Review: Trek Slash+

With the Slash+, Trek takes the same light-assist approach that it used with its Fuel EXe. The EXe draws from the design of the Fuel EX and features a lower-weight, lighter-power motor compared with many eMTBs. The trail bike became an instant hit. Trek then put the Slash enduro rig through the same transformation. But there are some differences with the results. Where the EXe is a trail bike with broad appeal, the Slash+ stands out as a niche machine that sits in contrast to its higher-powered e-enduro competitors to a high degree.

As an electric version of the Slash, the eMTB is impressively faithful to its motor-free counterpart. The Slash+ is built around the same high-pivot suspension design with 170-mm travel front and rear, same stock MX wheels and, with the addition of a slim TQ-HPR50 motor, the frame casts a similar silhouette to the Slash. Trek adds a few parts tailored to the heavier bike, such as SRAM’s uber-powerful, if finicky, Maven brakes.

The Slash+ will tick off the elevation gain between laps easier than the Slash, of course, boosted by that TQ motor. The light-assist drive unit runs quietly and adds a maximum of 300 W to the power you put into the pedals, as long as you keep spinning at a reasonable cadence. These figures mean considerably less support than some other e-enduro bikes, but Trek is aiming for a rig that feels like a Slash, just with less effort required, instead of a bike that feels like an ebike.

It’s a trade-off that pays off on the descents. When speeds really pick up, and the going gets steep, the Slash+ starts to shine. The fancy suspension, and the bit of extra weight from the drive system, make the bike feel calm compared with the world flying by outside your goggles. While the high pivot keeps the Slash+ stable, the 27.5″ rear wheel ensures this big “eeb” steers precisely and lightly. Your fastest, hardest trail is what the Slash+ was designed for and where it is most at home.

Rock Shox Zeb powers 170mm of travel up front

While Trek's version of high-pivot, with a large, 21t pulley wheel above and tension pulley below, mimic the human-powered Slash

There's a lot going on, yes, but it produces quite the effect on trail

The effect is that it looks a lot like a Slash, just with more power

SRAM's wireless XO T-Type derailleur is hardwired to the battery, for one less battery to charge.

Maven's suit eMTB to a T, making for easy control over the heavier bike

Cable management, a tiny TQ motor and the Trek modular shock mount (for more or less progression. The Slash+ is 27.5" only out back)

TQ's minimalist display.

Maven and a wide Bontrager carbon fibre bar

A clean set-up with the wireless AXS Reverb post and "stealth" Maven routing

The charge port was not my favourite. It took some checking to make sure it was fully closed to the elements

But Trek does protect teh frame from weather with a little mini-fender out back

More batteries on the TireWiz pressure monitoring system on those Line Pro 30 wheels

The Slash+

This performance is helped along by a suite of top-end parts. The suspension is by RockShox: Vivid Ultimate shock and Zeb Ultimate fork. The Bontrager Line Pro 30 wheels are equipped with TyreWiz electronic pressure sensors. There’s the RockShox Reverb AXS wireless dropper post, which unfortunately limited the 2025 bike to 175mm seat travel, even on an XL frame. SRAM’s X0 T-Type wireless electronic drivetrain is hardwired into the 580-Wh TQ battery in place of the usual derailleur-mounted battery, making for one less battery to charge before riding. All the added bits, from suspension to TyreWiz, require a bit of effort from the rider to keep everything running as intended. This is not a set-and-forget rig. But that’s the cost (beyond the actual, substantial cost) of a niche bike like this one. If you put in the time to set it up right, the Slash+ rewards that effort.

“Your fastest, hardest trail is what the Slash+ was designed for and where it is most at home.”

There are other midweight eMTBs that have more power, weigh less and come close to the downhill performance of the Slash+. They also have a better performance across a wider range of riding situations compared with the Trek’s hyperfocus on the gnarliest terrain. But the Slash+ is a purebred, laser focused on delivering that niche performance above all other considerations.

Trek seems to know a non-race light-assist, high-end, high-tech, high pivot e-enduro bike isn’t going to be for everyone. For that reason, there are only two models available with the 9.9 being the higher-priced option. But niche bikes by definition aren’t supposed to have mass appeal. If the features of the bike are exactly what you’re looking for, the Slash+ delivers. And in those extreme moments, where other bikes are on edge, it absolutely shines.

Trek Slash+ 9.9 X0

Components SRAM X0 T-Type 12-speed wireless drivetrain with 10–52 tooth cassette. Four-piston SRAM Maven Silver brakes, RockShox Reverb AXS dropper post (100-mm S, 170-mm M, L, XL), 780-mm Bontrager Line Pro handlebar and 35-mm Bontrager Line Pro stem
Drive System TQ-HPR50 with 50 Nm of torque and 580-Wh TQ battery
Suspension RockShox Vivid Ultimate shock with 170 mm travel, RockShox Zeb Ultimate fork with 170 mm travel
Wheels Bontrager Line Pro 30 carbon-fibre wheels with TyreWiz pressure sensors (27.5″ S, 29″ front and 27.5″ rear M-XL), 29 x 2.5 Bontrager SE6 Team Issue front and 27.5 x 2.5 Bontrager SE5 Team Issue rear tires
Sizes S, M, L, XL
Price $16,000
Website trekbikes.com