Other JUST DROPPED: All-new Slash+ e-MTB

[Emailsucks98]

I remember seeing your comments on the Trek Fuel EXe Megathread. I am now considering getting a Slash+. I think my biggest issue with the EXe is not having a preferred mullet setup and the bike feeling too forward leaning. Is there anything you miss riding the EXe compared to the Slash+? Also are you happy with the 50mn motor vs the new 60mn?

I pretty much only ran my EXe as a mullet- in fact the wheels & parts carried over to my Slash+.

Most of my riding is in between the ideals for the EXe and Slash+. There's not really anything I miss about the EXe, I find the Slash+ climbs better especially with the larger battery. It certainly descends better. One downside I didn't expect is the thermal limiting on the Slash+, which makes the boost mode less powerful than the EXe. Perhaps the HPR60 changes that.

Of course I'd love to get the HPR60 in my Slash+, but it's not a huge deal. For me the whole appeal of eBikes is simply to increase vert/range. Especially with the deals going on the Slash+ I think it's still a great option, if it lines up with your priorities.

 

[Piccirilli]

I pretty much only ran my EXe as a mullet- in fact the wheels & parts carried over to my Slash+.

Most of my riding is in between the ideals for the EXe and Slash+. There's not really anything I miss about the EXe, I find the Slash+ climbs better especially with the larger battery. It certainly descends better. One downside I didn't expect is the thermal limiting on the Slash+, which makes the boost mode less powerful than the EXe. Perhaps the HPR60 changes that.

Of course I'd love to get the HPR60 in my Slash+, but it's not a huge deal. For me the whole appeal of eBikes is simply to increase vert/range. Especially with the deals going on the Slash+ I think it's still a great option, if it lines up with your priorities.

Thank you for confirming what I hope to achieve with a Slash+. Your opinion means a lot coming from a previous EXe owner. Since I'm months away from riding again due to recent shoulder surgery (not bike related), I'll wait to find a deal on the newer 60nm version.

 

[Emailsucks98]

Thank you for confirming what I hope to achieve with a Slash+. Your opinion means a lot coming from a previous EXe owner. Since I'm months away from riding again due to recent shoulder surgery (not bike related), I'll wait to find a deal on the newer 60nm version.

Right on- other thoughts in case it helps....

First couple of rides on the Slash+, it did not feel like a 170/170 bike. With the mid pivot, the suspension is a lot less influenced by pedaling- less squat/bob, it feels like a good 150mm bike under power.

But I also noticed the chainstay length changing, in corners and when preloading for jumps/drops. This just took 6-8 rides to get accustomed too, it's not a downside just an adjustment. Actually a benefit.

Once I was accustomed to the bike, it really is on a different level for technical descending. Great park bike, I was surprised at how many other Sslash+ I saw at Whistler.

VHS Slapper tape or STFU tape on the chainstay is worth doing right away, does quiet things down.

On longer service road climbs, taking the battery cover off noticeably helps with the thermal limiting. It's a trick I save for the longest climbs on hot days (not happening now LOL)

 

[Piccirilli]

Right on- other thoughts in case it helps....

First couple of rides on the Slash+, it did not feel like a 170/170 bike. With the mid pivot, the suspension is a lot less influenced by pedaling- less squat/bob, it feels like a good 150mm bike under power.

But I also noticed the chainstay length changing, in corners and when preloading for jumps/drops. This just took 6-8 rides to get accustomed too, it's not a downside just an adjustment. Actually a benefit.

Once I was accustomed to the bike, it really is on a different level for technical descending. Great park bike, I was surprised at how many other Sslash+ I saw at Whistler.

VHS Slapper tape or STFU tape on the chainstay is worth doing right away, does quiet things down.

