2021 Trek Slash First Look

[@merijn639]

I wish they still had this colorway on the bikes, it looks sick

[@jonathanmatthews4774]

Just ordered the Slash8 yesterday. #stoked

[@SledShedID]

Right on! I'm sure you'll love it!

[@canoepolomattyp]

Colours look great! looks like they did a lot more R and D on this model this year compared to the fuel range

[@sledshed]

Seems like a really well thought out bike! Can’t wait to ride one 😁

[@nwr1003]

Wanted to get the new remedy 8, thinking it’s got to be the slash now

[@sledshed]

Wouldn't be a bad choice!

[@Cata7]

Trek Remedy 8 2021 or Slash 2021 and why? Thanks! (I have close to 0 knowledge about bikes. I know one of them comes in 29" wheels and the other in 27.5, and almost identical bike parts...)

[@sledshed]

I've owned a Remedy myself and loved it. It's a great bike in all kinds of terrain. Very versatile. Very good climber in technical terrain and a really fun bike on the descents. If it has weaknesses it's that it's not very exciting on flat or only gently rolling terrain, and the 27.5" wheels don't roll quite as fast in rough and loose terrain. All of the reviews suggest that the new Slash pedals remarkably well, and that it's not a slouch on the climbs. It also sounds like it descends very very well. Personally my next bike will be a Slash when they become available for bike shop employee purchases.

[@Cata7]

@@sledshed Sounds like I want both bikes now 😂... I've seen that the remedy has the super deluxe select+ and the slash has the super deluxe ultimate shock, is that a big upgrade or nah? They have almost identical parts and this made my choice harder. Thanks for the response!

[@ForkInTheButt]

@@Cata7 buy the 29" bike that's the cheapest. You can add better parts as you go. Don't buy carbon unless you race and you're willing to pay $2k extra for one less kg

[@Cata7]

@@ForkInTheButt The Trek remedy 8 it's not made from carbon and it's only 100$ more (and 1kg lighter), but I've decided to buy the Slash since I will use it on flat terrain too. And I like the color scheme of the Slash 8 and the frame + the better shock. :D

[@sledshed]

@@Cata7 The Ultimate level rear shock is definitely alluring. Trek's done a much better job at speccing the Remedy and Slash with appropriate parts this year than in years past in my opinion. A lot more proper rear shocks and brakes in the lineup. Primarily because they've apparently dumped Re:Aktiv rear shocks and I'm seeing fewer Guides throughout the lineups.

[@ssjj9584]

Trek AL looking so nice. Looks like carbon 🔥

[@ab_mtb]

Stunning bikes. Any idea when trek will be full revamping the remedy?

[@sledshed]

The Remedy was redesigned for the 2019 model year. It seems like Trek typically gets 3 to 4 years out of their carbon molds before redesigning, so I’d guess they’ll do a new Remedy for 2022 or 2023.

[@edersonsantos008]

In Brazil only arrives in January🙄

[@edersonsantos008]

*february

[@kjayk]

What Lyrik version does it come with? Is it select+ with charger 2.1 damper or motion control? Confusing spec sheets on different websites, thanks

[@sledshed]

This Slash 8 has the Select+ with the Charger damper

[@noah1239]

but you can actually upgrade to an charger 2.1 rc2 or rct damper. It's not even that expensive

[@kjayk]

Slash 8 comes with proper charger 2.1 rc lyrik fork. Trek had a typo on their website, all corrected now.

[@jyevanpolen1535]

I'm currently 5"7, only 17 still growing, was looking at getting a M/L so I can grow into it? Cheers

[@SledShedID]

Hey whatsup! At 5'7" the M/L will definitely be big. If you're pretty certain that you'll keep growing it could work out, but it's a gamble for sure!

[@EthanAdey]

Perfect size

[@harryjeffo2126]

Nice bike do you know if you can put a 160mm fork on it ?

[@sledshed]

Hey Harry! Thanks for the view. That's an interesting question. I think the answer is yes, you could decrease the travel to 160mm, but I would ask why? It'd make it less of a party for sure.

