When we released details of the new Trek Remedy there was a clamor of excitement, but then we realized something was missing, “hang about, what about the Trek Remedy 29er?” Well, Trek has taken all the ingredients that made the Trek Remedy 29er great and spiced them up a little, actually a lot, and the new 2017 Trek Slash 29 is here!

We were first shown the new Trek Slash in Canada, and we instantly fell in love!
We were first shown the new Trek Slash in Canada, and we instantly fell in love! With super clean lines and a purposeful intent, it’s a hard charging rhino in a pretty dress.

The Slash 29er is Trek’s new no holds barred enduro weapon, 150/160 mm of travel pitched directly at enduro race domination. It was planned to release this bike against the EWS clock under Tracy Moseley in La Thuile, but an unfortunate injury kept her from competing. The Slash 29 concept was born on the back of Trek athletes fitting longer forks to their Remedy 29ers to great success in the EWS – fused into the new Straight Shot frame that Trek claim makes the Slash 29 “The stiffest non-DH bike we have ever created, It won’t flinch in rugged terrain!” Bold claims indeed but with the new Trek Fuel EX 29er outperforming its on-paper travel, we have every faith that the new Slash 29 will be a beast of a bike.

The  Straight Shot down tube resuires the use of a Knock Block steerer stop, but dramatically boosts front end stiffness.
The Straight Shot down tube requires the use of a Knock Block steerer stop, but dramatically boosts front end stiffness.
Treks ABP pivot placement ensures the suspension stays active even when braking hard.
Treks ABP pivot placement ensures the suspension stays active even when braking hard.

Why doesn’t the new Slash use Trek’s Full Floater design?

Surprisingly, and for the first time in many years, the Slash 29 moves away from Trek’s well established Full Floater design, “We developed Full Floater years ago to address performance constraints associated with the air shocks that were available at that time. Since then, mountain bike shocks have evolved. More dynamic and responsive dampers, along with more refined air springs like EVOL and Debonair, offer the performance benefits our engineers sought to achieve with Full Floater. Using a fixed lower shock mount opens up the lower frame area, giving us more opportunity to design stronger, stiffer frames and chainstays. This also gives us more flexibility to accommodate larger, more capable shocks. All of these effects are experienced most dramatically on long travel bikes, like the Slash.”

Can you run 27.5 Plus wheels and tires in the new Slash 29?

According to Trek, the answer is no. “We designed Slash around 29” wheels and tires for maximum speed. Running any other wheel/tire size will adversely affect handling and speed”.

Specification of the new 2017 Trek Slash 29

The Trek Slash 29 will only be available in carbon, and in two models the Trek Slash 9.8 and Trek Slash 9.9 Race Shop Limited, a frameset will also be available for €3699 ($3699.99).

2017 Trek Slash 9.8 29

Trek-Slash-1

Price: €5499 ($5499.99)
The 9.8 model spec features a full OCLV carbon frame, with 1 x specific chainstays and of course Trek’s signature ABP EVO link suspension. The frame features the same Straight Shot downtube as seen on the Fuel EX and Remedy models and as such has a Knock Block steerer stop to protect the low slung frame from the fork. The geometry can be adjusted with a Mino link geometry adjust from High to Low (it’s a Slash, surely everyone will run it in low?). Cables are run internally with the Control Freak routing.

The Trek Slash uses the metric RockShox Deluxe Shock.
The Trek Slash uses the metric RockShox Deluxe shock.

The 9.8 spec features a RockShox Lyrik RC Dual Position fork with 130/160 mm of travel combined with a Super Deluxe RC3 shock. Wheels are Bontrager’s own Line Comp 30’, running Bontrager SE4 Team Issue tires with Boost hubs. An 11 speed SRAM X1 drivetrain supplies the propulsion, while low spec SRAM Guide R brakes keep the speed in check. The rest of the finishing kit is all from Bontrager with a Line 780 mm handlebar , 35 mm stem and Rhythm grips

2017 Trek Slash 9.9 Race Shop Limited

Price: €7499 ($8999.99)
This is Trek’s top of the line, race winning weapon and features all the technology found in the 9.8 with the addition of a Fox Factory 36 Talas fork with 130/160 mm of travel and a Fox Factory Float X2 tuned specifically for the Slash. The wheelset has been upgraded to the Bontrager Line Elite 30, with the 54T Rapid Drive hubs, and the drivetrain steps up to the 12 speed SRAM X01 Eagle. The most welcome addition is the SRAM Guide Ultimate disc brakes, more suited to a bike of this nature. The bars get lighter too, switching to OCLV carbon.

Control Freak cable routing keeps everything neat and tidy.
The Full Floater is gone! Control Freak cable routing keeps everything neat and tidy.
SRAM Eagle finds it way onto the top-of-the-line 9.9 RSL model.
SRAM Eagle finds it way onto the top-of-the-line 9.9 RSL model.

Geometry of the new 2017 Trek Slash 29

Size 15.5 17.5 19.5 21.5
Head Tube Angle [L]65.1°
[H]65.6°
[L]65.1°
[H]65.6°
[L]65.1°
[H]65.6°
[L]65.1°
[H]65.6°
Seat Tube Angle [L]73.6°
[H]74.1°
[L]73.6°
[H]74.1°
[L]73.6°
[H]74.1°
[L]73.6°
[H]74.1°
Reach [L]410 mm
[H]416 mm
[L]430 mm
[H]431 mm
[L]445 mm
[H]459 mm
[L]475 mm
[H]481 mm
Head Tube 100 mm 100 mm 110 mm 125 mm
Seat Tube Height 394 mm 419 mm 468 mm 522 mm
BB Height [L]345 mm
[H]352 mm
[L]345 mm
[H]352 mm
[L]345 mm
[H]352 mm
[L]345 mm
[H]352 mm
Chain Stay 433 mm 433 mm 433 mm 433 mm
Wheelbase [L]117.2 cm
[H] 117.1 cm
[L]118.7 cm
[H] 118.6 cm
[L]121.9 cm
[H] 121.9 cm
[L]124.9 cm
[H] 124.8 cm
Stack [L]612 mm
[H]608 mm
[L]612 mm
[H]608 mm
[L]628 mm
[H]618 mm
[L]635 mm
[H]631 mm
Stack [L]609 mm
[H]603 mm
[L]609 mm
[H]603 mm
[L]609 mm
[H]603 mm
[L]609 mm
[H]603 mm

Our Impressions of the 2017 Trek Slash 29

We have not had chance to ride the 2017 Trek Slash 29 yet, aside from a cheeky spin round a car park, but we have one winging its way to us as we speak. First impressions are that it is one of the most beautiful bikes that we have ever seen. It is a big bike though, a 29er with 160/150 mm of travel is certainly quite the monster and for many will be like bringing a cannon to a gunfight, but for those looking to demolish descents and smash stage times, this may well be the bike of the year! We look forward to throwing one around!


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Words: Photos: Trev Worsey, Sterling Lorence