Trek Supercaliber Review: Short On Travel, Not Traction | 2020 Field Test XC/DC
Вставка
- Опубліковано 26 лип 2024
- A pure cross-country race bike designed with Olympic cross-country in mind, the Trek Supercaliber has just 60mm of rear travel. After several weeks in the saddle, Sarah and Levy discuss whether it's just clever marketing or there's more to this modern soft-tail.
More from the 2020 Field Test XC/DC - pinkbike.link/xcfieldtest
The 2020 Field Test XC/DC is supported by Giro - giro.com/
Special thanks to The Backyard in Squamish - backyardsquamish.com/
00:00 - Intro
00:25 - Bike Overview
03:10 - Set Up
04:10 - Climbing
06:55 - Descending
08:44 - Timed Laps
09:22 - Components
10:07 - Pros
10:33 - Cons
10:54 - Verdict
Pinkbike Merch - pinkbike.link/merch
Subscribe for more content from the pulse of mountain biking.
Website - pinkbike.com
Podcast - pinkbike.link/pbpodcast
Instagram - / pinkbike
Facebook - / pinkbikecom - Спорт
69 degree hta, 420mm chain stays. Nice
Actually 430mm
giggity
IdiotPlaysMinecraft oh, I heard 420, guess I was in that mindset.
Nice
Nice
Bummed not to see the new Kona Hei Hei in this test, but always love a Pink Pike field test.
It is a very surprisingly effective bike. When I started riding mine, it felt odd. But, after a significant amount of time adjusting the suspension, I find it to be a very capable bike.
I do agree with the "you have to work harder" on downhills. It feels like a short travel XC bike on tech. But it doesn't feel completely out of place. It doesnt handle bashing or tech nearly as well as my Remedy, (of course) but it just works.
At 6'0 and fat (225 lb), the Supercal is surprisingly enjoyable to ride.
Funniest comment by Mike... "For when you don't need that full 100mm of travel" lmathefo 👏🏼 the subtle art on comedy! Great review guys
They’re the Regis & Kathie Lee of XC bike reviews 🤣
I raced the pro-caliber all last year, such a beast of a cross country bike.. now with a 60mi rear travel, will for sure help your body suffer less and give you more confidence on the descents. Great video pinkbike !
I’m hugely enjoying this series although I actually have no use whatsoever for this type of bike. (My days of XC racing are behind me.) The descriptions Sarah offers of climbing, descending, efficiency testing, etc. are EXCELLENT. I feel like I’ve -- ALMOST - ridden each of these bikes on your test track. KUDOS for an intelligent, entertaining series of tests. Also, I’m impressed that you’re not pulling any punches when a bike doesn’t measure up in some way during your evaluations. THANKS!!
Great interview you guys.... super laid back, and perfect teamwork.
Really cool video! Also refreshing to see such competend women on pinkbike. Makes the test more credible and speaks to a wider audience :)
Next level MTB review content, well done team. Keep it up :)
Another great episode!
Tested one, loved it! Cape Epic weapon!
So Sarah and Levy are the XCDC duo. Got it!
Thanks guys, this has been a great series. You definitely have me looking at the ancient Giant NRS frame hanging on my wall and wondering where I can get decent 26 inch parts for it... I want to go "wind it through the trees" as you put it!
I have my 9.8 being delivered today. Definitely a comforting review. I race endurance and ultra-endurance so this should be a great bike.
Do you know the difference between the 9.8 and 9.9?
@@thecoochiecrusader2185 Equipment. The frame its the same across all the range.
Thanks for the great vid and the congenial testers :-)
Finally... Pinkbike review Supercaliber
Mike always looks thrilled having to review Trek bikes.
Great series. Great presenters. Great bikes.
I tthink the review was thought from a Trail/enduro perspective when the bike ys clearly a CrossCountry bike. XC Bikes are not meant to be super tecnical not agresive on downhill sections. they are meant to go fast and be thrown around in gravel, softish forest trails, go through some moderate falls and jumps and be kept going. That being said, it is an incredible bike. It takes the very best of a HT and combines it with just enough rear suspention to make it more trail friendly, a bit more capable on downhill, a bit more comfortable on small rock trails, a bit more forgiving on jumps and falls.
