During Crankworx Whistler Trek presented two new gravity bikes: the Slash Carbon and the Session 2015. Here are all the details.
Trek’s descent-hungry 160mm enduro specialist gets some fresh upgrades with an all-new OCLV Mountain Carbon frame option and RockShox’s new Monarch Plus DebonAir shock.
The new Slash Carbon answers the increasing demands for light weight and high performance with a full OCLV MTB Carbon frame that saves 627 grams (1.4lbs) over its aluminium sibling. Of course, the new frame features all of the technical frame details that aggressive trail riders have come to expect, such as internal derailleur and dropper post routing, an E2 tapered head tube, Carbon Armor, ISCG mounts, and Mino Link adjustable geometry. Looking forward to the future of high performance, the new carbon frame cleanly integrates with Shimano’s new XTR Di2 system with Di2-specfic frame plugs.
Suspension duties on all new Slash models are covered by Rockshox’s new Monarch Plus DebonAir shock. The newly designed air sleeve increases the volume in both the positive and negative air springs. This new design results in a spring rate curve that very closely resembles that of Trek’s proven DRCV shock, but in a package better-suited for the high-intensity rigors of enduro racing with separate rebound and compression circuits and a piggyback reservoir to combat heat build up on long technical descents. The new shock teams up with Trek’s suspension technology including Active Braking Pivot and Full Floater.
The new Slash gets a 20mm longer top tube, a shorter stem, a lower BB and went from +17mm bb to -5mm bb drop with regards to the bigger wheels. The head angle went from 66° to 65°.
Members of Trek Factory Racing’s Enduro squad, including Tracy Moseley, Rene Wildhaber, and Justin Leov will compete aboard the Slash at select Enduro World Series events. Rene Wildhaber saw his best Enduro World Series result aboard his new Slash Carbon with a 3rd place finish in Winter Park, Colorado, and had this to say about his new bike, “We’ve been building to this bike for years now. Each refinement of the Trek bike has been getting closer to the perfect enduro bike. Last year’s geometry refinements to the alloy Slash were perfect. Now the bike has shed a ton of weight so it’s equally capable and race-able.”
Slash will be available in early October in four models, with two carbon options and two aluminum options, all featuring the new Monarch DebonAir shock.
Slash 8
Slash 7
Trek’s Session has proven itself over and over again on both the World Cup DH circuit and the big-hit freeride stage. Now, the world’s best downhill bike comes in two very different editions, Session DH and Session Park, to give every gravity rider the best performance possible perfectly tailored to how he or she rides.
Session DH is purpose built for downhill racing with bigger, faster, 27.5” wheels, a longer, more stable wheelbase, and 210mm of capable travel. The flagship Session 9.9 DH model sports Trek’s exclusive OCLV Mountain Carbon frame with InTension for a World Cup level blend of durability and lightweight, while the Session 88 DH brings DH performance down to a more accessible price point with an Alpha Aluminium frame.
Session Park caters to gravity riders looking for style over speed with more playful and nimble 26” wheels, a shorter wheelbase, and reduced 190mm of travel. It was introduced as a frameset last year, but not the Sesison Park will be a complete bike this year. Just like its DH brother, Session Park is available in two models, the Session 9.8 Park with an OCLV Carbon frame, or the Session 8 Park with an Alpha Aluminum frame.
All of these Session models still get the full suite of Trek suspension technology including Active Braking Pivot and Full Floater for plush, supple suspension, even under braking. Frame details such as Mino Link adjustable geometry, ISCG mounts, and internal control routing allow riders to further refine their ride to suit their personal style.
The Session 9.9 DH has been proven by Trek World Racing this past World Cup season. It is the same frame the team has raced on all season. Meanwhile the Session Park has been ridden by Trek’s C3 Project riders such as Brandon Semenuk who needed a more nimble bike for freeride competitions and park riding. Both bikes are available in October.
The Session DH race bike gets a 10mm longer top tube, 27.5″ wheels and same head angle as the 26″. Same bottom bracket height but because of the bigger wheels it effectively gets lowered. The rear travel is 210mm, chain stays length 445mm.
The new park bike has a 190mm travel and a more progressive suspension. 420mm chain stays and it doesn’t get the longer top tube.
Session 9.8
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