Did The 2024 Trek Slash Really Deserve Bike of the Year?

[@Composit.Design]

"The best bike in the world is the one you're riding" finally someone else who gets it!! Loved this review. Looking forward to more.

[@UnlikelyReply]

Great vid, as a footnote for anyone with a new trek that has creaking sounds on suspension, start with a little grease on the cable routing through the rear triangle and also make sure the cable ties are tight on the brake and shifter cables where applicable. These do give the impression of creaking bearings.

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Ah that’s a very good shout. I’ll let David know so hopefully he can tame the noises. Appreciate it!

[@jaRide666]

Hopefully to bump with you guys on rotorua trails

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Yeah definitely mate! Keep an eye on our Instagram story. We try to post when we are out there.

[@Tequila628]

Trust me, this video felt like I was watching a millions subs channel. And a good one at that, with heart and soul put into. I'm amazed! Subbed for sure! 🤙🤙🤙

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Thank you so much! We really do appreciate it!

[@Biking_with_Akiva]

You guys are dope 🤙🏾 love the ride videos 💪🏾💯

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Cheers mate! Appreciate it!

[@SkarTisu]

As long as Trek paid the most to the reviewers, then they absolutely deserve the award.

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Haha one way of looking at it yeah.

[@soutarbrothersadventures5060]

Hey i just got he 8, so im making the rear shock to the back hole in order to get it to 25%?

[@roddas26]

High pivot for DH Overkill for trail? Will be interesting to see how it holds up long term🤙

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Yeah it’s potentially overkill for sure hahah. Like to try a few more high pivots, maybe a shorter travel one!

[@rip.tear.]

I don’t think it’s overkill, the forbidden Druid is a hell of a bike. I just don’t think trek have got this bike right.

[@Pickles_McGherkin]

Great review guys, for more high pivot stuff you should try get a deviate or a forbidden to try out

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Cheers mate! Appreciate it! Yeah super keen to check those out. Might have to head down to Christchurch and hassle DVO to take their claymore out haha

[@LJ_Adventure79]

What are some good cheap riding pants?

[@Gmork-The-Nothing]

I will say, the suspension and brake spec does seem a bit entry level. Given my 2021 Slash 8 has a Lyrik Select+ fork (one step down from Ultimate), and a Super Deluxe Ultimate in the rear. Plus the Code R brakes are killer as far as SRAM brakes go. They've been largely maintenance free since I did a good, proper bleed on them two years ago. Definitely gone down a couple levels on spec this year to offset the frame price I'm guessing.

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Yeah compared to the previous years 8 models it’s quite disappointing. That’s a pretty nice spec aye. But yes you’re right it probably was to avoid it going up hugely in price with this new frame.

[@Bike4adventure]

great review!

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Cheers! Appreciate it!

[@on1ytheb3st]

Where are you boys based, environment is kind of throwing me off. Based on your accent and background I’d guess NZ because def not Aussie. Also what camera setup you got going on at 2:22, very crisp!

[@morris2450]

The lads are NZers

[@energ8t]

Most awards are simply ads for large corporations. Way too many complaints about the idler for that award, even to Trek.

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Yeah that’s a very fair point. Interesting for pinkbike to make it so seemingly obvious when there seems to be a lot of negative opinions on the bike.

[@Arig-d7x]

sick vid

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Thank you!

[@Arig-d7x]

How long was the ride? Did it feel like it was a challenge to pedal up things or is it ok to take it on long rides?

[@BlueSkyBoys]

The ride was probably only 5 hours or so. Not noticeably hard to pedal but once the drivetrain gets a bit of dirt in it, that might change. There are probably better bikes for really long rides though!

[@JamesRobertMTB]

Where do you buy the chain for this beast?

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Should be fine with a regular chain you just won't be removing many links!

[@davidhodgson9419]

It's exactly 116 links long so no chain Braker needed for a chain replacement!

[@ashkonsenaati8530]

How does it compare to the commencal sx?

[@BlueSkyBoys]

We’ve not tried the SX. But compared to the Meta AM, it definitely rides like there’s a lot more travel. The rearward axle path makes it feel very different in the corners which you have to adjust to. I’ve heard that from a few people the first time they ride a high pivot. We would want to try a higher spec model to really compare it with James’ Commencal

[@hambo76]

More Canyon Spectral AL coverage please!

