Long travel, long range – the 2025 Trek Slash+ is here

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Motor
TQ HPR50
Battery
580 Wh
Fork Travel
170 mm
Rear Travel
170 mm
Price
£7.500-11.000 (€7.999-11.999)
The new electric Trek Slash+ has 170 mm suspension travel, a 29er wheel up front and a 27.5 at the back. It’s designed as a mullet bike strictly, there is no room for a 29” rear wheel. The exception is the size small frame, it has 27.5” wheels at both ends. The Slash+ looks very much like the non-assist Trek Slash. It’s difficult to tell the two bikes apart, and that’s mostly thanks to the TQ HPR50 motor system.

The Trek Slash non-assist bike
Trek Slash+ emtb

TQ HPR50 and a 580 Wh battery​


Trek already know how to make a stealth ebike, they did so with the Fuel EX-e. The new Trek Slash+ gets the same compact and silent TQ motor. See my review of the motor for all the details.


But the Slash+ doesn’t get the same 360 Wh battery, this bike ships with a new 580 Wh battery. Using an adapter, the Slash+ is backwards compatible with the smaller battery. And they’re both detachable. The 580 Wh battery was introduced just a few weeks ago, and it’s an interesting one.

What’s so special about it, you say? It weighs 2,65 kg according to TQ. Just three quarters of a kilo more than the old, smaller battery. That’s about the same as an external mount 500 Wh Shimano battery used to weigh back in the days. I’m excited to see new battery tech making its way to ebikes!

The new and old TQ batteries


We haven’t tested the bike, nor the battery. But a bigger battery is also more powerful. The 580 Wh version won’t be pushed as hard as the smaller one when riding with high assistance. Consequently, less energy will be lost to heat. I won’t be surprised if, in some scenarios, the new battery has close to twice the range of the smaller one.

2025 Trek Slash+​

Trek starts off with the Slash+ 9.9 and the Slash+ 9.7, both with carbon frames. 9.7 usually means a half-way reasonable price tag. But the Slash+ seems to be about 10% more expensive than the Fuel EX-e, putting the Slash+ 9.7 at £7.500 (€7.999). The Trek Slash+ 9.9 easily beats that with its £11.000 (€11.999) price tag.

The Slash+ 9.7 is nicely specced, apart from the flimsy Bontrager XR5 tyres. The Shimano Deore M6120 brakes and Fox 38 Rhythm fork perform surprisingly well, although one might expect more for £7.500 RRP. Hopefully, Trek will find room for a decently specced and noticeably cheaper 9.5 version too. And I expect alloy versions will be out at some point.

Trek Slash+ specs
Trek Slash+ 9.7
Trek Slash+ 9.9


High pivot!​

It’s impossible to miss the rear triangle on the new Trek Slash+! This “high pivot” design looks so interesting and it’s not a new idea. We’ve seen high-pivot bikes before. Attaching the chainstays higher on the frame allows the back wheel to travel slightly rearwards as the suspension is compressed. That way, the wheel won’t hook up as hard when going into obstacles. The disadvantage was decreased pedaling efficiency.

One might argue pedaling efficiency is of less importance on an emtb. But this is a mild and lightweight emtb that needs to pedal well. Trek says the size and placement of the upper idler has allowed them to create a high-pivot bike that pedals well. And the anti-squat graph they provide sure looks promising. The non-assist Slash has got a similar design, so chances are we’ll have a comparable result on the + model.

The high-pivot design
Flat leverage ratio
Adjustable leverage ratio

Frame geometry​

I think the geometry of the Rail and Fuel EX-e has been great. And unsurprisingly, the Slash+ has slightly burlier looking geometry data. Trek has ditched their “Mino-link” adjustable frame geometry and replaced it with an adjustable headset cup. The headset can be set to “slack”, “nominal” and “steep”.

In the normal, I mean nominal setting, we get a nice and slack 63.5* head angle. The effective seat tube angle is about 77*, depending on frame size. According to this geometry table, the chainstay length is all over the place. Thankfully, Trek tells us it’s 434 mm for size S, 440 mm for M & L and 445 mm for the XL.