[@martybee6648]

Did you ever end up buying one ? Long term review ? Thx

[@bikeninja956]

such a sick bike... love that crazy fat downtube, almost looks like an Ebike. lol... but how does it pedal up? and what about the weight? good review BTW! :)

[@sledshed]

I can't say from personal experience yet, but the majority of the reviews I've seen suggest that it pedals surprisingly well, even in the open setting on the rear shock. Weight is about what you'd expect for a 160/170mm travel bike, ranging from about 30 lbs in the high end carbon builds to ~33 lbs in the low end alloy builds.

[@bikeninja956]

@@sledshed yeah, tough to break that 30lbs limit on this size of bike :(.....

[@samledversis9474]

what size is that frame?

[@sledshed]

The frame in this video is a size large.

[@samledversis9474]

@@sledshed i'm 6'0'' on the dot without shoes. think a size L would be ideal?

[@SledShedID]

@@samledversis9474 Yeah that's the size I would recommend for sure. You're right in the middle of the size chart for the size large at that height.

[@billymcconkey9749]

What size is this bike in the vid ??

[@sledshed]

This is a size Large

[@bitumen83]

Do you know, what is widest/biggest tire you can put on the back?

[@sledshed]

Trek's FAQ info says it fits a 2.6" tire. NSMB's review of the 9.9 XO1 confirmed that the 2.6" tire had plenty of clearance.

[@TheGcleveland1]

How does the fit compare to the old model? I'm 5'10 and ride a large 2020 slash.

[@sledshed]

I'm 5'10" as well. I just took out a Large and a Medium for a back to back parking lot test ride. Personally I would definitely buy a large for myself. The medium isn't so small that it would be un-rideable, but it would definitely feel more like a bike to just jib around on and less like one that I would walk to ride at mach chicken down the trail.

[@TheGcleveland1]

@@sledshed there is also a medium large now isnt there?

[@sledshed]

@@TheGcleveland1 yeah definitely. And the 2021 M/L has a longer reach (469mm) than the previous generation Large (459mm). At 5'10" you and I both straddle the two sizes in the size chart from Trek. The M/L fits up to as tall as 5'10.5" and the Large fits down to as short as 5'9.7". So you can definitely choose either one. Personally I like the extra reach, and my background for riding comes from moto, so I'm used to handling big machines, but you could definitely go either way. Ideally you'd want to ride both and then choose. Personally I'd still go Large.

[@alexadams2230]

Is there storage in the down tube

[@Kylmayfi1]

Yes there is. Even on the aluminum models

[@misterlove6225]

Does the slash 7 have the same geometry?

[@sledshed]

Yeah most definitely. The only thing that changes is paint color and component spec.

[@misterlove6225]

@@sledshed cool, thanks for the info 👍

[@MTBMOR]

Will that shock fit the 2020 Slash. It seems like they went more aggressive than the previous design.

[@sledshed]

It's the same eye to eye length, just has a longer stroke by 5mm. I know there were folks out there who were over-stroking their Slash's for more travel. It's probably one of those things that's not recommended, mostly in order for Trek to continue to provide warranty support inside of their expected parameters, but likely it's still possible.

[@SK-ps1mo]

Iam 6,2 foot tall would a large suit me as my first bike mtb , I might be getting the slash 7 it’s in my budget .....

[@ottohemio]

Yes that would be the correct size accordinf to size guide! But if you want more nimble bike you might be able to down size whitout it feeling too small!

[@sledshed]

Personally at 6'2" I would recommend the XL. I'm 5'10" and always buy a size large. I'm at the bottom end of the spectrum for Large but I have always like the extra reach. You could probably do the Large and be ok if you prefer a smaller and more nimble ride, but I think you could totally rock the XL.

[@boniedwa]

Do you know if Trek will release XT version of this model?

[@sledshed]

I don't anticipate that a Slash 8 XT will be released in 2021. At least Trek hasn't suggested that will be an option to us as a dealer.

