Great to see an honest review of any bike…. Even better to read the comments arguing you are wrong for pointing out its flaws from people who’ve never ridden one. Looking forward to seeing more content like this. Popcorn at the ready
I really wish you got the opportunity to review more bikes. As a New Englander and Highland local when you review bike I trust your judgement and recommendations more than most because I know you are riding the same terrain and trails as me! What you have to say about a bike is far more impactful than someone in BC. Hopefully you get more opportunities in the future! Good review, thanks for putting it out there.
Solid review. They definitely went more in the enduro/dh direction with gen6. It's a lot of bike. I love my Gen5 Slash. My medium frame with TL+sealant Assegai+DHRII, tool bag+multitool/co2 in the downtube, weighs ~33lbs. I don't have to reach for the climb switch when my shocks set to the + mode, and I can choose to either play and pop off features or absolutely smash through obstacles. They nailed Gen5 as such a good heavy hitting but lightweight enduro/all-mountain bike.
Definitely appreciate hearing some of the downsides of this bike, it seems like most other reviewers that received this thing for free or were sponsored had nothing bad to say about it. Still considering the Deviate to replace my Bronson!
Excellent review & Comparison Bro. So in simple words the Gen 5 slash is better for overall enduro/AM riding and the gen 6 slash is better for more on bike park laps to mini DH riding.
The Gen 5 is definitely no slouch when it comes to descending and bikepark but yes I think it's slightly better of an all rounder... the Gen 6 wants to go big or have it be steep.
Yeah, for me if im gonna choose between the 2 the gen 5 slash is what im gonna 100% choose overall if i want something more than enough and outstanding to go big or going super fast at rough stuff and riding very steep trails but with a more balance Characteristics and with a better pedaling performance and of course less maintenance the gen 5 slash is the way to go and i also prefer full 29 wheels.
Hey man. How does the Deviate compare to the v5 Slash on jumping? I like the fact that the v5 Slash is very poppy, and lately I'm more about styling it out on flow and jump lines, rather than tech.
The deviate isn't quite as poppy as the Gen 5 slash with the stock super deluxe thru shaft. But I have a feeling it is prolly more like the feeling of the slash with a coil. Still jumps really really good... just maybe like a little less poppy
I wanted buy Slash 9 Gen 6 so much, but at shop i found out, there is just Zeb Select for size L.. pretty suck for its price.. not even damper 3 etc.. so bad. Im going for Norco Sight 2024.
I thought it felt pretty good... a little more plush off the top than the 38 as usual. I usually have to add a spacer to rockshox stuff as I blow through the travel and bottom out vs the stock 38. I still prefer the 38 as I feel it stays tall in its travel which is better in the steeps imo
Thank you for the vid. Two things: 1. how tall are you guys and what size were you testing? 2. its kind of questionable that you show the kickpack „problem“ on the slash but doesnt show in the vid that the deviate does not have the same behaviour in comparison… Thanks
I'm 5'9" with long arms and Ryan is about the same height with shorter legs and arms and we were riding a med/L which definitely felt shorter in the reach department over the Gen 5. As far as the pedal kickback we explain it in the video how the deviate doesn't have that kickback at slowspeed tech... it literally slithers up technical climbs like no other bike I've ridden before. I also go into the different suspension layout and how the deviate actually grows and lengthens through linkage so the wheel gets out of the way of tech very smoothly compared to the slash
@@Projectnortheast thanks. What I meant: you show the pedal kickback in the video (pushing down suspension) but you dont show the same thing on the deviate… hard to imagine that the pedal does not move backwards when you push down the suspension on the deviate. Hope you understand what I mean…
@foxyobrown I understand what you meant... just about any bike if you drop it the pedals will kick back the difference on the trek is it literally has so much force it grabs your foot and pulls it back. The deviate does not do that
@@harrie205 nope. The slash has a fixed rotational point. The deviate has a knuckle linkage that rotates around the bottom bracket and unfolds to elongate ... totally different
@@Projectnortheast not true both high single pivots, both rotate around there main pivots. The linkage actuating the shock is just below at the deviate and above at the trek. Both are single pivot bikes and the rear axle path is determined by chainstay length and main pivot placement As the deviate rotates away from the shock actuating linkage this has to extend (has no influence on the wheel path). While at trek it rotates towards the linkage so it has to shorten. Both are just for shock actuation (and at the slash for brake caliper rotation) and have no influence on the rear axle path
