2023 Pinkbike Awards: Mountain Bike of the Year Winner

Dec 28, 2023
by Mike Kazimer  
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Mountain Bike of the Year Winner

The finalists for the 2023 Mountain Bike of the Year were the Reeb Steezl, Ibis HD6, Scor 2030, Forbidden Druid, Trek Slash, and the We Are One 170

The Mountain Bike of the Year award goes to...





Trek Slash


If my records are correct, 2023 marks the first year we've had a back-to-back winner for the Bike of the Year. Trek snagged the title last year for the Fuel EX, and now they've done it again with the Slash.

The Slash put down an impressive performance during the Enduro Field Test, with a blend of speed and stability that put it on every editor's list of favorites. It also happens to be very adaptable, and while steep, chunky terrain is certainly its forte, it's no one-trick pony. The head angle can be changed by a degree in either direction, it can take either a 27.5” or 29” rear wheel, and there are levels of rear shock progression to choose from, along with five different frame sizes. That all adds up to a bike that can really be fine-tuned to a rider's preference without much fuss.

The resurgence of high pivot suspension designs doesn't show any signs of slowing down, with more companies than ever hopping on the idler train. The design does add a layer of complication, but the benefits become apparent in the rough stuff, where the rearward axle path allows the bike to smooth out repeated harsh hits. Sometimes, long travel, high-pivot bikes can feel like a handful to get off the ground, but Trek stuck a very nice balance with the Slash – it'll plow when it needs to, but it can also pop into the air without much fuss.

As Dario DiGiulio wrote, “This bike can happily mow through chunky sections of trail, but is equally capable feeling when things get tight and slow, thanks in large part to the carefully-considered geometry and very predictable suspension feel.”

All of the little details that went into this bike's design add up to create something special, and for that the Trek Slash is awarded the 2023 Mountain Bike of the Year award.

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407 Comments
  • 660 66
 Thanks for your patience as the final bribes were tallied. We strive for fairness and transparency.
  • 397 22
 “While we really wanted to award the We Are One - ARRIVAL, their marketing budget did not match the expectations of Outside Inc. for ‘Bike of the Year’ Category.
  • 94 15
 @thehypernatural: The We Are One deserved it.
  • 67 47
 @thehypernatural: While the Arrival is a gorgeous piece of North American Manufacturing, nobody I've spoken to who has ridden one has been overly enthused by it. They've all said that it's kind of twitchy and doesn't feel planted when descending like many competing bikes do.
  • 3 6
 $$$$$$.00 graft
  • 32 6
 @Nobble: I have several friends, including myself, that relay that the bike along with their wheels are pretty impressive. A lively 170mm bike is a rarity.
  • 124 1
 “If it can be asserted without evidence, it can be dismissed without evidence” - Christopher Hitchens
  • 20 4
 @Nobble: thats an interesting report, because everyone i have talked to on it has had nothing but praise for it. saying their times were significantly faster on dh tracks, felt planted and active/ smooth
  • 9 5
 @Nobble: I get that for the 152, but no way that's true for the 170, positive anecdotes are all over the place.
  • 23 9
 @doctor-m: Why? What are you basing your opinion on? Have you ridden the We Are One? Have you ridden the Trek? Any of the other nominees? Don’t get me wrong. We Are One looks like a great bike. But I have no idea if it should have won as I’ve never ridden it. Or the Trek. Or the Ibis. Or any of these.
  • 13 2
 @Nobble: I have an Arrival. Best climbing bike I ever owned. Its made to go fast and you have to be on your toes. I wouldn't call it twitch. I've ridden in Pisgah Sedona Moab fruita and copper harbor the bike killed it all
  • 11 1
 @TheR: Actually yes, I've ridden the current slash 9.8, and the arrival in 152 and 170mm versions. I've not ridden the other bikes in the category.
  • 22 2
 Everything is a conspiracy.
  • 7 6
 @doctor-m: Ok, well then maybe your opinion has a little more traction than most of these jamokes.
  • 3 1
 @kirchenschlager: but what are these anecdotal bikes being compared to. We at least know what PB compared it against.
  • 24 4
 Yeah bribes and shit, and birds aren't real either.
  • 5 3
 @chaoscacca: Last week I met a guy who replaced his 170 with a Spire.
  • 6 1
 @PHX77: Boy do we miss his voice in these times.
  • 5 1
 @HPdeskjet3630: Bird conspiracy. Without sarcasm, someone recently told me gravity wasn't real. "It's just density" lol

And that Slash must be super great. I've ridden a couple of Arrivals recently and they were pretty magical.
  • 4 1
 @Nobble: Oddly I've experienced the exact opposite, including my 2 seasons riding and racing one.
  • 16 2
 The world isn’t the way I think it should be, so it’s necessarily a conspiracy.
  • 5 0
 @freeridemafia420: Don't look up, flying birds don't exist. Voila. lol

Reminds me of Hitchhiker's Guide, when the Vogons look up for the first time and are so upset they decide to destroy the universe.
  • 5 11
flag Mtbdialed (Dec 28, 2023 at 9:57) (Below Threshold)
 @Jmr358: its not paranoia if they really are watching you!


in all honesty though, this shit isn't, nor does it have to be overt bribery. See, PB/Outside and Trek/Spesh/SRAM/etc, have an unspoken agreement entitled "make my ad spend worthwhile or.....". That is it, all players understand the rules.
  • 1 0
 @Nobble: that’s what’s good about it!
  • 4 4
 Pinkbike will have looked at who was most likely to have or want, to pay the money to license the pinkbike winners logo.

Is that a bribe? I dunno. Kinda amounts same thing though....the winner pays for the privilege of winning.
  • 1 0
 @Nobble: What were his thoughts arrival to spire?
  • 42 11
 If you really believe that Kaz or other editors are simply lying for money, what the f*ck are you doing here? Because commenting here is simply spilling money on the evil Outside.
If anything, the selection of bikes for testing is the only place when one can manipulate this and this is beyond editor's influence. Is this so hard to believe that a company like Trek having probably 100x the budget of say Wao can make a good bike?
  • 13 3
 How dare any of you prefer a bike that I did not prefer! Surely you are all uninformed fools!
  • 2 2
 @redemption08: That the Spire didn't pedal as well but was more confidence inspiring on descents and overall easier to ride. He commented that it was difficult to get the Arrival rear suspension feeling good on descents.
  • 3 0
 No one believes slash accepts that this is the best bike that came out this year.
  • 1 0
 @Jmr358: Conspiracy is everything
  • 2 0
 @Mtbdialed: ---This guy hucks!
  • 2 0
 @Nobble: I rode the 153 this year and was actually really impressed between the balance of sharp handling while still remaining calm in the steeps. And then it pedaled really well back up the hill, too. I did feel the “twitchy” sensation initially when I was kinda easing into the bike at first but when I started pushing it got a lot smoother. It’s an impressive machine, and id assume the 170 would be even more progressive and fun downhill but hey could be wrong
  • 2 0
 152* not 153
  • 1 0
 @Nobble: Was that me?
  • 11 1
 @Nobble: Strange,
I live just down the road from WAO, and I see loads of them.
Everyone I've spoken to has nothing but glowing things to say about the bike (which is to be expected, as who the hell says they dont like the bike they just spent a fortune on) But a couple of fast guys, who have the option to run pretty well whatever they want from the shops theyre sponsored by, all run Arrivals. Fastest bike theyve ever run they say, so lets assume its not a bike built for casual rides in the forest, but for those that out there getting after it!
  • 2 1
 @lkubica: true..
  • 4 0
 What about the chain drop issue that I have seen on videos
  • 1 0
 @fiftypercentsure: I've not been on either, but they mention the Trek's adjustability as a major plus.
  • 3 0
 @Nobble: Interesting. I thought the Arrival 152 was one of the best handling bikes I've ridden.
  • 4 0
 Boo-urns!
  • 1 0
 @Jmr358: Nah, it is just knowing how things work. Cha-ching
  • 1 0
 @thehypernatural:
  • 1 0
 @onawalk: IlFor me there is nothing better than the 170 for the type of riding we have here in Squamish.
  • 1 0
 @Nobble: lol, have you read a single review?
  • 5 0
 Truly groundbreaking from Trek here guys. No one had done anything like this before - no one.
  • 3 0
 @Nobble: I own one. Yeah. It isn’t a couch and that’s why I’m overly enthused about it. Playful. Poppy. Responsive. Not for ‘just riding along’.
  • 2 1
 This mountain bike of year has been brought to you by Trek.
  • 1 1
 Exactly. The biggest bike company not named giant releases a bike that doesn’t stop dropping chains but the situation is remedied with a spacer in time to be named the award winner. Give me a break.
  • 211 18
 This is why Levy left
  • 33 7
 What about this in particular? The selection of the bike itself or the comments insulting his integrity as a bought and paid for industry stooge?
  • 3 1
 You said it for me.
  • 9 1
 This is also why Paul left!
  • 211 24
 Pinkbike, this is absolute comical nonsense.
  • 30 1
 This article is worth it just for the comment section
  • 22 6
 What did you think of the new Slash after you rode it?
  • 12 0
 @JonnyTheWeasel: I rode it, didn’t really notice any chain issues. What I really noticed is that it’s was quiet, but I would rather have my last gen slash 100 times over before the new slash. The last gen is just lighter and performs suspension wise exactly the same with out all the bs high pivot, don’t get me wrong I like high pivot, I own a high pivot session but this bike didn’t impress me other that the fact that it was scarily quiet.
  • 5 2
 @Bikeboy42: so last gen and this gen are the same suspension wise, but the new one has a straight seat tube and more geo adjust and wheel options, in my books that’s winning, even if it is 1kg heavier (that’s just me though).
  • 2 0
 Yep! You are spot on. I questioned there assertion that everything was unaffected by adverting revenue and then the whole thread was deleted
  • 2 0
 @trifecta: I’ve never had problems with the Seatpost insertion on my gen 5, I had a 180 one up on a medium and the insertion was fine. The geo was more than fine on the gen 5, a very nice middle ground for an enduro bike and didn’t need any change, my gen 5 was 32lbs and the 9.8 gen 6 I was going to buy was around 35.5 lbs. 3.5 lbs heavier for a bike that might have chain problems down the road and didn’t perform better really at all. Not to mention the pedaling performance on the new gen 6 was pretty pitiful compared to the gen 5 which was solid especially for an enduro bike.
  • 5 0
 @JonnyTheWeasel: It is really impressive on the decent, however, compared to the last generation slash, it has lost much of it's range. It is not as broad ranging of a bike as it always has been, which is a bit disappointing. The Arrival 170 and the current Pivot Firebird are far better full ranging enduro travel bikes. So if you want a good all around slash, i'd pick up the last generation one.
  • 2 0
 @doctor-m: Interesting. I am considering a last gen Slash as I can get a 9.7 at a little over £2k.
  • 4 0
 @Bikeboy42: IMO the only thing the last gen Slash needed was a steeper seat tube
  • 2 0
 @boozed: lower top tube, shorter seat post, slacker, better rear suspension…
  • 1 0
 @JonnyTheWeasel: The last gen slash is a great bike
  • 186 14
 Pinkers: Nothing could be more unjust than Cam Zink winning Rampage.

