Trek has revamped its portfolio for the 2017 model year: the 2017 Fuel EX rolls onto the starting line with the geometry of the existing Remedy 29, the recently introduced Remedy occupies the middle with its suspension travel and 27.5" wheel size - and the brand new Slash 29 sits at the top of the model range as a racing machine in the enduro sector. The wheel size for the Slash is new: with the 29er wheels, the Bolide should be equipped for the toughest slopes of the Enduro circus. The geometry of the new Slash is also taken from the old one, with a head angle of 65 degrees and a seat angle of 74 degrees - but no longer combined with 27.5" but 29" wheels.

Same geometry as before - but with 29er wheels

Trek's engineers have built a carbon frame around the 29er wheels, which comes with Boost mounting dimensions at the rear and, with the so-called Straight Shot down tube, should provide more stiffness than ever before on a Trek mountain bike frame. The rear triangle provides 150 millimetres of travel and relies on the well-known Active Braking Pivot technology, in which the rear triangle joint rides exactly through the meeting point of the chainstay and seatstay.

Adieu Full Floater

Like the Fuel EX and Remedy, the Slash features the recently introduced Knock Block frame protector, which prevents the down tube from coming into contact with the fork crown and the top tube with the handlebar ends. Trek is saying goodbye to the Fuel Floater rear triangle on the new Slash, but it is still on board the 2017 Fuel EX and Remedy. The Full Floater design is better suited to bikes with less than 150 millimeters of rear suspension travel and modern shocks such as Fox Evol or Rock Shox Debonair are so advanced in their function that the Full Floater technology is no longer necessary. In addition, the lower shock mount at the bottom bracket enables a lower top tube and a more compact and stiffer overall design of the main frame and rear triangle.

Three versions

Trek has three versions on offer. The Slash 9.9 RSL, i.e. the Race Shop version, will certainly appeal to racing enthusiasts. As the name suggests, this comes to the buyer in such a way that they can roll straight to the EWS start. Sram's new X01 Eagle 12-speed drivetrain with Sram Guide brakes are part of this package, as are a Fox Factory 36 Talas fork with 160/130 millimeter travel and numerous Bontrager parts. The slightly slimmed-down Slash 9.8 version and a frameset are also available. The frame sizes 15.5, 17.5, 19.5 and 21.5 inches are available.

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