@harrie205 trek relies on a a fixed point with a rotational arc to achieve their chainsaw growth. Deviate uses a complete knuckle linkage. Trust me... its different. Maybe on paper it achieves the same "chainsaw growth" as it moves into its travel... but one feels vastly different with no pedal feedback (the deviate) which is the same reasoning forbidden has redone their high pivot design as well
@@Projectnortheast both rotate on arches around there fixed main pivot. The rotating “knuckle” does the same job as the treks rocker and the short link is comparable to the treks seat stays. From basic design the only real difference is the brake caliper placement (the trek should have reduced antirise(/should squat down less then the deviate under braking) Regarding the feeling you got riding it might be a pivot height thing (higher pivots-> more rearward axle path The kick back thing should be an idler placement thing I think forbidden wanted to reduce there astronomical heigh anti rise with there new design(I bought a range instead of dreadnought because I did not want to much antirise)
The Gen 5 slash I was always impressed with the active breaking pivot.. I felt like it made a difference over those bike park braking bumps vs say something like the specialized enduro. I never noticed much pedal kickback on the Gen 5 especially when climbing but it was probably the most noticeable thing I felt with the Gen 6 is how much it pulls your foot back when climbing chunky tech
That being said I didn't notice pedal kickback when descending steeper terrain only flatter tech where you had to pedal to keep speed and on climbing. It's still a fun bike when things get steep
@@Projectnortheast thanks for the reply. I'll be sticking with my Gen5 anyway, just seem to be finding more and more reasons for this new version not being as good, despite trying to be better. Strange.
Man for that price, the engineering has got to be rock solid...pedal kickback, really Trek? I also really dislike the look of the Slash, can't put my finger on it exactly, but it looks "bumbling". If Eore was a bike this would be it...
Twas a demo... so I did about 10k' of descending with it and roughly a 3 or 4k' of climbing with it. I've ridden enough bikes that that's all the time I need usually. Especially with suspension that doesn't have all the settings to dial in...
@@Projectnortheast Any comment regarding the comparison of a full 29er (deviate) vs a mullet? Seems like a apples to oranges thing / wheel size comparison. Kind of takes away / distracts from any meaningful conclusions that could be drawn from a versus. Edit: particularly when timing is involved. It may be valid for racers but for anyone just trying to enjoy a weekend ride, timing is trumped by just plain having a fun bike.
@alexh.4068 I mean that's your opinion but it's not true. Trek was the one that decided to make a bike mullet and make you spend another 600 dollars (which I covered in the video) to make it 29 vs the previous Gen and other bikes in its category. It's alo very easy to compare as the deviate is faster than almost any bike I've ever owned and the proof is in the fact I'm faster on trails I've ridden 100s of times. The slash isn't slow which has been covered by myself and other independent reviewers. I review bikes as their given to me and if trek had offered a Gen 6 full 29er I would've reviewed that bike but they didn't and don't offer that
Like the honesty and showing the pedal kick back in the 44 and 52. But pedal kickback isn't the same in all gears, normally changes a lot on a suspension design like this. Didn't here anything about trying less rebound damping when getting hung up! usually the solution. The chainstay grows almost 19mm on the slash and 22mm on the Claymore so whatever you said there is just wrong, just different suspension designs making an arch a little bit different. All that said still good information about how it rides! just a few strange things in there!
The suspension was set up according to treks specifications... running less rebound would've made it jump like garbage. The slash yes on full bottom out has a rearward axle path but the difference is its totally an exact circle so there's little benefit until you get deep in the travel unlike the claymore. So flatter technical trails the slash gets really hung up and its hard to maintain speed. Also it should be noted the slash frame alone weighs almost 3lbs more so any bike you build up vs the claymore is going to be 3lbs heavier. I'm not sponsored by either brand. If you don't beleive me go grab both bikes and try em yourself instead of trying to convince yourself I'm wrong
Ahhh man, I put money down on this for layaway and its not refundable. (Got the base model) However, Iv never owned a full sus before, only hardtails until now. Do you think someone just entering into the full sus world would still be happy with it?