On longer service road climbs, taking the battery cover off noticeably helps with the thermal limiting. It's a trick I save for the longest climbs on hot days (not happening now LOL)

Just as you mentioned, I was happy to see the slash+ is backwards compatible with the older 360wh battery. I also have a spare which I plan to use on shorter rides to drop 2lbs off the overall weight.
TQ claims they fixed the thermal limiting with the new 60nm motor cooling fins..but that is TBD.
What is interesting is your claims about the slash being a better climber compared to the fuel. Some claim it's fine on long steady gravel climbs, while others say its challenging on very steep tech climbs due to chainstay lengthening. Described as taking longer and more effort to get over larger rocks/roots due to the micro lag. But this must be a non-issue on the plus version vs analog version.

 

[Emailsucks98]

What is interesting is your claims about the slash being a better climber compared to the fuel. Some claim it's fine on long steady gravel climbs, while others say its challenging on very steep tech climbs due to chainstay lengthening.

The chainstays lengthening helps keep the front end down on steep/tech pitches. Also creates awesome traction. Combined it's less effort from the rider to keep the bike moving.

When it does not shine, is when the thermal limiting kicks in. There's a long climb I do regularly where regardless of what assist mode I am in, the motor only puts out 100-150w. I now take the battery cover off for that climb. I've also found easing up on the flatter sections of that climb gets the motor temp down before the steepest section.
It's still much faster than a meat bike!

 

[dotcodotuk]

TQ claims they fixed the thermal limiting with the new 60nm motor cooling fins..but that is TBD.

I had some initial concerns that the cooling fins were not going to be present on the updated Slash+ as the photography of the new bikes doesn't seem to show them.

But having spotted this in the Fuel+ video from Trek, I guessed it must have been a subtle change for the Slash+ to expose them. And yes, it looks Trek have revised the Slash+ Service Manual with what looks like a new motor cover that seems to expose them - so here's hoping that they do the trick.

 

[dotcodotuk]

On that note… does anyone actually know for sure why the HPR50 had a Slash+/HP specific variant?

Haven’t seen anything similar for the HPR60… yet.

 

[mike172]

Allegedly specific tuning to do with the fact it has a high pivot, iirc.

I'd wait and get a TQ60 fyi, a quieter motor, better power management and a little extra power can only be a good thing.

Unless saving a significant amount of money is high on your agenda, then I'm sure you'll be very happy with the TQ50 version.

 

[DylanJM]

Allegedly specific tuning to do with the fact it has a high pivot, iirc.

I'd wait and get a TQ60 fyi, a quieter motor, better power management and a little extra power can only be a good thing.

Unless saving a significant amount of money is high on your agenda, then I'm sure you'll be very happy with the TQ50 version.

You could also buy a HPR50 Slash on discount right now and then buy a HPR60 separately and come out with a great deal compared to a brand new HPR60 Slash.

 

[dotcodotuk]

You could also buy a HPR50 Slash on discount right now and then buy a HPR60 separately and come out with a great deal compared to a brand new HPR60 Slash.

Nice idea, but somewhat flawed.

- You can't buy the HP variant of the HPR60 that TQ have 'designed' for the Slash+ yet.
- Even if you could it would likely cost £1.5k if the current one is anything to go by.
- You'd need a Trek dealer to activate it, although not a problem when you can only buy the motor from them.
- You'll 'only' get 300W of power and you'll need the updated HPR60 motor cover as well.

Yes, there are some excellent deals on the older-gen Slash+ but none warrant buying the bike and then a new motor - the maths doesn't really work.

Best you could hope for is to get a deal on a V1 Slash+ and break the HPR50 at some point in the 2-years of warranty and then have Trek give you a new HPR60 instead. That was my plan, anyway.

 

[Emailsucks98]

Nice idea, but somewhat flawed.

I disagree. There are HPR60's listed for sale, as low as $900usd, just no stock (yet).

The plastic hpr50 motor cover could be easily modified, nothing special there.

More likely that once the current stock of HPR50s & Slash+'s are sold out, and Trek has sold enough Fuel+s, trek will list the full power HPR60 (HP version) and related Slash+ small parts for aftermarket sale, or at least sell them through dealers.

This is not a parts compatibility issue, just an embargo. Once TQ/trek sees potential revenue through aftermarket sales, why wouldn't they sell things they already make? It's just a question of how long we have to wait.

