trek session 9.9 frame

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2021 Trek Session 9.9 29

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

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Session 9.9 29

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

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Mar 2019 · McCoy

Faster than a speeding bullet

Nov 2018 · Drew Rohde

A review worth reading if you are considering a 29er DH bike. The Trek Session 9.9 downhill bike has a couple interesting quirks but is without a doubt one of the best DH bikes we've ridden in. If you're a racer looking for pick up speed and drop seconds, check this bike out!

Oct 2018 · Paul Aston

One of the most successful, recognizable silhouettes on the DH circuit now comes with wagon wheels. So how does it compare to the newest crop of DH bikes?

Ultra light and stiff

Exceptional, simple finish

Balanced, aggressive geometry

Quick acceleration and efficient pedaling

Possibly too light and stiff

Top of the line price tag

Lacking traction in rough stuff

Reach may limit taller riders

Sept 2018 · Seb Stott

A pricey bike let down by a basic fork, disappointing brakes and dated geometry

‘ABP’ rear suspension provides a solid, supple action

Relatively short front end feels cramped, high bottom bracket and short frame deliver a sometimes precarious-feeling ride, harsh fork and weak brakes are disappointing for the price

May 2017 · Matt Phillips

All new carbon framesets for both 27.5 and 29 inch wheels for Trek's downhill race bike

Trek releases the 2018 Session with updated geometry, refined linkage, and a revamped Float X2 shock. There's also a 29 inch version, which the internet will probably have nothing to say about.

Last updated 25 July Not listed for 1,000 days

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Review: Trek Session 9.9 29

Cool Features

Downhill Bikes

Trek session 9.9, stunningly crafted. effortless ride dynamic. one of the finest dh bikes in the world.

With eight or more years development behind it the Trek Session 9.9 has evolved into a highly regarded, almost intimidating race bike that delivers pace, well constructed damping characteristics and an impeccable build quality. When it comes to delivering performance and finish the Trek has few rivals. It has been a favourite for many years as we’ve found in past tests .

Trek themselves might well disapprove if we didn’t mention some of the key features of the Session 9.9 including the OCLV carbon, ABP (active braking pivot) which allows the suspension to work freely whether on the brakes or off, Full Floater suspension or Mino Link adjustable geometry but many of these were features that formed the first production Session bikes back in 2008. What Trek have done marvellously well is improve the bike year on year leading to this bike which was one of the first full carbon production 27.5” wheel bikes on the market.

What makes it so special? Very simply is its speed across the ground, but not like some bikes that are great on steep, tight technical but lack pace when the grounds become more level. The Session is fast – everywhere. Offering an engaging ride with precise steering geometry the Session similar to the Specialized Demo seems to build in momentum but in quite a different way. The Session is livelier than the Demo, easier to move around and slightly easier to crank on flatter grounds, the kind frequently found in between rougher sections of track.

“What Trek have done marvelously well is improve the bike year on year. Its also the most incredibly well finished and presented bike”

That doesn’t mean the Trek is lousy in the tougher stuff, oh no, from average damping beginnings in 2008 Jose Gonzalez and his team have stepped up the rear damping on the Session to a place that many can only dream of. Fox suspension played their part too in this process and for 2016 the Session comes with the finest Fox 40 yet to come from the Californian brand.

There are still a couple of minor negative points, for starters the adjustable geometry is still a shade on the high side and we’d like to see the current ‘high’ setting become the standard setting with the addition of a ‘low’ position. The XL is a good size for 6’ riders but there’s still a place for an XXL in the future. And in terms of components whilst the Shimano Saint’s are reliable brakes the Guide Ultimate’s and Code’s offer smoother and more consistent braking through the range. The bar and stem combination takes getting used to – bar too narrow, stem to low.

Overall however if we were to choose a bike for racing on the varied terrain that racing often throws up, then the Session is one of the bikes we would always reach out to. Its pedigree is impressive. A bike that Aaron Gwin steered to nine world cup wins in two seasons and that culminated in two World Cup series wins making it one of the most successful race bikes of all time.

YOU DIDN’T KNOW THIS BUT…

Dylan howes, trek r&d.