Other than being on the portly side it's still a fun bike. It's pretty fun on big bike park lines and jumps and stuff... I just really didn't like it for tech climbing or flat tech
I was also curious about that. Thinking/trying to problem solve out loud, I wonder how different hubs with different POEs and different engagement mechanisms impact the behaviour of the kick back. I ride a Highlander II - never noticed a kickback.
@@liamwadman2828it will not help on climbing since there is tension in the chain...it's the anti-squat in action...the chain is use to reduce bounce when climbing. If you want it to bounce under load/climbing. You need a lower anti squat bike.
And then that exact bike took 3rd in men’s 40-49 at the flattest and most pedaley esc race of the season….. doesn’t exactly fit the review? Just food for thought.🤷
This bike, and other new bikes like it need honest, non-sponsored, real world comparison reviews like this.
I'll review every bike I can get my hands on!
I would never give up my gen 5 for this tank
Great review. Good to confirm i made the right move getting the gen5 on clearance this year. Loving it
Great to see an honest review of any bike…. Even better to read the comments arguing you are wrong for pointing out its flaws from people who’ve never ridden one. Looking forward to seeing more content like this. Popcorn at the ready
Probably the most thoughtful bike review I’ve ever ever watched. Very, very well done. Great riding, great comparison, great feedback, super honest.
@natepacker1621 thank you my friend!
good review comparing to the Deviate. I like your comment about the pedal kickback
That was an excellent, fair review. Really well done.
Thanks... I was really hoping to be blown away as I was with the Gen 5 but... I had to be honest on this one
I really wish you got the opportunity to review more bikes. As a New Englander and Highland local when you review bike I trust your judgement and recommendations more than most because I know you are riding the same terrain and trails as me! What you have to say about a bike is far more impactful than someone in BC. Hopefully you get more opportunities in the future! Good review, thanks for putting it out there.
Thanks for the feedback. I love trying out new bikes and I'll review as many as I can get my hands on!
Very good and honest review! Great idea to swap and compare vs another bike back to back on the same day.
Yeah that was kindof my thought was compare directly with a similar bike in the category
Honest review from a guy whos owned a few treks
It's basically a bike park bike for $8k.
Solid review. They definitely went more in the enduro/dh direction with gen6. It's a lot of bike. I love my Gen5 Slash. My medium frame with TL+sealant Assegai+DHRII, tool bag+multitool/co2 in the downtube, weighs ~33lbs. I don't have to reach for the climb switch when my shocks set to the + mode, and I can choose to either play and pop off features or absolutely smash through obstacles. They nailed Gen5 as such a good heavy hitting but lightweight enduro/all-mountain bike.
Agreed
Definitely appreciate hearing some of the downsides of this bike, it seems like most other reviewers that received this thing for free or were sponsored had nothing bad to say about it. Still considering the Deviate to replace my Bronson!
Excellent review & Comparison Bro. So in simple words the Gen 5 slash is better for overall enduro/AM riding and the gen 6 slash is better for more on bike park laps to mini DH riding.
The Gen 5 is definitely no slouch when it comes to descending and bikepark but yes I think it's slightly better of an all rounder... the Gen 6 wants to go big or have it be steep.
Yeah, for me if im gonna choose between the 2 the gen 5 slash is what im gonna 100% choose overall if i want something more than enough and outstanding to go big or going super fast at rough stuff and riding very steep trails but with a more balance Characteristics and with a better pedaling performance and of course less maintenance the gen 5 slash is the way to go and i also prefer full 29 wheels.
this is going to be good. i feel it.
Hey man. How does the Deviate compare to the v5 Slash on jumping? I like the fact that the v5 Slash is very poppy, and lately I'm more about styling it out on flow and jump lines, rather than tech.
The deviate isn't quite as poppy as the Gen 5 slash with the stock super deluxe thru shaft. But I have a feeling it is prolly more like the feeling of the slash with a coil. Still jumps really really good... just maybe like a little less poppy
I wanted buy Slash 9 Gen 6 so much, but at shop i found out, there is just Zeb Select for size L.. pretty suck for its price.. not even damper 3 etc.. so bad. Im going for Norco Sight 2024.
can u explain the louder knocking sound you can hear after yall get off the lift for the first time, very noticeable in the rocks?
