Trek Slash 9.8 XT

The 2021 Trek Slash 9.8 XT is a highly advanced mountain bike that stands out for its high-quality materials and precision craftsmanship. The frame is constructed from OCLV Mountain Carbon for both the main frame and the seat stays, ensuring high stability and a low weight of 14 kg. Additional features such as the internal storage compartment, a tapered head tube, Knock Block 2.0 and the internal Control Freak cable routing highlight the bike’s well-thought-out design. The frame is also fitted with Carbon Armor and a Shuttle-Guard, and features a threaded bottom bracket and ISCG 05 mounts.

The braking system comprises Shimano RT66 brakes with 180 mm discs at the front and rear, ensuring reliable stopping power. The drivetrain is provided by the Shimano XT M8100 series, which includes a 12-speed shifter, a 30-tooth chainring and a 55 mm chainline. The cassette is also a Shimano XT M8100 with a range of 10–51 teeth.

Bontrager components provide the connection to the bike, such as the Line Pro handlebars made from OCLV carbon, which are 820 mm wide and have a rise of 27.5 mm, as well as the XR Trail Pro grips with aluminium clamps. The stem is a Bontrager Line Pro with Knock Block and Blendr compatibility, 35 mm in length and a 0-degree angle.

The wheels are Bontrager Line Elite 30 made from OCLV Mountain Carbon, tubeless-ready and fitted with Rapid Drive 108 hubs. The tyres are Bontrager SE4 Team Issue in size 27.5 x 2.40 at the front and Bontrager SE5 Team Issue in size 29 x 2.60 at the rear; both are tubeless-ready with Core Strength sidewall protection and an aramid bead core.

The saddle is a Bontrager Arvada with austenitic struts and a width of 138 mm, mounted on a Bontrager Line Elite dropper seatpost with 200 mm of travel and internal cable routing. The bike’s maximum permissible weight is 136 kg.

The bike’s geometry comprises a reach of 52 mm, a stack of 65 mm, a seat tube length of 50 mm, a top tube length of 68 mm, a head tube angle of 65 degrees and a seat tube angle of 67 degrees. The head tube length is 14 mm, the chainstay length is 44 mm and the standover height is 78 mm. The wheelbase measures 130 mm in total.

The Trek Slash 9.8 XT thus offers a balanced combination of stability, lightness and high-end components for discerning mountain bikers. The price for this model is 6,299 EUR.