Tech

New Trek Slash gains high-pivot suspension so you can push your limits

Published

1 year ago

September 7, 2023

Trek has updated the Slash long-travel bike its factory enduro race team competes on, giving it more rear-wheel travel, mixed wheel sizes as standard, and a new high-pivot and chain idler suspension design.

The brand’s aim was to arm the Slash with more capability for the wildest trails, so enduro racers, bike-park rippers and anyone wanting to push their limits can hit the trails hard and ride back to the top.

There are seven new models being released: two aluminium bikes and five carbon-framed offerings. Plus, there are aluminium and carbon framesets available.

Prices range from £4,250/$4,399.99/€4,499/AU$6,999.99 for the Slash 8 base model to £11,750/$11,499.99/€12,499/AU$19,499.99 for the top-spec carbon option.

High-pivot calling

Trek’s latest Slash has a new high-pivot suspension layout designed to better absorb bumps. Sam Needham

Trek is no stranger to a high-pivot bike. The Session downhill bike has been using this design since 2021. Trek says it has been playing around with high-pivot designs for years, and went through multiple iterations to learn how best to implement its design on the Slash.

The new high-pivot Slash dishes out 170mm of rear-wheel travel, delivering a rearward axle path, enabling the back wheel to move with the bump force path.

The 2024 Trek Slash gets increased rear-wheel travel for downhill performance. Trek Bikes

The maximum rear-centre growth is approximately 18mm rearward at 135mm travel, before the axle path arcs forwards again for the last 40mm of travel. This path is also intended to not get hung up on square-edge hits to better maintain momentum on the trail.

At 30 per cent sag, the chainstays are approximately 11mm longer than the static geometry chart states.

The idler reduces pedal kickback by eliminating chain growth as the suspension compresses. This is particularly noticeable on a high-pivot suspension system.

Its position has been calculated carefully to keep as much pedal efficiency as possible, enabling Trek to fine-tune the anti-squat, which it claims stays above 100 per cent through its whole travel.

The large 19T upper idler helps minimise drivetrain friction and is placed to keep anti-squat around 100 per cent through the whole travel. Sam Needham

As with some other bikes, the leverage rate can also be changed with a flip chip on the lower shock mount. This increases it from 20 per cent to 25 per cent, making it harder to compress the suspension in the later setting, meaning the bike is suitable for both a coil and air shock.

The oversized 19T upper idler is also said to reduce drivetrain friction. The lower idler, built in collaboration with MRP, mitigates chain growth below the chainstay.

This stops the suspension causing the chain to pull on the derailleur’s cage to improve suspension sensitivity. It is also intended to improve drivetrain smoothness.

The MRP lower idler helps keep the lower chain length consistent to reduce pull on the rear derailleur. Sam Needham

If you need to replace the chain, the new design uses one standard 126-link chain in all sizes except the extra-large, which uses a 128-link chain.

While the suspension layout is new, Trek has retained its ABP (Active Braking Pivot) at the chainstay/seatstay junction, which rotates concentrically around the rear axle. This keeps the Slash as a single-pivot, linkage-driven shock platform.

New look, new shape

Trek has also updated the geometry. Sam Needham

It’s not just the suspension that has been overhauled, with the frame’s geometry seeing updates to make it a burlier bike.

There are five frame sizes to choose from – small, medium, medium/large, large and extra-large. The small frame rolls on 27.5in wheels front and back, while the other four sizes use a mullet setup with 29in front and 27.5in rear wheels.

The M to XL bikes can fit a 29in rear wheel, but you need to purchase a different lower shock mount, which lowers the bottom bracket to make it compatible with the bigger wheel.

The standout differences are the head tube angle is now a slacker 63.3 degrees as stock (mixed wheels, 170mm fork) for the M-XL, and 63.5 degrees on the S.

Trek has also introduced ∓1-degree headset cups that can be fitted to the head tube. These are available aftermarket, and they enable you to tailor the front-end geometry to suit your preference.

Trek has made the Slash slacker, but not longer. Sam Needham

There is also a steeper effective seat tube, of around 77 degrees, to help set riders centrally when climbing. The straighter seat tube means the size-S bike can fit a 170mm dropper post, while M bikes and above can fit a 200mm or longer dropper, to really get the saddle out of the way in the descents.

To accommodate longer droppers, the seat tubes are shorter, starting at 390mm on the size S and topping out at 470mm on the XL.

