When Trek lifted the neoprene cover on Jolanda Neff's World Cup bike in 2019 and presented the first Supercalibre to the public, the surprise was perfect: Is it a hardtail? Is it a fully? The world had never seen damping technology with a suspension strut partially integrated into the frame on a race bike before. With a minimalist 60 millimetres of rear suspension travel and a lightweight chassis, the Supercaliber not only became a favourite among the cross-country riders of the Trek Factory Racing Team, but also among the also in past BIKE tests as a specialist for efficient propulsion. In technology-intensive racing, four years is a long time and so Trek is now giving the luxury speedster a major update package.
What's new about the Trek Supercalibre Gen 2
Trek will continue to use the "Iso Strut" rear suspension system in 2024. However, the striking shock unit no longer bears the name Fox, but the lettering Rockshox Sid Luxe Iso Strut. The result of the new cooperation is five millimetres more installation length and 7.5 millimetres more stroke. Free of space problems and without adding weight, the shock now generates 80 millimetres of travel. At the same time, special tools are no longer required for removal.
Trek is also using the new edition to adapt the rear suspension kinematics. With a significantly higher and linear leverage ratio, the Americans want to have made the rear suspension even more efficient. Increased anti-squat values should prevent even a fraction of the leg force from being lost in the suspension.
To decouple the suspension with the flexing seat stays from braking forces, Trek relies on a floating brake mount. To match the increased rear suspension travel, Trek has installed the latest generation of Rockshox forks with 110 millimetres of travel.
The Supercaliber has also undergone a further diet and now comes in two different carbon fibre laminates. The new SLR frames promise a weight saving of up to 250 grams thanks to the optimised carbon fibre structure on the main frame and the absence of laminated cable guides. In fact, the frame of our SLR test bike in size L weighs less, than the predecessor in size M. The frame weight of the models with the abbreviation SL should be comparable with the previous generation.
Of course, the new Supercaliber also has modern XC geometry with a slacker steering angle and longer reach. Our ride report reveals whether the update pays off in practice. We asked the top-of-the-range Trek Supercaliber 9.9 XX AXS Gen 2 for a test. This version resembles the workhorses of the cross-country pros of the Trek Factory Racing Teams around Jolanda Neff, Evie Richards, Anton Cooper and Vlad Dascalu.
For me, the Trek Supercaliber is the perfect race bike. Thanks to its integrated suspension and flexible struts, the suspension travel feels like a lot more. At the same time, the system saves a lot of weight and flies up every hill. I can't imagine a better bike, especially on demanding routes such as Tokyo." - Jolanda Neff, Trek Factory Racing
Ride report: Trek Supercaliber 9.9 XX AXS Gen 2 2024
The Supercaliber rolls out of our test lab like a well-trained top athlete. The test stands not only attest to the race bike's dream weight of 9.86 kilos without pedals, but also the light-footed acceleration of the carbon wheels. As befits an XC fully for € 11,499, full marks are awarded for the equipment with Sram's high-end XX SL AXS Transmission groupset. While a dropper seatpost was reserved for the top model on the predecessor, Trek is equipping all 2024 Supercalibre versions with a retractable seatpost.
The Supercalibre shoots off like a rocket. The firm Iso-Strut rear triangle remains virtually motionless even when pedalling hard. Particularly noticeable: If the power comes from the front and top, such as when pedalling up steep ramps, the shock remains completely still. Only when the body weight is shifted further back does the shock release more and more travel.
In the saddle, the extended reach of 462 millimetres (test bike size L), the not-too-steep seat angle of 74.5 degrees and the low cockpit give Supercaliber riders a sporty riding position. With a lot of pressure on the pedals, you can move forwards efficiently. With the help of the new Rockshox Twistloc Ultimate Remote on the handlebars, the fork and shock can be tightened simultaneously. This only provides a noticeable advantage when sprinting on tarmac. Even without a lockout, the Trek converts muscle power into propulsion with very little loss.
Despite being drive-neutral, the independent suspension filters small bumps from the ground with astonishing sensitivity. When riding over rough gravel, forest and meadow paths, this provides a noticeable comfort advantage over any hardtail. On uphill trails, the Iso-Strut shock makes its rider happy with good traction and support. The Supercaliber takes on the root edges that are common on XC courses with confidence and without bottoming out. Technically demanding climbs are easier than you would expect from a firm race bike.