PB Editors: Hold our beer.
  • 3 0
 LMAO….spot on!!! ✊
  • 180 8
 I'm outraged that this bike I've never ridden beat several other bikes that I've never ridden.
  • 42 2
 you forgot: and never intend to buy.
  • 1 2
 @pink505: Exactly a poll in this category was useless, I hadn't even heard of most of the brands even.
  • 129 14
 No.
  • 92 23
 A mass produced bike that’s overpriced and has drivetrain issues (reported in the PB review) that still haven’t been resolved according to multiple purchasers online. What’s not to like compared to the other options?
  • 25 13
 @stevemokan: drivetrain issues due to a mistake during assembly. Let's be precise. I've ridden one for a couple of weeks and the chain never fell off.
  • 19 4
 @cashew: Read comments on the forums, lots of people still having issues despite being "fixed".
  • 18 19
 @stevemokan: did you watch the video? The drivetrain issues have been resolved with adjusting the chainguide spacer.
  • 6 8
 @jaydawg69: probabily he watched the youtube video with the clickbait title too many times.
  • 15 7
 @stevemokan: what forum? If the spacer has been installed and the chainguide at 32mm from the chain, it will not fall off. I've had numerous rides on the chunkiest North Shore trails and not one issue.
  • 21 2
 @jaydawg69: I can unfortunately confirm that the chain can and does fall off repeatedly after the fix. On my personal bike and others .
  • 3 0
 Lets as the PBC's decide ourselves on here what the bike of the year is!! Fire away motley crew....
  • 15 2
 @cashew: The mountain bike of the year may or may not work at all once assembled due to quality control issues at the factory. It is not price competitive. It has not yet proven race-effective. It doesn't do anything "new".

What makes it the mountain bike of the year?
  • 8 6
 @ryanandrewrogers: the people who rode/tested them from PB?
  • 5 5
 @ryanandrewrogers: watch the video, they explain their choice. I think it pedals really well and it helps a lot keeping speed on bumpy terrain like no other bike I rode before. I agree with you on the price though.
  • 10 1
 @stevemokan: The huck to flat video appeared to demonstrate that the forward idler alignment doesn't matter very much, with enough force the chain can still jump off it
  • 3 0
 @ryanandrewrogers: They buy a lot of advertising on Pinkbike
  • 91 18
 I may not agree with some of the opinions out there or the reviews, but this is the first time I’ve ever truly been bewildered by a winner.
  • 36 19
 Have you ridden this bike?
  • 24 7
 @Lokirides: I was just about to edit and say..

No, I haven’t. It’s more that I don’t really hear anyone raving about it. I read good things about it, sure, but nothing that screams bike of the year. For what it’s worth I also don’t know which bike I think should have won instead.
  • 21 8
 @grnmachine02: I demo'd one and liked it so much I bought it... coming from a new Enduro (the golden standard), it has way more adjustments, able to fit a full dropper and the HP is magic. It is a lb or two heavier but it out climbs the Enduro. 100% AS throughout the travel and a steeper seatpost.
  • 6 2
 @grnmachine02: I don't own this bike, nor do I intend to. But if you can read geometry charts and suspension curves, this bike looks nearly perfect for enduro. Super adjustable, plenty of sizing, impressively engineered.

Personally, I don't like the aesthetics of the bike. But there should be nothing bewildering about the performance.
  • 8 0
 @grnmachine02: I think it was the top pick by most of the editors in the field test.
  • 2 0
 @jaydawg69: I don’t think it’s a bad bike, not by any means, I guess I truly can’t say “this is why I’m surprised it won” I guess I just never gave it a second thought. But my opinion means nothing so
  • 2 4
 @Lokirides: have you met with the presidential candidates you voted for? Think about that one for a minute. We can synthesize feedback from multiple sources to have an opinion of which bikes are top of the heap.
  • 4 1
 @grnmachine02: My local Trek dealers can't keep them in stock so they're obviously popular. That could be as few as a handful a month, though.
  • 110 40
 I wonder how much trek paid to win this?
  • 142 31
 I guess a couple of years in R&D, thousands in engineering, building multiple prototypes, etc. so i guess quite a lot.
  • 23 14
 @cro-magnon: Based on their drivetrain issues, bold of you to assume this isn't the prototype. Companies have gotten very good at tricking consumers into becoming beta testers.
  • 2 1
 @nickfranko: true! Finish a product at least to 80-90% release it and fine tune the rest. Less is shabby.
It consumes way too much ressources, having a product at a100% perfect at release. You can but it will cost a boatload of green (noone is willing to pay..)
  • 10 5
 @nickfranko: Wasn't the drivetrain issue specific to misassembly for early bikes by using the wrong width washer or something?
  • 8 10
 @nickfranko: drivetrain issue was a spacer.
  • 15 3
 Trek is a huge company, I doubt they waste time trying to bribe this website.
  • 10 5
 The insulated and self important worldview of PBers is on full display here. This website is so important to MTB apparently that a huge bike company would have the time and will to bribe for reviews. NOT
  • 76 6
 Ibis finally made a bike that's not ugly and this wins?
  • 121 17
 It's not a beauty contest, as you can see by the winner.
  • 27 1
 @mikekazimer: savage
  • 6 35
flag Slope-Style (Dec 28, 2023 at 9:24) (Below Threshold)
 the problem is that it's still a dorky Ibis
  • 31 6
 @mikekazimer:

