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

[Bogdan_CH]

It is very beautiful, I would advise you to join even for few minutes the slash+ group on facebook. You will get plenty of them.

The major issue of the green paint, to me is that I can feel that it will end up with tons and tons of scratches. There is just no varnish so you need to wrap it and even that cannot protect everything.

For me until now, I still did not have the strength to put my DomA4 brake, but any break using dot fluid on such paint you would have to be very very careful. You will need to protect your bike against it to avoid damaging for good the paint.

I think at the moment I am very close to 22kg even maybe a bit more but, with current trail condition in north of France, using DD/DH casing and low psi (20/20 something like that), the bike grip is just awesome (assegai/dhr).

I rip the trail and honestly the geometry is just incredible for me coming from an enduro 160/150 (2022 Spectral). The feeling of stability and safety net on drop is incredible, I really feel the bike like a cushion on drop - due to pivot + vivid I guess.

I can't recommend it enough, but you need to know that:
- after each ride, I dismount wheel, motor guard, motor guard, battery and clean everything
- you might need to dismount from time to time the motor to add carbon grease to avoid creaks at that position (so far did it once after 10 ride)
- motor is still not going to give you that much power but, I am not that old, early forty so not a big deal yet
- price of the 9.7 was 6.3k making it a steal, now at 8k I would not buy it.

Thanks for the honest write up.

I've requested to join the group. Hope to see the magic once inside.

I'm in a similar situation with you, 37 yrs old, love my acustic bikes that I plan to keep ( Pivot Firebird for trips like Finale Ligure and my YT Tues 29 that I trash at bike parks) but my time on the bike due to family / age / work habbits etc. becomes less and less so I need to maximise my time outside , therefore a little assitance would really be welcomed. Still, I plan to enjoy ridding the bike. I slightly tried a full fat , but I just don't feel ridding a 25+ kg bike down the trails. Ideal would be low 20's so without being a weight wenny so I think the Slash+ can get near that figure. Just as a reference I ride everywhere with EXO+ inserts and in 3 years I only flat once (gash on the sidewall)

I clean my bikes regularly just that hope this would not become to crazy as the Slash+ is high on bearings and pulleys.

The bike I'm looking at is 6K flat, I can get in on my company so that would be a 5K without VAT . For the same money I found a Kenevo SL 2 Expert with much better parts ( 38 Perf Elite, GX T type, better wheels, etc. ) but I'm honest, for some longer trips, the 320wh won't make the cut.

Love the new Vala, ticks alot of boxes, but can't find it lower than a 7500 euros and at least for me, that kind of money and a 38 Rythm fork is a cookie just too HARD to swallow.

 

[roQer]

Lots of good info on S+ in the Facebook group. If you can get a 9.7 for 5K is a no brainer. The rear end is outstanding. I very much doubt you can get this kinematics from a Horst link like on the Vala. The power is good enough if you’re not too lazy.

 

[Darkyhs]

Anyone willing to share a pic of the Olive Darb color ? Can't find any in real life. I've been eyeing a 9.7 but at 6K not sure how much lower the prices will drop. Many parts need chaning but it is what it is.

Really plan to get an E-bike soon and on the shortlist are the Keneve SL 1.2 (but that 320wh battery is really weak) or the Vala (but just too expensive even in the lowest spec)

I've got a few on this thread, just look a bit back I like the color, but I didnt choose it for the color. I got the bike via a work scheme and replaced all the parts making it basically a high end specc

 

[Twisted Fork]

Thinking about upgrading the shock on a 9.7 Slash+ to a Vivid. Can anyone with the Vivid from a 9.9 confirm the correct tune for me please?

From what I’ve found so far, the 2023/24 meat-powered Slash uses a 230x65, standard shaft & body eyelets, R55,C37, 2 tokens, X4 lockout.

Is that accurate for the ‘24/25 Slash+? Thx for the help.

 

[whitymon]

Thinking about upgrading the shock on a 9.7 Slash+ to a Vivid. Can anyone with the Vivid from a 9.9 confirm the correct tune for me please?

From what I’ve found so far, the 2023/24 meat-powered Slash uses a 230x65, standard shaft & body eyelets, R55,C37, 2 tokens, X4 lockout.