The reach numbers are as you would expect from a bike with these attributes. They are 430mm (S), 448mm (M), 468mm (M/L), 488mm (L) and 513mm (XL).

It’s interesting to see Trek has made the Slash slacker, but not longer. These values are how the bike is sold. If you fit a 29in wheel, or change the headset cups, the geometry will change too.

Trek has built in proportional chainstay lengths as frame sizes increase. These range from 429mm (S and M) to 434mm (M/L and L) and 439mm (XL). While these seem very short, remember the rear-centre length will grow 11mm at sag, but these should still give the bike agile handling.

The devil’s in the details

The Slash’s new chainstay protector is designed to reduce lateral and vertical chain movement to minimise noise. Sam Needham

While there is plenty new with the latest Slash, Trek has kept its OCLV Mountain (Optimum Compaction Low Void) carbon fibre. This construction is intended to increase the carbon’s strength and impact resistance.

However, Trek has added Integrated Carbon Armour. This is an additional layer of film that lies below the paintwork to give extra protection to the carbon.

The aluminium models get Trek’s Alpha Platinum Aluminum, which uses the brand’s highest-grade aluminium and construction process.

There are also new replaceable fenders under the down tube to fend off rock strikes and impacts. One sits at the bottom bracket, and the other offers protection against pickup truck tailgates.

A new rear fender has been integrated into the bike and styled to match modern front fenders. This only fits the 27.5in rear wheel, and will need to be removed for clearance to install a 29in wheel.

Trek has revised its internal frame storage with a larger opening and easier access. Sam Needham

To help keep the bike silent, Trek has designed a new chainstay protector. The shape is claimed to prevent chain whip, and minimise both vertical and lateral chain movement, leading to less noise.

To the pleasure of many, Trek hasn’t used internal headset routing. However, there are new internal cable guides, Trek calls Chunnels, that enable better use of the Slash’s internal frame storage.

Furthermore, it gets a new hatch with a bigger opening to help stash larger items. There is also a new, more reachable lever, which should make opening the compartment easier. Trek says it has used recycled plastic for its internal frame storage.

The bike uses common standards, including Boost 12x148mm rear hub spacing. There’s a threaded bottom bracket shell and 55mm Boost chainline. The rear brake uses a minimum 200mm flatmount, and can accept a 220mm maximum rotor size.

Trek Slash prices and specifications

There are seven bike specifications to choose from. Two bikes sport the aluminium frame and five use the carbon version.

Trek Slash 9.9 XX AXS T-Type

Trek Slash 9.9 XX Eagle AXS T-Type (Flight Attendant not shown). Trek Bikes

Frame: OCLV Mountain Carbon, 170mm travel
Fork: RockShox ZEB Ultimate Flight Attendant, 170mm travel
Shock: RockShox Vivid Ultimate
Drivetrain: SRAM XX Eagle AXS, T-Type
Brakes: SRAM Code Ultimate
Wheels: Bontrager Line Pro 30
Tyres: Bontrager SE6 Team Issue 29×2.5in (f), Bontrager SE5 Team Issue 27.5×2.5in (r)
Bar/stem: Bontrager RSL Integrated handlebar/stem, 820mm (w), 35mm (l)
Saddle/seatpost: Bontrager Arvada/RockShox Reverb AXS
Price: £11,750/$11,499.99/€12,499/AU$19,499.99

Trek Slash 9.9 XTR

Trek Slash 9.9 XTR. Trek Bikes

Frame: OCLV Mountain Carbon, 170mm travel
Fork: RockShox ZEB Ultimate, 170mm travel
Shock: RockShox Vivid Ultimate
Drivetrain: Shimano XTR M9100
Brakes: Shimano XTR M9120
Wheels: Bontrager Line Pro 30
Tyres: Bontrager SE6 Team Issue 29×2.5in (f), Bontrager SE5 Team Issue 27.5×2.5in (r)
Bar/stem: Bontrager RSL Integrated handlebar/stem, 820mm (w), 35mm (l)
Saddle/seatpost: Bontrager Arvada/Bontrager Line Elite Dropper
Price: £10,800/$9,599.99/€11,499/AU$15,499.99