But there in lies the rub: at $10k for a bike, most people are not going to buy it if it doesn’t look good. For you guys, looks don’t matter, because you’re riding the high end bikes for free. But for most us, if we don’t like the looks, we’re not buying it. Think I am wrong? Post a poll about this subject…
  • 7 0
 @Saidrick: you're not wrong.
  • 2 7
flag Tambo (Dec 28, 2023 at 14:30) (Below Threshold)
 @Saidrick: you may be right, but that doesn't make the slash bad
  • 3 0
 @Saidrick: You're not wrong. I'm currently not buying a Transition Smuggler frame based entirely on color selection. I have exactly zero interest in the hot pink or shit-brown options they're currently selling. Is this a silly reason to avoid an otherwise great bike? Yes, of course. Justifiable still? Absolutely!
  • 3 0
 @Saidrick: My budget is usually about half that, and I still want to like looking at the thing. Totally subjective, sure, but I can't lie and say a bikes looks have zero bearing on my purchase choices. I want it to ride well *and* I want to enjoy waxing the top tube Mike Levy
  • 81 31
 A lot of people hating on a bike they've obviously never ridden and dissing on the "terrible" website they visit every day. Don't like the Trek, don't buy it; don't like the website, stop clicking.
  • 38 5
 But but but but the WAO and Forbidden look cool! They also received the most votes by a bunch of people who have never ridden them!
  • 25 2
 Or, you know: they can express their dissatisfaction here. It's not an either-or.
  • 11 2
 I’ve ridden it, and I believe it’s far from
Being the bike of the year
  • 13 2
 Now you're complaining about folks complaining. I think we all need to go ride.
  • 6 0
 @noapathy: I'm with you. Just as soon as I'm done complaining about people who complain about complaining.
  • 10 0
 Ridden it, certainly not bike of the year, I wouldn’t even put it up as a contender tbh.
  • 4 0
 i dunno, the bike(slash gen 6) i owned wasnt great - it didnt have that 'hit' that the gen 5 did - Trek had such a good chance to alter the gen 5 into maybe one of the best enduro bikes ever made but nope, full redesign.
  • 15 7
 Seriously. 95% of the commenters have never ridden any of these bikes and are just spitting noise. Pinkbike editors aren't pretending this is objective, they're journalists for mountain bikes. If you're not here for their opinion, what are you here for?

"I've read about advertising perverse incentives, gotcha pinkbike editors!"

I wonder how many of you apply that reasoning to the world news you read where the financial incentives are 1000x higher.
  • 6 1
 @JamesJamesJamesJames: I mean what do bike journalists who ride different bikes all the time almost like it’s their job know about bikes? I who have never ridden any bikes on this list definitely have a better judgment on the matter. Reeb Steezl was robbed.
  • 10 6
 I've ridden and reviewed on my youtube... my take away? Not even close to bike of the year. Probably one of the worst riding enduro bikes I've ridden in years. Deviate high pivot bikes absolutely BLOW the trek out of the water. As a huge fan of the Gen 5 slash I was severely disappointed
  • 52 12
 OK, OK everyone — let’s stop and think a second before grabbing the pitchforks. Let’s ask ourselves a few honest questions;

1. Have any of you actually ridden three or more of these bikes nominated so that you can make a fair comparison?

2. Regardless of how you answered the question above, which bike would you have chosen from the nominees?

3. Now ask yourself, on what criteria would you have made your selection for Bike of the Year? Was it because you’ve ridden three or more of the nominees? Was it based on the way the bike looked? Or what you’ve read about the bike?

4. Do you really think your criteria is a good, objective way to come to your conclusion, especially if you didn’t ride three or more of these bikes? Or did your bias in favor of a smaller company vs. an industry giant play the main role here? Do you think that’s fair and objective?

I gotta admit, at first I chuckled when I saw the winner, because of course it’s the Trek! But this bike was very well-reviewed in the Enduro Field test. This win didn’t come out of left field. And I haven’t ridden any of these bikes, so what the hell do I know?
  • 9 14
flag Gristle (Dec 28, 2023 at 8:57) (Below Threshold)
 Well PB could talk about their scoring process on the podcast, because without that it appears quite subjective, which leaves tons of room for speculation that a sack of cash tipped the scale. I wouldn't be shocked if it objectively won, but I am a bit surprised it got the top spot after hearing their thoughts on this bike from the field test podcast. They liked it but it wasn't ultra glowing the way they talked about it either.
  • 5 4
 @Gristle: I’m not sure I should have used “objective,” because opinions are subjective. It’s possible two or more people can ride the same set of bikes and come up with different conclusions. But there’s a difference between informed opinions (I rode these bikes) and baseless opinions (I haven’t ridden these bikes). And I suppose there are shades in between. It’s worth it to ask yourself where your opinions are coming from.
  • 8 3
 keep logic out of this and bring on the pitchforks! Pinkers style.
  • 37 4
 @Gristle, deciding the bike of the year is as easy (or difficult) as all of us editors sitting down, listing out the bikes we thought should be nominated based on what stood out in 2023, and then arguing / debating until we've decided on the nominees and the winner. Simple as that.
  • 16 4
 @jaydawg69: I hate being the measured, logic guy. But I also hate the automated, no -thinking NPC response — “Trek paid them off.” It’s predictable and boring and baseless.
  • 6 0
 @mikekazimer: what about the beers?
  • 2 0
 @bishopsmike: doesn't any one think of the beers!?!
  • 4 0
 @mikekazimer: I'd watch that content
  • 45 8
 I'm not clear on why anyone is bewildered that this is a great bike. A.) It can be had in both 29er and MX mode, B.) The geometry range is sensible and fully modern with plenty of adjustability options for everyone, and size-specific chainstay lengths, C.) The suspension kinematics looks superb: decreasing but sensible/moderate anti-rise throughout, solid anti-squat numbers at sag, truly rearward axle path, and ideal leverage ratio with options to alter the progression, D.) carbon and aluminum frame options with internal storage.

I do not and have never owned a Trek - so I am not exactly a fanboi. But this bike seems to check all the boxes for a modern enduro bike - if I were sitting down and writing up a description of an optimal enduro bike, it would sure sound a lot like this Trek on paper.
  • 44 5
 Proud yall made this decision despite knowing the comment section would be FUCKING PISSED. As lame as they may be, it seems Trek makes good bikes.
  • 37 6
 Thank you. Given the number of bikes we're able to test each year, it seems reasonable to share our top picks. Ideally, that'll help someone make an educated decision about their next bike purchase. There's never going to be a winner that makes everyone happy, especially given how refined bikes are getting, but this isn't a popularity contest - it's based on actual real-world experiences, and in this case the Slash impressed all of us.
  • 6 17
flag Bikeboy42 (Dec 28, 2023 at 10:44) (Below Threshold)
 I like trek and I own treks and enjoy them, but after ridding this bike, it’s pretty lame to see this after riding some of the other bikes in the list that were contenders, but I guess a bunch of “professionals” sitting at a table saying witch bike they like is going to be different then most people out there
  • 38 5
 pinkbikers bewildered that the companies with the deepest pockets for R&D and product development make the best bikes. next up, confusion as to how porsche make the best cars
  • 11 6
 Considering that Trek has a long history of wasting tons of R&D effort on totally unnecessary fluff, purely for marketing purposes, yes, im bewildered by that claim.
  • 6 4
 @Ttimer: research and development…sometimes it doesn’t work. lol. Laughable people don’t understand how the world works.
  • 5 0
 Right, but then again, none of those "innovations" that came out of Trek's R&D department stuck around.
  • 3 2
 @Muscovir: Boost...infamously
  • 38 8
 Sucks to see the Land Rover ads. Outside (and PB) have gotten so gucci-faux-outdoors for the upper middle class. Selling extreme 4x4 dreams to people who'll mostly use it to one-up their peers in the school pick-up line after a nice yoga session at the studio. Just more luxury planet/city destruction bullshit.
  • 15 1
 I’m getting private jet ads on my end, lol. Clearly I’m falling out of the targeted demo here.
  • 9 1
 Its called google ads
Looks like you hit the target group then?
  • 8 1
 Add uBlock Origin extension to your computer browser. It'll block the ads, you can block individual elements you don't want to see, and you'll never see another YouTube ad.
  • 5 0
 Should PB refuse to have ads for companies like Land Rover?
  • 1 0
 Hmm, I don't have any addblocker and the adds just skipper. I am no target foo Land Rover though, so maybe the AI behind it decided I am not worth presenting any ads Smile
  • 2 0
 Well, if you consider this bike, nay, even 99% of all enduro bikes sold like the victor presented here, being used as they were intended to, then the Landrover ad is relevant--neither machine will ever come close to how they were "designed" to be used in the first place.
  • 2 0
 Cmon dude. MTB is the next alpine skiing. Get with the program.
  • 1 0
 @gotohe11carolina: I am getting spaceX flights to Mars adds, keep your Land Rovers and private jets they wont work on my new planet!
  • 33 11
 [Trek:] It’s a great pleasure, thank you.

