Slash 9.8 XT - Trek Bikes (IE)

Overview

You're looking to tackle huge days on huge mountains, whether it's an enduro race or an epic adventure. You want the light weight and muted vibes of a carbon frame, and you prioritise tunable suspension performance over a shiny top-shelf drive train.

A full OCLV Mountain Carbon frame with 160 mm of travel and an all-new RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock with an updated Thru Shaft damper, plus an all-new RockShox ZEB fork with extra-beefy 38 mm stanchions. A Shimano XT 12-speed drive train for super-smooth shifting that's easy on the thumb and Line Elite 30 carbon wheels with a 108-tooth Rapid Drive hub for quick acceleration when you need it most.

This is a beast of a mountain bike. You get hot new suspension technology normally reserved for the most expensive bikes, and you get it on a fresh new frame. With Slash 9.8, the faster you go, the better it rides, so giddy-up.

The RockShox ZEB fork's bigger 38 mm stanchions help you stay on your line through the chunky stuff, while the updated damper lets you dial in the feel
New, removable Knock Block has a bigger steering angle to keep cables and hoses safe without sacrificing turning radius
We added a second down tube guard to better protect your frame from shuttle-related damage
Wider seat tube, wider dropper – the 34.9 mm diameter post is stronger, more durable, and moves up and down faster

'The combination of high-end performance with individuality and user-friendliness in the thought-through package delighted the entire jury.'

‘The Slash has a big-bike feel that makes it easier to charge into an unfamiliar trail, while retaining enough manoeuvrability to prevent it from feeling like overkill on mellower trails.’

Once the dust had settled, it was the Slash that managed to edge its way into the lead. Its ability to tackle the wildest terrain without flinching yet all the while retaining that reactive, lively feel really won us over.

‘Slash is great on rough, bermed corners and it has been an absolute monster riding steeps. This is an easy bike to ride and everything felt very natural from the first drop in and I haven’t looked back since.’

Transitions? Tech zones? Walking?! It's Enduro 101 and Pinkbike's Christina Chappetta is here to break down everything you need to know before you line up between the tape.

Features

Internal frame storage makes it easy to ditch the pack and still carry your ride essentials.

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With the all-new RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate Thru Shaft, you get the most refined shock on the market, with an updated air spring and an exclusive Thru Shaft damper that gives you tenacious grip, plush control and the support you need for ripping rough descents all day.

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Active Braking Pivot allows our engineers to tune how the suspension reacts to acceleration and braking forces independently. That means you get more confident control when you need it most.

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Replaceable down tube guards protect the underside of your frame from rock strikes, trail debris and janky shuttle vehicles so you can forget about damage worries and focus on blasting the next run.

Trek's mountain-specific carbon fibre is tougher carbon, with unique materials and lay-up procedures, Trek's advanced engineering, and a higher standard of testing.

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This suspension calculator will help you optimise your suspension settings for your riding weight. Simply follow the steps to find your best set up.

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Tubeless Ready rims and tyres make it easy to ditch the tubes so you get better traction, fewer flats and less weight. You're ready to roll straight out of the box with the included TLR rim strips, valves and sealant.

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Bigger is better. The oversized seat tube diameter gives more support and strength for longer travel droppers, and allows for more robust, durable internals that work faster.

Every set of Bontrager carbon wheels is backed by the Carbon Care Wheel Loyalty Programme. In the unlikely event that you damage your Bontrager carbon wheels within the first two years of ownership, we’ll repair or replace them for free.

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Knock Block has your frame's back when things go wrong. It prevents your handlebars from spinning all the way around in a crash, so your hoses won't get yanked and your controls won't hit the top tube.

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With 108 points of engagement, Rapid Drive gives you nearly instant acceleration instead of a clunky lag when you step on the pedals. You get smooth, immediate power to blast out of corners and hammer through the rough stuff. And that extra pedal ratchet adds control that can make all the difference when tackling a tricky climb.