There is also the possibility of just buying the cooling fins, sticking them on the HPR50 and DIY modifying the battery cover. If that reduces the thermal limiting of the HPR50, it could be a big upgrade.

Edit: Looks like they are available

And the possibility that Trek will eventually offer full power HPR60s as warranty motors, once the initial demand quiets down.

I got my Slash+ a year ago for something like a 35% discount, that's more than enough to cover 2 replacement motors. And it was a great riding season! Both motors descend equally, so I'll keep the $$. Some reviews say it's not actually a massive difference.

 

[dotcodotuk]

I disagree. There are HPR60's listed for sale, as low as $900usd, just no stock (yet).

And they aren't the HP version, which is supposedly what the Slash+ needs. So you can't equate the HPR60 you listed to something we have no idea of the pricing for, but we can guess that it will be in line with what they sell now.

Which is $1,150 or £1,599.

TQ HPR50 Drive Unit V03 High Pivot - Trek Bikes (GB)

Enhance your cycling experience with TQ HPR50 Drive Unit V03 High Pivot. Shop now!

www.trekbikes.com

TQ HPR50 Drive Unit V03 High Pivot - Trek Bikes

Enhance your cycling experience with TQ HPR50 Drive Unit V03 High Pivot. Shop now!

www.trekbikes.com

This is not a parts compatibility issue, just an embargo. Once TQ/trek sees potential revenue through aftermarket sales, why wouldn't they sell things they already make? It's just a question of how long we have to wait.

Never said it was and never said they wouldn't.

The point being made was that you could buy a cheap HPR50 and slot in an HPR60 to get the same-ish bike for cheap. I don't see the maths working.

For example, I could buy a 9.9 right this second for £6,000. I'd then presumably have to give Trek another £1,500 for an HPR60 unless I could manage to break the motor it came with.

Or I could buy a brand new 9.9 for £8,100 (cheapest I have seen thus far) and for that extra £600 I get the colour display (£100) and the extra 50W and a better dropper post and tyres (£?!).

Or I could buy the cheapest 9.7 I can see at £4,000 and once I add the motor, I'm still running at a loss when I could buy a new 9.7 for £5,400.

Prices will no doubt differ in different countries, but I can't imagine it'll be a true bargain anywhere.

And the possibility that Trek will eventually offer full power HPR60s as warranty motors, once the initial demand quiets down.

They won't offer them as full power. If they replace an HPR50 with a 60, you get 300W peak.

Not that the loss of some peak power is a huge issue, but you aren't getting the like-for-like HPR60 experience.

Check the Slash+ and TQ FAQ about it. It's annoying and perhaps they will change their stance, but it is currently what it is.

Some reviews say it's not actually a massive difference.

All the reviews of the HPR60 I have seen suggest that it is a massive difference. Whether you believe them or not is the important point!

Either way, the bike and the rider are more important than the motor. And you really need to like purple if you want a new 9.9...

 

[whitymon]

Yeah, there is no way to get the 350w on a slash+ that was equipped with the HPR50, you are stuck on 300w no matter what.

You can get the +10nm but that's it, that might still be a great upgrade.

Make no mistake this is a frame vendor-lock and a nasty thing Trek and TQ are doing. I can picture that it is for safety measure where dummies would run the motor with the same cover without fins but this is really stupid for everyone else. Even people under warranty motor change will get this.

Some people have already got a HPR50 in replacement, some HPR60 without fins. You can be lucky or not if your motor goes dead.

As for market, there was barely a market for the slash+ in the first place, they rush TQ to try to add a more powerful version but this does not change the sales.

TQ HPR50/60 are mostly sold with lighter bike where it make lot of sense and where there is a huge market in comparison.

 

[Emailsucks98]

Fair points!

The current Trek/TQ policy does suck, but at the same time it's the first "new" motor that is hypothetically compatible with previous bikes. And that's pretty cool.

I agree that today, it doesn't pencil out or work to buy a 2025 Slash+ and put an HPR60 in it.

