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2023 Trek Gas EX 9.9 XX1 AXS assessment: A extensively succesful path bike with a high-end construct
Sep
I picked up the Gas EX 9.9 XX1 AXS throughout Crankworx Whistler, giving me a couple of weeks to get a handful of rides on it. Immediately I can say the bike climbs like a hyperactive goat, however my space calls for a motorbike that may descend effectively too. The Gas EXs steering angle is slack sufficient for any path, so the bike solely finds its restrict on actually tough terrain that challenges its 140mms of rear journey.
2023 Trek Gas EX – primary specs:
On this article we’ll focus on how the brand new Gas EX rides. Right here’s few primary specs, however take a look at my launch put up for all the main points on the brand new Gas EX’s options, geometry and construct equipment choices.
The Gas EX frames are provided in each aluminum or carbon, with 140mm rear journey and a 150mm fork (besides the entry stage EX 5 which carries over the outgoing body with 130mm journey). Most sizes experience on 29” wheels, however the XS frames run 27.5” solely and the smalls supply the choice of 27.5” or 29”. The 29ers might be transformed to mullet setups, however Trek recommends including a 160mm fork.
That is the chart for the Gas EX with the inventory impartial headset cups, and the Mino hyperlink in Low place (how I rode the demo bike). Try Trek’s web site to see geo figures for all of the potential variations. Click on to enlarge.
Between Trek’s Mino Hyperlink chip and optionally available angle alter headset cups for the Gas EX, there’s loads of variation in body geometry relying on settings. Some angles and measurements change with body measurement as effectively, significantly the rear finish lengths which at the moment are size-specific.
To summarize it rapidly, the Gas EX’s head tube angle can vary from 63.5° to 66° with the optionally available cups in play. With out the cups, the Mino Hyperlink offers you the selection of 64.5 or 65°. Seat masts are fairly steep at 76 to 78.9° throughout all sizes/settings.
Trek stretched out some fairly prolonged reaches on the Gas EXs; The M/L bike I’m testing measures 470mm. Out again, Trek leaned in direction of the center with their new size-specific chainstay lengths. The M/L body I rode has 440mm stays, which aren’t quick however not lengthy both.
The highest-of-the-line Gas EX 9.9 XX1 AXS weighs 32.76lbs (with pedals).
Trip Impressions: Suspension
I’m fairly accustomed to Trek’s suspension, as I’ve owned a Treatment for the previous few years. I wasn’t shocked to search out the Gas EX climbs even higher, and gives about 95% of the Treatment’s downhill prowess.
Trek’s ABP linkage is a really supportive climber, particularly with the rear shock in its agency place. With the shock’s assist, the rear finish companies up sufficient that the rear wheel begins floating over pockets between roots and rocks, moderately than diving into them. You’ll nonetheless use about 50% of the rear journey on singletrack trails in agency mode, so I nonetheless discover traction is ample and the experience stays pretty snug.
What’s nice is how the Gas EX is a stable climber with none assist from the shock too. Climbing technical singletrack in open mode, I solely dipped into 2-3mms extra journey than climbing in agency mode. The experience does get a bit extra forgiving and barely extra grippy in open mode (with out shedding a lot effectivity), so it’s a sensible choice for rougher ascents.
Due to Trek’s experience information Javi! We loved a pair enjoyable, steep laps in Whistler.
One way or the other, regardless of how supportive the Gas EX’s ABP linkage goes uphill, it’s a complete totally different beast happening. It’s as if the linkage is speed-sensitive, because it responds very effectively to all types of high-speed impacts and has a powerful means to spherical off sharp hits. Whether or not it’s small chatter or a full-on rock backyard, the Gas EX smooths out the path very properly. The rear wheel at all times feels effectively planted, and the linkage offers the bike a plowy really feel by way of tough terrain. I do discover Trek’s bikes aren’t tremendous poppy on jumps, however they do have ample mid-stroke assist to pump effectively by way of rollers and berms.
I’ve some delightfully tough trails in my space of B.C. and I did discover moments the place greater than 140mm journey would have been supreme! That stated, I don’t suppose you may do a lot better with 140mms of suspension than the Gas EX has. Whereas it’s actually the slack steering that enables this bike to sort out fairly severe terrain, the adjustable shock price additionally raises this bike’s tolerance for quick, tough driving.
I had no hassle getting full journey from the bike in its extra linear LESS mode, and being a light-weight rider that is the mode I’d maintain the bike in. It was completely dialed – I used to be having fun with full journey on descents however not continuously thrashing the bike with harsh bottom-outs.
Once I flipped the chip into MORE mode, it did make a noticeable distinction to the experience, however didn’t have a lot impact on how a lot journey I used to be utilizing. I anticipated the bike to really feel stiffer than most popular and that I’d want a very good laborious hit to backside out the bike with the added development. As a substitute I wound up utilizing all of the bike’s journey on any typical descent, though there was a palpable distinction in how the bike felt. I might inform the linkage was resisting laborious, quick impacts greater than earlier than, so I’d guess followers of coil shocks, or heavier and extra aggressive riders would respect the distinction the chip makes. In my case, it simply made the experience a bit firmer than it wanted to be. If I used to be a aggressive racer I’d in all probability choose MORE mode, however I experience recreationally so I maintain issues on the mushy facet!