2025 Trek Slash+ geometry
2025 Trek Slash+

The longest wheelbase is achieved with the headset cup in the slack position, that gives us a nice 1.276 mm for size L. It’s not super long considering the long suspension travel, that’s because of the quite short chainstays. The Slash+ has the looks of a burly and capable descender that leans more towards playfulness rather than stability.

My thoughts​

Who wants a burly, long travel, hard hitter with a mild motor? Quite a few people, probably. I get the impression some people will buy a ~150 mm travel superlight emtb and attempt to increase suspension travel and slacken the bike. For all of you, this might just be the bike you really wanted! And if you insist on increasing the fork travel, Trek says 190 mm will be fine.

The TQ display sits integrated in the toptube.
Trek Slash+ 9.9 and the TQ HPR50 motor.

I think the high pivot design looks very interesting. It seems there was an issue with chain drop when it was introduced on the non-assist Slash, but this is supposedly sorted. And the light 580 Wh battery is very welcome on a lightweight ebike. It should offer good range in combination with the mild TQ motor.

But is the Slash+ really a Superlight bike? I can’t see Trek claim it’s superlight, and I can’t see them stating the weight anywhere. Running 38 mm stanchion forks, it probably isn’t superlight. But I’m sure it’s light enough for me. Somewhere not too far above 20 kg perhaps?

Update: Bike weight is now out on the Trek website. 20.38 kg for the 9.7 and 20.88 kg for the 9.9.

Riding the Slash+ 9.9
The 9.9 model has a Rockshox Vivid shock handling the 170 mm rear travel.
The TQ HPR50 motor
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knut7
Knut Nes
Main editor at emtbforums.com and owner of emtb.no.
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Comments

M
I rode the new norco fluid vlt. 39lb 140mm travel bike. Plenty of power going up hills on it, Id imagine this is similar but long travel.
 
R
Mario Antony said:
Manufacturers try to build an ebike close/similar to a BIKE, but that is close to impossible.

These bikes (light/mid weight mid power bikes), are for those that think ebikes are bikes, and their not! It's a different category. Having pedals, doesn't make them a bike
Having motor, doesn't make them a motorcycle (please try a REAL bike & dirt bike to check these comments).

Ebikes, allows people to go beyond what they usual did.
Do you ride your bike hard, gain vertical meters to descend, and have blast doing it? Then ebikes will multiply that by 2 or 3.
Do you like to explore, go out and just have fun finding new trails? Then ebikes will multiply that for 4 or 5
Are you unfit, and wanted to try some trails? Don't be afraid, and just jump on and go out!

In the meantime, you'll try to climb those hard trails, that all these years had only 1 way: DH!
Hopping and doing hard/stupid stuff, that you wouldn't dare doing on a Motorcycle? No worries! Try it on an ebike!

Making ebikes lighter and less powerfull, will limit their users on full fat/power ebikes. Lighter bikes won't have any advantages on an ebike ride full of full power.

Trek should have released this as a Full Power, and not doing it, just limit the sales.
I won't buy a mid power ebike, if I can get a full power, even though is heavier (well... Orbea already shown that that's not quite true...).

Put some heavy duty tires, and bike will be closer to some ligh full power ebikes.
Click to expand...
You are drawing a conclusion from one data point. Yours. There are actually a myriad of data points. Different people want different things. Trek already produces a full power bike. It’s a very fun experience. I ride the very terrain you are talking about on my Rail. But you are correct, it is a different experience than a bike. And a bike is a different experience than an SL e-bike. But not by much. An SL rides much more like a bike than like a power tool. It’s just a little boost in the background, and that is the point. That is the appeal. They are all fun. I ski. I snowboard. Some people just can’t understand that plurality. It literally makes them angry. I guess they have to join a tribe and war with the other. Why the fundamentalism as to what Trek should make? The folks at Trek like the feel of the TQ motor. Many will agree with them. Some, like you, will buy something else. There are a diverse array of options across the spectrum. Why would you want to limit that? Choices are better than no choices.
 
