trek session park 2023

2022 TREK SESSION 9 X01 REVIEW

The purpose-built speed machine.

Review by Drew Rohde | Photos by Dusten Ryen

When it comes to downhill bikes, few have an identity as established as Trek’s Session. For over 15 years, the Session lineage has been gracing the top steps of podiums the world over. Trek refuses to rest on their laurels however and continue to push the Session’s development to create what they hope will be the fastest bike in the world. After a spectacular World Cup Downhill season, it seems they’re not far off! The new Trek Session has gone both forwards and backwards as cutting-edge tech seems to have revisited older suspension designs and materials but with many advancements. Back in 2006, the Trek Session 10 featured a high pivot design and aluminum construction. Fast forward to the 2022 Trek Session 9 high-pivot race machine and it’s awesome to see history working so smoothly with the present to offer downhill riders one of the fastest bikes we’ve ever ridden. Our team has been pushing the new Session 9 as hard as we dare for the last few months and can now share our verdict on how it stacks up against the fastest downhill race bikes in the world.

•High-Pivot • Full 27.5 / Mullet / Full 29 Compatible • HTA 63 ° / 63.6° • STA 42.5° • REACH 472 / 465mm (Large)

Price: $6999/£6300 Website: Trekbikes.com

THE LAB The biggest talking point, and perhaps the most significant design change to the Trek Session since the 2008 Session 88 model was introduced, is the shifting of the main suspension pivot upwards to produce a high pivot variant of their ABP-equipped, linkage driven single pivot suspension platform. We covered this in detail in our Dissected feature of the bike , so we’ll keep it brief here. The high pivot design produces a wheel axle path that is more rearward than the previous generation without being too extreme to cause some hang up that we’ve felt on other high-pivot enduro bikes lately. This mild wheel path and pivot location leads to improved square-edge bump performance as well as greater stability when deep in the travel. Both good things when you’re looking to go as fast as possible down rough terrain. While it is high enough to necessitate an idler, it’s close enough that we’d be comfortable saying it’s almost a mid-pivot bike, which isn’t a bad thing since the drawbacks of a super high rear pivot aren’t felt but you still get many of the advantages.

The 2022 Session sees a departure from the last iterations by only offering an Alpha Platinum aluminum frame – there’s no carbon fiber option here. This decision was made following the feedback from their World Cup Downhill riders, who had tested an aluminum prototype and suggested the feel of the frame was superior to the carbon frames they had used previously.

The frame retains the Mino link geometry adjustment in the seatstay from previous frames, but it serves a dual-purpose to also allow for adjustment from dual 29” wheels, through to a mixed 29/27.5 setup and even dual 27.5” wheels with an external headset cup fitted. This allows the Session to be set up as a wagon wheeled race machine, or with the smaller wheels for those looking for some extra agility and maneuverability in the bike park. Further adjustment is offered with the Mino Link on the lower shock mount, which lets the progression of the suspension to be switched between 20% and 25% and provide a plusher or more efficient suspension feel, with both offering adequate progression to use a coil or high-volume air shock.

Trek has all the details well covered by this point, with options provided for internal or cleanly executed external cable routing; a generous bolt-on downtube guard for protection from ride and shuttle damage; two ISCG05 mounts to attach a lower guide and bash guard, and some generous chainstay protection to keep noise to a minimum. The rear axle is the downhill 157x12mm standard, with a ZS49/56 headset and 83mm BSA threaded BB. A 13t idler pulley is fitted with a serviceable sealed cartridge bearing, to keep it spinning smoothly for longer.

Another new feature on this year’s Trek Session is the adoption of a reach-based sizing system, with conventional Small, Medium and Large being replaced with R1, R2 and R3. This is a result of the low and consistent 425mm seat tube length allowing riders to focus solely on the length of the fit when choosing their bike size. This will offer most riders the choice between two sizes, so they can tailor their preference of out-and-out stability with the longer size or increased agility on the smaller size. Trek has opted to go the route of size-specific chainstays, which helps to keep weight balance more consistent throughout the size range. Shared across the size range in the Low Mino link setting with dual 29” wheels are the 63-degree head angle, 21mm bb drop, 639mm stack and aforementioned 425mm seat tube. At 5’11 – 6’1” we opted to go with the R2 size since we prefer a more maneuverable bike for tighter, technical terrain. The R2 tested had a 465mm reach paired with a 445mm chainstay, producing a lengthy overall wheelbase of 1,277mm. Flipping the Mino link into the High setting steepens the head angle by 0.6 degrees, with a 9mm bb height increase and 7mm increase in reach.

Trek offers the Session in a choice of two complete builds or as a $2,999/£2750 frame only. The Session 8 retails for $4,999/£4500 and is spec’d with a solid SRAM GX level kit featuring their 7spd GX DH drivetrain, Code R brakes with 200/180mm Centerline rotors, RockShox Boxxer Select fork, Fox Van Performance coil shock, Bontrager Line DH 30 wheelset with Rapid drive 108 hub and Bontrager alloy finishing kit.

Opting for the higher spec Session 9 (tested) will run you $6,999/£6300. For that money, you get an upgrade to the Charger 2.1 RC2 equipped RockShox Boxxer Ultimate paired to an air sprung Super Deluxe Ultimate DH with RC damper. The gearing is provided by SRAM’s X01 DH 7spd setup with an X01 DH carbon crank, and braking is controlled by their Code RSC’s. You get the same Bontrager Line 30 DH wheelset with Rapid drive 108 hub, but get upgraded to a Line Pro carbon bar to input your control to their Line Pro stem. This adds up to a total weight of 36.6lbs  for our size R2.

THE DIRT We were quite impressed with the new Session after our first run but had to reserve any detailed feedback until after we completed our Dissected feature. Since then, we’ve grown to like this bike more and more. Although it took us ditching the 820mm wide bars that almost seem to have a drop to them, to eliminate the diving passenger feeling on steep, double black diamond downhill trails. Once we got some 780mm bars and slid the forks down a bit to raise the front end, it rode as if we unlocked a cheat code in MTB DH video game land.

Now, before we get into all the places the Session 9 excels, lets address a couple of nitpicks. We’d like to see one more size added to the lineup. At 5’11 we found ourselves split on thinking a 465 may be a touch short but knowing we’d not be happy with how long a 495mm reach would feel. A 480mm reach option with a 505mm XL or are R4 would be our suggestion. Next up is the choice to go with a 180mm rear rotor. We’re not sure if Reece Wilson, Loris Vergier or the rest of the Trek Race team are using 180mm rear rotors, but we’d absolutely like to see a 200mm out back. We reached out to Trek and while they said they choose a 180 for a more balanced braking feel, they hinted that next year we may be seeing larger rotors getting spec’d, which is definitely a smart move.

Third on our short list of criticisms is the bike’s behavior on slower speed technical corners, specifically switchbacks. During our testing we exclusively ran the Session 9 in full 29er mode and noticed that trying to get the back tire to snap late into corners or squaring up switchbacks, was a bit of an awkward effort. It seems that the 445mm long chainstays, that get even longer once into the travel, combined with the G5 tire’s Velcro-like traction meant we had a bit of a learning curve. It wasn’t the easiest rear end to correct with a simple slide or twist of the hips. Picking the race line through corners worked much better than coming inside and trying to get the back end to come around. Something we find ourselves doing a lot in the loose, rocky trails of Mt. Bachelor.

If you’ve got open trails and corners that don’t close off awkwardly, then it likely won’t be an issue you’ll have to deal with. We don’t see too many World Cup DH courses that have corners like that, but sadly, we don’t always get to ride World Cup DH courses, instead we ride trails built 20 years ago before modern geometry was a thing.