[Mike Levy:] This bike that was involved in the incident in Squamish this week…

[Trek:] Yeah, the one the chain fell off?

[Mike Levy:] Yeah

[Trek:] That’s not very typical, I’d like to make that point.

[Mike Levy:] Well, how is it untypical?

[Trek:] Well, there are a lot of these bikes going around the world all the time, and very seldom does anything like this happen … I just don’t want people thinking that bikes aren’t safe.

[Mike Levy:] Was this bike safe?

[Trek:] Well I was thinking more about the other ones…

[Mike Levy:] The ones that are safe.

[Trek:] Yeah, the ones the chain doesn’t fall off.

[Mike Levy:] Well, if this wasn’t safe, why did it cost $20,000?

[Trek:] Well, I’m not saying it wasn’t safe, it’s just perhaps not quite as safe as some of the other ones.

[Mike Levy:] Why?

[Trek:] Well, some of them are built so the chain doesn’t fall off at all.

[Mike Levy:] Wasn’t this built so the chain wouldn’t fall off?

[Trek:] Well, obviously not.

[Mike Levy:] How do you know?

[Trek:] Well, ‘cause the chain fell off, and it caught fire. It’s a bit of a give-away.” I would just like to make the point that that is not normal.

[Mike Levy:] Well, what sort of standards are these bikes built to?

[Trek:] Oh, very rigorous … manufacturing engineering standards.

[Mike Levy:] What sort of things?

[Trek:] Well the chain's not supposed to fall off, for a start.

[Mike Levy:] And what other things?

[Trek:] Well, there are … regulations governing the materials they can be made of

[Mike Levy:] What materials?

[Trek:] Well, Cardboard’s out

[Mike Levy:] And?

[Trek:] …No cardboard derivatives…

[Mike Levy:] Like paper?

[Trek:]. … No paper, no string, no cellotape. …

[Mike Levy:] Rubber?

[Trek:] No, rubber’s out .. Um, They’ve got to have a handlebar. There’s a minimum crew requirement.”

[Mike Levy:] What’s the minimum crew?

[Trek:] Oh,… one, I suppose.

[Mike Levy:] So, the allegations that they are just designed to cost as much as possible and to hell with the consequences, I mean that’s ludicrous…

[Trek:] Ludicrous, absolutely ludicrous. These are very, very strong bikes.

[Mike Levy:] So what happened in this case?

[Trek:] Well, the chain fell off in this case by all means, but that’s very unusual.

[Mike Levy:] But Trek, why did the front bit fall off?

[Trek:] Well, a rock hit it.

[Mike Levy:] A rock hit it?

[Trek:] A rock hit the bike.

[Mike Levy:] Is that unusual?

[Trek:] Oh, yeah… In the forest? …Chance in a million.

[Mike Levy:] So what do you do to protect the environment in cases like this?

[Trek:] Well, the bike was towed outside the environment.

[Mike Levy:] Into another environment….

[Trek:] No, no, no. it’s been towed beyond the environment, it’s not in the environment

[Mike Levy:] Yeah, but from one environment to another environment.

[Trek:] No, it’s beyond the environment, it’s not in an environment. It has been towed beyond the environment.

[Mike Levy:] Well, what’s out there?

[Trek:] Nothing’s out there…

[Mike Levy:] Well there must be something out there

[Trek:] There is nothing out there… all there is …. is dirt …and rocks ….and bears

[Mike Levy:] And?

[Trek:] And a fire

[Mike Levy:] And anything else?

[Trek:] And the part of the bike that the chain fell off, but there’s nothing else out there.

[Mike Levy:] Trek thanks for joining us.

[Trek:] It’s a complete void

[Mike Levy:] Yeah, We’re out time

[Trek:] The environment’s perfectly safe. …. We’re out of time?.. Can you book me an Uber?

[Mike Levy:] But didn’t you come in a Slash?

[Trek:] Yes, I did, but

[Mike Levy:] What happened?

[Trek:] The chain fell off
  • 7 0
 This took a few minutes didn’t it lol?
  • 5 0
 legend
  • 9 0
 For those of you who need a audio aid for this skit

youtu.be/3m5qxZm_JqM?si=iGxAl-m1xvow17ru
  • 3 12
flag Ktom3001 (Dec 28, 2023 at 19:17) (Below Threshold)
 You need to get a life
  • 4 0
 @MrRight: I instantly read it in his voice before you posted the video ! I figured anyone not from Aus probably wouldn’t get it.
  • 25 7
 I'm outraged that Pinkbike didn't pick my favourite bike> that I've never ridden and probably never will. What about other completely random bike?!> This was obviously paid for by big bike company> and is quite clearly a scam/fix/conspiracy/hoax>.
  • 2 4
 Comment gold
  • 17 0
 So my question is, would Henry trade is Spire for a Slash?
  • 3 1
 The stack height is too low, and the chain stays too short for Henry!
  • 3 5
 depends how much trek is willing to pay him.
  • 6 1
 I think Henry likes the Meta SX a lot more than the Slash. Interesting that a creaky noise due to cheap bearings skewered the Meta's chances, but the chain repeated falling off the Trek got a pass. It must ride really well to get away with an epic fail like that.
  • 16 2
 haha
  • 12 1
 Screw the Trek. I'm buying a Defender and an Ebike! Marketing worked on me.
  • 10 2
 I dont doubt this bike is incredible. I have never liked trek - but this looked amazing in the press release and seemed like the perfect rig. I lusted after it.

But it being shipped with the wrong pully spacer - although pretty minor - should exclude it from the list. Customers had to troubleshoot the issue on their own before getting support from the manufacturer. Pretty unacceptable for a $10k bike IMO. Bike of the year should be a perfect product whether it be performance or value.
  • 2 6
flag el-nombre FL (Dec 28, 2023 at 13:03) (Below Threshold)
 Doesn't have to be perfect though does it. Just has to be nearer to perfect than the other contenders. I don't know if it is, but the fact that it's not perfect isn't relevant in this case.
  • 8 0
 I could care less if this bike won. I’d never buy a Trek or Specialized. There are simply far too many other brands that are much more deserving of my hard earned dollar bucks.
  • 17 7
 Slash was my pick. Just makes sense.
  • 8 2
 Ahaha let's be serious, when you spend all that money on s bike it should also look good, that's not the case. I have also tried one and to me it's sluggish and a little lethargic. I think my 2019 stumpjumper ride much better, take any Norco and it ride better. Can't believe it's bike of the year.
  • 6 6
 Ah, a rider enlightened that his trail bike rides a trail better than an enduro race bike.
  • 5 1
 @Gibnos: maybe 20% of owner will use it as a race bike
  • 7 1
 I'm not sure I agree.

In October, when I was shopping for a new big bike, I rode the Gen. 6 Slash 8 at a demo event at a trail center and to be honest; I found it thoroughly unremarkable. I wasn't bad, far from it, but just not outstanding in any way. Not the most confident descender, doesn't quite rail corners like other mullet bikes, doesn't climb particularly well, not very efficient, not super playful, not crazy stable. The only outstanding quality was the fact that the idler dropped the chain at least once every run. But Trek apparently has fixed that issue. Or so we've been told.
  • 1 0
 What bike did you end up buying?
  • 2 1
 The alloy and carbon Slash are two different bikes. At least here in NZ the Slash 8 comes with a rhythm 36 fork and the carbon comes with a ZEB select plus. It’s our position at the shop I work at that the Slash 8 is garbage but the 9.8 is a really, really good bike.
  • 1 0
 @TMazaitis: My 9.8 XT rips. I stayed away from the SRAM/Fox spec intentionally
  • 1 0
 @muscovier what bike did you like best?
  • 9 1
 …… I ain’t even mad.
(and will for sure be in the minorty)

slumps away in corner>
  • 7 2
 Anyone remember how they ranked this bike in their field test lineup? I think Matt has it #1 but I don't recall if anyone else did. That alone would suggest, just in that field test lineup, it wasn't #1. Maybe I'm not remembering that correctly?
  • 11 2
 It was my # 1 as well.
  • 8 3
 Henry and Dario also had it as their top pick during that discussion.
  • 3 1
 It was also my #1
  • 3 3
 @mikekazimer: in that case I'd say folks can put the pitchforks away. Easier to be mad about a wall of text in an article but hearing you guys talk about it on the podcast is a lot harder to call BS about IMO.
  • 7 0
 But everyone that’s ever ridden the bike has found the chain keeps coming off. How is that a good bike? It’s like a minimum requirement.
  • 7 2
 I’m so confused, didn’t the field test result in more testers liking the Ibis over the Slash? How did this win, then? (And don’t answer that tReK pAiD fOr iT - I want a real answer)
  • 12 6
 Nope, 3 out of 4 editors chose the Slash as their top picks in that instance: www.pinkbike.com/photo/25809347. Choosing the Bike of the Year isn't based solely on that discussion, but its performance at the Field Test certainly helped it snag the win.
  • 2 0
 @mikekazimer: How would you compare the Trek Slash to the Santa Cruz Nomad?
  • 2 0
 @bcbikeman: The Nomad is a slug.
  • 8 1
 I you could convince me those idler pulleys didn't produce a lot of drag then I would consider it.
  • 2 0
 What is a lot to you? Would you prefer the drag measured in lost watts or expressed as a percentage of potential efficiency?

