Descending: It quickly became apparent that the Procaliber was made for speeding its way up climbs and traveling fast through flat sections. But the Trek brand is not only innovative and successful in sports, but is also one of the most renowned and largest companies in the MTB business. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. This is handy for popping the wheel up over obstacles or off drops, but makes the front end more fussy in terms of wandering about and losing the line, particularly on climbs. This bike is also well suited for kids looking to join their local high school mountain bike team due to its reasonable price. The geometrys the biggest change youre likely to feel. Its a Boost compatible bike with front and rear hubs using the new standard width, and keeping in theme with Trek 29ers this one also uses the custom fork offset and tweaked geometry they call G2. Need more info? The IsoSpeed system uses a small pivot to decouple the seat tube and top tube, allowing them to articulate back and forwards independently. That doesnt mean the Procaliber is not a capable descender, but riders will need to approach downhill trails with more caution. By continuing to use the site you acceptour cookie policy. We have an extra article that tells you how to find the perfect frame size for you. Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate links that may earn a small commission for Bikerumor if you click on them and buy something. Right out the box the Procaliber 8 has a respectable build kit that will work great for amateur cross-country racers or riders. Mountain Bike Action Magazine - Mountain Bike Action Magazine, BLAST FROM THE PAST: MBAS WHEEL-WAR SHOOTOUT 29 vs. 27.5 vs., GIMMICK OR INNOVATION? Rides: Seems like a compromise where smaller riders lose out to accountants. What sets the Procaliber apart from any other hardtail is its IsoSpeed decoupler. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. This should greatly improve the Procalibers handling in extremely slow and technical terrain. But if you like our advice and we helped you find your dream bike, you can still help us. Leveraging that more relaxed head angle are 100mm forks, featuring a 42mm offset for all frame sizes. BikeRumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Trek then specd a Race Face Next R crankset with double rings, resulting in a super-low range. Riders who wish to slightly overfork their Procaliber will note that the frames head tube is now rated for up to 110mm of front suspension travel. IsoSpeed was initially introduced in the Domane road bike followed by their Boone cyclocross bike, and is already onto its second configuration in the latest Domane. Find another? We want you to ride better bikes! The Procaliber 8 could be made into a fun hardtail trailbike with the help of a few upgrades. More info here.. Tyler Benedict is the Founder of Bikerumor.com. Moving out: The Procaliber screams cross-country with its long stem and narrow bars. At the heart of the Procaliber frame is the IsoSpeed decoupler first championed in Treks road bike range, a system to give the bike a more compliant ride. At $2,650 the Procaliber 9.6 upgrades to a combination Shimano SLX/XT drivetrain, Rockshox Recon Gold fork and Bontrager Kovee wheels. Made in Scotland. The shock-absorbing advantage while youre powering a seated gear is also tempered by obvious rebound bounce, which can continue distractingly long after the initial impact. It creates a pivot point between the seat tube and top tube, with flex designed into the seat tube. Treks 2021 Procaliber range peaks with the 9.8 derivative, which will only be available to European riders for the time being. Carbon cockpit: Our test bike came with a very nice carbon bar and seatpost from Bontrager, different to the spec listed on the Trek website, we were told things like that happen through the year. The XR1 Team Issue tyres are as good as it gets if racing is your thing, on dry and fast trails they provide great friction to the surfaces and the low profile block-shaped tread with a slight angle give them serious rolling speed. Riders looking to get into mountain biking and who desire to tackle rough terrain will be more than pleased with a hardtail, especially the Procaliber, as it provides a smooth ride unlike any other aluminum hardtail weve ridden. the white/black/red frame of the 9.8. You can now search the database by numbers. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Bike Perfect is supported by its audience. OCLV Mountain carbon, internal cable routing, balanced post mount brake, RockShox Recon Gold RL, Solo Air, Motion Control damper, remote lockout, Boost110, 51mm offset on 29ers, Bontrager Comp alloy, 31.8mm diameter, 5mm rise, 720mm width, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm diameter, 7 degree, Blendr compatible, SRAM NX Eagle, Type 3 Roller Bearing Clutch, SRAM XG-1230 Eagle, 11-50 speed, 12-speed, Front: Bontrager sealed bearing, alloy axle, centerlock, Boost110, Bontrager XR2 Team Issue, tubeless ready, 120 tpi, aramid bead, 29 x 2.20 (27.5 x 2.20 for 15.5 in. You get mounts for two bottle-cages too. We treat every bike exactly the same, no matter which manufacturer it comes from. The Procaliber is a hardtail, so its not likely to be the choice of a rider who prefers gravity-fed technical terrain, but it could suit riders of all levels and ages who ride on dirt roads, racecourses and any local singletrack. The Procaliber 8 is ideal for riders interested in cross-country riding who dont want to go all in with a top-dollar carbon fiber machine. Drive is provided by a full SRAM NX Eagle set-up, with an oversized DUB axle rotating in broad-spaced press-fit bearings, which maximise stiffness but can be a pain to service. YOU HAVE NO ADDITIONAL COSTS but you help us with every click to fulfill our mission. INTERVIEW: OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST JENNY RISSVEDS AND HER WORLD CUP WINNING IBIS EXIE, FINN ILES: HOW HE BECAME A STAR WHEN HE WAS 14, SAPWI BIKE PARK, THOUSAND OAKS, CALIFORNIA, UTAH DEBUTS NEW MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK THIS SUMMER, NEW GLOBAL HANDMADE BIKE SHOWMADE TO DEBUT IN SEPTEMBER 2023, THE WINNERS, LOSERS, AND STORIES OF THE FINAL DAY OF THE U.S. MOUNTAIN BIKE, BLUNK AND SWENSON CROWNED XC NATIONAL CHAMPIONS, VALI HLL AND LORIS VERGIER TAKE THE DOWNHILL WINS IN ANDORRA, PHOTO GALLERY: OUR FAVORITE READER SUBMITTED PHOTOS, PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: OSPREY RAPTOR PRO HYDRATION PACK, Places To Ride: Rock House Trail In San Diego, Ca, Procaliber performance, entry-level price. Thanks! The carbon components from Bontrager are always nice, leaving less room for tempting upgrades down the track. Thats compounded by an unusually slack seat tube, which also shifts your weight backward. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The 9.8 also rolls Bontragers wider Kovee Elite carbon 30 wheels and decelerates courtesy of Shimanos latest XT brakes. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. NY 10036. Next up is the Procaliber 9.6 with an SLX/XT mix, MT4100 brakes, Rockshox Recon Gold fork and upgraded Bontrager Kovee Comp wheels for $2,779.99. Impressum. At least here in Germany, no idea if its the same everywhere else. Theres also more tire clearance, fitting up to 292.4 treads inside the frame. Please, It appears you're using an old version of Internet Explorer which is. The rest of the drivetrain and brakes are full Shimano XT 12-speed, and it gets a lightweight Fox 32 StepCast Performance fork. Free shipping on orders over $50 (contiguous U.S. only). It essentially uses a bushing and axle arrangement at the junction of the seat tube and top tube to allow the seat post to bend backwards independently from the top tube, adding comfort when seated. So, the final question remains: can this aluminum cross-country hardtail hold its own against a sea of eager race bikes? We reviewed the specification of every bike. It is specced with SRAMs GX Eagle 12-sped drivetrain, Rockshoxs Reba SL fork and Bontrangers Kovee Elite 23 carbon wheels. There is a frame only option too, priced at $1,499. Retailing for 3,100, the 9.8 shifts via a Shimano XT 12-speed drivetrain receiving pedalling input from e*Thirteen carbon cranks, whilst up front there is a Fox 32 Stepcast Performance fork. So, those slow speed maneuvers and tight, twisty corners will be easier to negotiate. The Procaliber with its fancy IsoSpeed is a clever approach to providing comfort in the otherwise harsh world of racing hardtails. Supplied with the Procailber is an assortment of cable port plug shapes to swap out depending on the arrangement youre using, whether it be double ring, dropper post, Shimano Di2 or any other combination it will support the configuration neatly. Heres why you can trust us. The entire Procaliber range now roll 29er wheels, even on the smaller frame sizes, which had previously offered 27.5-inch wheels. frame), Frame for the lifetime of the original owner, 1 year paint and decals, @cache_main: a2f219017fd5fc68db8173860f223260. And it gets a shorter offset fork to increase trail for more stability. Trek also uses its Smart Wheel Size system, which places 27.5-inch wheels on the 15.5-inch Procaliber frames, while 17.5-inch-and-up frames receive 29-inch wheels. The 1x setup will also simplify the build and improve shifting performance. If you are interessted: We have a article that explains detailed how we rate bikes. The IsoSpeed decoupler is no gimmick and does an excellent job of damping trail vibrations. In this grafic we show you how good the most important parts of the bike are. Each bike brand has its own size structure. Because with completely new rear triangle design Trek goes its own way in the Racefully area. Assembly of Trek complete wheels takes place in various locations around the world. Under the alias Project One, Trek bikes are also available in custom paint schemes. Click now, buy soon, and we'll get a few pennies. Posted on August 27, 2020 by Tyler Benedict. It means you lose any of that bump-damping comfort when you stand up, but at least youll be able to power through the rougher stuff in a more efficient position than on a standard hardtail. ASK MBA: ARE CLIPLESS PEDALS REALLY BETTER THAN FLATS? It takes a lot to get it moving too. Our test bike featured an XT rear derailleur, along with an SLX front derailleur and shifters. Its btw. Procaliber 9.7 is a significant jump in price, to $4,000. Based almost exactly on the Supercaliber (which has 60mm of unique IsoStrut rear travel), the new Procaliber has: And all six sizes, from Small through XXL roll on 29 wheels now, so all sizes roll faster. 