When we were developing the 27.5 bike, we actually made a full-on carbon prototype with prototype molds that we knew we wouldn’t go to production with. The geometry, suspension kinematics and tube shapes matched the 26” Session exactly with the only changes being wheel size, BB drop (same BB height) and fork offset to maintain the same trail number. We wanted to be able to feel what the wheel size difference felt like before we made any other changes to geometry and suspension kinematics.

Those changes were things like overall bike geometry (top tube length) and suspension improvements that we were planning on regardless of wheel size. On those protos, we also built a full carbon chainstay, which we hadn’t done on a downhill bike before. Even in prototype form, it cut a huge amount of weight from the aluminum (fine, aluminium!) stay and was really robust.

“The chainstay became one of the hardest parts to mold and took months of iterations on layups to get it to pass”

But, we felt we could do it even better and make assembly easier by changing exactly how we molded the parts for production. And then the problems really started! The chainstay became one of the hardest parts to mold and took months of iterations on layups to get it to pass. It became the longest development time of any carbon chainstay we had done, and led to the team, and your test bike, having aluminum chainstays to start the season.

We did solve the molding problem, created a lighter and stronger chainstay than we had in aluminum, and learned some good molding lessons. Future versions would be made like the proto’s. Sometimes you get it right the first time….

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Trek Session 9.9 29

Words by Drew Rohde | Action Photos by Trevor Lyden

You’d never guess it by looking at the Trek Session 29’s meticulously clean lines or attention to detail, but Trek created this bike knowing full well that sales numbers would pale in comparison. Downhill bikes cater to an increasingly small percentage of riders, and 29-inch wheeled DH bikes are going to segment that group into an even smaller section. If you compare Session sales to Fuel, Remedy and Slash models, the world-renowned Session looks more like an experiment in marketing than good business. Despite the unlikely return on R&D, design time and production mold dollars, Trek forged ahead creating one of the most beautiful, downhill bikes I’ve ever seen. After ogling over a pre-production Session 9.9 29 at Crankworx Whistler, I was anxious to get a long-term tester to see if the love affair would last once things got down and dirty.

In an effort to remain open minded, I try to not study the numbers on our test bikes before I write reviews. I’ll be totally honest, I either didn’t know or totally forgot that the Session 9.9 29er had 190mm of travel. Regardless of my newfound knowledge, the bike handled everything I threw at it thanks to the Fox Factory Fit 40 RC2 fork and Fox Factory Float X2 shock. Oh yeah, and the 29” wheels.

Trek equips the Session 29 with all of their standard features you’ve come to know over the years. The Session 9.9 is their top of the line model, and the frame is built using Trek’s OCLV (Optimum Compaction Low Void) carbon process that has been evolving since 1991. A magnesium Evo Link houses the adjustable Mino Link chip – an easily adjustable piece of hardware that changes the head tube angle and BB height.

Frame features also include an integrated frame protector, Control Freak cable routing, Carbon Armor, ABP (Active Braking Pivot) 4-link suspension design and adjustable fixed-angle headset cups.

The Session 9.9 29er is race-ready and boasts a 7-speed Shimano Saint drivetrain and Shimano Saint brakes. A particular highlight I enjoy is the very sexy MRP G4 carbon chainguide. Rolling stock on the Trek Session 9.9 29 comes in the form of Bontrager Line DH 30 wheels, with Boost 110×20/157x12mm spacing. Bontrager G5 Team Issue 2.5” tires offer excellent grip, however I did flat the rear tube twice. I haven’t flatted a DH bike in years so I’m not sure if the tubes are especially thin or if it’s the tire. Either way, I went tubeless and haven’t had any issues since.

More Bontrager goodies fill the cockpit: Line Pro 820mm bars, a Line Pro Direct Mount 50mm stem and XR Trail Elite grips, which we removed pretty quickly. After a near death experience clipping a tree just before a drop, I cut down the bars to about 777mm, and while they have a strange look and feel at first, they weren’t something I focused on once I started riding.

I was both surprised and reaffirmed when I learned the Session 9.9 29er has 190mm of travel. As mentioned above, I don’t look at the details of a bike before riding it. Clearly I can’t be totally unaware of what some bikes offer, but I try to avoid the spec sheet until after my testing, or sometimes mid-test if something doesn’t feel right. I want to be open minded and let the bike speak to me during the test period without my brain telling me what I should be feeling based on a chart.