If you are expecting it to handle like a downhill or enduro bike it simply won't. Maybe with a 120mm fork it would be more forgiving and a better marriage between XC and trail oriented (the best on the most tecnically demanding XC tracks and the best on the more plain and forgiving trail tracks).
Blazing up those hills, and wow, able to handle the downs with 60mm rear.
I replayed the part where you went screaming out of control down that steep crazy section in the intro several times, so funny!
The dudes a maniac I love it
Can’t wait to watch this
When u see a hartail and ask to ride it and u bounce🤨
confused roadie noises
Hi,
I think there is a small error 🤫🤫at 2:22 for the spur X01 transition😉😉😅😅
I don’t think pounds are equal to kilograms... just a hunch
Oops! So. Many. Numbers. Should've been 11.22 kg.
Grim donut.
indeedlydoo>
I have absolutely no interest in xc bikes whatsoever but I will still watch all of these because I love Pinkbike
Would love to see Scott Spark in this bike review!!
The Spark is the best bike between a fully and a hardtail. Comfort and capability on descents and the stiffnes on climbs is just Bonkers. Got the 900 RC Team in Green and Loving it. Sure there is the Top Fuel but top fuel just isnt as fast and definetly on the pure trail and descent side.
They said they didn't include the spark RC because it came out 4 years ago
I went with 17,half inch frame the nx version all I could afford as I'm a mere porper! I'm also 5 ft 7. 12 half stone! Project 1 is epic!
I would be interested to see how this bike will compare to the 2021 Orbea Oiz. 100mm suspension package to have a better comparison, maybe the one with 120mm suspension as well?
My Procalibre 9.7 is 1 month old and already 2 times on the service since front fork in not working and has to be changed so they gave me Supercalibre 9.7. Nice bike. Tomorrow is time to test what it can do and how much time and comfort it can make up.
While I could agree that the prices of a new bicycle are becoming ridiculous, we're looking at a cross country RACE bike here. You probably won't find more capable mountain bikes for their intended discipline than a high end XC race bike. That technology and weight weenie'ness comes with a hefty price tag. And when you hop on one and point it up a steep technical climb, or pop out of the saddle and sprint by an overbiked endurobro like he/she is standing still, you understand what you're paying for.
But if you're an XC racer, and you already have HT and FS options... if you can get that "passing endurbros" result on a $3000 topfuel or procaliber, why wouldn't you buy those instead? And if you're chasing RACE results, these results suggest you're still going to want a HT for some courses, a FS for others, and then MAYBE the Supercaliber for a handful of in-between laps on very particular routes - so a cool $6000 extra for a couple of seconds a lap a couple times a year. I guess the question is - are you racing at a level where that's an acceptable tradeoff?
Exactly, it’s like looking to buy a race car, it’s simply a waste of money for leisure use (unless you’re rich lol)
@@molybdnum As much as I like Trek bikes, they tend to be heavy for a given price point. I just got a Scott Spark RC 900 that is six pounds lighter than the Top Fuel I compared it to, and I only paid an extra five hundred dollars. The Top Fuel was nice and looked killer, but just too heavy. I also have a Trek Procaliber (hardtail). It is my favorite bike, but even though it is pretty light, for the price I'd have expected it to be a bit lighter than it is. That's my one complaint about Trek bikes--they tend to run heavy. Scott (or Cannondale or Specialized) XC bikes by comparison are way lighter for a given price point. I was lusting over a slightly modified Scott Scale locally that was in the 19 to 20 pound range.
How’s this compare to the S-Works Epic Evo?
How does the bike end up with the 2nd best time, if it comes in 3rd in the overall climb and 4th in the descent? What constituent segments make up the loop for the overall time?
What's left??? Flats. Faster on the flats.