Trek Slash 9.9 X0 AXS T-Type

Trek Slash 9.9 XO Eagle AXS T-Type. Trek Bikes

Frame: OCLV Mountain Carbon, 170mm travel
Fork: RockShox ZEB Ultimate, 170mm travel
Shock: RockShox Vivid Ultimate
Drivetrain: SRAM X0 Eagle AXS T-Typre
Brakes: SRAM Code Silver
Wheels: Bontrager Line Pro 30
Tyres: Bontrager SE6 Team Issue 29×2.5in (f), Bontrager SE5 Team Issue 27.5×2.5in (r)
Bar/stem: Bontrager RSL Integrated handlebar/stem, 820mm (w), 35mm (l)
Saddle/seatpost: Bontrager Arvada/RockShox Reverb AXS
Price: £9,400/$9,399.99/€9,999/AU$17,499.99

Trek Slash 9.8 GX ASX T-Type

Trek Slash 9.8 GX Eagle AXS T-Type. Trek Bikes

Frame: OCLV Mountain Carbon, 170mm travel
Fork: RockShox ZEB Select+, 170mm travel
Shock: RockShox Vivid Select+
Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle AXS T-Type
Brakes: SRAM Code Bronze
Wheels: Bontrager Line Elite 30
Tyres: Bontrager SE6 Team Issue 29×2.5in (f), Bontrager SE5 Team Issue 27.5×2.5in (r)
Bar/stem: Bontrager Line Pro carbon, 820mm, Bontrager Line Pro, 35mm
Saddle/seatpost: Bontrager Arvada/Bontrager Line Elite
Price: £7,500/$7,999.99/€7,999/AU$10,499.99

Trek Slash 9.8 XT

Trek Slash 9.8 XT. Trek Bikes

Frame: OCLV Mountain Carbon, 170mm travel
Fork: RockShox ZEB Select+, 170mm travel
Shock: RockShox Vivid Select+
Drivetrain: Shimano Deore XT M8100
Brakes: Shimano Deore XT M8120
Wheels: Bontrager Line Elite 30
Tyres: Bontrager SE6 Team Issue 29×2.5in (f), Bontrager SE5 Team Issue 27.5×2.5in (r)
Bar/stem: Bontrager Line Pro carbon, 820mm, Bontrager Line Pro, 35mm
Saddle/seatpost: Bontrager Arvada/Bontrager Line Elite
Price: £7,425/$7,399.99/€ 7,899/AU$11,599.99

Trek Slash 9 GX AXS T-Type

Trek Slash 9 GX Eagle AXS T-Type. Trek Bikes

Frame: Alpha Platinum Aluminum, 170mm travel
Fork: RockShox ZEB Select+, 170mm travel
Shock: RockShox Vivid Select+
Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle AXS T-Type
Brakes: SRAM Code Bronze
Wheels: Bontrager Line Comp 30
Tyres: Bontrager SE6 Team Issue 29×2.5in (f), Bontrager SE5 Team Issue 27.5×2.5in (r)
Bar/stem: Bontrager Line alloy, 820mm, Bontrager Elite, 35mm
Saddle/seatpost: Bontrager Verse P3/Bontrager Line
Price: £5,175/$5,799.99/€5,499

Trek Slash 8 XT

Trek Slash 8 XT. Trek Bikes

Frame: Alpha Platinum Aluminum, 170mm travel
Fork: Fox Rhythm 36, 170mm travel
Shock: Fox Float X Performance
Drivetrain: Shimano Deore XT M8100
Brakes: Shimano M6100/M6120
Wheels: Bontrager Line Comp 30
Tyres: Bontrager XR5 Team Issue 29×2.5in (f), Bontrager XR5 Team Issue 27.5×2.5in (r)
Bar/stem: Bontrager Line alloy, 820mm/Bontrager Elite, 35mm
Saddle/seatpost: Bontrager Verse P3/Bontrager Line
Price: £4,250/$4,399.99/€4,499/AU$6,999.99

Trek Slash 9.9 X0 Eagle AXS T-Type initial ride impressions

BikeRadar technical writer Luke Marshall was fortunate enough to spend an afternoon on the Trek Slash 9.9 X0 Eagle AXS T-Type in Whistler, Canada before its launch. This consisted of a pedal loop through the area’s natural tech, and a couple of Creekside bike-park laps on black and blue trails.

Luke also had the bike for a day back on his local testing trails around the Forest of Dean in the south west of England. Expect a full review coming soon, but these are his initial thoughts.