The shortened travel wasn’t something I completely noticed during my test rides, but in hindsight it made sense. What I mean by that is, the bike rode differently than the 27.5 and 26-inch Sessions when it came to landing drops or larger jumps. It did not feel harsh by any means, it just had a firmer feel that I attributed to more progression in the tune. I reached full travel every run during my testing, but never felt harsh hits or that I was out of travel. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like more though. If possible, I’d love to see this bike with 195mm or even 200mm of travel.

So how does it ride with those big wheels and shorter travel? Like a daggum rocket ship! I rode a demo bike briefly in Whistler Bike Park. It was slack, low and certainly better than some of the other bikes I rode that week, but I wanted more. It was a well-worn demo bike and I knew the understeer and suspension issues I experienced were tunable. Before hopping on the chairlift for my first ride, I got sacrilegious. I put the Mino Link in the High mode! Since I wasn’t dropping into Val Di Sole, I figured I had the ability to navigate the terrain I was about to ride with a head angle more nimble than 62.1 degrees.

What I felt on that first ride was pure magic. I had no understeer, the bike stood up a bit taller, was a little bit shorter and put me right where I wanted to be – in a position to command the bike. That first ride was the beginning of what I hope is a long relationship (Wink wink, Trek can I keep it?) I only spent about two runs tweaking suspensin and quickly settled in on my tune. As my speed increased with familiarization to the bike, I added about five more PSI and 2-3 clicks of compression depending on the track.

I’m not always a fan of the Fox 40, as it can ride a bit stiff and beat up my hands, but this fork feels buttery smooth and the rear shock is the same. I actually found that running a little bit more sag was preferred for my riding style and terrain. I don’t live for the jump lines, instead preferring the natural steeps and chunky stuff with natural gaps. The softer spring rate kept me on the ground when I wanted, but added compression prevented me from blowing through travel when I didn’t. I’m sure this softer set up is also why I was reaching bottom out on all my race-paced test runs, but this isn’t a bad thing according to some schools of thought. The trade off for regularly using all the travel is insane traction and confidence, well above what many other bikes have offered me.

While the suspension performance is a highlight of the Session 9.9 29, the thing that blew me away is the out and out speed of the bike. Specifically, how fast it gets up to speed. I took two practice runs down a newer trail at Mt. Bachelor that is a steep fall line and navigates everything from lava rock to flat, loose turns, massive ruts and very aggressive roots. During my sighting laps I’d inspect lines, erosion changes, etc. Every time I hopped back on the Session 29 and let off the brakes I was instantly back up to speed, like I’d never stopped. No pedal strokes needed, the bike just picked up steam and charged down the trail like I was trying to scare myself!

The larger wheels are definitely noticeable and something I was very aware of every time I got on the bike. This is both good and not so good. The bike feels a bit larger and gives me a feeling of being right in the middle of two massive steamrollers. Benefits of the big wheels are plentiful, as the bike is beyond stable and allows for errors in line selection or lazy riding while still maintaining top speed because the added roll-over ability offers a larger margin of error. However, if you screw up the entry to a tight turn like a switchback, the length and big wheels will not treat you well. Swinging wide is the way to go, but if you live to jackknife corners like you’re always being filmed for an Instagram edit, you’ll have your work cut out for you.

Another noteworthy point is the seat height. I’m not quite six foot and rode a size large and had to cut quite a bit off the seat post. If you think of DH bike seat post heights by comparing a World Cup racer to a FEST Series rider, you’ll know that there is a big difference in riding style. This bike is most definitely a racer as the larger wheels don’t allow for a totally slammed post, and this may be an issue for riders with short legs, especially if you’re a big jumper. Which is another place that the Session 9.9 29er didn’t completely blow me away.

Downhill bikes are very purpose specific tools, and this is very clearly a race rig, so I didn’t expect it to be a whip machine. I’m not Brendan Fairclough or some amazing rider, but the added rotational mass was definitely noted when I wanted to make quick changes in the air. Still, the 34.91-pound weight and poppy suspension feel kept me more than happy when I was playing around on the jumpy stuff.

The Wolf’s Last Word

Alright, so let’s pretend we’ve all got A.D.D and you just asked me if you should buy this bike because you don’t have time to read. If I had to reply in one word I’d say, “Hellyes!” BUT, I’m also very chatty when it comes to bikes so instead I’d like to ask what your budget is, what type of riding you prefer most and what you want out of your DH bike.

