No. It uses the TQ HPR50 lightweight motor with 50Nm of torque, which feels natural but is less powerful than full-power systems like the Shimano EP8 or Bosch CX.
Trek Slash+ E-MTB Model Review
Written by: Tom Fortune | June 25, 2026 | Time to read 5 min
The Trek Slash+ takes one of the best enduro bikes ever made and adds a motor that barely changes the feel. Here’s what you need to know.
More about the Author: Tom Fortune
Tom is a Brit living in the French Alps. When he's not creating written and video content for various brands, he's either pedalling or snowboarding around his local mountains. E-Bikes have unlocked the potential for Tom to explore Alpine terrain and get away from the crowded bike parks. He is only too keen to share his knowledge and experience with other riders.
I see quite a lot of people riding Trek Slash bikes in my local bike parks and at popular enduro trails. It was already one of the most capable enduro bikes on the market before Trek added a motor. The Slash+ takes that same OCLV carbon frame, the same high pivot suspension design, and the same geometry, and drops in a TQ HPR50 motor with a 580Wh battery. The result is an e-MTB that’s built first and foremost for descending, with just enough assist to get you back to the top. If you’re coming from the Fuel EXe and want more travel and more battery, the Slash+ is the obvious next step.
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What Is the Trek Slash+?
The Trek Slash+ is a long-travel electric mountain bike with 170mm of travel front and rear and a high-pivot suspension design. It uses the same OCLV carbon frame as the non-motorized Slash, with the TQ HPR50 installed where the frame was already designed to accept a compact motor. Geometry is nearly identical to the regular Slash, which is the whole point.
It is a lightweight e-MTB competing with bikes like the Specialized Kenevo SL and older versions of the Orbea Rise. It’s not a full-power bike. The TQ motor is quiet, natural-feeling, and almost inaudible, but it’s not going to drag you up a steep climb in a high gear. This is a descender’s bike that happens to have assistance.
The Lineup: Which Model Are You Looking At?
There are two Slash+ models, and both share the same OCLV carbon frame, TQ HPR50 motor, and 580Wh battery.
Slash+ 9.7
The 9.7 is the entry point. It runs a Fox 38 Rhythm fork, a Float X rear shock, Shimano XT/SLX drivetrain, 4-piston brakes, and Bontrager XR5 Team Issue tires. It’s a capable build, though the XR5 tires are a lighter-duty choice for a bike with this much travel. Weight is around 44.9 lb (20.4 kg).
Slash+ 9.9
The 9.9 is the top-end version. It gets a RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork, RockShox Vivid Ultimate rear shock, SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission, SRAM Maven Silver brakes, RockShox Reverb AXS dropper post, Bontrager Line Pro 30 carbon wheels, and Bontrager SE6 Team Issue front and SE5 rear tires. That’s a genuinely premium build. Weight comes in at around 46 lb (20.9 kg).
Both models run the same mullet wheel setup: 29-inch front, 27.5-inch rear. The exception is the Small frame, which runs dual 27.5-inch wheels.
| Spec | Slash+ 9.7 | Slash+ 9.9 |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | TQ HPR50, 50Nm, 300W peak | TQ HPR50, 50Nm, 300W peak |
| Battery | 580Wh (160Wh extender available) | 580Wh (160Wh extender available) |
| Frame | OCLV Mountain Carbon, high pivot | OCLV Mountain Carbon, high pivot |
| Travel | 170mm front and rear | 170mm front and rear |
| Fork | Fox 38 Rhythm, 170mm | RockShox ZEB Ultimate, 170mm |
| Rear shock | Fox Float X | RockShox Vivid Ultimate |
| Drivetrain | Shimano XT/SLX | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission |
| Brakes | 4-piston hydraulic | SRAM Maven Silver |
| Dropper post | Bontrager Verse Short | RockShox Reverb AXS, 170mm |
| Wheels | Bontrager alloy | Bontrager Line Pro 30 carbon |
| Tires | Bontrager XR5 Team Issue | SE6 front / SE5 rear Team Issue |
| Wheel size | 29" front / 27.5" rear (mullet) | 29" front / 27.5" rear (mullet) |
| Head angle | 63.4° (neutral cups) | 63.4° (neutral cups) |
| Seat angle | 76.7–77.6° (size dependent) | 76.7–77.6° (size dependent) |
| Sizes | S, M, L, XL | S, M, L, XL |
| Weight | ~44.9 lb (20.4 kg) | ~46 lb (20.9 kg) |
How It Rides
The Slash+ descends like the Slash. The high pivot suspension design gives it an exceptionally planted feel through rough terrain, and the 170mm of travel front and rear means there’s very little that stops it in its tracks. Rock gardens, chutes, high-speed compressions. This bike eats them all up.
Where things get more subtle is on the climbs. The TQ HPR50 is a natural-feeling motor, and it’s quiet enough that you’ll sometimes forget it’s there. At 50Nm of torque, it’s noticeably less powerful than full-power motors like the Shimano EP8 or Bosch Performance CX, but that’s by design. It responds to your input and keeps the climbing feel closer to that of an analog bike than most e-MTBs do. You do need to hold up your end of the bargain more than you would on a full-power bike.
The geometry suits aggressive riding well. The head angle sits at 63.4 degrees with the neutral headset cups fitted. The effective seat tube angle ranges from 76.7 to 77.6 degrees, depending on size, keeping you in a good climbing position. A flip chip at the lower shock mount lets you switch between linear and progressive leverage rate settings. There’s no M/L size, so the Slash+ comes in S, M, L, and XL only.