2022 - Mountain Bike Action Magazine. Free standard shipping on orders of $50 or more (U.S. only). Trek introduced its unique IsoSpeed frame technology to its alloy MTBs last year, and the Procal 6 adds 12-speed SRAM Eagle shifting and RockShoxs impressive new Judy fork to the mix. Trek bikes and Bontrager parts are designed and developed at the companys headquarters in Waterloo and mainly manufactured in Asia. It was, and still is, a cross-country riders dream bikeand that was sort of its only downfall. The short version: We evaluate each individual part in its quality and compare whether the individual part fits the respective area of use of the bike. Some aspects of this site may not work as intended. Our innovative rating system has three groundbreaking advantages over all other product tests you can find on the internet: Here we explain in detail how we rate bikes. By sweeping your hands further back, it mimics the effect of a shorter stem, so the 90mm unit feels more like 60-70mm. ASK MBA: WHATS UP WITH GPS DATA INCONSISTENCIES? IsoSpeed is successful in taking the sting out of the trail when seated. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. The Procaliber 8 has an aluminum frame with a hidden trick up its sleeve. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Find bikes that match your geometry criteria. Complete bikes and a frameset are available now at all Trek dealers and direct through their website. Thats why weve prepared an article for you that explains exactly who is behind this website and what our mission is.. Cotic Simple 26 Steering responsiveness is also enhanced, thanks to a more generous angle of possible handlebar leverage. Our Geo-Fun-Factor gives you an impression how much fun potential this geometry has. Thats useful if you get caught in the saddle by a big wallop, but most of the time youll be up and on the pedals anyway. These cookies do not store any personal information. We hear it all at Flow, the percentile gains from all possible features under the sun, mountain biking is loaded with marketing talk to give a brand or bike a point of difference for the consumer. Out on the trail, the bike handles well thanks to Treks G2 geometry. Despite its complex frame and low price, the Procal 6 has a good spec. AVERY REMTECH MAGNETIC CLIPLESS PEDAL REVIEW, MBA WRECKING CREW TESTED: ROCKYMOUNTS MONORAIL 2 HITCH RACK, MBA WRECKING CREW FAVORITE: TROY LEE DESIGNS A3 HELMET. If you hit a big lump, the seat tube bulges forward and the post sways back to help you ride out the blow. First, a rider could install an internally routed dropper post, which would liven up the Procalibers descending capabilities. The bike was a rocket ship, and if it had wings, it would likely blast right through the stratosphere. Just sitting on the saddle and placing a finger on the IsoSpeed joint you can clearly feel the movement between the seat tube and top tube, theres no doubt that theres plenty of movement going on in that region. Treks IsoSpeed decoupler was first designed for its road racing team, allowing the bikes to travel over rough cobblestone streets with relative ease and comfort. Therefore, unlike most media, we are not financed by advertising. RockShox Recon Gold RL, DebonAir spring, Motion Control damper, remote lockout, tapered steerer, 42mm offset, Boost110, 15mm Maxle Stealth, 100mm travel, Shimano hydraulic disc, MT4100 lever, MT410 caliper. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The rear stays have no braces, to give max mud clearance. Taking little time to get used to the wide fork, we relished the added security it gives, with only 100mm of travel the front end still feels very secure. We've got 11,000+ bikes in the comparison database. Free shipping on orders over $75 (contiguous U.S. only). Well, that confirmed our first hesitation at least, then it was off to the trails to get it dirty. While that figure makes it notably heavier than some of the competition, especially since Scott recently blew up the segment with their crazy lightnew Scale RC SL hardtail frame. One of the design objectives for this new Procaliber was improved agility, especially when navigating tight singletrack. No one else takes such a comprehensive look at a bike. The XG-1230 cassette is heavy in weight and feel compared to Shimano, but the shifting through the 11-50t gear range is simplicity itself and gives great drive efficiency. The reward for the development work came in the form of the Olympic victory of Jolanda Neff in Tokyo 2021. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Balancing the big wheels are more progressive geometry numbers, with a slightly slacker head angle and stretched reach. Lightweight parts. Copyright 2022 Bikerumor, All Rights Reserved. We then adjusted our rebound accordingly. To make it as easy as possible for you, we have translated all manufacturer-specific designations into unisex sizes (S,M,L). Models like the Trek Supercaliber show impressively that Trek is one of the most innovative bike companies on the market. The Knock Block headset, which prevents handlebar over-rotation and potential frame damage during a crash, has seen its arc of limitation increase by 4. Support us! The cable routing runs everything through full length tubes, all through the downtube, and only has what you need: Rear derailleur, rear brake, and dropper seatpost. How Can I Bring My Bikes On This Website? The mis-matched shifters and brake levers do give up the advantage of combining them with one handlebar clamp though, and add the remote fork lockout lever in the mix and there is a bit going on up a the bars. This explains the lush product range of the Americans. Used by the Trek Factory team including Aussie champs Bec Henderson and Dan McConnell this frame has been widely accepted in the racing community. The downhill bike session also took a world title in 2020 under the leadership of Scotsman Reece Wilson. Pyga 160mm aluminium prototype, Road superstar Peter Sagan to race this year's e-MTB Worlds in Les Gets, Restrap Bar Bag Small review Is there/ will there be a frame only option? The IsoSpeed decoupler requires zero attention, making setup on this bike a breeze. Here we explain in detail how we rate bikes. HOW MUCH MONEY DO THE TOP MOUNTAIN BIKERS MAKE? |, Stiff, accurate frame; dropper and bigger-tyre friendly; Judy fork and Eagle gears; shock-shrugging IsoSpeed, IsoSpeed takes a wallop to start moving and then a while to stop; backswept bar and seat tube wont suit all; surprisingly slow tyres, Brakes are the basic but utterly dependable Shimano MT400s, The IsoSpeed system uses a small pivot to decouple the seat tube and top tube, The accurate-tracking frame and quality fork mean you can drive the front end hard, once youre used to the bar, 13.5in 15.5in 17.5in 18.5in 19.5in 21.5in 23in, Bontrager XR2 Team Issue 29x2.2in (54mm measured), RockShox Judy Gold RL Solo Air w/ OneLoc remote, 100mm (3.9in) travel. Isospeed and kockblock add lots of weight. Trek is marketing its 2021 model year Procaliber in four build options. Trek has upgraded its IsoSpeed-enabled Procaliber MTB range, a bike that has long been considered one of the best hardtail mountain bikes around. By They end at neat Boost-width dropouts for a through-axle (with a QR lever on the end, for tool-free wheel removal/insertion), with a brake mount that bridges between the stays. Luckily, Trek is quite aware of this and offers its flagship cross-country hardtail with multiple build packages, bringing the cost down to a much more approachable price. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. versatile bag and holster bikepacking combo, Sea to Summit Ultralight mat review high in comfort and low in weight, Apidura Expedition Handlebar Pack and Accessory Pocket lightweight, bombproof, waterproof legend, Kade Edwards interview the hugely versatile rider on DH's future, riding with Brandon Semenuk and more. Were talking about a small, 26-tooth front ring with a 42-tooth cassette out back. Trek, wanting to keep the Procaliber 8 at an affordable price, was limited as to the parts it could use, but the engineers managed to put together a build kit that spent money where it counts. If the bar is yellow the specifictaion is better than the average level on the market. The Procaliber uses Treks Smart Wheel Size arrangement, meaning the small 15.5 frames use 27.5 wheels and 17.5 and upwards use 29 wheels. Last, we would go to a tubeless setup to allow for lower tire pressures and better puncture resistance. It has a through-axle for accurate tracking and a shifter-style OneLoc remote lockout. When the surfaces became rougher we turned our attention to the IsoSpeed feature, and were clearly able to feel contrast between seated and standing. Free shipping on complete bike purchases (continental U.S. only). Here is an explenation about how we rate bikes.. That bar makes a huge difference. The Procaliber 9.8 SL comes from a three-tiered lineup of carbon hardtails, Treks premium cross country race bike. We want to make our statements about the bikes as independently as possible. Thisvalueformoney grafic gives you an idea how the specification of the bike is according to its pricelevel. The technology was then transferred into the mountain bike line and trickled down to even the most entry-level Procaliber. Privacy Policy and Learn how your comment data is processed. Modern geometry, cleaner cable routing, and improved steer-ability make it faster than ever. The Trek Slash Enduro bike has not had any concrete sporting success in the EWS