Is that accurate for the ‘24/25 Slash+? Thx for the help.

230 x 65 mm | Standard yes, I took the RS-VIVD-ULT-C1 fwiw, 550€.

 

[Twisted Fork]

230 x 65 mm | Standard yes, I took the RS-VIVD-ULT-C1 fwiw, 550€.

The standard tune on the Vivid c1 is R25, C34, X2, 1 Token. I’m sure with all the available adjustments I could still find the sweet spot, but was thinking it would be preferable to start with the recommended tune as a baseline and adjust from there. Did you find you had to open up your rebound setting quite a bit more on the standard tune?

 

[Emailsucks98]

The standard tune on the Vivid c1 is R25, C34, X2, 1 Token. I’m sure with all the available adjustments I could still find the sweet spot, but was thinking it would be preferable to start with the recommended tune and adjust from there. Did you find you had to open up your rebound setting quite a bit more on the standard tune?

Shopping around I found that the R55/C37 was listed as the stock tune for the current Slash (not+). I only found these available in select+ version, and could get an ultimate in the generic tune for the same price so I went that route. retunes are inexpensive. First ride today and it felt great with the LSC/HSC mostly open. Too soon to have an opinion but it certainly didn't have obvious issues. If you're coming off a fox, I would replace the shock hardware- the fox hardware only works with their IGUS bushings with flanges.

 

[whitymon]

I used the full hardware of the fox, don’t like the RockShox.

There is no point comparing our tuning not the same weight not the same trail not the same rider.

For now I think that I put a lot of psi in it from recommendation chart only to get sag..

There are tons of settings so you need to test and try.

 

[Bogdan_CH]

I used the full hardware of the fox, don’t like the RockShox.

Can I ask why ? Planning to replace the same shock with a Vivid Coil on another bike and think the bearing kit is just superior to regular bushings.

 

[whitymon]

Can I ask why ? Planning to replace the same shock with a Vivid Coil on another bike and think the bearing kit is just superior to regular bushings.

Poly-style is easy to put/remove and replace (easier to service the shock too if it needs to be removed), yeah they might have to be replace faster but it depends on the beating you put on a bike, could last years and cost little to mothing. It also does not transfer as much vibration and noise as metal one, had in the past bad experience on some bikles. They also definitely can flex a bit.

The rockshox hardware, in metal when they starts to wears out they will slightly wear the shock hardware, so bolt can get scored. Not sure that the stocks ones would allow you to feel the benefit of having bearing.

With excellent bearing hardware suspension could be smoother but never felt that on rockshox, the force I applied on the bike when riding is far too strong to be impaired by friction (at least what I feel, I am no pro but I am not riding mellow nor flat trail).

I aslo did never find the quality of rockshox very great at that level, if I were to go metal/bearing I would go with offsetbushings brand which would allow you also some offset (which is the only reason I would buy them) and have excellent material and manufactured items.

There is no wrong choice, pros/cons I listed here might be completely wrong for other people.

 

[Bogdan_CH]

Thanks for your feedback. It makes sense if the bearings are shot but if they are kept in good condition it should work fine. I've used Fox bushings in the past on Rockshox as well but this time since there is a new kit for the Vivid with bearings slightly oversized and the suspension being quite active at the bottom (new Mondraker Crafty) I said I'll give them a try.

 

[Free54]

How is the experience with the Tq motor in the Slash+ , considering buying one too .

 

[Ribinrobin]

How is the experience with the Tq motor in the Slash+ , considering buying one too .

I had the exe the remote packed up twice but motor was fine.

 

[Cameyo]

How is the experience with the Tq motor in the Slash+ , considering buying one too .

When I was testing, during long climbs on turbo the motor was cutting off gradually the power. Probably due to overheating

 

[sanosan34]

I saw that in the service manual the alignment arm and backplate are supposed to be "parallel and even" at the top edge, but mine came almost completely at the bottom of the sliding adjustment (about 1cm lower). I then checked trek's website and their Slash+ photos also come adjusted completely towards the bottom. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I went ahead and adjusted the alignment arm up per the service manual for now.