If you’ve got the budget, are looking for a flat out race machine to make you as competitive as possible, love plowing over shit as fast as you can, or want something to give you that extra little edge when it comes to racing the clock, then I think the Session 9.9 29er is probably one of my top recommendations. If you think spending over eight grand on a bicycle is ridiculous, love to jump, whip and slash, then I’d suggest looking at other options, perhaps a Session 8 27.5 ($4,279).

Ultimately, the Session 9.9 29 has become one of my favorite DH bikes in recent memory. Then again I’m the type of guy who goes to Whistler Bike Park and proudly skips A-Line in favor of the least popular woodsy DH tracks I can find. For me, the trade off in playfulness on the jump lines is well worth the added speed, traction and comfort on proper downhill trails. Just make sure you keep the spokes real tight, or else they’ll be making some weird noises!

Price: $8,399 Weight: 34.91 lbs Website: Trekbikes.com

CHASSIS Frame: OCLV Carbon; 190mm Fork: Fox Factory 40 Fit RC2; 190mm Shock: Fox Factory Float X2; 225x70mm

COCKPIT Brakes: Shimano Saint Handlebar: Bontrager Line Pro; 820mm Headset: FSA Orbit Saddle: Bontrager Arvada Seatpost: Bontrager Rhythm Elite Shifter: Shimano Saint; 10s Stem: Bontrager Line Pro DM; 50mm

WHEELS Hubs: Bontrager Rims: Bontrager Line DH 30 Tires: Bontrager G5 Team Issue; 29×2.5

DRIVETRAIN Bottom Bracket: Shimano BB80 Cassette: Shimano CS-5700; 11-25t Cranks: Shimano Saint M825; 34t Derailleur: Shimano Saint Shadow Plus; 10s

Those Beautiful Lines Fast! Composed and Stable Smooth Over Terrain Makes Us Faster

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2nd Look: 2016 Trek Session 9.9

Trek Session 9.9

Size Tested: Small

Build Overview:

• Fork: Fox Factory 40 FIT RC2
• Rear Shock: Fox DHX2 SLS
• Drivetrain: Shimano Saint
• Brakes: Shimano Saint
• Wheels: DT Swiss FR1950

Wheels: 27.5′′

Travel: 203 mm Front, 210 mm Rear

MSRP: $8,999

Reviewer: 5’4” 120 lbs.

Test Location: Whistler, BC

Test Duration: 2 Days

On our review trip to Whistler earlier this summer, Noah and I both rode the Trek Session 9.9. We’ve published Noah’s review of the Session 9.9 , but as a small female rider, this is my take.

Going into this review, I was excited to unleash my inner Rachel Atherton on the bike that’s helped Rachel dominate this World Cup season. Whether or not I rode any faster is debatable, but the lightweight Session 9.9 helped me conserve energy, and the bike had a few other notable features that stood out.

Build and Frame

The Session 9.9 is Trek’s top-of-the-line carbon version of the Session. Because the Session 9.9 is all carbon, it weighs less than most downhill bikes — and the frame is actually lighter than a lot of trail bikes, too. As a fairly small person, this was the most noticeable thing to me about the Session 9.9. It felt maneuverable, and my small, fairly weak, upper body was less fatigued. I was less tired pedaling, and I could ride more actively (like I would on my trail bike).

The 9.9 runs a Fox DHX2 in the rear and a Fox Factory 40 in the front. Both are highly adjustable, but because the  Summit Sport  shop in Whistler did an excellent job setting up the bike, I didn’t mess around too much with the suspension (I only adjusted the rebound a bit).

This was the first DH bike I’ve ridden with 27.5” wheels. Maybe it was just psychological, but I felt like there was a noticeable difference in how fast the wheels rolled. They plowed over roots and rocks nicely, although the bike’s light weight required that I stay active to control the bike in techy sections. The 9.9 I rode had DT Swiss FR1950 wheels, which are pretty light given their width and impressive durability.

The Session 9.9 felt smooth over brake bumps, rocks, and tech, which surprised me for a bike that’s so small and light. Part of that definitely has to do with wheel size, but the 9.9 also uses Trek’s Active Braking Pivot suspension system, which is designed to keep the rear suspension active when you’re using the brakes. And to be honest … I use the brakes a lot more than Noah.

