A lot of E and less bike - this applies to the majority of current developments in the E-MTB sector. Powerful motors and growing battery capacities are dominating the mainstream. However, a counter-movement has emerged in the slipstream in recent years. Light e-MTBs - or minimal-assist bikes - such as the Specialised Levo SL, Orbea Rise or Red Deer R.X 375The new "Ride" range is designed to make mountain bikers happy who are only hoping for a small range or speed boost from the motor assistance and are looking for a more manageable, natural riding behaviour. The concept: small battery, partially throttled motor support and a correspondingly lower weight.
However, this was obviously not enough for the engineers of the new Trek E-Caliber. The Americans' latest creation is a 15.75-kilogram minimal-assist bike (top model, size M, manufacturer's specification) with Fazua drive, which comes more than just close to the riding experience of a "real" mountain bike.
Thanks to the removable drive unit, the Trek E-Caliber can be transformed into a non-motorised race fully in seconds - for a 100 percent natural riding experience! In contrast to the candidates mentioned above, the E-Caliber is not a full-blown trail bike - but a sporty cross-country or marathon bike trimmed for propulsion.
To be fair, it has to be said that the E-Calibre is not a world first. Because three years ago, we were already Focus with the Raven2 a minimal-assist hardtail with the removable Fazua drivetrain. Bulls and Lapierre also presented fullys with the two-in-one idea a short time later. In 2021, the concept of minimalist cross-country speedsters with electric drive seems to be picking up speed. A few weeks ago, the BH Bikes with the iLynx also a fully with little suspension travel, a slimmed-down drivetrain and components that are trimmed for lightweight construction instead of downhill strength and trail fun.
Trek E-Caliber: Neither Fully nor Hardtail
Not only the name, but also the entire concept of the new Trek E-Caliber is based on the non-motorised World Cup racer Trek Supercalibre. The E-Caliber is neither a fully nor a hardtail. Thanks to a defined pivot point with bearings and a so-called Iso-Strut damper, which rests on the top tube without rotating, the frame construction can even keep up with normal carbon hardtails in terms of stiffness and propulsion.
However, the suspension travel is also very short at just 60 millimetres. Cross-country star Jolanda Neff has already proven that Trek's softtail concept works with numerous World Cup successes - just without a battery in the down tube. Otherwise, the entire frame is made of carbon - as befits a race bike. At the front, the E-Caliber has 120 millimetres of suspension travel. Wheel size: 29 inches.
The facts about the Trek E-Calibre
- Fazua Evation 2.0 drive (max. torque 55 Nm)
- Compact Fazua Evation battery with 250 watt hours
- 29-inch wheels
- 120 / 60 millimetre suspension travel (f. / h.)
- Full carbon frame
- Five models from 6799 euros to 12999 euros
- Weight: 16.31 kilograms (model 9.9 XTR in size L, without pedals, EMTB measured value)
- Permissible total weight: 136 kilograms
The drive of the Trek E-Calibre
The centrepiece of the new Trek E-Caliber is the Fazua-drive unit. The motor and battery are housed in an aluminium casing in the down tube. The key data: 55 Newton metres at the peak and 250 watt hours of battery capacity. The unit is only integrated into the chain drive via a small cogwheel. This means that the resistance at speeds above 25 km/h is close to zero.
However, if you remove the 3360 gram drive/battery unit and replace it with an aluminium down tube cover, the 16.31 kilo minimal-assist bike becomes a race bike with a total weight of 13.45 kilos (E-Caliber 9.9 XTR, size L). Impressive, but that's not really light for a racy (and expensive!) racer in this category.
This is largely due to the 1.3-kilogram gearbox/bottom bracket unit, which is firmly anchored in the frame. In addition, the large opening for the Fazua unit in the down tube requires a massive amount of material to ensure stability and rigidity.
There is a choice of three different support levels for propulsion: Breeze, River and Rocket. In the weakest level (Breeze), the motor pushes constantly at 100 watts regardless of the rider's input. The River mode is based on the progressive trail or eMTB modes from Bosch and Shimano. According to the motto "give and take", the motor only develops its full power when the rider applies maximum force. However, this is then significantly less than the thrust of a Bosch or Shimano motor. In Rocket mode, the full motor power is then available without restriction.
The remote lever of the Fazua unit is new. And that's a good thing! Previously, the clunky, low-quality control unit of the Bavarians was a negative feature. The new module is much slimmer and more stylish. The modern newcomer has also inherited the colour coding of the support levels and the battery status display via LEDs.
At the same time, Fazua has eliminated another point of criticism. The drive unit can now always be activated via the lever on the handlebars. On previous models, you had to remove the battery after a long period of standing and activate it to start the motor. Fazua has thus cured a few teething troubles.
The individual support levels can be customised using the Fazua software. In each mode, the maximum power, the ratio of rider to motor power and the acceleration can be adjusted in one per cent increments. Unfortunately, this does not work wirelessly with Fazua using an app, but only via a computer and cable.
However, this function plays a central role in the E-Caliber. Because if you turn all the controls to full throttle, you will quickly run out of juice with the small battery. Unless you pack a second battery in your rucksack. Thanks to the minimal size and low weight (1.4 kg), you can even pack two additional energy sources for long tours.
In addition to the software, Fazua also offers an app for the motor. For example, it displays the range depending on the current support. Navigation is also possible. Thanks to the interface with Garmin and Wahoo, the Fazua system is also suitable as a power meter. The motor reliably transmits information such as speed, cadence and the rider's wattage.
The geometry of the Trek E-Caliber
Models and prices
Trek offers the new E-Caliber in five equipment variants. All models are based on the same full carbon frame. Starting at 6799 euros for the 9.6 version, the entry-level model is equipped with a Shimano Deore groupset and a second-rate Rockshox 35 fork, compared to the price of the bike.
Behind it is the E-Caliber 9.8 XT, which costs 8399 euros. As the name suggests, this model relies on complete Shimano equipment from the XT range. For the extra charge, the Americans have added a Rockshox SID and carbon wheels. The 9.8 model is also available with GX components from Sram for the same price.
The top end of the range is marked by the two 9.9 models. For 11999 euros, the top model comes with full XTR equipment and Fox suspension elements from the Factory series. If that's not enough for you, you can go for the 9.9-XX1-AXS model for 12999 euros. With the super-lightweight SID Ultimate fork, carbon wheels and an electronic AXS drivetrain, this model offers the full range of features. More is not possible!
Unfortunately, both top models have to do without a dropper post for weight reasons - a compromise we are reluctant to make. After all, if you're fighting for every second on the climbs to win races, you'll be on a non-motorised bike anyway.
How the Trek E-Caliber rides
We have already tested the Trek E-Caliber 9.9 XTR in many scenarios: On a quick lap around the house, on long tours on gravel tracks and on challenging trails. The newcomer proved to be extremely sporty, strong on climbs and lively. For a race bike without a dropper post, the Trek provides a surprising amount of confidence even on more demanding terrain.
If you want to know how to manage the low battery capacity, where the new concept has weaknesses and for whom this special bike is suitable, take a look at the EMTB 2/21 - in stores from 20 April. There we have compiled all the important information about the Trek E-Caliber in a detailed test report. Be sure to take a look!
Max Fuchs
Editor