 

[sanosan34]

I've got a few on this thread, just look a bit back I like the color, but I didnt choose it for the color. I got the bike via a work scheme and replaced all the parts making it basically a high end specc

View attachment 154961

I did the same and added a Vivid to my 9.7, and FYI the air can can be twisted 180 degrees so the air valve faces the front, otherwise most shock pumps won't fit in the space below the rocker link. Don't undo any bolts, just let the air out and twist the can by hand, then you can refill air without issue.

That's how the 9.9 Slash+ comes. Air valve in the front, rebound knob in the rear.

 

[sanosan34]

I also discovered something troubling me, the TQ motor in the slash is a custom made for the slash. You cannot use it in another bike and vice versa, you cannot use a standard TQ in the Slash.

My guess is that the TQ motor could have a special firmware to take into consideration the high pivot, definitely something to know if you ever need a new one and try ordering one over Internet, this would likely never work.

The Slash+ TQ motor is custom for high pivots because it is physically different for mounting. The motor mounting bolts slide through the frame and motor and screw into the backplate/lower idler/chain guard assembly. The backplate is like a big nut which is used to clamp the motor into the frame.

You can't use the normal HPR50 motor in the Slash+ because the backplate has no way to mount to it. And you can't use the Slash+ HPR50 motor in other bikes because it requires a backplate (which is only needed for high pivot) to mount.

I don't believe the firmware is unique to high pivot bikes, but I'm not certain about that.

 

[sanosan34]

Got my 9.7 delivered as well. It’s 20.5 kg without pedals with the heavy ass Rhythm fork and SLX cassette. I think with a normal fork like Zeb or 38 and a XO or XTR cassette you‘ll be able to keep the weight at something around 20,5 even with sturdy tires. That’s at least my plan.

I had the same plan to save weight by removing the Rhythm 38, but unfortunately it weighs virtually the same as a Zeb Ultimate 170 3.1 Charger w/ mud guard on my scale.

Rhythm 38 = 2380g
Zeb = 2360g

Of course the Rhythm still kinda sucks, and the Zeb or 38 are way better so it's still worth upgrading.

 

[whitymon]

Mine is also aligned down down. I guess putting it up make the chain closer if it is up.

@sanosan34 apparently, even if it uses to me the same bolt point for the guard, which is a standard too, it seems that they changed the casing to have a perfect alignment with the idler - it 5mm inboard in the prevision casing - spacer required then maybe.

If this is just that it means that this version would work in any other bike, I would bet also that this casing would be the new standard version.

I wonder if the new TQ HPR60 is having the same alignment as a fix/update or if they would do again a peculiar casing.

it's not like I will spend 1k in a new motor but who knows!

 

[sanosan34]

Thanks for checking your backplate/lower idler position. I just don't know why the service manual explicitly says to align it at the top but our bikes don't ship that way.

I'm actually second guessing what I said about the mounting points now. It seemed that way to me when I looked at the service manual, but I guess I'm making a big assumption that it's physically different. I'll edit my post, I don't want to give incorrect information without knowing for sure.

 

[Emailsucks98]

Thanks for checking your backplate/lower idler position. I just don't know why the service manual explicitly says to align it at the top but our bikes don't ship that way.

I'm actually second guessing what I said about the mounting points now. It seemed that way to me when I looked at the service manual, but I guess I'm making a big assumption that it's physically different. I'll edit my post, I don't want to give incorrect information without knowing for sure.

@sanosan34 Yeah, I think there's 2 different things getting convoluted here.

• Trek's direction to rotate the lower pulley up as far as possible, is probably just to create as much ground clearance and chain wrap as possible. It probably doesn't affect the motor, or chainline at all. Vertical alignment, not horizontal.
• Pretty sure the mounting BCD is identical for all TQ HPR motors. I think the Slash+ probably has unique torque sensor settings due to the HPR/upper idler.

I could be wrong, but that's how I interpret the manual.

 

[mike172]

I see these are discounted now do we think Trek might update it with the new TQ60 motor?

Hardly any photos or reviews of this bike since it's release in guessing they weren't so popular.

 

[whitymon]

Slash plus was a very niche bike and I do not think hpr60 will change anything.

They could jump on it for low effort but they are more likely going for something else.

The weight is just huge and it is just no SL at 22kg with burly parts - also due to high pivot.

