Issue #039, Review - July 26, 2019

Trek Slash 8 29 in review

When Trek unveiled the new Slash 8 29, the American brand kept quiet about the fact that the geometry of the aluminium version had been updated and tweaked slightly compared to the carbon model, making the bike even more interesting for a lot of riders.

**Trek** Slash 8 | € 2,999 | 160/150 mm (f/r) | 14.18 kg | 29″

The Trek Slash 8 29 is the bike many Trek fans have been waiting for. While the carbon model has become a true classic among 29er Enduro bikes, there wasn’t an affordable aluminium version available. All that changed with the € 2,999 Slash 8 29. The best part: Trek adjusted the reach and the seat tube angle on the aluminium Slash, addressing two issues we had with the carbon version. The reach is 8 mm longer, the seat tube angle is 0.8° steeper and another frame size has been added. The Slash’s geometry is still on the more compact side of the spectrum, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Trek are known for their specially designed shock, and the Slash 8 also features a RockShox Deluxe RT3 with Thru Shaft technology. The piston rod extends through the whole shock body. That means that the damping oil doesn’t get pressurised, removing the need for an internal floating piston and resulting in a shock that can respond more sensitively, according to Trek. The remaining spec consists of proven components: the drivetrain, wheels, dropper post and cockpit suit the bike well and give no reason for complaint. The same can’t be said for the Bontrager XR4 tires and the SRAM Guide brakes. Neither do the bike justice and should ideally be replaced before you leave the shop.

The one to rule them all – the Slash is at home on every terrain!

**Helmet** Troy Lee Designs D3 | **Jersey** Troy Lee Designs Ruckus | **Shorts** Troy Lee Designs Ruckus Solid Shorts | **Knee** pads Endura MT500 knee protector | **Shoes** Five Ten Freerider Pro

The Trek Slash 8 29 in detail

Fork RockShox Yari R 160 mm
Shock RockShox Deluxe RT3 RE:aktiv Thru Shaft 150 mm
Brakes SRAM Guide R 200/180
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle
Seatpost Bontrager Line 150 mm
Stem Bontrager Line Knock Block 50 mm
Handlebar Bontrager XR Elite 780 mm
Wheels Bontrager Line Comp
Tires Bontrager XR4 Team Issue 2.4″

**Beautiful**
The frame of the Trek Slash 8 has a lot of beautiful details and a harmonious design.

**High-end for everyone**
Trek spec the same shock on their most affordable Slash as on their flagship models to give every rider the best possible rear-end performance.

**Something’s missing here!**
Unfortunately, the chainstay protector is too short and the paint got damaged after only a few rides. We recommend sticking on some Slapper Tape before your first ride.

**Superfluous**
We never used the geometry adjustment in our test and found the slack setting to be ideal for every trail we rode.

Size	S	M	ML	L	XL
Seat tube	394 mm	419 mm	445 mm	468 mm	522 mm
Top tube	581 mm	597 mm	613 mm	627 mm	653 mm
Head tube	100 mm	100 mm	105 mm	110 mm	125 mm
Head angle	65.1°	65.1°	65.1°	65.1°	65.1°
Seat angle	74.4°	74.4°	74.4°	74.4°	74.4°
Chainstays	434 mm	434 mm	434 mm	434 mm	434 mm
BB Drop	28 mm	28 mm	28 mm	28 mm	28 mm
Wheelbase	1,172 mm	1,187 mm	1,204 mm	1,219 mm	1,248 mm
Reach	410 mm	425 mm	440 mm	453 mm	475 mm
Stack	612 mm	612 mm	617 mm	621 mm	635 mm

The Trek Slash 8 29 in review

You’ll quickly feel at home aboard the Trek Slash 8 29 and thanks to its moderate geometry, it doesn’t take long to get used to the bike. Weighing 14.18 kg, it climbs very willingly. If you push the saddle forward, your weight will be nicely centred. The rear suspension performs sensitively without any bob and generates a lot of traction on technical climbs. However, it is worth reaching for the climb switch on fire road climbs. Going downhill, the handling is impressively versatile. It’s agile, but not nervous, composed, but not cumbersome. No matter which trail you’re on, with the Trek you’re on the right bike. The rear suspension is sensitive, yet very defined. However, if you want super plush suspension, this isn’t the bike for you. We also recommend leaving the rebound setting almost completely open.