The only downside to the 9.9’s weight and size (at least for me) was a limitation I’ve encountered with other small, light bikes. On the one hand, the Session 9.9 was light and required less energy to maneuver. On the other hand, late in the day when I was fatigued, the 9.9 really required that I maintain good form, or I was liable to get tossed around a bit. I wonder if sizing up would help with this, something I’ll touch on in the next section.

Geometry and Fit

In terms of reach and top tube length, the size Small Session felt very small, to the point that I considered sizing up. For a bit of perspective, I’m a pretty small person (5’4”, 120 lbs), and I’ve never ridden a Medium frame — and I’ve actually considered going with a size Extra Small for a couple of downhill bikes.

However, the 9.9’s chainstays are longer than average, making the wheelbase about average for a size Small. As a result, the 9.9 is still pretty stable, despite its short reach. The cockpit feel reminded me of the Kona Entourage (which is similarly small but doesn’t have the longer wheelbase) although the Entourage was much less forgiving.

Despite having a longer rear end, the 9.9 still cornered well. I think this was because the longer wheelbase helped me stay centered over the bike. With some bikes I drift into the backseat, making it harder to control my front wheel. However, the 9.9’s longer rear end kept my weight forward.

Comparisons

I’m currently riding a 2013 Specialized Demo as my downhill bike. Compared to my Demo—which has a fairly light build—I was still less tired riding the Session 9.9. Riding the Demo feels like driving a tank, which has its perks when you’re terrified or exhausted. However, the 9.9 enabled me to move the bike through the trail, instead of just holding on. With the 9.9, I felt more precise and rode significantly better. If I were to pick an ideal race bike from the two, I’d pick the Session 9.9.

The Demo sometimes gets hung up in tech because of its short rear end, whereas the Session 9.9 kept moving through the roots and rocks — though once I got tired, I did notice the bike getting deflected. I had to stay active and focused on the 9.9, when sometimes I might have preferred to just hang on. The more tired I got, the more I appreciated the Demo’s extra weight, which seemed to help it hold a straight line.

Bottom Line

I’m pretty impressed with the Session 9.9, which you’d hope is the case for a $8,999 bike. As I noted above, I think this would be a great downhill race bike.

As someone who shuttles and is fairly prone to crashing, I would consider getting the aluminum Session 88 ($4,999.99). The increased durability and smaller price tag are appealing, though the Session 88 also has a stated weight of 37.5 pounds in a size Medium. Those few extra pounds might help the 88 hold its line better when I’m tired, but also would make it less easy to muscle around. But that’s just speculation. I also might try the Medium, instead of the Small since the bike already feels so small.

Overall this is a really fun bike, and as a smaller rider, I really appreciated its light weight — and I’d appreciate it even more the more I was racing.

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Trek Session 9.9 29

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Weight / M - 15.27 kg / 33.67 lbs (with tubes)

At a glance

Session 9.9 is the pinnacle of downhill mountain bike performance. This is the same DH bike the pros ride, and it’s built for one reason: going as fast as freakin’ possible down hills. It pairs a SRAM X01 DH drivetrain and Code RSC brakes with our premium OCLV Mountain Carbon frame and RockShox suspension with super-fast 29″ wheels.

Where To Buy

Specifications

• Frame OCLV Mountain Carbon main frame & stays, tapered head tube, integrated frame protection, Control Freak internal routing, magnesium rocker link, Mino Link, ISCG mount, ABP, 12x157mm thru axle, 190mm travel
• Fork RockShox Boxxer Ultimate, DebonAir spring, Charger 2 RC2 damper, straight steerer, 46mm offset, Boost, 110x20mm Maxle Stealth, 190mm travel
• Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate DH, 225x70mm
• Wheels Front: Bontrager Line DH 30, Tubeless Ready, 6-bolt, 110x20mm Boost thru axle Rear: Bontrager Line DH 30, Tubeless Ready, 6-bolt, Shimano 7 speed freehub, 157x12mm thru axle
• Wheel Size 29"
• Tires Bontrager G5 Team Issue, wire bead, 2-ply 60 tpi, 29x2.50''
• Chain SRAM PC-1110, 11 speed
• Crank SRAM X01 DH, DUB 83, 36T, 165mm length
• Bottom Bracket SRAM DUB, 83mm, BSA threaded
• Rear Derailleur SRAM X01 DH
• Shifters SRAM X01 DH, 7 speed
• Brakeset SRAM Code RSC hydraulic disc
• Saddle Bontrager Arvada, austenite rails, 138mm width
• Seatpost Bontrager Rhythm Elite, 31.6mm, 0mm offset, 330mm length
• Stem Bontrager Line Pro, 35mm, Direct Mount, 50mm length

Q: How much is a 2020 Trek Session 9.9 29?

