{"id":67163,"date":"2024-07-25T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-25T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/1cdc4bb0-8a75-49db-9b8b-5921c1afbace"},"modified":"2024-07-25T17:25:24","modified_gmt":"2024-07-25T15:25:24","slug":"alex-evans-why-i-think-treks-new-slash-emtb-spells-the-end-for-human-powered-enduro-bikes","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/alex-evans-why-i-think-treks-new-slash-emtb-spells-the-end-for-human-powered-enduro-bikes\/","title":{"rendered":"Alex Evans | Why I think Trek’s new Slash+ eMTB spells the end for human-powered enduro bikes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Converging eMTB and non-assisted bike weights signals the death of long-travel enduro rigs <\/p>

By Alex Evans\n <\/p>

Published: Thursday, 25 July 2024 at 15:00 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Trek\u2019s all-new ebike platform, the Slash+, is an electrified version of the brand’s long-travel, high-pivot enduro bike, the Slash. It could signal the ultimate death of the non-assisted enduro bike.<\/p>

Previously the Rail<\/a> was the brand\u2019s hardest-hitting electric bike. However, the Slash+\u2019s 170mm of suspension travel<\/a>, slack 62.6-degree head tube angle and mixed wheel sizes<\/a> \u2013\u00a0except the small, which uses 27.5in front and rear \u2013 all outdo its previous long-travel eMTB.<\/p>

In the Slash+ two-model range, prices start at \u00a37,500 \/ $7,999.99 \/ \u20ac8,000 (country dependent) for the 9.7 and rise to \u00a311,000 \/ $11,999.99 \/ \u20ac12,000 for the 9.9, which is nigh-on identical to the equivalent human-powered Slash\u2019s prices.<\/p>

Like the Fuel EXe<\/a> \u2013\u00a0Trek\u2019s true SL electric mountain bike<\/a> \u2013\u00a0the Slash+ uses TQ\u2019s HPR50 motor, which can be paired with 580Wh or 360Wh batteries.<\/p>

Trek claims the new Slash+ weighs 20.38kg in 9.7 guise and 20.88kg for the 9.9.<\/p>

As electric bike motors<\/a> and batteries get both lighter and more powerful, we\u2019re seeing the lines between lightweight, mid-power and full-power electric mountain bikes<\/a> blur.<\/p>

The TQ HPR50 motor is small and discreet. – Trek Bikes<\/figcaption><\/figure>

But do these tech advancements also signify the slow demise of non-assisted enduro bikes<\/a>?<\/p>

Quite possibly, yes.<\/p>

With your standard non-motorised enduro bike weighing anywhere between 15 and 19kg, the difference between the two categories is becoming even narrower.<\/p>

Providing context<\/h2>
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The high-pivot suspension system is designed to create a rearward axle path, improving bump absorption. – Trek Bikes<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Trek\u2019s new Slash+ is quite possibly setting the tone for things to come.<\/p>

Claimed to handle \u201cmore like an analogue bike than a typical e-bike\u201d, it\u2019s designed to help riders climb to the trailheads\u00a0with Herculean-like fitness rather than serving as a full-power shuttle rig as eMTBs of this ilk usually do.<\/p>

Thanks to TQ\u2019s 50Nm HPR50 motor and chunky 580Wh battery \u2013\u00a0or optional lighter 360Wh unit \u2013\u00a0you can expect impressive range.<\/p>

When testing the Fuel EXe<\/a> with a 360Wh battery, Rob Weaver ticked off more than 1,300m of ascent on a single charge \u2013 so the Slash+ should comfortably beat that, all other things being equal.<\/p>

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The TQ motor has 50Nm of torque. – Trek Bikes<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Its 170mm-travel high-pivot suspension<\/a> design is truly descent-focused. Trek has given the Slash+ a rearward axle path, claimed to improve momentum and reduce the negative, speed-sapping effects of square-edged impacts.<\/p>

Pedal kickback is mitigated against with an idler wheel that routes the chain close to the bike\u2019s main pivot. According to Trek, anti-squat sits just above 100 per cent throughout its travel, which means it\u2019s more likely to resist pedal-induced bob than suffer from it.<\/p>

There\u2019s also a flip chip<\/a> on the lower shock mount to switch between less and more progressive kinematics, depending on rider preferences.<\/p>

There\u2019s no conflating the Slash+\u2019s intentions when looking at its geometry. Compatible with angle-adjusting headset cups, its figures are adaptable. The head angle is 62.6 degrees in its slackest setting and 64.2 at its steepest.<\/p>