Geometry:
Match-wise, the very first thing I seen in regards to the Gas EX is its beneficiant attain. At 470mm on the M/L body, it’s in regards to the longest bike I’ve ridden but. This practically straightens my arms, so I don’t suppose I’d wish to go any longer, but it surely did really feel roomy and cozy on the paths. After all the steep 77.5 diploma seat mast leans you over that prolonged entrance finish, so that you wind up effectively centered between the wheels.
I appreciated the 440mm chainstay size on the M/L Gas EX. It’s not so lengthy that the bike appears like an enduro sled, however it’s lengthy sufficient to supply a steady experience and nice climbing traction on steep uphill sections.
I’m additionally a fan of slack steering angles. I didn’t have the optionally available headset cups for the Gas EX so I couldn’t go to 63.5°, however my demo bike was arrange at 64.5°. That’s a terrific quantity for rowdy trails, and undoubtedly permits this mid-travel bike to tackle enduro-level terrain. I’ve not discovered operating a slack steering angle causes any actual penalty on climbs, so I’m proud of a slack path bike.
The Gas EX comes with the Mino hyperlink in Low place, which is certainly the popular setting for my native terrain. The BB does experience fairly low on this place at 335mm, however I should be getting used to low BB’s as a result of I didn’t have any drawback with pedal strikes on this bike.
Standover peak on the Gas EX just isn’t significantly low, however not problematic for me. If I wound up close to the top tube I might harm some delicate bits, however in entrance of the saddle there’s ample clearance for standing comfortably.
On-Bike Instruments and Storage:
Lately, Trek has jumped on board with on-bike storage and instruments. The Gas EX, in both aluminum or carbon, gives a body storage compartment within the down tube. The included Bontrager BITS device roll is designed to carry a tube, co2 canisters, an inflator head and tire levers.
The high-end Gas EX 9.9s additionally include instruments within the steerer tube. The Bontrager device gives a chainbreaker, and a detachable multi-tool with seven allen keys, a torx and a flathead screwdriver bit.
Elements:
The Gas EX 9.9 XX1 AXS boasts a reasonably top-of-the-line construct equipment, and gave me my first expertise with SRAM’s AXS digital drivetrain. I actually like the texture and ergonomics of SRAM’s dropper put up and shifter remotes, as the sunshine push-button motion is undeniably simpler than throwing paddles on a conventional cable shifter. Efficiency-wise, the AXS drivetrain was nice however not excellent – about as soon as on each experience I’d get a little bit of a hesitation when shifting (not at all times the identical gear), and as soon as the derailleur harshly jumped again right into a gear after I rode a tough downhill part. In any other case, the shifting was fast and exact, so for my quick take a look at I didn’t try to reconfigure the shifting. I had no actual mechanical points with any of the AXS elements on my rides.
Other than the XX1 AXS drivetrain I’d say it’s the one-piece handlebar/stem that provides the top-tier Gas EX a very excessive efficiency look. The Bontrager RSL bar/stem gives a 27.5mm rise, 820mm inventory width, and a 45mm stem size with zero rise.
SRAM’s Code RSC brakes provided ample energy for any descent, however I used to be a bit shocked to really feel how a lot squeeze they required to get full braking power. After all, their modulation is nice however in comparison with the TRP DH-R EVO’s I’ve been driving the Code RSC’s required extra effort to nearly lock up a wheel.
Once I picked up the Gas EX Trek’s individuals had all of it arrange for me, and I didn’t have to the touch any changes on the fork or rear shock all through my testing. Not surprisingly, the top-notch Fox Manufacturing facility 36 EVOL fork with its Grip 2 damper left me nothing to complain about, as did the Fox Manufacturing facility Float X rear shock.
Bontrager’s Line Professional 30 carbon wheelset provided that nice, barely damped feeling carbon rims can present, and survived my testing with no harm to talk of. The Bontrager SE5 Group Problem tires don’t match Maxxis’ Minions or Assegais when it comes to general grip, however they’re nonetheless pretty good for traction they usually’re a quick rolling tire. To be sure you can get these wheels shifting over something, the Gas EX 9.9 XX1 AXS comes with a small 30t entrance chainring and a 10-52t rear cassette.
I had no consolation points with the Bontrager Arvada saddle, and no different mechanical issues with every other elements.
I’ve described how effectively the Trek is about up for all-around path driving, however one factor I actually respect is the comparatively low weight of the Gas EX 9.9 XX1 AXS. I’m a small man, so I discover lighter bikes a pleasure to climb, as they’re straightforward to heave up over bumps and energy up steep sections. I’d guess Trek might have gone even lighter, however in all probability not with all of the performance plus the bells and whistles this bike consists of.
The Gas EX 9.9 XX1 AXS retails for $10,749.99.
Need extra tech information on the brand new Trek Gas EX? Try our in-depth put up right here.
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