A 2020 Trek Session 9.9 29 is typically priced around $8,000 USD 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 2020 Trek Session 9.9 29?

The 2020 Trek Session 9.9 29 may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: How much does a 2020 Trek Session 9.9 29 weigh?

A 2020 Trek Session 9.9 29 weights M - 15.27 kg / 33.67 lbs (with tubes).

Q: What size wheels does the 2020 Trek Session 9.9 29 have?

The 2020 Trek Session 9.9 29 has 29" wheels.

Q: What size 2020 Trek Session 9.9 29 should I get?

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2012 Trek Session 9.9 Carbon Fiber Downhill Bike Frame

Trek Session 9.9 Complete

For 2012, Trek has got an all new top of the line Session available for the public. Raced on by Aaron Gwin this past year, he was able to secure the 2011 UCI DH World Cup overall title, which is no small feat. This new Session 9.9 bike has lots of technology built into it including carbon fiber construction and numerous other details.

Trek Session 9.9 Complete (click to enlarge)

Boasting an all new carbon fiber frame for 2012, the Trek Session 9.9 is a beautiful bike to say the least and quite lightweight. Claimed weight on the frame is 7.2lbs, and that includes the FOX RC4 with a steel spring. They were able to achieve this through numerous techniques in the frame layup process. According to Trek, they utilize a bladder system as well as a propriety low density material internally (called InTension) to get additional stiffness in key areas by strengthening the inside of the frame set.

It shouldn’t take but a glance at this bike to understand what its for. Downhill racing.

Details on the Session 9.9

• Carbon Fiber Frame (S,M,L,XL)
• Carbon EVO Link and Seat stays
• 210mm of rear wheel travel – an additional 10mm from last’s Session 88
• Custom FOX RC4 shock (Trek World Racing tune) with revised leverage rate
• Revised suspension rate for great square bump performance
• ISCG-05 chain guide tabs
• Tapered head tube
• 12 x 157 ABP DH rear axle spacing as standard. Can also accept 12 x 150mm rear axle.
• Internal or external cable routing option for both rear brake and rear derailleur
• Adjustable geometry :: over 28 geometry combination’s allowing for head angle range from 62.5 to 65.4 degrees
• Mino link (two position Race or Park setting) in the rear seat stay to tweak the ride characteristics and geometry
• MSRP: $4,200 Frameset, $8929.99 Complete (as shown here)

FOX 40 Kashima RC2 with Hybrid Air (click to see more)

FOX 40 RC2 Hybrid air is a system that Trek worked on with FOX that allows the user to add air to adjust the spring rate in greater precision in conjunction with the titanium coil inside.

FOX 40 RC2 Kashima with Hybrid Air (click to see more)

Users can run internal or external routing in a clean package on the Session 9.9. Here the internal routing cleanly integrates with the fork frame bumpers.  For external routing, there are slots for mounts to go along the top of the downtube.

Bumper and internal cable routing (click to see more)

Internal routing cleanly exists out the bottom

Internal Routing option exits cleanly out the bottom (click to see more)

EVO Link with Mino link at the rocker/ seat stay interface (click to see more)

The Session 9.9 utilizes what trek calls an Active Braking Pivot (ABP) and full floater.

ABP at the axle and Mino link at the seatstay/rocker interface (click to see more)

The 9.9 cable routing and full floater side shot.

Full Floater engages the shock from both ends (click to see more)

It should come to no surprise that the Session 9.9 has numerous protection armoring bits. Downtube, chainstay, seat stay, and more. Trek has applied their lessons learned from previous bikes on this 9.9.

Armor detail along the down tube (click to see more)

For more information on the Trek 9.9, check out Trek’s website .

Be sure to visit our 2011 Interbike category for more Interbike coverage.

2011 Interbike Gallery

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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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