But I do think that will change. TQ will run out of HPR50s, Trek will sell through their initial 2026 stock, and eventually they will offer replacement parts for the MY26 models (as they do now for the MY25). Eventually, limiting the options for MY25 bikes will just be unnecessary hassle for them to manage. Granted this could take too long.

I suspect it's only the firmware (and markup) that's different on the HP version. I can't imagine a "standard" HPR60 wouldn't work on a Slash+. My guess is that the main thing that made the Slash+ firmware unique was related to the 580wh battery, which is now pretty standard.

Now let's say in ~13 months my motor fails (which is possible) and my TQ warranty has expired. At that point there is arguably little reason for me to go through Trek when I could buy a full power HPR60 and dongle aftermarket to try a DIY firmware update. It might not have the correct firmware. Then again, who knows what other options might become available.

As far as it being a niche market, I agree, but also I'm very happy this bike exists. I would not want to have a less capable bike just to get a more powerful motor. There are some great options now, but at twice the cost of a Slash+ its a non-starter for me.

In 2025 I really enjoyed this bike for trips to BC bike park destinations. With the 360wh battery it's great in the park riding, and it's still eBike for non-park days. I can't think of many other bikes that can cover both bases so well. The motor became the least important part of the bike to me.

 

[dotcodotuk]

Make no mistake this is a frame vendor-lock and a nasty thing Trek and TQ are doing. I can picture that it is for safety measure where dummies would run the motor with the same cover without fins but this is really stupid for everyone else. Even people under warranty motor change will get this.

Is it a Trek-led thing or a TQ-led thing? After all, it’s not specific to Trek, as far as I know.

FAQ

Answers on commonly asked questions (FAQs) summarized in a nutshell.

www.tq-ebike.com

Some spurious comment about software not being compatible… but where IS that software held and why can’t it be flashed/updated?

Some people have already got a HPR50 in replacement, some HPR60 without fins. You can be lucky or not if your motor goes dead.

Would seem strange that if Trek elect to replace with a 60 they don’t just offer the newer motor guard to allow for the fins, but I haven’t actually seen that SKU listed yet so perhaps at the time it was not available and hence you need to run finless?

 

[dotcodotuk]

I suspect it's only the firmware (and markup) that's different on the HP version. I can't imagine a "standard" HPR60 wouldn't work on a Slash+.

I did wonder if it was something to do with the way the chain moved and/or was wrapped on the Slash + compared to a more standard design like the Fuel.

I’ve asked both TQ and someone at Trek to see if anyone wants to commit to an answer, but so far nothing doing…

 

[Emailsucks98]

I did wonder if it was something to do with the way the chain moved and/or was wrapped on the Slash + compared to a more standard design like the Fuel.

Yeah I had heard the firmware is somehow different with the torque sensor configuration. I wouldn't think it's a massive difference.

Compared to the EXe, the thermal limiting is very different. I'd think that has to do with the battery size. I'd be curious to hear from anyone who goes from an EXe to a Fuel+.

 

[whitymon]

The firmware is totally different and does not apply the torque the same way through the HP. It is critically mentioned in all docs that you could damage your bike by not using the HP version.

Now ... would it really and by which margin I have no clue. I guess that if they mention it everywhere this could lead to serious issue.

@dotcodotuk no they did not for the people I am aware off. They got the HPR60 without the fins and stock guard. I cannot explain the situation either, just a fact, and I also saw people at the same moment getting instead a HPR50.

Up to a point this is a stock issue, under warranty when you replace a motor you have to provide the bike frame serial through TQ service dongle to activate it. Fair to say that even if you have the dongle it is impossible to do that on your own as you need a special habiliation that can only be provided by Trek request through TQ.

As a dongle user, a non license bike shop by Trek, I can only do update fwiw. This also prevent people de-restricting their bike trough changing country EU->US, which you just can't without like I said formal letter from Trek towards you & TQ.