There is more drag with an idler. For some people, more = too much. It's nowhere close to a gearbox, for example, but the difference is noticeable for riders who are sensitive to setup. High pivot bikes offer advantages that certain riders love, and you should absolutely try to ride (at least) one if you're curious. This coming from someone who appreciates the upsides of high pivot frame designs, yet has no plans to own one in the foreseeable future.
  • 2 1
 @DirtCrab: I would love to try this bike that's for sure. I'm curious about the ride quality and how it would feel going uphill I think that's where I would find out if it's for me or not.
  • 7 1
 I feel like Trek made a heavier, uglier, more complicated, more expensive version of the Kavenz VHP I've been shredding since 2021 Wink
  • 1 1
 Sounds about right! A bit different linkage but yes! Kavenz is also way more modular in a better way in my opinion. The only thing trek has that you can't do on a Kavenz is the modular progression but the trek only have the one per size chainstay length.
  • 4 0
 It’s cool, finally a modern enduro bike with three chainrings, one bigger and two smaller, yet it only has 12gears. It’s carbon, but still heavy and has three batteries, but is „acoustic“.
It looks old-school, but is new-school expensive.
You can shred it mellow, but lose the chain like you shred it proper and might even get your warranty claim denied, because you didn’t ride it as intended.
It’s a shame they didn’t route the cables through the headset, though.

Oh and it sort of looks like a session.
Joking aside:
I’d like to demo it, but wouldn’t buy one for several reasons. (I service my own bike, pivots etc.)
I can understand how it is awarded bike of the year. The headline on the Ibis is just too short ;-)
  • 8 2
 i would have believed you guys if it didn't take 7 minutes to justify the decision...
  • 4 0
 My armchair MTBer bike of the year award has to be the Neuhaus Metalworks steel hardtails. Absolutely perfect looking bikes, and I currently have one as my desktop background.
  • 1 0
 It is a stunner. I've watched the HT Party review so many times.
  • 3 0
 Maybe it’s a great bike, but shouldn’t the bike of the year be a bike that is somewhat affordable, easy to service and build to last? And look good ofcourse…..and if you pay a bit extra you know the employees are being well paid, maybe locally build, and the company sponsors all kinds of bike initiatives? That would be mine consideration…..
This thing looks like those contraptions in a toy store that keeps moving and you can stare at where the balls cross al the pulleys and idlers…..can’t watch at it, this is to much…..
  • 11 9
 Damn, smh. Paid ad. Im guessing the vote counter where the arrival 170 and druid v2 out voted every single bike on the list and either should of won, lost to the slash which was the least voted bike on the list by a far margin. The winning bike wasnt even choosen by the people. just smh
  • 8 4
 And how many people have actually ridden those bikes that voted on them? Especially all bikes. People voted based on what they think is cool (arrival or druid, pinkbike commenters likes to hate on Trek), how things look, what they have read (chain drops after improper assembly, whole bike must be shit). I'm gonna go ahead and assume the people who have ridden all these bikes and tested them know more than we do.
  • 2 2
 the people have ridden all the bikes? Don't think it's a popularity contest.
  • 5 0
 Mountain Bike of the Year award goes to...

An auto play video for a luxury SUV?!!!
  • 3 1
 Two of the bikes that were nominated were seemingly only ridden by one editor. That strikes me as somewhat of a confounding variable. I will say though that each of the three bikes do look rad and are interesting to me for different use cases. The Trek does look interesting and I bet it goes downhill sublimely but I have a hard time believing that there isn't significant extra drag with two extra pulleys particularly that lower pulley. For a DH bike that's no problem but as something that is meant to be pedaled I could see the luster being quite lost after the honeymoon period is over.
  • 2 6
flag dododuzzi (Dec 28, 2023 at 15:26) (Below Threshold)
 You do realize that this is a joke, right? They do not do real comparative tests and three riders ride maybe a total of 6-8 bikes in total ... and then they select the (sigh) bike of the year.
  • 3 1
 I'm a mediocre climber at best and I regularly climb 2-3K feet on my Slash. I'm not going for climbing PR's but its really not that bad. Ride one.
  • 5 0
 I’m not interested in buying a Trek, no matter how good the bike is. That’s the honest answer here.
  • 1 4
 Haters gonna hate. Strange
  • 6 0
 We all know the Druid is the actual winner folks.
  • 1 1
 I bought I slash 6 but the druid is in my thoughts all the time.
  • 3 0
 Correct me if I’m wrong: Didn’t the editors not spend much time on the Druid, and the Druid won an EWS race, right? I think the accusations of paid for bias in the selection are understandable considering the ~10 minute expose PB did on high pivot designs using the Slash even though the Druid was already generating real results. I’d still give everyone the benefit of the doubt, but, they didn’t set themselves up to look good here…
  • 2 0
 The thing is like to see is separate levels for Bike of the year. I’ll never ride these bikes, just doesn’t work in my area, so I’m coming in looking for a short travel “Bike of the Year.”

One thing I’d like to see in any future reviews, is a box of stems, when applicable that can be switched out when the tester mentions that they feel the bike would handle better with a longer or shorter stem.

Hump
  • 9 4
 I was surprised TREK was even nominated. I fall from my chair(n).
  • 21 17
 Lol the Fuel EX won last year and now the Slash? Trek must have some extra marketing bucks lying around
  • 30 10
 Or they make consistently great bicycles? Don't worry, there will be new Specialized bikes to win next year so you'll have a different company to diss.
  • 3 1
 luckily i can speak for both bikes, The fuel 100% is hands down one of the best bikes to come out recently, Has a heap of adjustments for Geo/progression & travel change. - pedals damn well even when i had DH tyres on it.
Would not hesitate to own anther.
  • 5 1
 I own a Non high pivot slash, it’s great. Not surprised the new one was chosen.?
  • 3 0
 I owned one also and thinking about buying another from what trek has left after I tried the new one. Definitely not the same bike it used to be… not even close. Planed on buying a new slash until I rode it and immediately regretted selling my last gen slash. To heavy, focused on selling buzz words it seems like other than making a great bike like the last one.
  • 9 4
 Pinkbike is getting ridiculous
  • 2 3
 Getting .. . always has been.
  • 4 0
 We all knew this was going to happen. I still somehow got my hopes up that it wouldn't.
  • 7 6
 Even if we completely disregarded the blatant and still ongoing drivetrain issues, Treks are still horribly overpriced and boring as f*ck. In a sea of smaller companies releasing better value (This is a travesty considering the size of Trek), more innovative, better looking, and just all around more interesting bikes, it absolutely behooves me how people still choose a Trek.
  • 8 6
 I couldn't wait to read the comments after reading the article and was not disappointed. Tons of neck beards, hipsters, and lactose infused IPA drinkers all aggravated that a big named company won. Who would have guessed?
  • 4 0
 I Bet that Car and Driver's "SUV of the year" has Trek Slash advertisements...
  • 4 1
 Like it or trek makes great bikes best warranties and have great support..the druid has terrible chainrub on the frame that nonone seems to be talking about
  • 3 1
 how happy do you think trek is that, not only are there not Bontrager tires on this thing for the photos, but there's a f*ckING SPESH tire on there!!!??? LMFAO.....