Once out of the tight stuff and charging at speed, the Trek Session 9 let’s you know how happy it is. The high pivot Session rewards riders who keep their fingers off the brakes and want to ride faster than their brain wants them to. It is fast and does an incredible job of smoothing out choppy terrain, obstacles and even slower riders who won’t get out of your way. Just kidding, don’t run over other trail users! In all seriousness though, this bike continually had us playing a game of chicken as we’d see a corner approaching yet it felt so good eating the braking bumps that we DID NOT want to touch the brakes and slow down. I hate braking bumps. My fingers hate braking bumps. My feet hate braking bumps. Yet, this bike somehow made me feel like Eli Tomac grazing the top of a supercross whoop section.

Similarly, small to medium-sized trail obstacles like rocks and roots were no match for the Trek Session 9’s suspension. The mid-high pivot and wheel path worked so well at moving out of the way that foot feedback was almost non-existent and we were able to maintain our attack position on the bike without feeling like we were getting bucked or bounced around and fighting to keep in a stable position. The Boxxer fork definitely needed some volume reducers added but the rear shock tune and OE-spec’d spacers in the Super Deluxe Ultimate DH are spot on for our 170-175lb rider weight and advanced riders. We couldn’t have wanted anything more out of the rear suspension when it came to plowing terrain and going fast.

When it came time to hit jump trails, the new Trek Session 9 is plenty capable. It’s not going to be the bike Trek’s C3 athletes choose to ride at Rampage, Crankworx events like A-Line Race or other jumpy days, but if you don’t want to buy a Session Park and a Session race bike, it will do. Where some DH bikes favor jumpy, bike park riders, the Session 9 is designed to go fast! There are some great bikes that offer impressive performance in both areas, the Canyon Sender comes to mind, but we think riders who are looking at the Session 9 will likely be focusing their time and energy on racing raw, high speed chunk rather than sessioning flow trails.

The Wolf’s Last Word

Last year we made a pretty bold claim when we reviewed the Canyon Sender and said it was the best downhill bike out. The Trek Session had us questioning that claim so much that we spent the last month riding both bikes in a head to head format with timed runs and we’re working on finalizing now, so be sure you stay tuned. Even without the final verdict in, the fact we questioned how the Session stacks up against the Sender means it’s a helluva downhill bike!

Price: $6999/£6300 Weight: Size R2 – 36.6lbs Website: Trekbikes.com

SPECIFICATIONS

CHASSIS Frame: Alpha Platinum Aluminum | high main pivot | idler pulley | 200mm Fork: RockShox Boxxer Ultimate | 200mm Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate DH

COCKPIT Handlebar: Bontrager Line Pro | OCLV Carbon | 820mm – 15mm Rise Stem: Bontrager Line Pro | 50mm Shifters: SRAM X01 DH, 7-Speed Brakes: SRAM Code RSC Saddle: Bontrager Arvada Seatpost: Bontrager Rhythm Elite

WHEELS Wheels: Bontrager Line DH 30 Tires: Bontrager G5 Team Issue | 29×2.5″

DRIVETRAIN Bottom Bracket: SRAM DUB Derailleur: SRAM X01 DH Crankset: SRAM X01 DH | 34t | 165mm Cassette: SRAM PG-720 | 11-25 | 7-Speed Chain: SRAM PC-1110

Holy Moly Fast! Smooth as butter Fair value Inspires confidence like few others Looks good, paint splatter! G5 Tires

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Trek Session 9 XO1 2023

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The 2023 Trek Session 9 XO1 available from the U.K's number one Trek e-bike dealer and demo centre

Why order your 2023 Trek Session 9 XO1 from Blazing Bikes?

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• Description
• Specifications

The world’s most iconic downhill bike is faster, more versatile and ready to rip harder than ever with an all-new suspension layout, more wheel size choices and more adjustability.

It's right for you if....

You. Love. Speed. And you’re looking for a beefy DH bike that’s built to keep up. You want a smarter, faster suspension design that keeps you in control, and you want top-of-the-line fork, shock and brakes.

The tech you get

A burly alloy frame, 200 mm rear travel with a RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate DH shock, 200 mm RockShox Boxxer Ultimate with Charger 2.1 RC2 damper, Code RSC 4-piston brakes, SRAM X01 7-speed drivetrain and carbon bars.

The final word

The Session has always been the go-to DH bike. Now it's more of a ripper than ever thanks to a new suspension design that delivers more traction, speed and virtually no pedal kickback. Our best model gives you a top-of-the-line fork, shock and brakes, too.

Why you'll love it

• New suspension layout with a high pivot and idler pulley increases traction, carries more speed and reduces pedal kickback for more stability
• Virtually zero pedal kickback means that you’ll stay confidently planted and in control during descents – especially when landing jumps or drops
• The high pivot design delivers a more efficient rearward axle path so you’ll carry more speed and your wheel won’t get hung up on obstacles
• Adjust your suspension progression by flipping the lower shock mount chip – 20% for plush park rides, 25% for racing efficiency
• Our new DH sizing system is based on reach, not rider height, which is the most important factor in a great downhill bike fit

Trek Session sizing guide:

R1- 5'3.4"- 5'8.9"

R2- 5'8.5"- 6'2.0"

R3- 6'1.2"- 6'5.2"

Trek Session geometry chart:

Free home delivery, CY-Tech Built, Cycle to Work, Click & Collect, 0 Finance, Bikes assembly

Alpha Platinum Aluminium, high main pivot, idler pulley, integrated frame protection, internal or external routing, magnesium rocker link, Mino Link, ISCG 05 2-bolt mount, Active Braking Pivot, 157x12 mm thru-axle, 200 mm travel

RockShox Boxxer Ultimate, DebonAir spring, Charger 2 RC2 damper, straight steerer, 46 mm offset, Boost, 110x20 mm Maxle Stealth, 200 mm travel

RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate DH RC2, 250 mm x 72.5 mm

Bontrager G5 Team Issue, wire bead, 2-ply 60tpi, 29x2.50"

SRAM X01 DH, 7-speed

SRAM X01 DH, medium cage

SRAM X01 DH, DUB 83, 34T alloy ring, 165 mm length

SRAM DUB, 83 mm, BSA threaded

SRAM PG-720, 11-25, 7-speed

SRAM PC-1110, 11-speed

Bontrager Arvada, hollow chromoly rails, 138 mm width

Bontrager Line Pro, OCLV Carbon, 35mm, 27.5mm rise, 820mm width

Bontrager Rhythm Elite, 31.6 mm, 0 mm offset, 330 mm length

Bontrager Line Pro, 35 mm, Direct Mount, 50 mm length

FSA Orbit, sealed cartridge bearing, 1-1/8" top, 1.5" bottom (includes geometry-adjust angled cups)

SRAM Code RSC 4-piston hydraulic disc

Bontrager XR Trail Elite, nylon lock-on

Write Your Own Review

Looks like a Session… or does it? The benchmark of downhill mountain bikes is back with a whole new look – and a whole lot of new speed to go with it. Park runs or World Cup circuit, Session finds the fast on the rowdiest trails with a new high-pivot frame design, 200 mm of travel and the world’s best suspension tech.

The world’s fastest ride Session- World Champion Reece Wilson Session is an iconic bike with a winning legacy in the world’s biggest events, from Downhill World Championships to Red Bull Rampage. The newest version is faster, more versatile and ready to rip harder than ever – and it’s been overhauled with a new suspension design that makes it the ideal gravity bike for more riders.

