2021 Trek

Slash 9.8 GX

A 29″ carbon frame full suspension enduro bike with high-end components.

MSRP$6,549
Weight31.8 lbs  
FrameCarbon
SuspensionFull, 160 / 170mm
ForkRockShox ZEB Select+
ShockRockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate
Wheels29″ Carbon
Drivetrain1 × 12
GroupsetGX Eagle
BrakesHydraulic Disc
SeatpostDropper
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Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
Slash 9.8 GX
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Gearing

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Lowest gear

(climbing)

26 mph

Slash 9.8 GX

26 mph

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Highest gear

(descending)

Spec Level

Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.

Reviews
MBR
Trek Slash 9.8 XT review - MBR

Apr 2022 · Alan Muldoon

The Trek Slash 9.8 XT is an enduro bike with progressive geometry and 29er wheels and 170/160mm of travel, and offers a performance that seriously impressive. Good enough to make it on our list of the best enduro mountain bikes? Absolutely. It’s good enough to score a  10 out of 10; a rare feat. Trek Slash 9.8 XT need to know: Mino Link geometry adjustment allows for a 27.5in Mullet setup KnockBlock 2.0 offers an increases the steering angle from 58º to 72º and can be removed if needed A bash guard on the MRP chain guide helps protects the 30t XT chainring RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock sports ThruShaft technology to control the 160mm travel We took the Trek Slash 9.9 XO1 for a first ride when it launched last year, and while the 2022 bike looks remarkably similar, right down to the frame colour of the bike we featured last time, there are several differences. The main one being that the XT equipped bike is £1,500 cheaper and there are changes to the specification that reflect its lower price. You get a full Shimano XT drivetrain and 4-piston XT brakes, rather than SRAM XO1. You also get a RockShox Zeb Select+ fork rather than the Ultimate, while the Bontrager Line Carbon 30 wheels switch to the alloy version. Downgrades? Yes, but none that should detract from the underlying ride quality of the Slash. The most important thing is that the OCLV carbon frame remains unchanged, so you still benefit from all of the advances in the frame geometry and suspension that Trek introduced last year. Updates that saw the addition of downtube storage, the head tube angle getting slacker, the seat tube steeper and the reach longer. Trek also made the suspension more progressive, and increased rear travel by 10mm to 160mm. All positive changes then. Trek Slash 9.8 suspension Trek has always been a big proponent of proprietary suspension components. As such, the RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock on the Slash 9.8 XT features Trek’s ThruShaft technology and it’s the exact same shock that comes on the flagship model. This design eliminates the need for a high pressure IFP (internal floating piston) and in simple terms, this allows for lower breakaway resistance and improved sensitivity. And because the damper shaft passes straight through the shock body, it needs an extender mount and a small hole in the frame to accept the ThruShaft at bottom out. Sounds complex? Well it is, but thankfully setting up the suspension on the Slash is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Sag gradients make it simple to dial in the correct air pressure, and in the open setting the shock has three low-compression settings for fine tuning the response to pedal inputs or the style of terrain you’re riding. Also if you ever want to fit an aftermarket shock, that’s still possible as the Slash uses a 230×62.5mm metric shock size, you’ll just need different lower mounting hardware. Setting up the suspension …Continue reading »

Highs
  • Fast, fun and efficient. Tight, reactive ride. Progressive geometry. Versatile, composed. A do-it-all bike

Lows
  • XL would benefit from a steeper seat angle

Read Review

Pinkbike
Video: A Closer Look at Jamie Edmondson's Trek Slash Race Bike

Jul 2021 · Pinkbike Originals

We caught up with Jamie Edmondson to get the details on his new Trek Slash.

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BikeRadar
Trek Slash 8 review

Apr 2021 · Robin Weaver

The Slash 8 strikes the perfect balance between a fun and lively feel, and ultimate chaos-calming composure

Highs
  • Easy to ride, very natural feeling geometry

  • Great kit for the cash

  • Easy to throw about yet still calm and stable when it needs to be

  • Seriously impressive suspension

Lows
  • Tyres aren’t the best in damp mud

Read Review

Beta
The Beta Tests: Trek Slash 9.8

Mar 2021 · Lydia Tanner

The Trek Slash has been 29-inch-only since 2016, and the 2021 version is evidence of its head start in the big-wheel enduro category.

Highs
  • Superb high-speed stability

  • Great traction in variable terrain

  • Supple and generous-feeling suspension

Lows
  • Less maneuverable at slow speeds

  • A lot of bike to get back up the hill

Read Review

NSMB
2021 Trek Slash 9.9 XO1 - Full Review

Feb 2021

Riding a bike like the Slash over the winter on the North Shore is a rough test scenario, but Trek's newest long travel trail bike has proven up to the task...