I explain it quickly in text in the video but that's the sound of the shock rebounding. It has a very distinct knock or clunking sound
Check the pivot shox bolts mate.@@Projectnortheast
How did you like the new Zeb compared to 38?
I thought it felt pretty good... a little more plush off the top than the 38 as usual. I usually have to add a spacer to rockshox stuff as I blow through the travel and bottom out vs the stock 38. I still prefer the 38 as I feel it stays tall in its travel which is better in the steeps imo
Thank you for the vid. Two things:
1. how tall are you guys and what size were you testing?
2. its kind of questionable that you show the kickpack „problem“ on the slash but doesnt show in the vid that the deviate does not have the same behaviour in comparison…
Thanks
I'm 5'9" with long arms and Ryan is about the same height with shorter legs and arms and we were riding a med/L which definitely felt shorter in the reach department over the Gen 5.
As far as the pedal kickback we explain it in the video how the deviate doesn't have that kickback at slowspeed tech... it literally slithers up technical climbs like no other bike I've ridden before. I also go into the different suspension layout and how the deviate actually grows and lengthens through linkage so the wheel gets out of the way of tech very smoothly compared to the slash
@@Projectnortheast thanks. What I meant: you show the pedal kickback in the video (pushing down suspension) but you dont show the same thing on the deviate… hard to imagine that the pedal does not move backwards when you push down the suspension on the deviate. Hope you understand what I mean…
@foxyobrown I understand what you meant... just about any bike if you drop it the pedals will kick back the difference on the trek is it literally has so much force it grabs your foot and pulls it back. The deviate does not do that
@@Projectnortheast yeah and this would have been good to show…
@foxyobrown if you go to 20:50 in the video I do show the deviate going into its travel and speak about the differences
Great review
21:30. You are a little of
They are basically the same regarding growth of the rear
@@harrie205 nope. The slash has a fixed rotational point. The deviate has a knuckle linkage that rotates around the bottom bracket and unfolds to elongate ... totally different
@@Projectnortheast not true both high single pivots, both rotate around there main pivots. The linkage actuating the shock is just below at the deviate and above at the trek.
Both are single pivot bikes and the rear axle path is determined by chainstay length and main pivot placement
As the deviate rotates away from the shock actuating linkage this has to extend (has no influence on the wheel path). While at trek it rotates towards the linkage so it has to shorten. Both are just for shock actuation (and at the slash for brake caliper rotation) and have no influence on the rear axle path
@harrie205 trek relies on a a fixed point with a rotational arc to achieve their chainsaw growth. Deviate uses a complete knuckle linkage. Trust me... its different. Maybe on paper it achieves the same "chainsaw growth" as it moves into its travel... but one feels vastly different with no pedal feedback (the deviate) which is the same reasoning forbidden has redone their high pivot design as well
@@Projectnortheast both rotate on arches around there fixed main pivot. The rotating “knuckle” does the same job as the treks rocker and the short link is comparable to the treks seat stays. From basic design the only real difference is the brake caliper placement (the trek should have reduced antirise(/should squat down less then the deviate under braking)
Regarding the feeling you got riding it might be a pivot height thing (higher pivots-> more rearward axle path
The kick back thing should be an idler placement thing
I think forbidden wanted to reduce there astronomical heigh anti rise with there new design(I bought a range instead of dreadnought because I did not want to much antirise)
Wait, so they made a high pivot bie with WORSE pedal kickback than the old one?
The Gen 5 slash I was always impressed with the active breaking pivot.. I felt like it made a difference over those bike park braking bumps vs say something like the specialized enduro. I never noticed much pedal kickback on the Gen 5 especially when climbing but it was probably the most noticeable thing I felt with the Gen 6 is how much it pulls your foot back when climbing chunky tech
That being said I didn't notice pedal kickback when descending steeper terrain only flatter tech where you had to pedal to keep speed and on climbing. It's still a fun bike when things get steep
@@Projectnortheast thanks for the reply. I'll be sticking with my Gen5 anyway, just seem to be finding more and more reasons for this new version not being as good, despite trying to be better. Strange.