All speed, no hang-ups- Session’s high-pivot suspension design The Session features a high-pivot suspension design that results in a rearward axle path, allowing the back wheel to move with the rearward force produced by bumps rather than against it. On the trail, this translates to smoother suspension that doesn’t get hung up on obstacles and instead maintains more forward momentum and provides better grip.

Less kickback. More performance- Session’s idler pulley Pedal-kickback is that feeling you get when your crank rotates backward as your suspension compresses. It’s the result of tension caused by chain growth – when the rearward axle path increases the distance between your cogs and front chainring. To keep you rolling smoothly on even the rowdiest lines, the new Session is equipped with an idler pulley that routes the top section of the chain closer to the high pivot and virtually eliminates chain growth and all of its negative effects.

High-speed control. Big mountain fun. For everyone.

Tune for your trail

Session now features a Mino Link suspension adjustment so you can tune your ride for your kind of session. Choose a firmer 25% progression for race day or the plusher 20% progression for park days.

New reach-based sizing

The new Session has a sizing strategy based on reach rather than seat tube length, which lets you choose the size that best fits your riding style. Size up for more stability at speed, size down for more manoeuvrability.

Size-specific chainstays

Ride balanced, whatever your frame size. Session’s chainstays grow to match the frame’s size, ensuring you get the right weight distribution for control on your biggest lines.

Run it mullet!

Every Session comes stocked for speed with 29er wheels, but the frame accommodates 27.5˝ wheels and party-in-the-back riders can run 29er up-front only.

Hitch without worry

Full-coverage armour helps prevent down tube damage from trail debris and makes for worry-free shuttling on tailgates and chair lifts.

Route it your way

Run your cables in whatever custom variation you prefer: externally for easy replacement or internally to prevent snags and hang-ups.

FAQ for the all new Trek Session:

Q: What is different about the frame compared to previous versions? A: The main suspension pivot is positioned higher above the chain ring, which creates a more rearward axle path. That makes the suspension smoother with more traction since the rear wheel can track better over bumps that are moving backwards in relation to the bike. The idler pulley routes the chain line up and over the high pivot to counteract the resulting chain growth that would cause pedal kickback. The result of this high-pivot suspension design is a faster bike that gives riders better traction and control over the steepest, roughest terrain. The new Session frame still features Mino Link adjustable geometry, but now there's also a Mino Link to adjust the suspension spring curve between a firmer 25% progression for racing or a plusher 20% progression for park riding. The new frame comes with a new sizing strategy that's based on reach rather than seat tube length. It's compatible with both 27.5" and 29" wheels. Q: Do any frame sizes feature curved top tubes for lower standover? A: No, but standover is already quite low and is less of an issue on downhill bikes. Q: Do all frame sizes use the same wheel size? A: All three frame sizes are built around 29-inch wheels, but all are compatible with 27.5 and mixed 29/27.5 configurations. Q: What is the maximum tyre size? A: The max tyre width for both is 2.6" for both 29" and 27.5" wheels. Q: Is it compatible with other wheel/tyre sizes? A: Yes! All Session models come stock with 29-inch wheels but can run 27.5" wheels with the Mino Link set to the high geometry position and with the EXT headset cup. This set-up also allows riders to run a 29" front wheel with a 27.5" rear wheel. The alternative headset cup is included with frame sets but is sold separately for complete bikes. Q: How much dropper post insertion does the frame have? A: Not much, dropper posts are rarely run on downhill bikes. Q: What type of bottom bracket does it use? A: 83 mm BSA-threaded. Q: Is it compatible with cranks with 30 mm spindles? A: Yes. Q: What chain line is it designed for? A: It's designed for a 56.5 chain line, but it's also compatible with chain lines between 55.5 mm and 58.5 mm. Q: Which aftermarket cranks are compatible? A: Any DH crank that fits an 83 mm BB. Q: What is the maximum chain ring size? Minimum chain ring size? A: The maximum chain ring size is 38 and the minimum chain ring size is 32. Q: Are these bikes tubeless-compatible? What additional parts are required? A: The rims can be made tubeless with the Bontrager 30 mm TLR strip (W439598) and TLR valve (W530750). However, the stock tyres with wire beads are not tubeless-compatible. Q: What is the maximum fork axle-to-crown and/or travel? A: 602 mm max axle-to-crown (200 mm travel). Q: Which Mino Link position does the bike come with? Mino Link geometry ships high position, while the separate Mino Link suspension ships in the more progressive 25% position. Q: Can I use a shock with a longer stroke to increase the rear travel? A: No. Doing so will cause the seat stay to smash the back of the seat tube at full compression. Q: Does it have ISCG mounts? A: Yes. The Session features a 2-bolt ISCG 05 mount. Q: Is it compatible with 2x drivetrains? A: No. Q: Which version of Knock Block does it use? A: The Session does not have Knock Block. It has a double-crown fork that has rubber stanchion bumpers. Q: What is the rear brake mount? A: 180 mm Post mount. Q: What is the max rotor size? A: It is adaptable to a maximum of 220 mm.

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$4,999 High-Pivot Trek Session 8 Review - Vital's Summer of Downhill 7

We see how the most winning world cup downhill bike of all-time performs with the addition of a high-pivot suspension design and full aluminum frame..

R ound two, flight! Two weeks ago, we kicked off Vital’s Summer of Downhill with Pivot’s Phoenix 29 . Sporting dual 29-inch wheels, a full carbon frame and no geometry adjustments the Phoenix 29 had the nicest build spec in our downhill bike test pool. But what about something for all you downhill rippers on a budget? Or all you mixed wheel size fanatics? Coming in a few thousand dollars cheaper with multiple wheel size configurations, geometry adjustments and a full aluminum frame, our second downhill test bike this Summer is the all new 2022 Trek Session! Following years of success and racing accolades, Trek completely revamped their Session downhill bike in 2021 which now sports a high-pivot suspension design and idler pulley. With the addition of Loris Vergier to their already stacked Trek Factory Racing downhill roster, the new Session was developed with the goal of winning races at the highest level. But as we prefaced at the beginning of our Summer of Downhill, not everyone wants a full-on race bike for their daily steed. We spent plenty of time riding bermy, bike park jump trails to see if the new Session is more than just a technician in the rough. 

Did you really think we would introduce the new Session and not mention Reece Wilson’s swan dive from Les Gets last month? Only entertaining now knowing Reece is okay, we don’t think his Session felt that hit as hard as he did.

Trek Session 8 29 GX Highlights

• Full aluminum frame
• 29-inch wheels (mullet configuration or dual 27.5-inch wheel options possible)
• 200mm (7.8-inches) of rear wheel travel // 200mm (7.8-inches) front travel
• High-pivot suspension design
• Size-specific chainstay length
• Adjustable shock progression 
• RockShox BoXXer Select fork
• FOX VAN Performance rear shock
• SRAM Code R brakes
• SRAM GX 7-speed drivetrain
• 29 x 2.50 Bontrager G5 Team Issue tires, wire bead, 2-ply front and rear 
• 157x12mm rear hub spacing
• Full coverage downtube protector
• Internal or external cable routing options
• Threaded bottom bracket with ISCG-05 2-bolt chain guide mount
• Test bike weight (size R2, no pedals): 37.9-pounds (17.2kg)
• Sizes: R1, R2, R3, (for riders from: 5' 3" to 6' 5")
• MSRP $4,999 USD

The Winningest Downhill Bike Of All-Time

Added to the Trek lineup back in 2005, the Session platform began as a longer travel trail bike but quickly evolved to meet the demands of downhill riding. Likely the most recognizable downhill bike of the past decade, the Session most people are familiar with was released in 2008. Utilizing Trek’s ABP (Active Braking Pivot) suspension platform with a rear shock that floated between pivots, the Session has remained mostly unchanged since its initial debut. Besides adjustments to geometry and small frame details, the largest change has been the switch to Trek’s OCLV Carbon frame. However, often forgotten is the Trek Session 10. Only in production from 2006-2008, the Session 10 could have served as a crystal ball for what was to come a decade later sporting a high, single-pivot suspension design and idler pulley.