recently, but is still one of the most sought-after enduro bikes on the market. And, hes totally gone down the NFT rabbit hole. Free shipping on orders of $99 or more (U.S. only). Sad to see the 27.5 option for small frames disappear. Design engineers at Trek have managed to slacken the Procalibers head angle from 69.5- to 68.75-degrees, allowing for better rider weight distribution during technical descents. You can learn more about how we make money here. money grafic gives you an idea how the specification of the bike is according to its pricelevel. Perhaps keep a set of the Bontrager XR2 tyres on hand if the surfaces become more challenging. So theres a fair bit of new technology going on here. Suspension: Up front the Boost spacing gives the RockShox SID an even wider set crown, pushing the legs further apart. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Privacy and Cookies. supported by a full frame warranty and shipped for free within the U.S. from Alchemy, Check out the latest arrivals at Competitive Cyclist. When will there be North American availability? This gives the rider more compliance when seated without giving up any lateral rigidity. Standing on the pedals the Procaliber feels solid, sit down and theres a definite numbing effect as the shock is dissipated through the movement in the seat tube, and theres significantly less sting in the trail. We also took a look at the geometry. 15.5 in., 17.5 in., 18.5 in., 19.5 in., 21.5 in., 23 in. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Do riders on Small and Extra Small MTBs really need 29 wheels? The weight penalty for the ability to offer some respite for your back on long rides, or enabling you to remain in the saddle longer on rougher sections of the trail will no doubt be worth it for the weight conscious racer, especially those who shy away from the astronomical prices of a dual suspension bike of the similar weight. To most, the high-performance machine was an out-of-reach price tag, unless you were a sponsored racer. The top tube and down tube are completely seperate parts, joined by the decoupler unit. In a world filled with high-tech full-suspension bikes, its nice to go for a ride on a simplistic hardtail. Free ground shipping on orders over $50 (U.S. only). The Procaliber is no slouch when the trails point up and rewards riders with a smooth and fast feel. In this section we suggest dealers from our partner network. In addition, the Yanks give a lifetime warranty on their frames.. Wiggle - Price iswell, its not available in North America. This is a hardtail cross-country bike designed to be simplistic and fast over less technical terrain. Not to be confused as a suspension bike, it's still a hardtail. We analysed over 1500 Bikes and work with the average-values of the entire market. Tyres: Bontrager tyres are now some of the highest regarded treads around, were massive fans of their trail and enduro tyres. Theoretically, were thinking this means you could run slightly shorter hoses and cables for a cleaner (lighter) look without needing all the extra to accommodate excess bar spin. Prior to that, Tyler launched and built multiple sports nutrition brands and consumer goods companies, mostly as an excuse to travel to killer riding locations throughout North America. Lets find out. AKA unforgivably heavy at 1.6kg for an XC race frame. The Trek still gets power down firmly though, without being as bruising as the Cube, and the accurate-tracking frame and quality fork mean you can drive the front end hard, once youre used to the bar. Morewood Kwela If you have any further questions you might find the answer in our FAQs. The 32 tooth chainring strikes a good balance between high and low range gears, we found it to be just the right size. The bottom of the dramatically offset asymmetric seat tube is also almost completely flattened to form a leaf spring segment, to help soften blows from the trail. Here we explain how you can measure your leg length in less than 5 minutes and then determine your perfect frame size. Free shipping on orders over $60 (contiguous U.S. only). By its own account, Trek is even Americas largest bicycle manufacturer. Free standard shipping on orders over $49. While performance is excellent there is weight to be saved in future upgrades with the pinned X1 cassette and aluminium cranks, keep that in mind come Christmas or birthday shopping times, theres always something you can buy, right? The SRAM 11-speed drivetrain was flawless as usual during our testing, and also gives the Procaliber a very clean and un-cluttered appearance with no front derailleur. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. It uses a 51mm crown offset too (readily available), a critical part of Treks G2 geometry concept for great handling 29ers. With all the info we give you here about the bikes, youre probably wondering: are these guys credible at all? Not only does this protect the controls or fork crown from cracking into the top and down tubes during a wreck,Trek says it also keeps the cable from getting yanked too hard.