spectacular cockup Lads!
  • 4 0
 Trek is highly capable of creating bikes that excel during the LBS parking lot test ride.
  • 4 1
 I'll only take the comments serious when people start using the proper they're, their, and there as well as your and you're in their statements.
  • 2 1
 Unless I am mistaken, when looking at the "Bike of the Year" it would be the best bike that would fit the majority of the masses. Meaning this bike would get along best with the most amount of people whether its the way it rides, capabilities, price, or even the sizes its offered in. As much as I would have liked to see the We Are One win because its such uniquely built and capable bike, it doesn't reach the same demographic the Trek does, which happens to be such a larger audience. But its more likely that I am talking out of my ass and we are all puppets being mastered by Big Bike to buy expensive brands.
  • 2 0
 What if...? The engineer at the keyboard got the bike wrong, maybe its not a manufacturing issue at all, because what could a metal machine shop manufacturing frames do right or wrong to keep a chain from flying off?!
  • 4 3
 I’m confused. I thought we banished front derailleurs because they were complicated; but now this is ok? This is the best we get after 10 years of “innovation”? Idlers, tensioners, oversized cassettes, and even longer rear cages? Never mind, now I’m just angry.
  • 1 0
 Im never going to buy an over priced carbon bike, I dont have the money or would I if I did, throw money at something that will have a short life cycle, and adopts ever changing proprietary components and or fittings.
This does not fit into anything I do with my choice of frame or bike builds, I'm in another place with all that : )
  • 2 1
 Pinkbike comment section is nothing if not predictable. I had an idea what to expect as soon as I read the headline, and was not disappointed.

Maybe, just maybe, big boring bike co, got so big 'cause they make good bikes, and it's not all a conspiracy?
  • 1 0
 Wasn't this the bike that folks were bitching about the chain coming off over and over and over? Pretty sure I watched a YouTube video of a guy who was all excited with his new bike and headed to an enduro race and three out of the five stages were ruined by the chain getting jammed. No issues there....
  • 1 0
 It couldn't possibly be that such a big company had the most to spend on testing and research, NAH it had to be a bribe. I should know because, as a Pinkbike commenter, I have ridden every bike and am the expert at knowing which bikes are best.
  • 7 2
 Boo.....
  • 7 3
 Oh, the comments will be golden…
  • 21 17
 I love how everyone is mad, great bike.
  • 5 0
 Bahahaha
  • 7 4
 Most versatile, most adjustable and most boring win. But probably best choice for most if you looking for enduro bike.
  • 3 0
 ????? how is it the best option for most when it's comically expensive for the lowest tier spec, all the way up to half of the deposit of a f*cking house for the top spec? You can get really good, well priced bikes for much cheaper.
  • 1 2
 @MarkusFinholt: hey, if you are looking for value, probably this is wrong award. There is one where YT won. And just in case, prices in Europe and in US are significantly different (Trek is really expensive in Europe). However, if you are for enduro bike, let's check competitors (propose to check frame only options, and not complete builds). SC Nomad/Megatower, Ibis HD6, Yeti 160, Orbea Rallon — all the new frames are from 3800 to 5000 euro, so Trek in the same price range (and yes, you can buy carbon Capra full build for the price of this frame).
  • 3 0
 @wyric: No wonder you think this bike is "the best bike for most people" when you compare it to santa cruz, orbea and yeti. It's frankly disgustingly overpriced, and unfinished.
  • 1 2
 @MarkusFinholt: with what you propose to compare it? with Rose, Radon, YT (btw all those have great bikes)?
  • 3 0
 @wyric: Most bikes with similar price range have much better spec, Merida one sixty fr 600, transition sentinel come to mind. The spec of the lowest spec trek is really mediocre for what you're paying. Compare it to the 4200€ Merida with the new top specced DVO suspension front & rear, 220mm rotors ,TRP brakes and kryptotal tires. In no world would I ever pay for lowest spec trek over that.
  • 1 1
 @MarkusFinholt: but you are trying to play value game. if you ignore price, name 3 best enduro frames (just frames, without components)?
  • 3 0
 @wyric: Me and literally every person thats not a multimillionaire is trying to play the value game. And I responded to your comment claiming "probably best choice for most if you looking for enduro bike.".

You can't ignore a bikes value when ranking it. You can build the perfect bike for a hundred million dollars, but nobody would be able to use it. So you have to add value into the mix. I'm not talking about which bike is the most worth it to your wallet. I'm talking, if money is a factor, like all the other parts of a bike, where does the bike then end up?

The trek, with it's mediocre componentry on low spec, and overpriced high spec bikes, should not be a contender for first place when it also has a bunch of flaws, that other high pivot bikes do not have.

Best 3 pure frames is irrelevant because almost not a single soul buys a frame only. But just to play your game I think in no order the best 3 are probably Transition Sentinel, Deviate Highlander, Forgotten druid
  • 1 2
 @MarkusFinholt:
Sentinel — 2600 (carbon) / 1600 (alloy)
Highlander — 2800-3500
Druid — 4200
why I propose to check frames: you can way easier compare them (at least by features, and if you are lucky then by ride characteristics, and don't forget, now bike industry have huge sales and there are plenty of great deals, but then it's market situation comparison and not bikes). in value world, you would never buy Druid, but most likely go for Sentinel alloy. However, for me personally, Druid is way more desirable than Sentinel alloy.
  • 2 0
 @wyric: Yes I already stated I rated the bikes independent of value. Not sure why you bring up the frame cost when YOU asked for top 3 frames? I already said nobody with value in mind buys JUST frames.
  • 1 2
 @MarkusFinholt: Deposit on a house? Where do you live?
  • 2 0
 @Ktom3001: I think the right word is equity on a mortgage. Here in Norway we need a minimum of 15% of the total loan up front to get a mortgage. A top spec Trek at 150 000 NOK is the same as I would pay in equity for a loan on a small house outside the city.
  • 5 2
 Will the person that knows why this bike was chose please come forward ❤️
  • 21 9
 All things considered, it was the best one.
  • 6 3
 @dariodigiulio: including the dropped chains?
  • 20 9
 @jason3559: with an easy fix and no issues following, yeah
  • 8 1
 @dariodigiulio: I love how mine rides, but the issues are far from resolved. All the advice followed, spacer corrected, clocked millimeter perfect. Chain still drops repeatedly. We tried a 32t xx chain ring and new xo t-type chain. Still drops repeatedly. Contact mrp and trek, both got no answer. When I say regular drops, I mean multiple times every single ride. We are now trying mods to the lower guide and different guides to keep it on. I definitely believe the bike rides amazing but I’m really frustrated that I can’t have a ride without the chain falling off.
  • 5 0
 When I say mrp have no answer, they were very helpful in try to suggest improvements and showed a good level of customer support. It’s just unfortunate nothing has worked yet. I believe the problem it the lower guide, not the bike itself.
  • 2 0
 "chosen"
  • 3 0
 @dariodigiulio: Since it seems like a big company Kavenz VHP16 (which @mikekazimer reviewed) willl you now do a follow up review of the Kavenz which now has modular dropouts for chainstay length? also modular for rear travel and mullet.
www.pinkbike.com/news/review-kavenz-vhp-16.html
  • 11 11
 Unless you've tried it for yourself you have no reason to voice an opinion. I did not want another Trek when I bought the new gen 6 due to all of their proprietary bs . However the geometry made sense for me and the proprietary stuff on the gen 6 is adjustable minus the ABP which is flawless anyway. The bike is incredibly adaptable to whatever someone wants to ride. If your buying a bike for the looks or the name, you really need to take a better look at the trails you normally ride and the trails you want to ride. Geometry should always be the number one choice for buying a bike. So for those saying PB was bribed, maybe you should take a look at your own bikes first, remove your bias, and see why this actually did win bike of the year.
  • 6 1
 I tried it, not an outstanding bike for sure. Certainly not a bad bike but definitely not bike of the year. And that’s not a hate towards trek, I’ve owned treks and there not as bad as people make them out to be. I just don’t like this bike along with evyone else I know that has ridden this bike and have ridden it everywhere from chunky gnar and fast dh trails at windrock to local xc trails. There’s a lot of bikes that out preform it INCLUDING the last gen slash. It seems like trek wanted to release a new bike with all the fancy buzz words everyone seems to “want” right now. All I see is a down grade from the last gen.
  • 1 0
 When I saw the title I thought, obviously it's a Forbidden. Maybe the Trek is good, but I've heard from several shop owners about their business practices. Not supporting them.
  • 5 1
 Is there a way to keep the chain on the slash
  • 2 0
 I'm starting to think they put the countdown timer not to keep us aware, but to call up all PB Editors to the comments section Big Grin
  • 5 2
 I was a huge fan of the Slash, but this thing looks like a Rube Goldberg Machine...
  • 2 4
 Mine gets compliments on every ride, maybe its you?
  • 3 0
 @Ktom3001: no.
  • 1 1
 @issasledgehammer: :-)
  • 4 0
 Hm wow, makes me want to try it. I won’t hate unless I can back it up
  • 3 1
 Go on an hate it ahead of time. Plenty of reasons. You can always unhate it later.
  • 3 2
 Well, there goes any integrity you thought the PB staff might have still had. Love to see more mtb reviewers and sites as it’s hard to believe much of what we see about reviews from these guys anymore.
  • 2 0
 I sometimes feel Trek take a Devinci and then add whatever is this years thing to it.To me the Gen 6 is a slacker,mulleted,less playful Spartan......
  • 2 1
 It's massively ugly on so many levels, and none of them in a good way, and I thoroughly enjoy ripping, wrenching and looking at my 2017 Knolly for reference. Hard NO. Sort yourselves out! Pitter patter bud
  • 4 0
 Still no mention of the best bike in the world, the 2015 Raleigh Kodiak II
  • 2 2
 Well I love mine and I race the session HP as well as canfields for years...I've ridden a ton of bikes in 24 years...the SLASH kicks butt .hands down not a 1 trick pony....love this bike and I built mine so never had the chain issue I was aware of the off set cause I set it up... Bike rocks.
  • 5 0
 F’n sellouts.
  • 2 0
 I do wonder just how many people actually like this bike. It’s just so fugly. I guess I have to ride one. Somehow without looking at it.
  • 2 2
 Great choice with all of these nominations Trek copied a design that smaller companies were making for sometime under the radar with lots of fanfare. Not to say that this doesn't happen all over the place but coming from a company that has pissed off so many ibd's as well I'm not psyched. Cool bike and all but yeah trek winning is the most vanilla thing of 23.
  • 2 2
 That a XC bike wasn't included tells you all you need to know about this site....... I wouldn't want to ride any of those bikes on the road to get to the trails.....Not all of us stick our bikes in a van and drive to a trail centre.
  • 1 0
 It's an enduro- and DH-focused site, not sure what you'd expect. I wish they'd do content more relevant to other areas (i.e. the Midwest, where there's no mountains), but I don't blame them. I like the site even if I'll never ride or have any use for these 170mm monster trucks or visit any of the PNW
  • 1 1
 All y’all complaining and bantering back and forth about a “rigged” pick, go find another place where you can find any semblance on objectivity. All you’re doing by snarking in the comments section is boosting Outside’s engagement and valuation.
  • 1 0
 "The finalists for the 2023 Mountain Bike of the Year were the Reeb Steezl, Ibis HD6, Scor 2030, Forbidden Druid, Trek Slash, and the We Are One 170