M
This is kinda what I want to replace my Gen3 Levo.

Non-clevis style rear suspension, decent suspension travel, silent motor, 50nm so you're forced to put some effort in. Good range.

Only other bike I'd consider would be the Enduro Kenevo SL, but I have an enduro already.

The DJI and ZF offerings that are just coming out are interesting though, they could be a game changer.
 
Xinto
Mario Antony said:
Manufacturers try to build an ebike close/similar to a BIKE, but that is close to impossible.

These bikes (light/mid weight mid power bikes), are for those that think ebikes are bikes, and their not! It's a different category. Having pedals, doesn't make them a bike
Having motor, doesn't make them a motorcycle (please try a REAL bike & dirt bike to check these comments).

Ebikes, allows people to go beyond what they usual did.
Do you ride your bike hard, gain vertical meters to descend, and have blast doing it? Then ebikes will multiply that by 2 or 3.
Do you like to explore, go out and just have fun finding new trails? Then ebikes will multiply that for 4 or 5
Are you unfit, and wanted to try some trails? Don't be afraid, and just jump on and go out!

In the meantime, you'll try to climb those hard trails, that all these years had only 1 way: DH!
Hopping and doing hard/stupid stuff, that you wouldn't dare doing on a Motorcycle? No worries! Try it on an ebike!

Making ebikes lighter and less powerfull, will limit their users on full fat/power ebikes. Lighter bikes won't have any advantages on an ebike ride full of full power.

Trek should have released this as a Full Power, and not doing it, just limit the sales.
I won't buy a mid power ebike, if I can get a full power, even though is heavier (well... Orbea already shown that that's not quite true...).

Put some heavy duty tires, and bike will be closer to some ligh full power ebikes.
Click to expand...
If there were a single silent full power motor those could be considered but some people like me gets enough power from TQ and can enjoy the silence.
I wouldn't buy any of the full power ebikes just because of the whine, rattle and the huge bulk size from the big motor and battery.
I would buy this one if I didn't already have EXe.
It's good to have options for everyone.
 
Ou812
My local Trek dealer is supposed to be getting a medium 9.9 in on the 11th. I’ll be in St. Andrews on a golf holiday with my father-in-law but plan on checking it out when I get back if it doesn’t sell. The only mid-powered bike I’ve ridden was a Levo SL 1 so that’s all I have to go off of.
 
H
soooo... cant say where or how, but got a Demo ride on the slash + ....
It will now not be a replacement for my super enduro & full power ebike.
The place/guy i got the chance said in his own words: "Theres a reason its only being made in 2 specs in low volume, TQ are working on lowering stock to introduce a new motor"
 
Mario Antony
Xinto said:
If there were a single silent full power motor those could be considered but some people like me gets enough power from TQ and can enjoy the silence.
I wouldn't buy any of the full power ebikes just because of the whine, rattle and the huge bulk size from the big motor and battery.
I would buy this one if I didn't already have EXe.
It's good to have options for everyone.
Click to expand...
Options are always better than no options
People value things differently.

Personally I embrace ebikes has being ebikes, and not bikes with assistance, or moto with pedal.
Whine? Sure, but what's the problem?

The only thing that doesn't appeal on this bikes, is like I wrote above:
- limited range
- limited power/torque
 
Mario Antony
RM Rilke said:
You are drawing a conclusion from one data point. Yours. There are actually a myriad of data points. Different people want different things. Trek already produces a full power bike. It’s a very fun experience. I ride the very terrain you are talking about on my Rail. But you are correct, it is a different experience than a bike. And a bike is a different experience than an SL e-bike. But not by much. An SL rides much more like a bike than like a power tool. It’s just a little boost in the background, and that is the point. That is the appeal. They are all fun. I ski. I snowboard. Some people just can’t understand that plurality. It literally makes them angry. I guess they have to join a tribe and war with the other. Why the fundamentalism as to what Trek should make? The folks at Trek like the feel of the TQ motor. Many will agree with them. Some, like you, will buy something else. There are a diverse array of options across the spectrum. Why would you want to limit that? Choices are better than no choices.
Click to expand...
Just to understand, a SL-eBike rides like a Bike, but there is a difference between 4 and 5kg?
And a Full Power ebikes are starting to show around 21/22.
My question is: if 4 or 5 extra kgs doesn't make much difference, why 6 or 7 makes, with all the advantages regarding:
Power/torque
Range
 