For this weight people have now full power with bigger battery, this is where the market is.

Slash plus is unsellable on used market.

 

[mike172]

Slash plus is unsellable on used market.

This is another concern and stopping me from pressing the buy button, although I won't sell it for a good 4 to 5 years so long as I don't hate it. Can't see it being a poor geo fit for me.

 

[Emailsucks98]

Just depends on your priorities.

I just spent a week riding interior BC. 3 days of bike park riding and 4 days pedaling. I used the 360wh battery for park riding (could have just gone without). The Slash+ was spectacular.

For traveling, the flexibility that comes with easily removable battery & multiple battery options has been huge for me. Basically a modular battery system. Is anyone other than TQ offering this?

Slash+ is Perhaps more of an enduro/DH bike than most want. I’m happy it exists.

I rode my 170/160mm Horst link meat bike yesterday and missed the Slash’s HP rear suspension.

The forbidden does look intriguing but 2x+ the price I paid for my Slash+ and still unavailable. I just don’t care so much about the motor. Better if it can be removed/ignored.

 

[Darkyhs]

Just wanted to share a few thoughts on my Trek Slash + after some solid time on it. Honestly, I couldn’t be happier with the bike. I know it all comes down to personal preference, but for me, this one just clicked. I'm really glad I had the option to choose it(JobRad - Germany).

I’ve been through a bunch of full-power e-bikes over the years, chasing that "perfect" feel, but they never quite hit the mark. My last ride was the Pole Voima with the Bosch Race motor. Super capable, no doubt, but I think I used Turbo or Race mode maybe 2 or 3 kilometers total. It just wasn’t how I wanted to ride.

With the Slash +, it feels like I’ve rediscovered what mountain biking is all about. I actually enjoy climbing again, just crawling up and soaking in the sounds of nature instead of a whining motor. And going down? It’s all about the tires gripping, the suspension working, and the bike just doing its thing. It’s raw, it’s fun, and it feels more like me.

What surprised me most is that I don’t even feel the weight, even though I’ve got a 190 mm fork up front and Double Down casings front and rear. The bike just rides so well-balanced that it disappears under you.

Yeah, there are definitely riders who pass me going up. But you know what? There were riders faster than me even when I was on a full-power e-bike. And sure, some are quicker on the descents too. But honestly… who cares?

I’m smiling the whole way and that’s what matters.

 

[mike172]

I've ordered one anyway, hopefully won't dislike it. Been riding long enough to know what I do and dont like now so be suprised if I dont like it.

No more 95nm turbo mode for me ha.

 

[Emailsucks98]

The weight is just huge and it is just no SL at 22kg with burly parts - also due to high pivot.

For this weight people have now full power with bigger battery, this is where the market is.

Just for fun....Pinkbike reviews for reference:

Slash+ SL 9.9: 46 lb / 20.8 kg (580wh battery)
Transition Regulator CX: 47.25 lb / 21.4 kg (600wh battery)
Forbidden Druid Ecore 49.8lbs / 22.6kg (800wh battery)
Norco Sight VLT 49 lb / 22.2 kg (800wh battery)

I picked these models since they share similar builds. We could add .25kg to the Slash+ for comparable tires and .5kg to the Norco, which comes with a Lyrik.

I think +2-2.5kg for a larger battery and full power motor given the same parts- doesn't necessarily get you more range. Of these bikes, the Slash+ is the only removable battery with multiple battery options. It will never be the fastest uphill, and I agree that's where the hype is.

 

[1234]

Looks like the new 2026 Slash+ colours have been released. Also it apparently comes with the TQ-HPR60. The new Fuel EX-e/Fuel+ come out at the same time which has a 170/160mm option like the old slash. Can see in the last two images how they have integrated the cooling fins on the Fuel+, hopefully they can integrate it just as cleanly into the Slash+, looks like they have a lot more provisions for cooling than the existing models.

 

[1234]

Did a quick overlay of the new Fuel+ LX and Slash+, front triangle looks very similar then obviously diverging quite a bit with the high pivot layout on the slash. New Fuel+ looks like it's going to be a very versatile bike with the different options they are coming out with.

Also looks like the guard has been changed slightly. Comes up a bit higher on the downtube. Hopefully it allows for better cooling.