The Mountain Bike of the Year award goes to..." Atherton AM170m
  • 5 1
 Ibis HD6 on top
  • 2 0
 Now that I'm done racing, I'm selling my 24 Slash for an HD6
  • 4 1
 The Trek meat riding from PB is insane
  • 3 0
 Oh Trek won. What a surprise!
  • 3 0
 I guess someone was Forbidden to win…
  • 5 2
 I just wanted an E-bike to win to see everyone go crazy.
  • 4 1
 Clickbike bait of the year
  • 6 3
 Come on pinkbike! Transmission, boxer and now trek??? Wtf!!
  • 7 0
 "What are 'things I will never buy', Alex."
  • 4 1
 @lookseasyfromhere: yep. Just weird that 2 major players win best for meh product. I mean the boxer a fork that finally match the other dh fork. Transmission isn't bad but not game changing and now trek slash compare to we are one and forbidden. Just the poll on the nominee article both were so ahead on people's choices. Trek was dead last Pinkbike lost a lot of credibility today.
  • 6 3
 Forbidden Bikes- the People's Champ.
  • 4 5
 Rarely do I valuethe opinions expressed in Pinkbike articles, honestly the comments are the most interesting part of this article Smile

It would be nice if Pinkbike supported the underdog, but that’s just not profitable… kinda like like what we saw in a recent gravity competition.

I don’t buy big brand stuff, nor do I buy stuff from the big boxes, so for me this is just par for the course.

So how about this: if you really don’t like what Pinkbike is supporting, then buy products from small companies like WAO.
  • 2 1
 Sad to say but Trek and Specialized makes great bikes and great warranty Wink but I'd rather have the bike of the year to Kavenz then trek for a similar bike, or another smaller brand if they had the best bike Wink
  • 4 5
 It's still irrelevant to me as I'll never buy a Trek, the opinions of a select few journalists is just that, their opinions, given that Trek seem to be cutting jobs and teams this will hardly translate into sales, and given that an ex pro Enduro racer, Lewis Buchannan, threw his in a skip as it was that bad, the truth will out.
  • 5 4
 From Lewis's YT: "This is the end for my journey on the all new Trek Slash. It’s been nothing but a pain and it’s super frustrating. I came across someone when I was in wales over the weekend and he mentioned that he has been riding his new slash and hasn’t been able to ride it without the chain coming off and is experiencing the same issues as me. Trek or Sram can hopefully figure it out but I have not been able to improve anything even with their kind help. What’s next? I have no idea…"
  • 1 2
 @cdel: 170 miles and no chain drops so...
  • 3 1
 Reeb SST is bike of the year!!! I bought it this year and I love it so suck on that PinkBike!
  • 2 0
 Does this bike have much pop on the jumps? Or do they suck up your energy like other high pivots
  • 5 2
 We Are One arrival got rob. Trek slash is a turd of a bike
  • 3 2
 "was robbed"
  • 4 2
 This must be a joke right? The bike has a major design flaw. Is heavy and let's be honest, is no looker. Still wins....
  • 2 0
 Pics show the bike with a Specialized tire on the rear - bet Trek is loving that! Haha!
  • 8 6
 No way the trek got beaten 3:1 and still won the award. If this isn’t a blatant case of buying PR, I don’t know what is.
  • 2 8
flag Ktom3001 (Dec 28, 2023 at 19:01) (Below Threshold)
 You can always find a new review website?
  • 3 1
 If it's not a boutique brand and cool-looking, it must suck and can't be BOTY. No bro points for Trek
  • 7 4
 hey pinkbike, your chain is off the chainring with this pick
  • 7 8
 Most shameless commercial of the year. And for a bike that makes ONLY sense with a skylift!


Crazy heavy transmission, dual crown fork, and now this? Really incredible ... what are they trying to do: push everybody onto motorized-bicycles?
  • 2 6
flag multialxndr (Dec 28, 2023 at 15:55) (Below Threshold)
 Have you ridden one?
  • 3 1
 Trek has a recall mod on that incontinent Idler situation...............WINNER?
  • 4 4
 It's not really a recall. Have you ridden one?
  • 4 0
 Booooo!
  • 3 3
 Why is PB so obsessed with Enduro? It’s like 1% of the type of riding that most people do. No one is lugging these pigs through the woods, and those who do own a 180+mm bike are chairlifting them at bike parks.
  • 3 2
 I’m sorry you live in a boring part of the world. Keep in mind, PB was originally about freeride, is based out of BC where 90% of the riding is enduro and most of the world dreams of coming to and is arguably the birthplace of modern mountain biking. A lot of the riding here is pedalling up to ride gnar down on 170mm bikes.
  • 2 3
 Oh no! They didn't pIck my molded 05 Cannondale Prophet! Cheats! Bribes! HERESY! Or maybe one of my least favorite brands actually does make an amazing bike or two and i trust the Pinkbike crew in their judgement. Imagine that.
  • 3 3
 99.9% of haters never rode the bike. Not a Trek fanboy and not saying the bike will change your life but hating just because Trek won is kinda petty. Who should they have picked? Did you ride that bike?
  • 4 1
 Not a fan boy but have commented enough times negating folks who dislike the slash that I noticed a pattern. Cool down, not all the pretty boys at the trail head are going to like your bike.
  • 3 0
 I wasn't shocked when this...dropped
  • 2 0
 Forgive my ignorance... Were the chaindrop issues resolved? Sounds like a fun bike otherwise (I like to plow).
  • 5 2
 WTF!
  • 12 11
 Amazing rig, deservs to win! Everyone whining moaning mimimi is even better. But hey, dont feed the trolls I've heard.
  • 4 3
 How many of these dudes have actually ridden any of these bikes to know which is the best?
  • 10 0
 @TheR:

I’ve ridden an arrival 170, an hd6, and a slash 6.