When it comes to racing, the Session has graced more downhill World Cup podiums than any other bike thanks to the talent of Aaron Gwin, Rachel Atherton and Tracey Mosley. Undeniably a capable race bike, the Session has also taken Trek’s C3 Project athletes to multiple Red Bull Rampage podiums and has been featured in some of our industry's most iconic film projects. We could argue all day if the multiple World Cup podiums or handful of  Brandon Semenuk edits  have led to more Session downhill bikes being sold. Point made: Trek’s Session is a proven, capable and winning downhill bike in multiple settings.

Trek Session 8 29 GX Overview

Never a brand to be content with their success, Trek caught everyone's attention in April with the release of the all-new, highly-refined Session. At a glance, the new platform generally resembles the past frame configuration with the most obvious change being the addition of an idler pulley and high-pivot suspension layout. The second noticeable difference is the full aluminum frame. The new Session is visually more robust and industrial looking compared to its smooth, carbon predecessor. Trek states the change in material was driven by their World Cup riders' feedback and need for more frame compliance. This decision resulted in a nearly 4-pound weight difference between the previous top tier Session 9.9 29 (33.67-pounds/15.27kg) and the 2021 Session 9 X01 (37.65-pounds/17.08kg). Located at the lower shock eyelet is a Mino Link flip chip which changes shock progression between 20% and 25%. The shock is still driven by a rocker link where two more Mino Link flip chips can be found at the junction of seat stays and rocker. Flipping these chips adjusts head angle from 63 to 63.6-degrees and bottom bracket height by 9mm. At the rear of the bike, Trek is still using their ABP (Active Braking Pivot) design which keeps the suspension active while under braking forces for improved traction and stability. Other frame details include the option to run cables internally or externally, full coverage plastic down tube protector, ribbed chain stay protector, threaded bottom bracket and 12x157mm rear wheel spacing.

Trek is offering the new Session in three sizes: R1, R2 (tested) and R3. Each frame size maintains 200mm of rear wheel travel but has size-specific chain stay lengths. A feature we personally enjoy, the goal is to not only improved fitment, especially while descending, but ideally it keeps riders of varying heights centered over their bike. Trek is also giving riders the option to run any modern wheel configuration they please. Although developed around, and sold with 29-inch wheels, riders can flip the Mino Link into the high position to achieve a mixed-wheel setup. For riders wanting dual 27.5-inch wheels without having to swap their 29-inch fork, Trek is selling an EXT tall lower headset cup. The headset cup is included with frame only options or sold separately for complete builds.

Of the two build options available from Trek, we tested the cheaper Session 8 29 GX which retails for $4,999 USD. The only other complete build option is the more expensive Session 9 X01 which retails for $6,999 USD. Sharing the same aluminum frame between both builds, the Session 8 build spec is highlighted by a RockShox Boxxer Select fork, FOX VAN Performance coil rear shock, Code R 4-piston brakes, SRAM GX DH 7-speed drivetrain and Bontrager Line DH 30 aluminum wheels. If you were looking to build up your own high-pivot Session, the frame only option with FOX VAN Performance coil rear shock retails for $2,999 USD. It is also worth noting for those nostalgic riders not wanting to jump on the high-pivot train - Trek is still selling (at the time this article was written) their previous generation Session in carbon, aluminum, 29-inch wheel and 27.5-inch wheel options.          

Test Riders

Piloting our Trek Session 8 test bike was Vital’s own Jason Schroeder and long-time contributor, Sean “Griz” McClendon. Both have an extensive history within the mountain bike industry. First between the tape racing DH at the National and World Cup level followed by years working for multiple brands within the mountain bike industry. With a decade age gap and a few pounds between them, they each have their own unique preferences and riding styles.

Setup, Fitment and Suspension Settings

As with all the downhill test bikes that will be a part of Vital’s Summer of Downhill shootout, we tested our Session 8 with the stock parts that come with the GX build. To match our test rider heights of 5-foot-10-inches and 6-foot, Trek provided a size R2 Session 8. The middle of the three sizes available, the R2 frame with dual 29-inch wheels in the low Mino Link configuration has a 465mm reach, 445mm chainstay length, and 1277mm wheelbase. When set up with a 29-inch front wheel, 27.5-inch rear wheel, and the high Mino Link configuration, the R2 frame has a 472mm reach, 441mm chainstay length, and 1274mm wheelbase. Stock cockpit components are handled entirely by Bontrager parts which includes the Bontrager Line 35mm bore aluminum handlebar which has a 27.5mm rise and 780mm width. The stem is a Bontrager Line Pro with a 35mm bore clamp and 50mm length. Finally, hand comfort is handled by Bontrager XR Trail Elite lock-on grips. On the Trek website there is a helpful Suspension Calculator that provides suspension settings based on rider weight. At the moment, the new Session is not included from the selection of bikes. With limited availability at this time, we would expect Trek to update their website when the new Session is more readily available. For setup purposes during our testing, we installed Sprindrex Springs to fine-tune spring weight for our two test riders. Both the RockShox Select fork and FOX VAN Performance rear shock we rode have only compression and rebound external adjustments. With a few fewer adjustments than the higher-end suspension we are fortunate to ride nowadays, we weren't left with knobs to adjust in hopes of making up for the lack of rider ability.

Sean’s Session 8 Setup

“This bike is gigantic,” was my internal dialog when first crawling on the size R2 Trek Session 8. The cockpit area felt like I had enough room to swim laps across the top tube and I knew some changes were necessary. Even though the 465mm reach was within my preferred sizing, the overall height of the front end put my weight too rearward over the bike. In an effort to feel more balanced and forward, I only ran a 10mm headset spacer under the fork crown and installed my own handlebar. The stock Bontrager Line handlebar was perfect at 780mm wide but just a tad too tall. I installed my go-to DEITY Racepoint handlebar with 25mm rise which helped lower the front end. Combined, these adjustments shifted my weight more forward and allowed me to dig into corners with more confidence. I felt I achieved a balanced fit on the Session 8, which left me more sat into the bike as opposed to riding on top of the bike. The Bontrager Line Pro direct mount stem worked fine for my needs as I prefer a 50mm length stem. However, the Bontrager XR Trail Elite grips were much too thin and after a few laps, my palms were beat up.

Suspension setup on the Session 8 was quite simple thanks to the limited adjustments on the base level fork and shock. I’m quite familiar with the Boxxer Select fork as it’s what I currently ride on my personal Specialized Demo. For setup, I simply carried over my existing settings from my Demo and applied them to the Session 8. My only gripe during setup was the lack of any volume spacers coming stock within the fork. I typically run 2-3 volume spacers and with none installed, noticed poor bottom out support on the final 50% of travel. Small bump sensitivity was spot-on. I chose to run rebound set neutral and compression mostly closed which provided a responsive and planted ride quality on trail. In the rear, I kept the Mino Link flip chip in the 25% progression setting for the duration of testing. After some initial fiddling with the Sprindex spring, I settled on a 440-pound spring weight. This was just under the stock 450-pound spring weight and allowed for a smoother bottom out and more active rear suspension around mid-stroke. For low-speed compression I ran enough damping to keep the shock supple, yet supported, during the initial part of travel and then relied on the progression of the high-pivot design to manage high-speed compression support.