 

[Noelmonkey]

Hey guys, I am in new Zealand and i have a Slash + large frame for sale with a 2026 Floatx2 installed. still has warranty from trek that can be passed on to new rider. Comes with headset motor and all electrical. $4300 NZD. Frame is invisiframed from new. all in great condition. motors done about 650km. can come with Transfer Neo 200 34.9 for another $900. cheers.

 

[Rakoth]

Hey guys,
i currently have a though discussion with myself because the Slash+ 9.9 is on sale (53% discount down to 4500€) and maybe you can help me
Right now i have a Levo Pro Gen 3 from 2023 (2022 Model). It sits at 22.6kg (with DH casing tires) and for some bikepark laps i just take the battery out, that should bring it down to around 19kg. I added the custom link, so its a 160/160mm.
But ive ridden a Spindrift 5 for the last year (need to give it away) and really liked it as its really a "mini-DH" bike.
Now im looking to replace the Spindrift or even replace both and go with one bike for all. Couple of questions:

- Whats the weight without the battery? Around 19kg with DH casing tires?
- Is the 50Nm TQ motor strong enough to pull/tow kids up the hill? Because thats what im doing with my son
- Has someone made the move from full e-bike to light e-bike and regret it now?

Thanks & Cheers!

 

[whitymon]

Hey guys,
i currently have a though discussion with myself because the Slash+ 9.9 is on sale (53% discount down to 4500€) and maybe you can help me
Right now i have a Levo Pro Gen 3 from 2023 (2022 Model). It sits at 22.6kg (with DH casing tires) and for some bikepark laps i just take the battery out, that should bring it down to around 19kg. I added the custom link, so its a 160/160mm.
But ive ridden a Spindrift 5 for the last year (need to give it away) and really liked it as its really a "mini-DH" bike.
Now im looking to replace the Spindrift or even replace both and go with one bike for all. Couple of questions:

- Whats the weight without the battery? Around 19kg with DH casing tires?
- Is the 50Nm TQ motor strong enough to pull/tow kids up the hill? Because thats what im doing with my son
- Has someone made the move from full e-bike to light e-bike and regret it now?

Thanks & Cheers!

Absolutely not about the weight. Without carbon wheel and handlebar, I am at 22+kg. You can definitely achieve 20.5kg with very light parts on, full carbon and obviously no serious casing.

Impossible to give you a real answer for the tow of kids without the incline hill, but my guess is just not. On my hills, I still need to put serious effort to climb even in turbo, but hard to say depending on the overall weight.

I guess for descending, it is okay but still pretty heavy bike due to high pivot. These days, you can have a similar or very close weight but with full power. I do not think this is wise to pick a cheap slash with 50nm, the difference is so huge with 60nm that it is worth. Wait a bit if you really want the slash+

Fwiw I bought a Spindrift 5 Alloy as even in bike park without the battery it just does not feel the same at all, it is a very long bike, with stupid sizing, if you are usually ML, going M or L can make the bike totally different.

 

[dotcodotuk]

- Whats the weight without the battery? Around 19kg with DH casing tires?

Hopefully owners can chime in and confirm, but I have seen multiple reviews of the 9.9 stating between 20.7 and 21.1kg for the large, so you should see roughly 18.2kg for a Slash+ with the battery removed.

Bear in mind the SE5 and SE6 tyres are both terrible and heavy, so replacing them with something good and DH-rated will likely not affect overall weight at all, possibly even reduce it slightly.

I'd like to think you'd get to 18.5kg once sensible part choices were made and you replace the tyres...

 

[Ribinrobin]

I've seen some slash +s for £3,999 would be tempted at that but theyre all small sizes. Larger sizes are still 5k and the bike is quite dated now

 

[Rakoth]

Absolutely not about the weight. Without carbon wheel and handlebar, I am at 22+kg. You can definitely achieve 20.5kg with very light parts on, full carbon and obviously no serious casing.

Impossible to give you a real answer for the tow of kids without the incline hill, but my guess is just not. On my hills, I still need to put serious effort to climb even in turbo, but hard to say depending on the overall weight.

