Trek has a history of producing one-off 4x or slopestyle frames for their athletes and Neko Mulally’s current 4x ride is no different. Made from aluminum, the short travel racer looks to borrow a bit of DNA from other Trek mountain bikes in the form of different tubes welded up to make one completely different bike. Neko’s bike, like a few others in the pits, was also running some prototype Bontrager tires. Originally spotted without a shock and a front wheel, Trek’s own master mechanic Monk was nice enough to put it together so we could take a few shots.
Get a closer look after the break.
Though Neko is not on the Trek C3 team, the insignia cast into the seat tube is likely due to tubes first being used to build slopestyle frames for the likes of Cam McCaul and the rest of the C3 crew. Most people wouldn’t even know this was there as the shock is usually obscuring it from sight.
Suspension is taken care of with Trek’s own ABP/Full Floater system with a rocker link that looks like it could have come from a Top Fuel due to its size.
Compare that to the massive chainstays which are definitely reminiscent of the stays on a Session. Bottom bracket is a Shimano Press Fit with ISCG tabs for the chain guide.
A tapered head tube and Fox Float CTD are enough to keep things in line on the course.
Out back there is a thru axle rear end, which is likely 142×12.
TWR is sponsored by Funn for everything cockpit related, so a Funn Fatboy bar and stem are found on Neko’s bike.
On the back of this 4x bike was a Bontrager prototype tire that looks like it could be a new dry conditions semi slick.
The center knobs are very shallow giving some bite, but keeping rolling resistance to a minimum. Appearing as if the knobs had been cut down, the team is likely experimenting with knob height and ramping to come up with the best tire for certain conditions. The entire negative space of the tread pattern has triangular siping, and the side knobs are aggressive blocks like you would find on the XR4.