Man for that price, the engineering has got to be rock solid...pedal kickback, really Trek? I also really dislike the look of the Slash, can't put my finger on it exactly, but it looks "bumbling". If Eore was a bike this would be it...
Eore 😅
Have you experienced similar pedal kick back with other high pivot bikes ?
I only have experience with the deviate for high pivots. But the deviate has none of the negatives the slash has
How long did you ride the bike for exclusively?
Twas a demo... so I did about 10k' of descending with it and roughly a 3 or 4k' of climbing with it. I've ridden enough bikes that that's all the time I need usually. Especially with suspension that doesn't have all the settings to dial in...
@@Projectnortheast Any comment regarding the comparison of a full 29er (deviate) vs a mullet? Seems like a apples to oranges thing / wheel size comparison. Kind of takes away / distracts from any meaningful conclusions that could be drawn from a versus. Edit: particularly when timing is involved. It may be valid for racers but for anyone just trying to enjoy a weekend ride, timing is trumped by just plain having a fun bike.
@alexh.4068 I mean that's your opinion but it's not true. Trek was the one that decided to make a bike mullet and make you spend another 600 dollars (which I covered in the video) to make it 29 vs the previous Gen and other bikes in its category. It's alo very easy to compare as the deviate is faster than almost any bike I've ever owned and the proof is in the fact I'm faster on trails I've ridden 100s of times. The slash isn't slow which has been covered by myself and other independent reviewers. I review bikes as their given to me and if trek had offered a Gen 6 full 29er I would've reviewed that bike but they didn't and don't offer that
@alexh.4068 also... if fun is the main factor I found the slash to be the least fun bike I've ridden in a while...
@@Projectnortheast I respect your opinion and you are entitled to it🙂
Like the honesty and showing the pedal kick back in the 44 and 52.
But pedal kickback isn't the same in all gears, normally changes a lot on a suspension design like this.
Didn't here anything about trying less rebound damping when getting hung up! usually the solution.
The chainstay grows almost 19mm on the slash and 22mm on the Claymore so whatever you said there is just wrong, just different suspension designs making an arch a little bit different.
All that said still good information about how it rides! just a few strange things in there!
The suspension was set up according to treks specifications... running less rebound would've made it jump like garbage. The slash yes on full bottom out has a rearward axle path but the difference is its totally an exact circle so there's little benefit until you get deep in the travel unlike the claymore. So flatter technical trails the slash gets really hung up and its hard to maintain speed. Also it should be noted the slash frame alone weighs almost 3lbs more so any bike you build up vs the claymore is going to be 3lbs heavier. I'm not sponsored by either brand. If you don't beleive me go grab both bikes and try em yourself instead of trying to convince yourself I'm wrong
Ahhh man, I put money down on this for layaway and its not refundable. (Got the base model) However, Iv never owned a full sus before, only hardtails until now. Do you think someone just entering into the full sus world would still be happy with it?
Other than being on the portly side it's still a fun bike. It's pretty fun on big bike park lines and jumps and stuff... I just really didn't like it for tech climbing or flat tech
Dropping chain anyone?
Hope not cause i cannot return it ! I have a way to fix it tough if that ever happen it will add weight and reduce efficiency even more...!😅
for what its worth, we did not drop a single chain in an entire park day on this bike.
I did not have the same issues that Lewis had with dropping chains
I was also curious about that. Thinking/trying to problem solve out loud, I wonder how different hubs with different POEs and different engagement mechanisms impact the behaviour of the kick back.
I ride a Highlander II - never noticed a kickback.
@@liamwadman2828it will not help on climbing since there is tension in the chain...it's the anti-squat in action...the chain is use to reduce bounce when climbing. If you want it to bounce under load/climbing. You need a lower anti squat bike.
not clear what bike is what
I have 22 slash. New one looks bad and looks like does not very well either. Trek did a boomer with new slash
I don't know why the high pivot makes it look like low end bike. Is it just me?
And then that exact bike took 3rd in men’s 40-49 at the flattest and most pedaley esc race of the season….. doesn’t exactly fit the review?
Just food for thought.🤷
Your talking woodstock? Not much tech there... and it doesn't mean the bike isn't fast. It's just not AS fast...