Jason’s Session 8 Setup

Right off the bat I found the Session 8 R2 size fit me super well! When compared to the Pivot Phoenix 29 we tested first this summer, the reach is 5mm longer while chain stay length is only 3mm longer (29-inch rear wheel). Marginal differences yes, but I found myself located more comfortably centered on the Session 8 with plenty of room to maneuver the bike. The stock Bontrager Line handlebar has a rise of 27.5mm which lands just shy of my preferred 38mm (1.5-inches) bar height. To compensate, I added a 5mm spacer under the fork crown and lowered the fork stanchions 8mm in the crowns. Combined, these changes achieved a comfortably higher front end height. The stock bar width of 780mm was also under my preferred 787-790mm width, however, this wasn’t detrimental to my time on the Session 8. Trek does provide almost 30mm of headset spacers to adjust crown height which is convenient during initial setup. Down the road when a desired height is achieved I would likely cut the steerer tube nice and short for aesthetics. The Boxxer Select fork also came with a tall upper crown which provided even more height adjustment, especially when compared to a flat crown. I prefer a 50mm length stem so Bontrager’s Line Pro stem was perfect for keeping my weight balanced over the front wheel. There was also a 5mm stem riser mounted stock on our Session 8. Another nice touch to provide added adjustability when setting up your cockpit. I left the spacer mounted since I was generally raising the front end per my preferences and saw no need to lower the stem. Unfortunately similar to the Phoenix 29, the stock grips on the Session 8 had a harder compound and thin diameter. They were not great.

With a more rear-center riding position I typically find myself running my rear suspension a bit stiffer or with more compression damping than what is recommended. However, the progressive nature of the new Session’s high-pivot design actually left me over-sprung initially. The stock 450-pound spring on the FOX Van performance shock didn’t let me reach full travel and was too harsh on rougher trails. I played around with various spring weights since the Sprindex spring allows for 5-pound increment weight adjustments. Ultimately, I settled on a 430-pound spring weight. This let me reach full bottom out while keeping the rear end active in chattery sections and plenty supported for riding bike park trails. For external shock adjustments, I ran both rebound and compression one click open from neutral. I actually really enjoyed getting to ride base level suspension and was impressed with the performance of both the Boxxer Select fork and FOX VAN Performance rear shock. Despite the limited external adjustment, I felt a comfortable ride quality was achievable and it was nice to have a ‘set-it-and-forget-it” mentality. In the fork, I ran 125 psi with rebound one click open from neutral and low-speed compression one click closed from neutral. For reference, 125 psi is recommended for around 180-pound rider weight. My 168-pound weight should put me in the 118-120 psi range. The added pressure was necessary to keep the fork supported given the limited compression adjustments and lack of volume spacers coming stock in the fork. If I were to spend more time aboard the Session, the addition of 2-3 volume spacers would provide a more supported, progressive feel and allow me to drop pressure down to the recommended amount for my rider weight.

The Session's High-Pivot Design Is Bred For Pure Downhill Racing

Trails Ridden 

All testing on our Session 8 was split between The Basin Gravity Park and Tamarack Ski Resort. Both bike parks are close to our home base of Boise, Idaho, and offer a variety of trails between them. The Basin is mostly machine-built trails with countless flowing berms and jumps featuring an average higher speed. There is a great, short, rocky downhill trail called G19 that is prime for smashing. In contrast, Tamarack is mostly raw, single track with limited built-up features. It offers some properly rough, technical, and rocky descents. Summer weather brings dry, dusty mountain soil so trail conditions were dry, dusty and loose with most test days reaching 90-degrees Fahrenheit.

Sean's Impressions  

What a machine! The new Trek Session 8 rides like a purebred race bike built to maintain traction, handle heavy impacts and accelerate through the roughest bits of trail. My favorite characteristic of the new high-pivot design was the minimal trail feedback felt through my feet and ankles. With the idler pulley basically eliminating pedal kickback, my feet remained unfazed through chunky rock gardens or heavy compressions. Trek’s ABP design really enables the rear suspension to remain fully active under braking forces, resulting in a very settled and composed feel. The rearward axle path did wonders for maintaining and generating forward momentum despite harsh compressions. At times the speed carried through rough sections due to the suspension design actually required an altered approach to my braking points. On multiple occasions I found myself trail-braking (feathering the rear brake) in loose rock gardens to stabilize the Session 8. Cornering took time to perfect as the growth in overall wheelbase when compressing into a turn is a unique feeling. A phenomenon which occurs that any high-pivot design, I did struggle to get my weight over the front wheel as desired. The Bontrager G5 front tire also did not provide any help when fighting for traction. Watch the video to see me hit the ground like a sack of potatoes for proof!  

Is the Session 8 my top choice for my next bike park slayer? No, however I’m no Kade Edwards. The nature of the high-pivot design puts the Session 8 into the racehorse category for me. On flowy, jump riddled trails the performance could be described as the antonym of playful. Stability is plentiful but the Session 8 was reluctant to cut shapes into the dirt at my command. Sizing down to a medium frame and running a 27.5-inch rear wheel would likely increase the fun factor. But for me, the Session 8 is best suited on pure downhill tracks. If ridden in a race setting, I would choose the R2 size with mixed wheel configuration to best blend maneuverability and stability at speed.

Jason's Impressions  

I actually have a short history with Trek’s Session downhill bike having raced one in 2012 and 2015. In 2012 I raced for the Trek/ODI Satellite Team which was managed by Rich Houseman and Aaron Gwin. I was teammates with standouts Charlie Harrison and Shane Leslie who both have had successful racing careers and are back aboard Trek bikes in 2021. At that time I was 17-years old and my 26-inch, aluminum Session 8 was the sickest bike I had ridden to date. Of course my knowledge of what separates bikes from one another was limited back then but I vividly remember riding with a new level of confidence on the Session. In 2015 I purchased a pre-production aluminum 27.5-inch test mule Session from a Trek test team. With a few years of racing experience at that point, the most memorable aspect of that Session was how predictable and adaptable its four bar linkage felt. It was a joy to toss around down flow trails and never held me back when between the tape. It’s actually the only downhill bike I’ve kept over the years as it was hand welded in Wisconsin.

Needless to say, I was excited to try out the new Session design and see how it compared to the platform I’d ridden in the past. The most immediate difference and standout characteristic of the 2021 Session is how stable and composed it remains in rough, repetitive compressions. The high-pivot design truly reigns supreme when sections of trail should overpower the abilities of the bike. On countless occasions, I braced for impact entering chunky rock gardens but would exit almost unfazed with minimal forces transferred through to my body. The Session 8 has an impressive ability to remain level and composed no matter how square a compression you encounter. This characteristic was incredibly confidence-inspiring and kept my riding position centered despite variations in trail pitch or features. The ability of the rear wheel to essentially get out of the way and absorb impacts helped maintain forward momentum with no sensation of being hung up. At speed, the Session 8 never danced or twitched under me from small bump chatter. Again, with a rearward axle path comes wheelbase growth as you progress through travel which benefits overall stability. It’s been talked about plenty in the past, but Trek’s ABP design successfully kept the suspension active and engaged with the ground under braking. Another factor benefiting control and stability, we noticed this most on steep trails where braking points and traction were crucial.