**Tuning tip:** swap tires | upgrade brakes with larger rotors and Trickstuff Power pads or replace if necessary |optimise chainstay protector | possibly upgrade the Yari fork (expensive)

The Slash 8 29 is happy to catch air off anything that resembles a lip and will generate a lot of speed if you pump it through compressions. However, on fast, successive hits, the RockShox Yari can’t quite keep up with the performance of the rear end. Where the Trek really shines, is with quick direction changes: the handling is very precise and requires only a little input from the rider. Change your mind at the last minute and feel like taking the high line? Easy! The weight distribution is excellent and the handling is extremely balanced.

The suspension is firm but not uncomfortable and it rewards an active riding style!

Conclusion

The Trek Slash 8 29 is a super versatile bike. It climbs well and will make beginners, advanced racers and bike park shredders happy on the descents. Yes, the build does have a few small flaws, but your friendly Trek dealer will surely help you out. If you’re looking for the perfect do-it-all Enduro bike, this is it, our Best Value Tip!

Tops

super versatile handling
suitable for every skill level
excellent rear suspension

Flops

tires and brakes at the limit
Knock Block is more of a bug than a feature
chainstay protector is too short

Riding Characteristics

Uphill

sluggish
efficient

Agility

cumbersome
playful

Stability

nervous
confident

Handling

unbalanced
balanced

Suspension

harsh
plush

Fun Factor

planted
poppy

Value for money

terrible
very good

Technical Data

Trek
Slash 8

Size: S M ML L XL
Weight: 14,18 kg
Travel (f/r): 160/150 mm
Wheel Size: 29"
Price: € 2,999

Intended Use

XC 8

Trail 9

Enduro 10

Downhill 11

For more info head to: trekbikes.com

The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to: Pedal up, Hammer down – 8 affordable Enduro bikes go head to head

This scale indicates how efficiently the bike climbs. It refers to both simple and technical climbs. Along with the suspension, the riding position and the weight of the bike all play a crucial role.↩
How does the bike ride and descend? How spritely is the bike, how agile is it through corners, how much fun is it in tight sections and how quickly can it change direction?↩
Is the bike stable at high speeds? Is it easy to stay in control in demanding terrain? How composed is it on rough trails? Stability is a combination of balanced geometry, good suspension and the right spec.↩
This is all about how balanced the bike is and particularly about how well it corners. Balanced bikes require little physical effort from the rider and are very predictable. If a bike is unbalanced, the rider has to work hard to weight the front wheel to generate enough grip. However, experienced riders can have a lot of fun even with unbalanced bikes.↩
How sensitive is the suspension over small bumps? Can it absorb hard impacts and does it soak up repeated hits? Plush suspension not only provides comfort and makes a bike more capable, but it also generates traction. The rating includes the fork and the rear suspension.↩
This aspect mainly comes down to the suspension. How much pop does it have, does it suck up the rider’s input or is it supportive, and how agile and direct is the bike?↩
We don’t calculate value for money in an excel spreadsheet or based on how high-end a bike is specced. We are more concerned with how a bike performs on the trail and how the bike benefits the rider. What good are the best components if the bike doesn’t perform well on the trail? Expensive bikes with a lower-end spec can offer very good value for money – provided they excel where it matters. Just as supposedly cheap bikes with good components can get a bad rating if they don’t deliver on the trail.↩
No, it’s not about racing, it’s about efficiency. Fast, fleet-footed and efficient – those who want to speed along flowy singletrack and gravel roads need a defined and spritely bike that accelerates with ease and efficiency. Nevertheless, reliable components are important too. We interpret XC more like the Americans do: big back-country rides instead of a marathon or XC World Cup with the ultimate in lightweight construction! Uphill-downhill ratio: 80:30 (not everything has to be 100%!)↩
...also known as mountain biking. Classic singletrack with roots, rocks and ledges – sometimes flowy, sometimes rough. For this, you need a bike with good all-round qualities, whether climbing or descending. Uphill-downhill ratio: 50:50↩
Even more extreme and challenging compared to Trail riding, riddled with every kind of obstacle: jumps, gaps, nasty rock gardens, ruts and roots. For this, you need (race)proven equipment that forgives mistakes and wouldn’t look out of place on a stage of the Enduro World Series. Climbing is just a means to an end. Uphill-downhill ratio: 30:70↩
Strictly speaking, a 200 mm travel downhill bike is the best choice for merciless tracks with big jumps, drops and the roughest terrain. Those would be the black or double-black-diamond tracks in a bike park. But as some of the EWS pros (including Sam Hill) have proven, it’s the riding skills and not the bike that define what you can ride with it. Climbing? On foot or with a shuttle, please! Uphill-downhill ratio: 10:90↩
You can find more info about our rating system in this article: Click here! ↩

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