The other bikes might have got like 2 on climb but like 6th on the descent maybe
gorgeous looking steed!
I want! But $$$$! Sticking with my fatbikes for now🤙🏻🤙🏻
Great vid.. Curious what size are the Schwalbe tires you put on the bike?
Great review! Could you please comment on this climbing/descending versus the Top Fuel?
Exactly!
Supercaliber is better at climbing but worse at descending.
One of my first bikes was a KHS softtail, dont remmember it´s modelname but it was like a hardtail with a rubbber-thing on the seatstays who went togenther before the seattube who givé´d about 1" travel on the rear wheel. But that frame was a steelframe for the bend in the chainstays & seatstays during compression. This was in 2002 or 2003 i think...Big difference compared to a alu hardtail but it began to wobble at 35 km/h so i suspect the frame was bent or something...I like Gary Fishers bikes better , both the Supercaliber and my Sugar-2 full suspension i had. That geometry was wonderful. Sooo agile everywhere
Supercaliber was Gary Fishers top bike a few centuries ago.
Psyched to see Sarah on here! MORE FEMALE PRESENTERS!!!!!
After taxes, Supercaliber 9.9 Project One with the top-end components almost rivals the price of a brand new Corolla
Dylan-James Sercy wtf? The cheapest Camry starts at $24,425 before tax. How much are they?
@@JessePoage I meant Corolla. The most expensive Corolla I saw was about $19k (MSRP). I saw it last year while doing research for an essay and I got the two mixed up. Still, a used Corolla and a Supercaliber 9.9 AXS Project One could run about 11k-12k if you got all of the most expensive options. The current Supercaliber is half the price, thankfully
yes but the Supercaliber is so much more fun
@@thebenlyshop I nabbed a 1990 ZR-1 for just $2,000 more than a Supercaliber. As much as I enjoy MTB, not sure I'd say it's entirely more fun than a high-revving engine mated to a sublime 6-speed transmission that generates hilarious sensations. Probably about equal.
Would love to have the next field test with enduros from 3500- 4500
Put a coil on it
Texas tx rigger 04 🤦🏼♂️
@@0lioderso whoooosh
Oli Hah, a XC rider
@@sebastiankmec472 me? 😂 i ride DH and Freeride and definitly not XC 😂
@Philip Klemmer who df asked u? Stupid 8 yr old kid
Cool Duo :)
Very good video, thank you. What is the difference between SuperCaliber and Top Fuel in your view? pros / cons
Top fuel is more trail-oriented, like a down-country bike. It will be a better descender and a more comfortable ride, but overall will probably probably slower on less technical and more climby trails. However, if the trails in your area are more gnarly, it may be the better choice.
When you test the new Orbea oiz 2020???
I would love to see a "budget" version of this bike, they could call it the "Sportcaliber" with an aluminium front triangle and a carbon rear triangle. that could signifficantly reduce the price of the bike to a level where someone like me would actually buy one
XXX wheels, 420mm chainstay, 69 degree hta. they're literally trolling us
Ok but how do you know the 40mm isn't too much for the 100mm and the 500mm and the 1040mm will mess with the 2mm and how many chainstays and 643mm travel and how many 60mm brake rotor 10mm and the thru axle 30mm?
🤔 I'm 5'10" and I decided on a medium. Should I have gone with a large? No medium/large option for me. I've been riding a medium bike for the last 20 years though.
No Scott Spark RC or Giant Anthem? Would figure you'd get last years world champion bikes in the test (Schurter and Courtney were both on Scott Spark RC for XCO, and Paez was on an Anthem for XCM).
I've bought a Supercaliber last year and used for 8 months. First, I should say this bike climbs as promissed, but to descend, it is terrible, no control and not safe (due to 69o head tube). Also, I faced lot of issues with Trek components. This is fact my major complaint: rear tire is gone after 1.200 miles. The bike was delivered by a Trek store without proper spoke wheel adjustement, and one got broken when riding. Bontrager hubs are horrible as, in any contact with water, it damages the bearings (replaced them twice in 8 months!!, the two wheels),. The head tube also very susceptible to watter damage and intrusion. Painting is beautiful, but very fragile, don't touch anything that get damaged. The rear chain stain frame cracked after 2 months of use (replaced by Trek under warranty). So, I shold say I am not happy with Trek as a brand nether with Supercaliber.