Hands down, the Session 8 takes the top spot when it comes to managing rough, raw sections of trail. With that said, it is not my first choice to rack up frequent flyer miles. The previous Session was evenly split between bike park ripper and downhill race steed. The new Session now leans heavily towards maximizing composure at speed and leaves a bit to be desired when riding flow trails. Some riders will likely enjoy this stability when tackling new, bigger jump lines with added confidence. However, for those looking to pop off trailside jibs or get sideways on every jump, big or small, it’s going to take some real effort to make the Session 8 cooperate.

I rode our Session 8 with dual 29-inch wheels and mixed 29-inch front, 27.5-inch rear wheel configuration. With the smaller 27.5-inch rear wheel installed, I did notice improved maneuverability while cornering. In tight turns or back-to-back berms, I could whip the Session 8 around on a tighter turning radius than with a 29-inch rear wheel. This improved the fun factor when riding flow trails, being able to wind up the bike and slap corners recklessly. At speed or in technical sections of trail, I never noticed any lack of stability or increased rear wheel hang up. If anything, the smaller wheel gave the sensation of sitting deeper in the bike which helped me drop my heels for an improved riding position. What’s the bottom line on the mixed wheel option? If I was taking the Session 8 racing I would show up with dual 29-inch wheels every time. But for a weekend of ripping party laps with friends, I would toss on the 27.5-inch rear wheel to keep things quick and fun.

Rear Suspension Performance

Sean's Impressions

The rearward axle path of the Session's new high-pivot design manages rough compressions with exceptional finesse. It almost defies physics when you topple over a harsh bump and feel like you have sped up from the impact. Even though the platform is fairly progressive I never experienced any harsh bottom outs or limitations achieving full travel. We left our Session 8 in the 25% progression rate setting during testing as I never felt the need to lean towards more of a plush setup. However, I love the fact that Trek provides riders this extra level of adjustability if a smoother ride profile is desired. As mentioned above, I experienced absolutely no pedal kickback due to the idler pulley but did notice some lost pedaling efficiency. The idler functioned flawlessly and created a silent ride, however adding an extra moving bearing undeniably increases drag. When combined with the higher weight of the Session 8 it did take a few additional stomps on the pedals to get up to speed. The FOX VAN Performance shock worked surprisingly well and impressed me with its flawless execution and tuning simplicity. The lack of numerous external clickers made me realize low-speed compression and rebound are plenty sufficient for the majority of riders. Myself included. Unless you are competing at a high level, the addition of multiple shaft rate adjustments can create setup confusion and excuses. If I was looking to upgrade my stock rear suspension I would start with a Sprindex Spring prior to purchasing an aftermarket shock. The cost is significantly less and the additional adjustability is both useful and easy to manage.

Jason's Impressions

The previous Sessions I rode always felt fairly linear and would have benefited from some added bottom-out resistance. To my satisfaction, from my initial run, it was pretty obvious improvements to ending-stroke support had been made on the new Session. All my test time was spent in the 25% progression Mino Link flip chip setting and I never felt the need to lessen the progression rate. Being on the lighter side, I often rely on pumping the smallest trail features to maintain speed. The mid-to-end stroke support offered with the 25% progression setting comfortably pushed back against my efforts and allowed for speed to be gained from pumping. I was also pleased with how supple the initial stroke remained on the new Session platform in part to the ABP design. A personal favorite characteristic carried over from the previous Session, there was superb traction and small bump compliance. When hitting large compressions, I did not feel the progressive design kept full travel from being achieved or created a harsh ride experience. As mentioned with my initial setup, settling on the correct 430-pound spring weight was key for performance. Big surprise, right? At this spring weight, I could yank to flat off of jumps and trust the shock would reach a comfortable bottom out. And at the same time, this spring weight remained light enough to keep the bike active around mid-stroke where the majority of ride time was spent.

Session 8 29 ‘GX’ Build Kit

Sean's Standout Components: SRAM GX Drivetrain, TruVativ Descendant Cranks,  Bontrager Line DH 30 Wheels 

My favorite part of the Session 8 build kit was the SRAM GX drivetrain. The GX groupset delivers the same crisp SRAM shifting engagement as XO1 and worked flawlessly for the duration of our testing. I would have a hard time finding a reason to bump up to XO1 components given the performance of GX nowadays. The clutch of the rear derailleur did a phenomenal job limiting excess chain slap and kept the Session 8 rolling quieter than the Shimano Zee derailleur on our Pivot Phoenix 29. The next standout part spec was the TruVativ Descendant DH aluminum cranks. Not that carbon isn’t up to the job of downhill riding, I enjoyed the added peace of mind riding with durable aluminum cranks and enjoyed their stiff compliance. My last standout component on the Session 8 GX build was the Bontrager Line DH 30 wheelset. They took a beating during testing and the rims have absolutely no dents, hops or wobbles to be seen. I also loved the Rapid Drive rear hub which has 108 points of engagement. Our other downhill test bikes have either low-level or unbranded hubs with minimal points of engagement. The crisp buzz of the Rapid Drive hub rolling down the trail was a pleasant addition that made it feel like I was riding an aftermarket wheelset.

Sean's Least-favorite Components: Bontrager G5 Team Issue Front Tire

My biggest peeve with the Session 8 was Bontrager’s G5 Team Issue tire when used as a front tire. The channel present between the center and side knobs created an unpredictable feel when cornering on loose over hardpack conditions. I had the tendency to begin pushing the front wheel before the side knobs would engage with the ground and would have to put out a foot to counter the front tire slide. As a rear tire, the tight center knobs rolled great and I found the channel between the center and side knobs wasn’t an issue.

Jason's Standout Components: Boxxer Select Fork, FOX VAN Performance Shock 

Despite the limited external adjustments, both the Boxxer Select fork and FOX Van Performance shock performed well above my expectations. Sure, if I was going to tackle elite level downhill racing again I would make the jump to more expensive and tunable suspension. But for my daily downhill bike, the base level suspension did not hold me back on the trail. The Boxxer’s Charger RC damper is highly refined and provides great initial bump compliance with comfortable mid-to-end stroke support. The Select model uses the same chassis as the top-tier Boxxer Ultimate which offers great torsional stiffness. Lastly, the Maxima damper fluid basically eliminates any seal or stanchion stickiness. My experience with the FOX VAN performance shock was similar. The shock did not hold back the capabilities of the Session 8. Even on quick, harsh compressions I never felt like the shock was being overpowered and the mid-stroke support was a highlight of mine.

Jason's Least-favorite Components: Code RS Brakes, 180mm Rear Rotor

My biggest complaint with the Session 8 was the 180mm rear rotor. With most downhill riders running 200-220mm rotors I’d expect Trek to at least spec the Session 8 with 200mm rotors front and rear. I don’t think I’m alone when I admit I use more rear brake than front during a day of downhill laps. The smaller, 180mm rear rotor managed heat poorly and caused our Session 8 test bike to burn through the rear pads at a much faster rate than the front pads. This resulted in a large difference in lever throw between our front and rear Rode R brakes. This was problematic since Code R brakes lack a pad contact adjustment. To compensate, I was forced to move the rear lever further out from the bar to maintain a consistent bite point.

What noise? The Session 8 is undoubtedly the quietest bike in our Summer of Downhill test fleet. Some of our test bikes were obviously specced with low-end derailleurs in an effort to save cost. Not the case with the Session 8. The SRAM GX DH 7-speed drivetrain not only functioned flawlessly but was impressively silent with almost no chain slap to be heard. Aiding in deadening any drivetrain rattle was the idler pulley and ribbed chain slap frame protection. There were no areas of noise concern on the rest of our Session 8. The internally routed cables fit snug into the frame ports and with a few extra points of rear hub engagement, there was no freehub knock or play. A standout aspect of the new Session platform, we don’t expect our Session 8 to start talking back anytime soon.