R
Mario Antony said:
Just to understand, a SL-eBike rides like a Bike, but there is a difference between 4 and 5kg?
And a Full Power ebikes are starting to show around 21/22.
My question is: if 4 or 5 extra kgs doesn't make much difference, why 6 or 7 makes, with all the advantages regarding:
Power/torque
Range
Click to expand...

Every gram is sacred. 😂 There is a fixed relationship between energy stored in the battery and power used by the motor. The greater energy density in the battery, the smaller and lighter the battery can be made. The less power used by the motor, the less energy you need to store in the battery. The lighter the bike can be and less power it will need. The relationships will simply be optimized depending on the design goals.. The goal for many is to get an ebike to perform as much like a conventional bike as possible. Just with a boost. Put it this way, everyone is excited about the lighter and more compact new offerings in the full power segment. You, like everyone, want the same performance in a lighter and more compact package. So to will the SL crowd want the same performance in a lighter and more compact package. The more weight on the bike, the bigger and heavier the parts need to be. The bigger and heavier the parts, the more energy it uses. The more energy it uses, the bigger the battery. Cost is also a huge part of this. Efficiency is King across every segment. Battery technology for e-bikes very likely won’t exceed 20% density gains over the next 5-10 years. EV batteries are being optimized for cost, charging speed/thermal efficiency, and total cycles as much or more than outright density. There are gains to be made in software and battery management, but they are marginal.
 
Mario Antony
RM Rilke said:
Every gram is sacred. 😂 There is a fixed relationship between energy stored in the battery and power used by the motor. The greater energy density in the battery, the smaller and lighter the battery can be made. The less power used by the motor, the less energy you need to store in the battery. The lighter the bike can be and less power it will need. The relationships will simply be optimized depending on the design goals.. The goal for many is to get an ebike to perform as much like a conventional bike as possible. Just with a boost. Put it this way, everyone is excited about the lighter and more compact new offerings in the full power segment. You, like everyone, want the same performance in a lighter and more compact package. So to will the SL crowd want the same performance in a lighter and more compact package. The more weight on the bike, the bigger and heavier the parts need to be. The bigger and heavier the parts, the more energy it uses. The more energy it uses, the bigger the battery. Cost is also a huge part of this. Efficiency is King across every segment. Battery technology for e-bikes very likely won’t exceed 20% density gains over the next 5-10 years. EV batteries are being optimized for cost, charging speed/thermal efficiency, and total cycles as much or more than outright density. There are gains to be made in software and battery management, but they are marginal.
Click to expand...
Just side note:
I do like to discuss, and present arguments in a postive way, and I'm not convincing anyone on this or that, because I really don't gain or lose anything.
It's my opinion, that can be agreed/disagreed on.
I don't hold the truth, nor want to hold!

Arguments on the SL, are valid, but let's use some pratical arguments:
People that decide to ride ebikes (SL/Fat), want some sturdiness, to cope some abuse, meaning:
- DD casing or even DH tires
- Inserts
- Forks that don't twist easily (35s/36s)
- Brakes (not slowers), meaning 200 or even 220 disks, 4 pot calipers

Meaning, using this compared to a bike, it's already over 2 to 3kg disavantage.

Then, we move to battery size & rider power.
Just FYI, in order to set means of comparasion:
My usual power (w/h) is between 180W/h and 100W/h depending on the ride, dependint on the group, dependint on time.
Meaning a 750W battery can last a day ride, or barelly past 2 hours.
For long rides, I prefer to set on Eco, detuned to 50Nm to 60Nm, which is SL settings.
The bike is 5kg over an equivelent SL, and of course you feel the weight, because it's harder to manual, harder to bunny hop, or even jump.
Lighter would be better, of course!