Specs

Frame	OCLV Mountain Carbon main frame and stays, internal storage, tapered head tube, Knock Block 2.0, Control Freak internal routing, Carbon Armour, shuttle guard, threaded BB, ISCG 05, 34.9 mm seat tube, magnesium rocker link, Mino Link, ABP, Boost148, 160 mm travel
Fork	RockShox ZEB Select+, DebonAir spring, Charger 2.1 RC damper, tapered steerer, 44 mm offset, Boost110, 15 mm Maxle Stealth, 170 mm travel
Shock	NEW RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate, DebonAir spring, Thru Shaft 3-position damper, 230x62.5 mm
Max compatible fork travel	180mm (596mm axle-to-crown)

Wheel front	Bontrager Line Elite 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless Ready, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15 mm thru axle
Wheel rear	Bontrager Line Elite 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless-Ready, Rapid Drive 108, 6-bolt, Shimano MicroSpline freehub, Boost148, 12 mm thru axle
Hub front	Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, alloy axle, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15 mm thru axle
Skewer rear	Bontrager Switch thru-axle, removable lever
*Tyre	Size: S , M , ML , L , XL Bontrager SE4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Core Strength sidewall, aramid bead, 60 tpi, 29 x 2.40"
Size: S , M , ML , L , XL Bontrager SE5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Core Strength sidewall, aramid bead, 60 tpi, 29 x 2.60"
Tyre part	Bontrager TLR sealant, 180 ml/6 oz
Max tyre size	Frame: 29x2.50", Fork: See manufacturer

Shifter	Shimano XT M8100, 12-speed
Rear derailleur	Shimano XT M8100, long cage
*Crank	Size: S Shimano XT M8120, 30T, 55 mm chain line, 170 mm length
Size: S Shimano XT M8100, 32T alloy ring, Boost, 52 mm chain line, 170 mm length
Size: M , ML , L , XL Shimano XT M8120, 30T, 55 mm chain line, 175 mm length
Size: M , ML , L , XL Shimano XT M8100, 32T alloy ring, Boost, 52 mm chain line, 175 mm length
Bottom bracket	Shimano SM-BB52, 73 mm, threaded external bearing
Cassette	Shimano XT M8100, 10-51, 12-speed
*Chain	Size: S , M , ML , L , XL Shimano XT M8100, 12-speed
Size: S , M , ML , L , XL Shimano Ultegra/XT M8100, 12-speed
Max. chainring size	1x: 34T, min 28T

Saddle	Bontrager Arvada, austenite rails, 138 mm width
*Seatpost	Size: S Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 100 mm travel, MaxFlow, internal routing, 34.9 mm, 345 mm length
Size: M , ML Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 150 mm travel, MaxFlow, internal routing, 34.9 mm, 440 mm length
Size: L Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 170 mm travel, MaxFlow, internal routing, 34.9 mm, 485 mm length
Size: XL Bontrager Line Elite Dropper, 200 mm travel, MaxFlow, internal routing, 34.9 mm, 550 mm length
Handlebar	Bontrager Line Pro, OCLV Carbon, 35 mm, 27.5 mm rise, 820 mm width
Grips	Bontrager XR Trail Pro, alloy lock-on
Stem	Bontrager Line Pro, 35 mm, Knock Block, Blendr-compatible, 0-degree, 35 mm length
Head set	Knock Block 2.0 Integrated, 72-degree radius (includes infinite-radius chip), sealed cartridge bearing, 1-1/8'' top, 1.5'' bottom
Brake	Shimano SLX M7120 4-piston hydraulic disc
*Brake rotor	Size: S , M , ML , L , XL Shimano RT66, 6-bolt, 180 mm
Size: S , M , ML , L , XL Shimano RT66, 6-bolt, 203 mm

Bag	Bontrager BITS Internal Frame Storage Bag

Weight	M - 14.26 kg / 31.44 lbs (with TLR sealant, no tubes)
Weight limit	This bike has a maximum total weight limit (combined weight of bicycle, rider and cargo) of 136 kg (300 lb).

Sizing

Geometry

Service

Reviews

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It's right for you if...

The tech you get

The final word

The Walkthrough

favorite_borderWhy you'll love it

Winner – Mountain Bike category

‘Feels exactly right’

Enduro Bike of the Year

‘A hell of a bike’

More options

The need to know for your first enduro

Suspension Calculator

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Complete Tubeless System

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Oversized 34.9mm dropper post

Carbon Care Wheel Loyalty Programme

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Knock Block

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Rapid Drive 108 rear hub