Coming in at $4,999 USD the Session 8 29 GX build provides riders with a race-ready package. All the components are appropriate and ready to take on countless days of shredding right out of the box. There is also the added value of having multiple frame adjustments and the option to run different wheel sizes, making the Session 8 multiple bikes in one. When discussed between our two testers, they felt committing to the two thousand dollar price jump for the highest tier, Session 9 XO1 build at $6,999 USD wasn’t worth the bacon. The difference is an upgrade to higher-end SRAM X01 drivetrain, SRAM Code RSC brakes, RockShox Boxxer Ultimate fork, and Super Deluxe Ultimate air rear shock. Looking into the future for our own test Session 8, the only immediate changes we would make would be bolting on a 200mm rear rotor and installing higher-end brakes with pad contact adjust. All remaining components function wonderfully and we would opt to upgrade other components as typical wear and tear intervals present themselves. Another big factor adding value to the Session 8 is Trek’s extensive dealer network. The ability to have assistance with maintenance and troubleshooting problems is a huge benefit to shopping with a box brand like Trek. While some consumer-direct brands do offer similar builds with a lower price tag, riders will have to weigh if they feel comfortable taking on maintenance without dealer-level support.

What's The Bottom Line?

Trek had no reason to redesign their Session downhill bike after years of proven success. But when racing at the highest level, the search for saved time never halts. Luckily for downhill riders worldwide, the new platform only elevates the already successful Session pedigree. The high-pivot suspension layout in conjunction with Trek’s ABP design provides the best of both worlds with supple, small bump compliance, and controlled bottom-out resistance. The rearward axle path scoffs at square edge hits and allows the Session 8 to carry better speed than most bikes out there. With geometry and progression adjustments, size-specific chainstays, dual 29-inch, 27.5-inch and mixed wheel options possible - the Session is multiple bikes packaged into one. To top things off, the Session 8 build offers riders a complete build that is both lighter on their wallet and laced with quality, race-ready components. While the past Session design was synonymous with trail-bike-esque weight possibilities, the Session 8 tips the scales and doesn’t try to hide its full aluminum frame. Boosting jumps and slapping berms aren’t going to come easy as the Session 8 was developed to maximize speed in a straight line. But with the right setup, we believe most riders will be able to swing a leg over the Session 8 and enjoy multiple seasons of downhill laps.

For more information on Trek’s Session lineup, head over to www.trekbikes.com

To view key specs and compare bikes, head over to the Vital MTB Product Guide

About The Testers

Jason Schroeder  -  Age: 26 // Years Riding MTB: 15 // Height: 6' (182cm) // Weight: 168-pounds (76.2kg)

A once-upon-a-time World Cup downhill racer turned desk jockey, Jason has spent years within the bicycle industry from both sides of the tape. A fan of all day adventures in the saddle or flowing around a bowl at the skatepark, he doesn't discriminate from any form of two wheel riding. Originally a SoCal native now residing in Boise, Idaho, you can find Jason camped out in his van most weekends at any given trailhead in the greater Pacific NorthWest.

Sean McClendon  -  Age: 36 // Years Riding: 21 // Height: 5'10" (177cm) // Weight: 190-pounds (86.2kg)

"Griz" is a battered veteran of MTB gravity racing. Following a major crash during the 2010 USA National Championship Pro downhill race, he put in the hours and fought his way back to health and the fun that is two wheels. Griz has ridden for a number of the USA's top teams throughout his racing career, testing prototype frames and components along the way. Currently managing US Dealer sales and the Fresh Blood amateur development team at DEITY Components, he remains motivated by the mantra "whips don't lie." You'll often find him perfecting his high-flying sideways aerial maneuvers while living the #pinelife in Idaho.

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2023 Trek Session 8

A 29″ aluminum frame full suspension downhill bike with high-end components. Compare the full range

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Oct 2023 · Dario DiGiulio

Trek did a very good job making the Slash a quiet bike, then seemingly lost the plot when they specced a hard rubber chainslap protector that does little to mitigate the drivetrain noise in bumpy terrain.

Excellent geometry and balanced ride

Composed, capable, and predictable suspension

Climbs well for such a downhill-focused bike

Excels in challenging terrain

Chassis may be too stiff for some

Chain drop issues due to improperly spaced lower idler (fixed)

Stock chainstay protector did very little to manage noise

Read Review

Oct 2021 · Drew Rohde

If you’re looking for a bad ass downhill bike that will literally have you taking your fingers off the brakes longer as it floats over the chunder beneath you, the 2022 Trek Session 9 is worth a solid look.

Holy Moly Fast!

Smooth as butter

Inspires confidence like few others

Looks good, paint splatter!

180mm rear brake rotor

Rear end can be awkward, long feeling in tight, slow corners

Handlebar sweep/lack of rise

The new Trek doesn't look like a Session...ok maybe it does, but it's still all new!

Last updated June 27 Not listed for 318 days

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Trek Session 8 2023

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Please call (03) 52 411 852 for Availability on items not in stock 

Geelong and metro melbourne delivery only - no insterstate delivery available.

The Session 8 is a downhill mountain bike with a burly alloy frame and high-pivot suspension design that keeps you nimble, planted and blazing-fast on even the most punishing runs.

It's right for you if...

You practically live at the downhill park, and want a fast, traction-packed DH bike that can handle your gnarliest runs thanks to a suspension design that keeps you in control all the way down.

The tech you get

A burly alloy frame, 200 mm rear travel with a Marzocchi Bomber shock, 200 mm RockShox Boxxer Select with plush Charger RC damper, powerful Code R 4-piston brakes and a SRAM GX 7-speed drivetrain.

The final word

The Session has always been the go-to DH bike. Now it's more of a ripper than ever thanks to a new suspension design that delivers more traction, speed and virtually no pedal kickback.

Specifications

*Please note – spec applies to all sizes unless listed separately

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Trek Session 9

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Size / R1, R1, R2, R2, R3, R3

At a glance

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Specifications

• Frame alloy frame
• Fork RockShox Boxxer Ultimate, DebonAir spring, Charger 2 RC2 damper, straight steerer, 46 mm offset, Boost, 110x20 mm Maxle Stealth, 200 mm travel
• Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate DH RC2, 250 mm x 72.5 mm
• Wheels Bontrager Line DH 30, Tubeless Ready, 6-bolt, 110x20mm Boost thru axle
• Wheel Size 29"
• Tires Bontrager G5 Team Issue, wire bead, 2-ply 60tpi, 29x2.50""
• Chain SRAM PC-1110, 11-speed
• Crank SRAM X01 DH, DUB 83, 34T alloy ring, 165 mm length
• Bottom Bracket SRAM DUB, 83 mm, BSA threaded
• Rear Derailleur SRAM X01 DH, medium cage
• Shifters SRAM X01 DH, 7-speed
• Brakeset Size: R1, R2, R3, SRAM Code RSC hydraulic disc; Size: R1, R2, R3, SRAM Code RSC 4-piston hydraulic disc
• Handlebar Bontrager Line Pro, OCLV Carbon, 35mm, 27.5mm rise, 820mm width
• Saddle Bontrager Arvada, austenite rails, 138 mm width
• Seatpost Bontrager Rhythm Elite, 31.6 mm, 0 mm offset, 330 mm length
• Stem Bontrager Line Pro, 35 mm, Direct Mount, 50 mm length
• Grips Bontrager XR Trail Elite, nylon lock-on

Q: How much is a 2023 Trek Session 9?