My dream MTB is the weird offspring of a Supercaliber and the Stache!
i love my stache but i spend most of my time chasing my cousin around on his canyon lux and he just crushes me! i have been super intrigued to see this group test because as much as it pains me, i'm pondering having to let that lovely mid-fat carbon move on to a new home.
@@TheBassallyear100 try trading bikes, maybe he's just fast. My buddy rides a canyon lux while I ride a salsa beargrease set up 29+ with 3" bontrager xr2 tires and I'm the one pulling away from him... Long story short, bikes make a difference but the rider makes more difference.
@@alecfotsch3533 yep I did that. i live in Florida and it's the tight, twist, rooty stuff that is most apparent. i was substantially quicker on the twitchy XC bike. downhill i think he will crush me regardless of the bike - i'm just useless there but enjoy it none the less!
i love that bike
Does it still have the Gary Fisher design spirit?
its all about the bike skill of the rider no matter what the bike is
Dream Bike!
Great review guys! How a 120 mm fork would do vs 100 mm?
It would slacken the head angle and the seat angle while lowering the bottom bracket. Might actually be pretty fun.
Did that recently - you need to pair that up with a 10mm longer stem and sth like a -17/-25 stem drop. Once you do that the bike plows through anything.
How would u adjust rear
Great review. One detail missing. The Trek has only 60mm travel, but its claimed frame weight (1,933g) is heavier than bikes with 100mm travel (Scott Spark = 1849g). How does this factor into comparisons?
Anyone hear her voice break when she mentioned the price or is it just me
I mean who’s voice wouldn’t crack at a bike that costs $9,499
@@kalekalekale8549 My Kia and Spectral together are cheaper :/
The Supercaliber 9.9 AXS is a flat $9,999 if I remember correctly
No, it's stupid paying so much for a frame made in China that costs less than 500 to make if you are not doing top level competition.
@@kornofilo it's not the price to manufacture tbh its the r and costs and quality control that you pay for
look at the flex in those flex stays on the huck to flat!
As an aging hardtail coinasouer (yeah...I meant that spelling), I really want this bike.
You are not alone.
That 60mm of rear travel must be nice. I love Hardtails but a little bit of rear suspension sounds amazing....
Same.
You guys should also review the merida 96 team or 9000 one of the best bikes for the price in my opinion and weighs absolutely nothing.
So if I was looking for a bike that is the middle ground between a hardtail and a full suspension, would that be the bike? :)
If you're looking to take a mortgage on your bike. Yes
Nice head angle
Goodyear anda Groovy video.
It's a nice bike, but if the S-works epic has more travel and less weight, I don't see why not getting it over the Supercaliber
Let's see; I don't know much about PROS & CONS, but correct if wrong but I think Yolanda Neff won the GOLD 🥉 WITH THIS BIKE.. 😎 So she was #1 descending, ascending, fastest laps, with this bike..
I just (2 days ago) cracked the rear sub frame on my supercaliber 9.8 - sick bike but I broke it haha. Trek gave me a remedy for a loaner and I ordered a slash while they fix it LOL
How did you crack it? I ordered this bike so I am curious, lol.
I was worried about that thin seat stay.
nice bike that is my dream bike
Why doesn’t something like a 160/100mm 64HTA exist? It could be between a hardcore enduro FS and hardtail...just surprised we haven’t seen the concept.
Just for the entertainment of the viewers I would like to see you take this bike to whistler with the saddle completely up in climbing position.
Sarah is pure xc Racer!
Badazz bike BUT prices of BIKES are ridiculous!