This is without doubt the most efficient high-pivot idler bike I’ve pedalled. Trek has managed to keep additional drivetrain friction to a minimum, and there’s no real discernable difference between the Slash’s pedal efficiency and a traditional drivetrain setup. Trek has shown what’s possible here and it’s impressive.

This means the bike’s climbing ability is judged on its suspension kinematics, geometry, weight and tyres. Its 15.92kg (size M/L) is competitive and the Trek SE6 and SE5 Team Issue tyres roll well, which helps it climb easily.

The 77-degree effective seat tube angle kept me balanced nicely over the centre of the bike, and even though there’s a slack head tube angle, the front end doesn’t wander.

Pedalling over rough terrain with the shock open gives a smooth ride feel and there’s plenty of traction. The suspension is pretty active without being overly wallowy.

On smoother trails, it’s best to lock out the shock for maximum efficiency. However, I could ride up most gradients with the shock open without much fuss. Its climbing manner is impressive for its nature and on-paper stats.

On the descents, I found the rear suspension didn’t provide a super-smooth feel, as you might expect from the high pivot. However, the suspension is still supple, sensitive and flutters across the bumps.

While the travel is plush, there’s good support in the mid-stroke that enables you to pop and pump down the trail, and gives the bike a lively and light ride character, while still remaining stable and composed when the trails get rough.

Trek seems to have found a good middle ground between keeping the bike engaging and maintaining its bump-swallowing abilities.

I was pleasantly surprised by how light-footed the Slash feels while still hunting out traction. It’s easy to ride and drops into and out of turns confidently without needing tons of effort to muscle it around.

Also, considering its high-pivot design, the suspension performance is impressive under braking. That helps give the bike traction on steep trails, which enables you to build confidence and attack when trails and the gradient are high.

The bike is also near-silent, which is brilliant.

However, the most noticeable issue so far is the Bontrager tyres, which can’t match the best mountain bike tyres for grip and confidence.

That said, my initial impressions of the Slash have been very positive, and I look forward to spending more time on the bike. Keep your eyes peeled for a full review soon.

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Tech

Ottawa orders TikTok’s Canadian arm to be dissolved

Published

6 days ago

November 6, 2024

Anne Joseph

The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.

Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government’s “wind up” demand Wednesday, saying it is meant to address “risks” related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.

“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” he said in a statement.

The announcement added that the government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content.

However, it urged people to “adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”

Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking details about what evidence led to the government’s dissolution demand, how long ByteDance has to comply and why the app is not being banned.

A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs.

“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said.

“The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”

The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023, but it was not public knowledge until The Canadian Press reported in March that it was investigating the company.

At the time, it said the review was based on the expansion of a business, which it said constituted the establishment of a new Canadian entity. It declined to provide any further details about what expansion it was reviewing.

A government database showed a notification of new business from TikTok in June 2023. It said Network Sense Ventures Ltd. in Toronto and Vancouver would engage in “marketing, advertising, and content/creator development activities in relation to the use of the TikTok app in Canada.”

Even before the review, ByteDance and TikTok were lightning rod for privacy and safety concerns because Chinese national security laws compel organizations in the country to assist with intelligence gathering.

Such concerns led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill in March designed to ban TikTok unless its China-based owner sells its stake in the business.

Champagne’s office has maintained Canada’s review was not related to the U.S. bill, which has yet to pass.

Canada’s review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to might harm national security.

While cabinet can make investors sell parts of the business or shares, Champagne has said the act doesn’t allow him to disclose details of the review.

Wednesday’s dissolution order was made in accordance with the act.

The federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023 following the launch of an investigation into the company by federal and provincial privacy commissioners.

— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Ottawa

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.

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Health

Here is how to prepare your online accounts for when you die

Published

3 weeks ago

October 24, 2024

Anne Joseph

LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?

It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.

Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:

Apple

The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.

For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.

You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.

Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.

Google

Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.

When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.

You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.

There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.

Facebook and Instagram

Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.

When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.

The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.

You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.

TikTok

The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.

Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.

It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.

Passwords

Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?

Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.

But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.

___

Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.

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Tech

Google’s partnership with AI startup Anthropic faces a UK competition investigation

Published

3 weeks ago

October 24, 2024

Anne Joseph

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.

The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.

The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.

“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”

San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.

Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”

“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.

The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.

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