A 2023 Trek Session 9 is typically priced around €7,499 EUR when new. Be sure to shop around for the best price, and also look to the used market for a great deal.

Q: Where to buy a 2023 Trek Session 9?

The 2023 Trek Session 9 may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: What size wheels does the 2023 Trek Session 9 have?

The 2023 Trek Session 9 has 29" wheels.

Q: What size 2023 Trek Session 9 should I get?

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Ukraine war latest: Russia's troops 'partially pushed back' from key town, Ukraine claims - as Putin's offensive 'appears to slow'

The Ukrainian president has cancelled visits to Spain and Portugal after Moscow's forces began a new offensive in the northeast of the country. Submit your question on the war for our experts to answer in the box below.

Wednesday 15 May 2024 21:46, UK

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• Ukraine 'partially pushes back' Russian troops from Kharkiv town
• Russian offensive in Ukraine 'going to plan', Putin says
• Analysts say Russian offensive 'appears to have slowed'
• Situation there 'extremely difficult'
• Zelenskyy postpones all foreign visits due to 'situation in Kharkiv'
• US announces $2bn in extra aid for Ukraine
• Russia downs missiles launched at Crimea
• Analysis:  Putin's 'baffling' reshuffle explained
• Live reporting by Lauren Russell

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Vladimir Putin has landed in Beijing for a two-day state visit to China, in what marks a significant show of unity between the two allies.

He was greeted by Chinese officials as he stepped off the plane in the early hours of the morning local time.

Mr Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are not expected to announce any major deals during his visit - but the trip is a sign of the two countries' deepening "no limits" partnership.

Ahead of the visit, the Kremlin said Mr Putin and Mr Xi will "have a detailed discussion on the entire range of issues related to the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation and determine the new directions for further development of cooperation between Russia and China".

We're pausing our live coverage for the day - thanks for following along.

We'll mark any major moments in the blog in the meantime, and will resume our rolling updates tomorrow. 

 By Ivor Bennett , Moscow correspondent 

You've heard of the transatlantic Special Relationship. 

This is the "no limits" partnership - a term coined when Vladimir Putin visited Beijing in February 2022.

It was just days before he ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

A lot's changed for Russia since then, of course. It’s now an international pariah. One thing that hasn’t changed, though, is China’s support.

Why? For one, Presidents Xi and Putin share a similar outlook. Both oppose external "interference" in domestic affairs, and long for a "multipolar" world.

There are economic benefits for both, too. But this is not an equal partnership. The power lies with Beijing.

"Because of the war, Russia is in desperate need of any kind of partnership", said Alexandra Prokopenko, a Berlin-based fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, adding that Beijing had provided "a real lifeline" for Moscow.

"China is not only a market for Russian oil and gas, which is the major source of the currency for the Russian budget, but also China’s become a very important source of imports to Russia," she said.

Putin won't like being the junior partner, but it’s a role he’s clearly willing to accept, given the benefits.

Last year, trade between the two nations soared to $240 billion - an increase of more than 25%.

Cheap energy flows one way; cars and telephones come back. But the West fears that's not all Russia’s importing.

The US and others believe Chinese products and dual-use goods, like machine tools and microelectronics, are also fuelling the Kremlin's war machine, by filling critical gaps in its military-industrial.

China denies supplying any actual weaponry, and maintains a neutral stance on Ukraine.

But the assertions have done little to dampen suspicions with US secretary of state Antony Blinken reiterating his "deep concern" today.

Putin's entourage might also raise eyebrows. He’ll be accompanied by his new defence minister, Andrei Belousov, with Putin widely expected to push for more support for Russia's militarised economy.

But despite the "no limits" characterisation of the relationship, analysts say it does have boundaries.

"China knows red lines," Prokopenko said, referring to Washington’s concerns over the extent of Beijing's support.

In her view, the partnership between Xi and Putin should be viewed "as part of a big, big game between the US and China".

In that sense, then, this visit is likely to be more symbolic than anything else. It's the first foreign trip of Putin's new presidential term and signals his priorities.

But in terms of the optics - two strongmen leaders defying Western pressure - one of them is clearly stronger than the other.

These images show Vladimir Putin chairing a security council meeting. 

Former defence minister and new secretary of the council Sergei Shoigu was in attendance - pictured in the first image next to chief of the general staff Valery Gerasimov.

Earlier today, Volodymyr Zelenskyy postponed all foreign trips due to the situation in the Kharviv region.

Russia has also claimed to have taken three more settlements in the country - two of which are in the Kharkiv region.

The offensive by Moscow started at the end of last week, and today our military analyst Michael Clarke says Russia has already achieved some of what it intended to do. 

He says by targeting the Kharkiv region Moscow's main goal is to "draw Ukrianian forces from elsewhere". 

"The Russians are trying to stretch the Ukrainian forces all the way round the front.

"If the Russians get to the village of Lyptsi then they can put Kharkiv under artillery barrage, because it is within range of normal artillery weapons.

"More importantly, the village of Vovchansk, may mark the beginning of a bigger offensive that could go southwards or maybe eastwards to link up with other forces."

Despite fierce fighting in Vovchansk, Clarke says the Ukrainians have slowed Russian advances down, by redirecting their best units from the south.

"Parts of their best brigades have been sent north to stem the tide," he says.

"But the Russians have already achieved what they wanted, which is to draw off some of the best troops and equipment which are fighting in Chavis Yar down in the south, which really mattered to the Ukrainians."

Watch Clarke's full analysis here:

Finland will change its legislation to allow thousands of reservists to patrol the country's border with Russia, should there be a sudden wave of migrants. 

"With the changed security situation, we need to complement existing methods with new ways to maintain border security," defence minister Antti Hakkanen said in a statement.

Finland, which joined NATO in April last year, has accused Moscow of weaponising migration against the Nordic nation, which the Kremlin denies. 

Finland shut its 1,340km-long border with Russia late last year amid a growing number of arrivals from countries such as Syria and Somalia via Russia.

Away from Kharkiv, and Ukraine has denied Russian claims of progress in the Zaporizhzhia region. 

The Ukrainian military dismissed reports that Moscow's forces had taken control of the village of Robotyne in the southern part of the region. 

"This information is not true," military spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk was quoted by Ukrinform agency as saying.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned the assassination attempt on Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico. 

Russia's offensive in northern Kharkiv has been the focus of much of the reporting on the war in Ukraine over recent days.

Sky News military analyst Michael Clarke has said the aim of Moscow is to draw Ukraine's forces to that area from the south, thus stretching the country's military resources.

And the latest analysis from US thinktank the Institute for the Study of War suggests that the pace of the offensive "appears to have slowed over the past 24 hours".

The group's experts said the pattern of Russian offensive activity in the area was consistent with assessments that Vladimir Putin's forces are prioritising the creation of a "buffer zone" in the international border area over a deeper penetration of Kharkiv Oblast.

It said several Ukrainian military officials reported yesterday that they believed the situation in Kharkiv Oblast was slowly stabilising.

"Drone footage purportedly from Vovchansk shows Russian foot mobile infantry operating within the settlement in small squad-sized assault groups, consistent with Ukrainian reports," the analysis added.

Two people have been killed after a Russian air attack on infrastructure in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, the regional governor has said.

Serhiy Lysak said on  Telegram that there were a number of people who had been injured, but gave no other details.

Dnipro is Ukraine's fourth-largest city, it sits on the Dnipro River  and is around 300 miles from Kyiv.

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