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TQ’s display is integrated into the top tube. – Trek Bikes<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The four-size range (small to extra-large) gets size-specific chainstays ranging from 433.6mm up to 439.2mm.<\/p>

Its seat tube angle hovers around a pedal-friendly 77.5 degrees (depending on size and geometry setting).<\/p>

With the zero-degree headset cup fitted, reach figures start at 430.8mm for the small and lift to 518.9mm for the XL. However, the Slash+ forgoes Trek\u2019s ML size that usually bridges the gap between medium and large bikes.<\/p>

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The \u00a311,000 \/ $11,999.99 \/ \u20ac12,000 range-topping Slash 9.9 has only three cables; one for each brake and the other for the ebike controller. – Trek Bikes<\/figcaption><\/figure>

With two models in its range \u2013\u00a0the 9.7 and the 9.9, each costing \u00a37,500 \/ $7,999.99 \/ \u20ac8,000 (country dependent) and \u00a311,000 \/ $11,999.99 \/ \u20ac12,000 respectively \u2013\u00a0there\u2019s little price difference between this bike and its non-electric counterparts.<\/p>

Trek\u2019s Slash 9.8 (the most affordable carbon-framed standard Slash) will set you back \u00a37,425, while the most expensive Slash 9.9<\/a> costs a whopping \u00a311,750. Lined up side-by-side, it makes the ebike version look like a veritable bargain given all the extra tech that’s included.<\/p>

But why does all this mean human-powered enduro bikes are dead?<\/h2>
\"2025
Bikes such as the Slash have the potential to cannibalise human-powered MTBs of the same ilk. – Trek Bikes<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Let\u2019s start with the obvious.<\/p>

Assuming you don\u2019t just hate electric bikes<\/a> (which you’re entitled to), if a human-powered bike has an electric equivalent \u2013 and they\u2019re pretty close in cost \u2013 I bet a large chunk of people would stump up their cash for the eMTB.<\/p>

Even if the components are not quite as good \u2013\u00a0Fox\u2019s Rhythm rather than Performance forks, or an SLX instead of XT drivetrain, for example \u2013\u00a0there\u2019s no denying how much extra value there is in buying a bike that includes a motor and battery, on top of all the other stuff for the same cost.<\/p>

And that’s without even considering the added on-trail benefits having a motor gives, such as increased climbing speeds, longer days in the saddle and more laps before you’re knackered among others.<\/p>

When geometry and suspension performance are equal across both, choosing between electric or human power sways \u2013\u00a0in my opinion \u2013\u00a0in favour of the ebike.<\/p>

However, the biggest difference between non-assisted and electrically powered bikes is weight.<\/p>

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The Slash looks almost identical to the Slash and only weighs a few kilos more. – Trek Bikes<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Bulky motors and batteries \u2013\u00a0along with the extra frame material and component strength needed to handle that weight \u2013\u00a0have created the stigma that ebikes ride like monster trucks.<\/p>

While you can still find ebikes out there with hefty figures<\/a>, most brands are putting their latest models on diets to mark a downward trend in overall weight.<\/p>

Models\u00a0such as Specialized\u2019s 2021 Turbo Kenevo SL<\/a> \u2013 which was one of the first descent-focused SL ebikes \u2013\u00a0are as svelte as 19kg. In technological terms, the components used in the Kenevo are long in the tooth, so you’d be a fool to bet against imminent improvements.<\/p>

\"Specialized
Specialized’s Kenevo SL was one of the first long-travel SL ebikes. – Laurence Crossman-Emms \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Because technology is advancing so incredibly fast, and potentially exponentially<\/a> \u2013 making a choice between a human-powered bike and an ebike may soon be a thing of the past.<\/p>

In the context of the new Slash+ and Slash, the human-powered model weighs around 17kg, while the ebike version is just over 20kg.<\/p>

I’ll admit three kilos isn\u2019t to be sniffed at, but in the context of overall system weight, there\u2019s only a few per cent between the two.<\/p>

<\/colgroup>
\ufeffBike model<\/th>Bike weight (kg)<\/th>Average male rider weight (kg)<\/th>Total (kg)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Slash<\/td>17.01<\/td>84.5<\/td>101.51<\/td> <\/tr>
Slash +<\/td>20.38<\/td>84.5<\/td>104.88<\/td> <\/tr>
Per cent difference<\/td>3.26<\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table>