartridge, spare inner tube and a replacement battery for the electronic groupset and dropper.

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check15 1140x760 — A little strip of adhesive slapper tape functions as a practical mudguard, preventing mud and dirt from clogging up the swingarm

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check4 1140x760 — Flo uses the LS version of Crankbrothers Mallet E pedals. With their wide 57 mm axle, they provide a generous stance width

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check16 600x400 — For the race in Zermatt, Flo used a SRAM 34 t chainring 170 mm SRAM X01 Eagle DUB cranks

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check10 600x400 — The massive chainstay protector, which comes as standard on the production bike, prevents the chain from hitting the chainstay

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check18 1140x760 — In Zermatt, Flo set up his 160 mm RockShox Super Deluxe True Shaft shock with 165 psi (11.4 bar)

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check20 1140x760 — Like many EWS riders, Flo runs a 170 mm RockShox ZEB Enduro fork, which has massive 38 mm stanchions. For the Zermatt race, the fork was set up with 70 psi (4.8 bar)

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check2 1140x760 — In the gruelling conditions of this year’s Traillove Festival, the RRP Mudguard ProGuard came in handy. Read our mudguard group test with seven different models to find out which is the right one for you. In Zermatt, Flo settled for a tire pressure of 1.6 bar at the front and 1.8 bar at the rear

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check19 600x400 — The wireless SRAM AXS groupset makes the cable ports of the Trek superfluous

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check1 600x400 — Up front, a SRAM CODE RSC brake with a 200 mm provides reliable deceleration

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check5 1140x760 — The rear end relies on the same SRAM CODE RSC brake combined with a 200 mm rotor. Unfortunately, Trek deliver their production bike with a 180 mm rotor. However, you can swap this with a bigger disc if needed (up to 220 mm).

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check24 600x400 — A SRAM Eagle AXS rear-derailleur ensures fast and smooth shifting. Here at ENDURO, we’re impressed with the performance of the groupset and compiled a list with 13 reasons, why electronic components on bikes are the future.

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check9 600x400 — Although SRAM offer a 10–52 t cassette with 520% gear range, Florian is happy with a smaller 10-50 SRAM Eagle X01 cassette.

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check13 1140x760 — Someone’s trying to hide the tire brand… However, at our photo shoot, the bike arrived with the original Bontrager G5 Team Issue tires.

Tuning tips from our ENDURO chief editor, Christoph Bayer:

Pick a slightly smaller frame size
Bigger brake rotor on the rear
More robust tires with a more aggressive tread pattern

Without even reading our test of the Trek Slash 9.9 2021, Flo implemented Christoph’s tuning tips

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check23 1140x760 — On the days before and after the race, the weather in Zermatt was awesome!

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check14 600x400

florian nicolai trek slash 2021 bike check8 600x400

We keep our fingers crossed for Flo and wish him a successful season! Follow Florian Nicolai on his Instagram account.

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Words: Manne Schmitt Photos: Manne Schmitt / Trek Bikes