The problem, seams to arrive when it's a short, quick ride.
Average speed is normally 20 or close to it, and in 1.5h you do something like 30km and around 1200/1300. On this kind of ride, I really doubt that an SL can come close to this, and it's a reason why I feel bikes are castrated or limited.

With motors starting to be smaller and powerful (ZF/DGi/and the likes), and having bikes like Orbea, Lapierre, and others that can be light, full power and without the above limitations, it's somehow a let down.


Trek arrived late to the Market (Specialized is already on the Kenevo #2), and it's a bike that will be hard to see winning e-EWS races to show common mortals, what this can do.

As above, it's great to have options, it's great that all can have what they want, but in my point of view, SL bikes are just a trend, and unless it becomes lighter than the new light Fat Bikes, a 2 or 3kg weight difference won't be enought to cut the mostard.
 
R
You are having an argument with yourself mate. One data point. If we assume your bias is correct, then your conclusion is indeed correct. My ebike needs and desires are different than yours. Not better, different. Sorry. As to what the market will bear, they will no doubt be variable and involve developments we don’t presently foresee. “Predictions are hard, especially when they are about the future.“ Yogi Berra.
 
M
Heated said:
soooo... cant say where or how, but got a Demo ride on the slash + ....
It will now not be a replacement for my super enduro & full power ebike.
The place/guy i got the chance said in his own words: "Theres a reason its only being made in 2 specs in low volume, TQ are working on lowering stock to introduce a new motor"
Click to expand...

Yeah, always something new coming out. I don't think SLs. Are quite there yet, although Rob Rides revent video showing the up and coming options from dji and zf are really impressive.
 
H
mike172 said:
Yeah, always something new coming out. I don't think SLs. Are quite there yet, although Rob Rides revent video showing the up and coming options from dji and zf are really impressive.
Click to expand...
I think Buying a slash + is a poor choice for anybody. Especially the builds at the high prices they are .Honestly if it had a 65 or 70nm Motor without any weight penalty it would be a good choice.

But With DJI and ZF hot on the main brands heels Itll be interesting 12 months for a full power light Ebike.
 
M
Heated said:
I think Buying a slash + is a poor choice for anybody. Especially the builds at the high prices they are .Honestly if it had a 65 or 70nm Motor without any weight penalty it would be a good choice.

But With DJI and ZF hot on the main brands heels Itll be interesting 12 months for a full power light Ebike.
Click to expand...

Yeah something like £11k for the top spec is nuts actually. I'd prefer to pick up the Kenevo SL at sale price.
 
Suns_PSD
The weight matters, but at only 52 I'm not just yet ready to give up the suffering part of 'biking'.

Kudos to you if you can run your full power on the low setting all day long, I don't have the will power.

So, I prefer to stay on mid-powers for the 'bike' experience. If we get to a point where full powers weigh exactly the same as mid powers...that would be a tough decision.

There is certainly a difference. I rode my mid-power with a full power yesterday, and I was dying on the climbs and he just zipped away, and I'm considerably more fit.

On my Relay, the battery juice just hasn't been an issue yet. I'm getting beat on my bike and really 4 hours is legit my max riding time and my 430 watt battery can easily make that (and they now have a drop in 480 w coming).
 
az2au
I just ordered one for fun. FWIW, if it were full power I would have had zero interest. As of this moment, TQ and Fazua are the only motors I'm willing to consider after owning the following: Levo SL, Transition Relay, Transition Repeater, Pivot Shuttle LT, Mondraker Neat RR SL. The Relay and Neat are the only bikes I'd recommend of the bunch. Repeater and Shuttle LT were both very good at what they do but quickly became boring. The Levo SL (previous gen) is the worst bike I've tried in years by a wide margin. Not a single good thing to say about it. It was loud, whiny and just generally sucked.
 
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