Love the suspension on the 170, but it’s sizing is odd. Due to the low stack height, the large is closer to a medium, and due to the slack seat tube angle, the xl is definitely an xl. For a 6’ person with longer legs, you’re between sizes.
It’s positively a cheater bike on climbs.
Descends very well, very plush yet agile, but as has been mentioned in reviews, there is a point in the travel at which the suspension progression ramps up more than your legs can handle on big g-outs and such.
I’d own this bike if it didn’t have that sizing issue in large.

The hd6 was fine on most things, but did feel like a dw link bike on the descents, not muting chatter as well as other platforms.
Low stack height and short chainstays leads to a riding position where you can’t just put all your weight through your feet.
Doesn’t really excel at any one thing.

The slash 6 certainly would not have been my pick. It was noisy, heavy, dropped chains, and bled speed in chunky sections dramatically.
Climbing on flat stuff was fine, technical stuff was okay until you lost traction for a moment and the very high anti squat value disappeared and the suspension would sag a lot, sucking up all your power and momentum.
It was decent on flow trails, poppy with decent handling. Not really better than the hd6 or 170 though.

For reference, I currently own a deviate claymore and a nukeproof giga 297.
  • 3 4
 @Nathan23: I don't mind a guy having an opinion, as long as it's based on something other than, "Trek paid Pinkbike." Even better when you've ridden the bikes. I'm glad you said that about the DW suspension -- my experience with DW is that it was a harsh suspension platform, but I've been told by everyone else on Pinkbike that it's the ultimate in suspension platforms. I thought I was the crazy one.
  • 3 2
 @Nathan23: You should try a Slash 6 with XT, it's the quietest FS bike I've owned. I don't think the T-type transmission is a good fit for this platform
  • 1 2
 I don’t get it…. I typically expect a bike for the people, in the poetic sense, and have a hard time grasping this when compared to previous winners. I’ve been wrong once before though.
  • 1 0
 I guess I’m wrong - looking back the past 5 years. I guess I’m just simply suprised still.
  • 8 6
 Two years of Treks, a Specialized before that. I wouldn't buy any of them.
  • 6 0
 Pretty sure Norco had two bikes win in the past few years... The Optic and the high pivot thingy
  • 1 0
 Guess you’re not on the beat bikes then…
  • 1 3
 What have you ridden and what did you buy? Maybe start your own "bike of the year"
  • 1 2
 @Ktom3001: Maybe I will lol. I am sure they are great bikes, I just have zero interest in the "big brands." I have a Transition Patrol.
  • 1 0
 @dmackyaheard: Yeah I'm not into big brands either, my sentinel is still hanging up in the garage.
I'd love to ride the Druid
  • 1 0
 @dmackyaheard: good on you. I haven’t been a big brand guy since I picked up my first Yeti in 92. Didn’t like Trek then and still don’t. Wouldn’t consider a Specislized either. Got another Yeti in 2015 and was eager for a new MX wheelset ride. Looked hard at Santa Cruz’s line but they’ve even gotten too popular, which is why I went with a Druid V2 and couldn’t be happier.
  • 2 0
 I was the DRIVER at the launch...
  • 9 11
 I’m frequently emailed by media people asking to our app to pay up to be included in top ten lists or to be nominated for some “award”. No doubt Pinkbike does the same and we’ll see a full supporting ad package rollout shortly. Shame.
  • 3 2
 Time to grab a king-size bucket of salty popcorn and read the comment section
  • 4 1
 Meh. The comments will be fairly predictable.
  • 4 1
 Yikes
  • 9 8
 Hi trek marketing and pr. Good thing you cut store payroll to cover this ad. We all know whats going in here
  • 7 4
 The best part is how you created an account just to come say this. lol
  • 7 9
 Welcome to Pinkbike Incorporated … I suggest you all move on and take your mouse clicks elsewhere. Pinkbike has not been the same since Radek et al sold, good for them … bad for us. Move onto NSMB, great writing, void of bias and just a site for bikers by bikers.
  • 10 5
 Nsmb is a bunch of Karens, much rather hang out with you scumbags
  • 3 0
 The upside of nsmb is that you get to see photos of the editor’s bike over and over and over again.
  • 3 0
 pathetic
  • 3 0
 Unbelievable lol
  • 1 1
 Why do any of you care what these guys have to say about anything? What experience and insight do they have that you care about or resonate with?
  • 2 1
 I'd love to see Pinkbike’s ad revenue by company, any guesses where trek, rockshox, and sram fall?
  • 1 3
 PinkBike readers: bike stuff is too expensive. PinkBike should focus on bikes more of us actually buy.

Also PinkBike readers: how dare a bike available for as little as $4500 (or so) be bike of the year?! Only bikes with a five figure price tag can be that good. Results MUST be fixed!!!!
  • 1 0
 Is this a joke?


Only take one ride anywhere to see what bikes are genuinely more popular.
  • 2 0
 It's like their inventing the motorcycle again,but a shitter version.
  • 2 1
 It’s a Trek for Pete’s sake. Didn’t care for the bikes 30 years ago and still not a fan.
  • 2 0
 Definitely not Lewis´ choice Big Grin
  • 2 1
 Wow, that really slashed my hopes.
  • 4 3
 Really dig what Cannondale has done with The Slash.
  • 6 5
 Trek is a POS ...warranty department is huge for a reason.
  • 13 2
 Because they sell a lot of bikes?
  • 3 1
 Who cares?
  • 5 4
 If there was any doubt whether these awards are paid for...
  • 3 1
 A turd of a winner.
  • 2 1
 It probably got rewarded for not looking like a session....
  • 3 4
 Hmm how much did trek pay for this? There are several other bikes that are way better….this is probably an example of the worse HP drive train design……lol
  • 2 2
 I personally own each of the nominees but none can hold a candle to the Trek Y33.
  • 3 6
 I demo'd a Norco optic after these guys said it was the best thing since sliced bread and it won boty. Good thing I did, it was crap and not as good as the model it replaced. Norco obviously had a big media budget that year.
  • 4 0
 Really? That Optic was (and still is) a great bike.
  • 2 1
 Norco has like zero budget for payoffs. Maybe it just wasn't the bike for you.
  • 2 0
 @JiminOz What didn't you like about it? I've never ridden an Optic but curious to see the difference in a riders opinion vs. what the reviewers had to say. I bought an Allied BC40 based on this site and many others saying it was amazing; plus the options for customizing it any color and build i wanted. And I will say the reviews were 100% right and I don't even ride my other mid-long travel bike anymore.
  • 2 1
 Did the Spesh check not clear in time?
  • 1 0
 REEB WAS ROBBED. *sound of angry villagers with pitchforks and torches*
  • 2 0
 It's honestly an honor to even be nominated.
  • 1 1
 as far as I'm concerned my SB130 LR is "bike of the year" it shreds hard! "E-bike of the year"? Definitely my Surron.
  • 1 0
 So chain dropping isn’t an issue anymore?
  • 1 0
 Clearly none of you understand how the electoral college works. ;-)
  • 1 0
 At least we know Bike of the Year isn’t a beauty contest.
  • 1 0
 shouldn't bike of the year be the bike the most people bought?
  • 3 3
 This was up on YouTube like 25 minutes ago lol
  • 1 0
 Called it Frown
  • 1 1
 Didn't this have a harsh shock tune?
  • 1 2
 Mine feels great
  • 6 7
 trek slash and sram gx, haha such predictable bullshit. pb loosing a lot of credibility with me.
  • 3 3
 They'll live...
  • 1 0
 Pretty much all credibility at this point. Trek?
  • 1 0
 A Bould choice
  • 2 2
 Is this a joke, this bike was in last place for like a week or more
  • 1 1
 Pinkbike users when Trek makes a good bike:
  • 1 0
 april fool ?
  • 2 2
 Oooooh, what a surprise
  • 3 3
 Boring!!!!
  • 4 6
 PB credibility is plummeting.
  • 3 4
 Chain drop issues??
  • 4 5
 Pinkbike sold out!
  • 1 3
 Firsts
  • 2 4
 Who paid you?
  • 2 5
 ‍♂️
  • 2 3
 Of course…
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