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Mountain Bike Action
Mountain Bike Action Bike Test: Trek Slash Enduro Bike - Mountain Bike Action Magazine

Feb 2021 · McCoy

One Killer Enduro Machine

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Bike Perfect
Trek Slash 9.9 X01 Enduro MTB review

Feb 2021 · Guy Kesteven

We took the Trek Slash 9.9 X01 to our toughest local trails to see how its new shape and unique shock translate to the real world

Highs
  • Phenomenal rear suspension

  • Easy setup

  • Awesome aggro geometry

  • Precision accuracy

  • High control cockpit

  • Internal storage

  • Efficient pedaling

  • Threaded BB

  • Optional steering lock

Lows
  • More confident with switched tires

  • ZEB fork requires some patience

  • Deserves better wheels

  • Short dropper on small sizes

  • Seriously grounded rather than playful

Read Review

Flow Mountain Bike
Trek Slash Review | A totally one-of-a-kind custom bike build

Feb 2021

Starting with a new Trek Slash 8 frameset, fellow Flow Frother Ben has chosen a rather eclectic build kit to complete his unique enduro bike. Read on for a closer look at the parts he's chosen, and a detailed explanation of what's worked well, and what hasn't worked so well.

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Geometry
99 Spokes on YouTube99 Spokes on YouTube
Specs
Build
Frame

OCLV Mountain Carbon main frame & stays, internal storage, tapered head tube, Knock Block 2.0, Control Freak internal routing, Carbon Armor, shuttle guard, threaded BB, ISCG 05, 34.9mm seat tube, magnesium rocker link, Mino Link, ABP, Boost148, 160mm travel

BB StandardBSA, 73mm, Threaded

Tire Clearance2.5"

ColorsLithium Grey; Carbon Blue Smoke

Fork

RockShox ZEB Select+, DebonAir spring, Charger 2.1 RC damper, tapered steerer, 44mm offset, Boost110, 15mm Maxle Stealth, 170mm travel

Travel170mm

Spring TypeAir

Shock

NEW RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate, DebonAir spring, Thru Shaft 3-position damper, 230x62.5mm

Travel160mm

Spring TypeAir

Bottom Bracket

SRAM DUB, 73mm, BSA threaded

Headset

Knock Block 2.0 Integrated, 72-degree radius (includes infinite-radius chip), sealed cartridge bearing, 1-1/8'' top, 1.5'' bottom

Stem

Bontrager Line Pro, 35mm, Knock Block, Blendr compatible, 0 degree, 35mm length

Handlebar

Bontrager Line Pro, OCLV Carbon, 35mm, 27.5mm rise, 820mm width

Saddle

Bontrager Arvada, austenite rails, 138mm width

Seatpost

Size: S, Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 100mm travel, MaxFlow, internal routing, 34.9mm, 345mm length; Size: M, M/L, Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 150mm travel, MaxFlow, internal routing, 34.9mm, 440mm length; Size: L, Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 170mm travel, MaxFlow, internal routing, 34.9mm, 485mm length; Size: XL, Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 200mm travel, MaxFlow, internal routing, 34.9mm, 550mm length

TypeDropper

Grips

Bontrager XR Trail Pro, alloy lock-on

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

SRAM GX Eagle

Crank

Size: S, SRAM GX Eagle, DUB MTB Wide, 30T, 55mm chainline, 170 length; Size: M, M/L, L, XL, SRAM GX Eagle, DUB MTB Wide, 30T, 55mm chainline, 175 length

Shifters

SRAM GX Eagle, 12 speed

Cassette

SRAM Eagle XG-1275, 10-52, 12 speed

Chain

SRAM GX Eagle, 12 speed

Brakes

SRAM Code R 4-piston hydraulic disc

TypeHydraulic Disc

Wheels
Rims

Front: Bontrager Line Elite 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless Ready, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15mm thru axle, Rear: Bontrager Line Elite 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless Ready, Rapid Drive 108, 6-bolt, SRAM XD driver, Boost148, 12mm thru axle

Front Hub

Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, alloy axle, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15 mm thru axle

Rear Hub

Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, 6-bolt, 108T Rapid Drive, SRAM XD driver, Boost148, 12 mm thru axle

Tires

Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL, Bontrager SE4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Core Strength sidewall, aramid bead, 60 tpi, 29x2.40''; Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL, Bontrager SE5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Core Strength sidewall, aramid bead, 60 tpi, 29x2.60''

Disc Rotors

Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL, SRAM CenterLine, 6-bolt, round edge, 180mm; Size: S, M, M/L, L, XL, SRAM CenterLine, 6-bolt, round edge, 200mm

Rider Notes
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Last updated March 23