[@cartermacrenaris705]

Why do you want an XT what’s wrong with SRAM

[@sledshed]

@@cartermacrenaris705 I'm unsure of @BabiesAreDumb's reasoning, but I know that there are some who feel that the Shimano drivetrains shift a little more smoothly under power. Personally I've been very happy with every 1x12 SRAM drivetrain I've ever owned. I like to think it's because I know how and when to shift lol

[@lskdfsfsdfsefnfasdn]

Awsome bike omg!!!!!

[@Damien487]

got one of these on order :)

[@jeremyrobson7414]

Do you have an ETA ?

[@Damien487]

@@jeremyrobson7414 already got it a a month ago. Had to log a warranty claim on it after 3 rides. Seems the factory forgot to put a spacer in the bottom section of the rear shock and it recked the bearings.

[@jeremyrobson7414]

@@Damien487 thanks. Really wanna order one but the wait is so long lol

[@Damien487]

@@jeremyrobson7414 well I highly rate the bike, test rode the specialized enduro elite and can say this bike feels near identical. Climbs really well too 👏

[@edersonsantos008]

Fork 170 / 180?

[@ottohemio]

170 but you can also put 180

[@raheemgahelable]

Dope!!! ♥️♥️

[@darthstormy8588]

Does it climb

[@SledShedID]

From Enduro MTB: Riding uphill, the rear suspension is as pleasantly efficient as before, as long as you stay seated and pedal in even strokes. If that’s the case, you can leave the shock open without any problems. However, if you have to get up out of the saddle to pedal, we recommend locking out the shock first. Overall, the Slash is a capable climber and will easily get you to the top of every trailhead.

[@darthstormy8588]

@@SledShedID oh no I know I just bought it a couple weeks back and it does climb, but thanks anyway

[@soydelrancho]

What's with the electrical boxes on the floor?

[@sledshed]

This is an apartment above our bike shop that is mid remodel!

[@soydelrancho]

Sled Shed. I’m A master electrician with an OCD prob and kicked in when I saw that. LOL. Thinking of buying that bike. Thank you for the great review!

[@markswinney8335]

How much difference between 2019 slash 8

[@marcusnilsson2463]

The ones I can see just quickly, changes from 2020: Frame storage Changed shock (no more ReAktiv) Larger diameter on the seat post tube New frame design (longer reach, slacker) 160/170 mm of travel instead of 150/150

[@markswinney8335]

Marcus Nilsson I have the previous slash 8. Trying to work out if an upgrade is necessary lol

[@marcusnilsson2463]

@@markswinney8335 yeah I think 2019-2020 is the same bike... I have the 2020 and am also considering... But it seems like it still comes with the Guide R brakes which is the worst brakes I have ever had... Besides that the upgrades seems positive... Now just to figure out if they are THAT positive :P

[@markswinney8335]

Marcus Nilsson totally agree I’ve already upgraded to a lyrik with the c1 also 4 pot xt brakes. Making the fork 170 would give me similar HA. But compromise on the SA and BB. But the new bike is longer. Lol. 😀😀

[@sledshed]

The biggest change for sure is GEO! This new geo is much more modern. Longer reach numbers by 15-30mm per size. Steeper seat tube, slacker head tube, lower bb, longer chainstays, more seatpost insertion, etc. Then add in the frame storage, increased travel, better pedaling efficiency, and smarter spec (like code brakes), I think it’s definitely worth the upgrade.

[@derrickkampfer3131]

The Rockshox Yari RC comes on the 7 not the Lyric. However, its still a very capable fork.

[@lifeisabeautifulride922]

💣💥

[@JacquesLiw]

Same color as 2017 Spesh Enduro Elite! 😂

[@sledshed]

I see the similarities, but Trek doesn't sue small businesses, so that's a plus.

[@alexandervannevik7730]

Looks like a Kona

[@sledshed]

Aaaaand... looks like a session! XD

[@ttvbtwttvbtw5627]

you have a scott ramson too ? HOLY FUCK..

[@sledshed]

The Ransom has been my personal bike. This one is just one that my store has in for sale. Looking to sell the Ransom soon though! And then I'll be picking up a Slash :)

[@tadams1150]

Buy something that you can backpedal without drivetrain Imploding

[@SledShedID]

I'm sorry, what's this?