I would like to get an AXS groupset for this price ! Canyon lux AXS cost about 9000$
nicze, I think i might make a TREK in the future !
But going full suspension i think i'll go honda CRF125F
MSRP starting from $4,099
it's cheaper & WAY better suspension !
Nice RM's
Cannondale 2013 Scalpel 26er: Yes? New kind hum?😂
2:56 Voice crack 😂
Im 100kg..is it strong enough to handle my weight?
I must be the only person left on earth who prefers 720mm over wider bars. Wider bars, to me, makes me feel like I'm driving a semi truck.
No you are not the only one. I much prefer narrower bars. Most of the people I ride with do also.
Trek Superfy, 700mm bars ;-)
some day :)
That price doesn't add up 3.5k frame and then 5.5k for fox 32's, sram xx1 and carbon wheels. I would expect AXS for that price.
All I know the guys who have this bike on Long Island NY are super FAST!!!!
Soft tail seems like a good name for it cause it's not quite a full sus nor a hardtail
I built a hardtail couple months ago and was like, "lemme tryout the new wide handlebar fad" at 780mm. After first long ride I cut to 755ish, and after 2nd long ride and a few city rides I am down to 720. lol Wide bars are awkward and I am old.
I could get a VW Passat with under 100.000km or a trek supercaliber.
Its just so hard to decide these days...
Also why does this bike not even have AXS for 10 grand?
Please test Trek Spark 900
Scott?
A canyon Lux should cost half the money still enjoy 90% of the fun
This bike isn’t about fun it’s about racing and speed
Matthieu vd Poel was the quickest on his lux.
Lol the lux is faster 😂
Who else said nice at the head angle mention. I won’t lie I totally did and I hate myself for it but whatever.
Super cali(ber) fragilistic expialidocious
Would really love more real time footage and less slow mo - it's not a shredit, it's about showing how the bike actually works and handles at race pace
Mark my words, they will change the chainstays to accommodate a traditional rear shock.
Not likely. Trek already makes models with a traditional rear shock.
8:53 Huh. The results on the timed lap are not great. Full climb, 3rd place out of 4 and 5.75% worse than 1st? Listening to everything said in the rest of the video you would not predict that.
5% is 3 minutes on an hour, that's a lot to dismiss as rider inconsistency.
Those results were kind of embarrassing for a no holds barred race bike from a 'premium' manufacturer to be honest. Still the best bike ad I've ever seen though.
Honestly you can’t take uphill times too seriously. Different day or different time of the day, how you felt after that pie for lunch. Downhill time I think are far more accurate. Talk to any roadie and their power output on a ‘bad day’ can be better than on their ‘good day’.
@@b-manz In the intro video they also said they did a steady climb at a constant 300w using a power meter, although this video doesn't report that result unless I missed it.
The timed lap is a joke. I guarantee if they were to repeat the tests, the times would vary immensely. There are just too many factors at play.
I'd have bought this already, if it wasn't so damn expensive:/
You & I both! 😂😫
I'm 5'10" and an 18.5" frame is almost always a bit too big.
I don't understand this sizing.
I’m also 5’10 and the trek 18.5 feels perfect.
@@Mike-kl2cj Makes no sense for it to fit someone 5'7".
Jeff I'm 5' 10" and own a remedy 18.5. The bike fits great but I definitely wouldn't want to go smaller so it makes sense that she also rides a 18.5.
LMAO ... $9+K price! Trek should put an Apple decal on it!
The $700 apple pro wheels would look great on this! 🤣
It may be designed in the USA and/or partially assembled in the USA, but I assure you that you will not find a "Made in the USA' sticker slapped on the the BB shell of that frame. Same goes almost every other carbon bike available in the USA, including boutique brands
@@Kaspurr84 My trek has a made in Taiwan sticker on it so....
They could sell the iBike stand for 999$
It coms 4th in the descents.Jolanda neff is the fastest descender with this bike.
5,7 is not 177 cm. Its more 167 cm. Im 5,9 wich is 176 cm. So how is this in size???