I ride a Focus SAM2 with a high pivot and mullet wheels, and the Slash+ reminded me of exactly what that setup does well. The rear end stays composed through trail chatter, the front wheel finds its own line, and the whole bike feels more planted at speed than the geometry numbers suggest it should.
The Motor and Battery
A compact harmonic pin ring motor, the TQ HPR50 sits behind the crankset and barely registers visually. It delivers 50Nm of torque and 300W of peak power. By full-power e-MTB standards, those are modest numbers. By lightweight e-MTB standards, it’s competitive, and its natural power delivery is among the most convincing on the market.
At 580Wh, the battery is the biggest news. Most lightweight e-MTBs use batteries in the 300-360Wh range, and the Fuel EXe runs a 360Wh pack. The Slash+ steps that up significantly, making it one of the only bikes in this category with enough capacity for a full day of trail riding without rationing your modes. A 160Wh range extender is also available for longer days.
Charging is simple. Two hex bolts release the battery from the downtube for home charging, or you can leave it in the frame and plug into the port on the downtube. Trek Central connects via Bluetooth and gives you range mapping, motor tuning, and ride data. A top tube display shows essential ride stats without needing to pull out your phone.
Worth knowing: the motor was specifically tuned for the Slash+'s high pivot suspension linkage. You won’t hear it on the descent. On the climb, you’ll hear the pulleys before you hear the motor.
Things to Know Before You Buy
- This is a descender’s bike first. The TQ motor gives you a natural-feeling boost, but it won’t carry you up steep climbs the way a full-power system will. If you spend more time climbing than descending, look at a Rail or a full-power option instead.
- No M/L size. The Slash+ is available in S, M, L, and XL only. If you were between sizes on the regular Slash, check the reach measurements carefully before ordering.
- The 9.7 tires are light for the bike. The Bontrager XR5 Team Issue tires are capable cross-country tires, which is an unusual choice for a 170mm enduro e-MTB. Personally, I would swap them for tires with downhill casings.
- The battery is not backward compatible with the Fuel EXe. The 580Wh battery is unique to the Slash+. The smaller 360Wh Fuel EXe battery will fit the Slash+ with an adapter, but not the other way around.
- Dropper post on the 9.9. The RockShox Reverb AXS tops out at 170mm travel. On a Large or XL frame, some riders may want more drop than that.
- Dealer servicing for the TQ system. TQ diagnostics and motor work require authorized dealer equipment. Worth checking there’s one nearby before you buy.
Who Should Buy the Trek Slash+?
- Riders who want a long-travel e-MTB that rides as close to an analog bike as possible, both in feel and in sound.
- Anyone already on the Fuel EXe who wants more travel and more battery without changing motor systems.
- Bike park regulars and enduro riders who want lift-accessed laps with self-shuttling capability in between.
- Riders who are the fittest in their group and want to stay with analog riders on the climbs while still benefiting from assist on longer days.
- The 9.7 is the right buy if budget is the main concern. The 9.9 is worth the step up if you want better suspension and a wireless drivetrain.
Alternatives Worth Considering
If the Slash+ isn’t quite the right fit, there are a few bikes worth looking at.
The Trek Fuel EXe uses the same TQ HPR50 motor but with 150mm of travel and a 360Wh battery. It’s lighter and more trail-focused, and a better choice if you’re not planning to spend most of your time on enduro-grade terrain.
The Specialized Kenevo SL is the closest direct rival. It sits in the same lightweight enduro category, uses a proprietary lightweight motor, and has a similarly descent-focused character. It’s worth riding both of them before deciding.
The Orbea Rise is another option and can be configured with a larger battery, making it a reasonable alternative for riders who want more range without going full power.
If the TQ motor feels underpowered for your riding, the Trek Rail is the full-power alternative within the same brand. It’s a heavier bike with a very different character, but the additional torque makes a real difference on sustained steep climbs.
Find a Trek Slash+ on Upway
The Slash+ is a premium buy at full retail, and the pre-owned market makes it significantly more accessible. Every e-Bike on Upway goes through a 50-point mechanical inspection before going on sale. Any battery with a capacity below 80% is replaced before listing. There’s a one-year warranty on the frame, motor, and electrical system, plus a 14-day return window. Your bike arrives mostly assembled.
Browse the current Trek e-MTB section on Upway, or check out all available electric mountain bikes and used electric mountain bikes to compare your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Trek Slash+ a full-power e-MTB?
What battery does the Trek Slash+ use?
A 580Wh TQ battery, which is larger than most lightweight e-MTBs and can be removed from the downtube via two hex bolts.
What sizes does the Trek Slash+ come in?
S, M, L, and XL. There is no M/L size, unlike the non-motorized Slash.
What’s the difference between the Slash+ 9.7 and 9.9?
Both share the same frame, motor, and battery. The 9.9 upgrades to a RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork, Vivid Ultimate shock, SRAM X0 AXS Transmission, Maven Silver brakes, and Reverb AXS dropper.
How does the Trek Slash+ compare to the Trek Fuel EXe?
The Slash+ has more travel (170mm vs 150mm), a larger battery (580Wh vs 360Wh), and a high pivot suspension design. The Fuel EXe is lighter and better suited to trail riding. Both use the TQ HPR50 motor.
Key Takeaways
- The Trek Slash+ is a descent-focused e-MTB that closely replicates the non-motorized Slash in geometry and suspension feel, with the TQ HPR50 motor adding assistance without altering the bike’s character.
- The 580Wh battery is one of the largest in the lightweight e-MTB category, giving it better range than most competitors in this segment.
- Upway’s certified pre-owned Trek listings include a 50-point inspection, battery replacement if the capacity is below 80%, a one-year warranty, and a 14-day return window.
