Superlight as well as ultra-nimble, the Trip Supercaliber is a flat-out rapid XC race bike that’s as stunning as it is quick.
We caught our very first look of the Expedition Supercaliber in the 2019 Globe Cup scenic tour (covered in sneaky coverings). The shadows of privacy came off later in the scenic tour, as well as the bike lastly welcomed consumers in November that exact same year.
The current model from Expedition, the Supercaliber fills a gap in between its 100mm hardtail Procaliber and also the 120/115mm full-suspension Top Fuel. What actually sets this bike apart from the current lineup is the trademarked IsoStrut.
This advancement beautifully marries a personalized FOX shock right into the top tube, offering the bike 60 mm of back travel: 55 mm from the shock and 3-5 mm from the versatile stays. While 60 mm might appear insignificant for a full-sus ALL-TERRAIN BICYCLE, it’s simply enough to get the harshness of the trail without compromising speed.
In other words: Trek built the Supercaliber to win races. It did this by incorporating the very best high qualities of a hardtail as well as included simply sufficient back travel to provide you the confidence and also control you need to fly with the rough things.
Trek Supercaliber XC: Super Special
The model I examined was the 9.8, which falls somewhere in the middle of the schedule. The 9.8 is spec ‘d with a SRAM GX drivetrain, XT hydraulic brakes, 100mm Fox Performance 32 Step-Cast fork, ultralight Bontrager carbon edges tied to thru-axle increase centers, and also a bunch of carbon elements to make it race-ready out of package. Our dimension tool weighed in at a scant 22 extra pounds.
The Trip Supercaliber likewise includes the Trek Knock Block, an incorporated frame defense system that stops damages from spinning handlebars. It has a little chip integrated into the framework and a customized top cap that basically prevent the fork from hitting the down tube and the handlebar controls from harming the leading tube. It really felt strange initially yet had not been restricting in any way on technical uphill switchbacks.
Trip Supercaliber XC: Testimonial
With the 2020 ALL-TERRAIN BICYCLE race period closed because of the global pandemic, I did my finest to place this motorized bicycle with race problems while playing by the brand-new guidelines. Our headquarters in Minneapolis offered me access to a lot of awesome singletrack to get rowdy on this race gear.
The first thing I observed was exactly how # @$% ing quick this bike rides! Accelerating, cornering, climbing up, and also grinding out the apartments, the Supercaliber wishes to go as fast as you’ll allow it. The pedaling effectiveness and power transfer are so direct that I neglected I got on a full-sus bike up until I hit the technical downhill sections and identified the advantages of the IsoStrut.
However the crucial to speed up is self-confidence, as well as the finely tuned IsoStrut did perfectly, permitting me to ideal my previous lap times effortlessly. I additionally promptly found out about the left-hand twin lockout and also often engaged the bar on climbs up or transitioning to the next path on the flats. As the name recommends, it proved extremely fast and very simple.
Who Is This Bike For?
Allow’s be clear, this is a World Cup race bike developed to win huge races, so XC racers comprise Trek’s target market here. That said, if you’re racing the regional circuit and also looking to shave off time, you must seriously consider the Expedition Supercaliber (thinking you have several grand shedding an opening in your pocket– extra on that particular below).
As well as if rate really is no issue, if you just simple love to go fast on singletrack, this bike will certainly assist you squash your previous Strava lap times and also leave your pals in the dust.
Hell, the Supercaliber might even match elite racers at the secondary school degree. When I checked this bike at the regional trails, I saw two young high school cyclists on matching Supercalibers that flashed me a “hang loose” hand signal– as though my rich parents had actually additionally spent lavishly on an ill bicycle motors to get me out of the house.
Trip Supercaliber: Rates & Accessibility
The Supercaliber can be found in three different builds, or as a structure only. The model range consists of the 9.7, 9.8, as well as 9.9– spec would certainly with SRAM NX, GX, as well as XX1– with rates hitting $4,500, $5,900, as well as $9,500, specifically. They’re all specification ‘d very well, however you’ll conserve a couple of extra pounds with each model upgrade. The frame-only alternative comes in at $3,700.
The actually great thing is the structure and also tech are exactly the very same through the range. If you’re looking to conserve a couple thousand dollars and don’t mind a little additional weight, go for the 9.7 and upgrade the components as you go.