Don't forget to support your local bike shop! They are usually the ones that keep the trails in good shape, petition for bicycle friendly laws and regulations, and other countless (usually) behind-the-scenes activities. Plus, they will fix your bike up after you mess it up. Go check them out!

what kind of headset top cap is that on the bike shown with the Answer handlebar (looks like a Superfly 100)?

I just got a chance to demo the new Slash 9 and the thing is crazy fun. Many new highlights to consider, but the quick take is that bike pedals very well for what it is and absolutely RIPS on the DHs. It won't win any XC races, but for the amount of travel and the geometry I was surprised by how well it can climb, especially when you drop the Talas fork. Helping this still is the newly redesigned Bontrager XR4 tires that work really well too. Think of it as a Nevegal with a little wider spaced knobs. If any of you get the chance to go to a Trek demo day in your area, definetly check it out and ride one of the Slashes!

because a 150 needs a completely different hub, and usually wider BB, etc. With the 142mm width, you can retrofit many existing 135mm hubs, yet it is a much more stable platform. BUT, if you still don't like it, then all Trek bikes (and most others from my understanding) that have 142 rear spacing come with adapters to fit a standard 135 width!

I can't wait for the full review of this thing to see wheat PB thinks about the Scratch. I just able to demo the Air 9 from the Trek fatorydemo thing through my LBS. If anyone is from Asheville, NC area - hit up Liberty Bikes, they can get you one no problem. But this thing absolutely RIPS. I had a Yeti 575 and it just can't hold a candle to how well the Air 9 handles, how stable it is, or how stiff it feels. The 575 was probably a bit faster on the uphills, but I liked the floating shock and ABP way more on the Scratch and it had way more traction when climbing (or anything else actually!). The faster I went on it, the more it asked for more, and I had just a killer killer time on it