[@BlueSkyBoys]

I’ll try! Not sure what else to talk about now hahaha

[@hambo76]

Just show it off more in the videos! It's a hell of a bike and weirdly ignored or not reviewed in any mtb publication or channel bar yours..

[@darian_eugene_1452]

Would you recommend this or the marin alpine trail xr?

[@h3g98fn]

The Marin is a lot less hardcore than the new slash so it really depends on what u need a bike for. If ur mostly riding trails and rarely go on enduro or park rides, the Marin is the better option with a much lighter weight and more playful geometry. However if you don’t care about anything but how fast a bike is downhill, the new slash is fantastic.

[@lukelackermayer]

If you want a great all around bike that is a going to be a better race bike, just get the gen 5 slash. Placing my order tm on a gen 5🎉

[@BlueSkyBoys]

The gen 5 slash was a really great bike. Super fun too!

[@BlueSkyBoys]

And congrats on the new bike!

[@Coors1974]

What does that thing weigh... riding weight.. water .tools.ect..40lbs??

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Didn’t get a chance to weigh it but definitely wasn’t particularly heavy. Probably lighter than James’ Commencal Meta. Maybe around 38 pounds if I was to guess.

[@davidhodgson9419]

With nothing in the fame, no water bottle, cushcore pro in just the rear and continental downhill casing kryptotal front and rear it is 18.6 kgs 41lbs 😅

[@BlueSkyBoys]

@@davidhodgson9419 a beast!

[@alexdrift6285]

Bike of the year? you almost got me with that brilliant joke haha

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Pinkbike’s joke not ours haha

[@alexdrift6285]

@@BlueSkyBoys you mean Pinkbike that everyone's paying to advertise fake reviews? Yeah we know them

[@rip.tear.]

Youre not wrong about the spec, its way to expensive for the parts it has. I havent ridden it but it didn't seem like the best bike either.

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Yeah definitely! Seems to be some serious issues with the drivetrain layout. Would be keen to spend more time on it and experience that for ourselves

[@danytheunicorn95]

Quick answer: no, the chain drops. I can always say that my commencal is better because at least the chain doesnt drop 😂

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Hahaha fair enough. Hopefully they can find a proper fix for that and not just on next years model. Can’t go wrong with a commencal!

[@MrSupermugen]

terrible Value in NZ, was on sale almost instantly - chain drop issues plus the poor value is such a shame. - updated idler is coming march i believe. I've ridden a friends 8, While it was pretty good, chain drops were an issue, He ended up being able to return the bike. He's glad he got to return as paid full price straight away and the value was extremely poor. the Fork warranty is interesting, I've had 2 of my last fox made forks make terrible noise(in last 6 months) blue shark NZ is also terrible to deal with, argue with everything.

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Yeah that's super interesting aye. We weren't aware of all the issues people had been having. Will be keeping an eye on that for sure! And I have to agree about blue shark, not many good experiences getting fox stuff serviced.

[@MrSupermugen]

@@BlueSkyBoys I had a Clunking factory 36 that was brand new, sent to Blue 3 times - Got incontact with Fox Factory Australia and they paid for shipping to Aus, they fixed it and sent it back, was pissed to say the least!

[@kobemaui9983]

Interesting sent my X2 to Blue Shark NZ 3x they got it right on 4th time never again pity as I like FOX stuff overall

[@alexh.4068]

What's your bike of the year then... lol.

[@a8f235]

Bike of the lair goes to...

[@Stockfish1511]

Im high end slash owner. But imo the new frame was ugly af and high pivot makes it even worse. I always thought Trek bikes have great looks. But this one was abomination.

[@hannes6114]

Not it didn't

[@waldchiller4695]

no

[@Whyusadd]

Man trek really are trying hard to get this thing moving…..

[@BlueSkyBoys]

They seem to be. but just to be clear Trek have nothing to do with this video if that's what you mean

[@alex.huyhuy]

It's as if Trek sponsors pinkbike or something 🤷

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Could be the case

[@finroddd]

Saw it on screen and it looks ugly. Saw it in flesh - still looks ugly.