I guess for descending, it is okay but still pretty heavy bike due to high pivot. These days, you can have a similar or very close weight but with full power. I do not think this is wise to pick a cheap slash with 50nm, the difference is so huge with 60nm that it is worth. Wait a bit if you really want the slash+

Fwiw I bought a Spindrift 5 Alloy as even in bike park without the battery it just does not feel the same at all, it is a very long bike, with stupid sizing, if you are usually ML, going M or L can make the bike totally different.

Thanks for your reply!
After my post i came across some articles regarding the new TQ HPR60 and it looks like it really makes sense to wait a bit as it has some major benefits

 

[Rakoth]

I've seen some slash +s for £3,999 would be tempted at that but theyre all small sizes. Larger sizes are still 5k and the bike is quite dated now

In Germany you can get the full spec 9.9 AXS für 4500€, thats with all the bling like full AXS, carbon wheels + tirewhiz, top RS fork & damper. Great price, but yeah, with the TQ 60 and the relative heavy weight it might be a bit dated.
I pad 6600€ for my Spindrift CF in a similar spec - so its still very tempting

 

[dotcodotuk]

Given Trek’s current financial woes there might be some discounts coming to new bikes, but thus far it seems to still be RRP for the HPR60 offerings.

FWIW the cheapest I have seen for the new 9.7 was £5,400 and £8,100 for a 9.9 with an early season 10% discount from one specific retailer.

 

[mike172]

Right now i have a Levo Pro Gen 3 from 2023 (2022 Model). It sits at 22.6kg (with DH casing tires) and for some bikepark laps i just take the battery out, that should bring it down to around 19kg. I added the custom link, so its a 160/160mm.
But ive ridden a Spindrift 5 for the last year (need to give it away) and really liked it as its really a "mini-DH" bike.
Now im looking to replace the Spindrift or even replace both and go with one bike for all. Couple of questions:

- Whats the weight without the battery? Around 19kg with DH casing tires?
- Is the 50Nm TQ motor strong enough to pull/tow kids up the hill? Because thats what im doing with my son
- Has someone made the move from full e-bike to light e-bike and regret it now?

I still have my gen3 Levo (same spec as the pro, 170/160 with a cascade), the 50nm probably is not enough to pull a kid on a bike, I'm sure it COULD but I certainly wouldn't want to put the stress on that pathetic little motor although it drags my 100kg kitted self up hills no bother - the reason I kept my Levo is to do the same as you, my son is 4 months old I figured the Levo was so worthless now Id keep hold of it to take my son out on it then take it to the tip in a few years.

I don't regret the move from 95 > 50nm. Its what I wanted.

Its a way better bike than the Levo too. Not having the battery weight up near the handlebars is probably the best thing about it. Makes such a difference to the feel of the bike.

Not sure Id want the Slash+ to cover DH duties, I have a Specialized Demo to take to bike parks just to keep the wear and tear off the other bikes. The Demo is my shitter basically.

 

[mike172]

the bike is quite dated now

No it isn't.

 

[dotcodotuk]

Only thing currently dated about the new 9.9 is the wheels - would be nice if it came with the Reserve-esque hoops, but I’m sure a new owner will get on them at some point if they wanted to…

Otherwise, the 9.9 is a solid, current-gen spec. We might see a new Zeb soon, but the specced fork is still the highest current offering… right?

The 9.7 is a bit poor by comparison. Old old Fox 38, pretty low end shock and the build kit doesn’t really reflect the price, unless you could get it for under £5k and even then, seems expensive.

 

[Weeksy]

Balfes have a Fuel 9.7 for £3200

Trek Fuel EXe 9.7 SLX/XT Electric Full Suspension Mountain Bike 2025 in Lava Red

The Fuel EXe 9.7 redefines e-mountain biking with a revolutionary motor that tucks away neatly for a ride that's light, lively and just as playful as a traditional mountain bike, with the added benefit of pedal assist to help you crush climbs.

www.balfesbikes.co.uk

Which seems incredibly good value if you're happy with the motor.