The equipment list of the Trek Supercaliber 9.9 XX AXS Gen 2 includes a number of tributes to its intended use. Racers will appreciate the thin silicone grips. Fast-rolling tyres and small 160 millimetre brake rotors at the front and rear, despite the frame size L, set the tone for uncompromising racing use. Despite the telescopic seat post and geometry update, this commitment to racing requires an experienced hand on the handlebars in technical downhill sections. The Pirelli tyres are stingy with grip, especially in the wet and in off-camber sections. Even if the nominally only 2.2-inch-wide Italian tyres on the wide carbon rims are voluminous, they are the limiting equipment detail downhill. What may work on dry trails and in races under the influence of adrenaline requires a great deal of courage and riding skill in the real world of normal mountain biking.
When travelling in a straight line at high speed, the Supercaliber lies like a carbon fibre board. The increased length and the sporty chassis pay off with a high sense of safety. Nevertheless, the Trek remains agile even at low speeds. It's easy to lob over obstacles. Thanks to the compact chainstays, the bike is also easy on the rear wheel and manoeuvres skilfully through tight corners. In terms of geometry, Trek has found a happy medium in the second edition.
The geometry update of the second generation of the Supercalibre pays off the most on steep sections. The 67.5 degree head angle gives the Trek the necessary amount of security. Thanks to the lowered seatpost, the centre of gravity can be easily shifted and the extended wheelbase also helps to maintain control on demanding trail descents. The rear suspension is more forgiving than a hardtail, but despite 20 millimetres more travel compared to its predecessor, it does not come close to the reserves of other current race bikes. Due to the particularly high progression of the rear triangle, it takes very big hits to utilise the entire travel. Even with a softer setting, the shock operates in the first 60 millimetres in most situations. Nevertheless, the perceived suspension travel is above this minimalist value. The Rockshox Sid SL fork releases its 110 millimetres of travel in a somewhat more docile manner. Nevertheless, its firm end progression harmonises well with the rear triangle and geometry.
While the original Supercalibre was a heavily damped fully, the chassis of the new generation has gained significantly in potential. In the meantime, however, even slacker geometries and bikes with 120 millimetres of travel have conquered the racing world. Downhill, the Trek has to let these competitors go and prioritises courses where it's more about the last watt than the most daring downhill time. Even in 2024, the Supercaliber remains a very special but very good bike.
Conclusion
Hardly any other bike deserves the term 'race bike' more than the Supercalibre. The pointed character of the Silver Arrow is not for everyone. Even the updates and the mini increase in suspension travel don't change that. From a racer's point of view, however, the Trek can be the perfect weapon for the big day, because in its new version the Supercaliber is even more focused on speed - uphill and downhill." - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
Technical data and notes Trek Supercaliber
Manufacturer information
- Price: 11,499 euros
- Available from specialised dealers
- Frame material: Carbon
- Frame size: S, M,L, XL(tested size L, 47 cm)
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 9.86 kg
- Frame weight: 1672 g
- Weight of wheels: 3379 g
- Acceleration of running wheels: 2603 kg x cm²
- Handlebar width: 750 mm
- Frame rigidity (absolute): 16.7 N/mm
Equipment
- Wheels: Bontrager Kovee RSL 30
- Tyres: Pirelli Scorpion XC RC 29 x 2.20
- Fork: Rockshox Sid SL Ultimate
- Shock: Rockshox Sid Luxe Iso Strut
- Front/rear suspension travel: 109/85 mm
- Brakes: Sram Level ULT / 160 / 160 mm
- Gear system: Sram XX SL Eagle Transmission
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 34; 10-52 / 520 %
- Tele support / stroke: Fox Transfer SL / 125 mm
Valuation
- Driving behaviour uphill 28.5 out of 30
- Chassis efficiency: 23.75 out of 25
- Rolling resistance: 12.75 out of 15
- Weight:: 25 of 25
- Inertia impellers:: 12 of 15
- Bottle cage: 10 out of 10
- Driving behaviour downhill: 24 from 30
- Front suspension: 9 out of 10
- Rear suspension: 10.5 out of 15
- Saddle retractability: 10 out of 10
- Brakes: 6.5 out of 10
- Tyre grip: 9 out of 15
- Driving stability: 3 out of 10
TOTAL BERGAUF: 112 out of 120
TOTAL RECOVERY: 72 out of 100
- Other: 26.25 out of 30
- Ease of maintenance: weak
BIKE test rating*: super - 210.3 out of 250 points
*The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-180 P.), good (179.75-155 P.), satisfactory (154.75-130 P.), with weaknesses (129.75-105 P.), unsatisfactory (104.75-0 P.). The weighting of the points in the individual assessment criteria varies depending on the bike category.
Top 10: The lightest MTBs 2023 & 2024 - frame weights in comparison
Cross-country bikes are the supreme discipline for MTB engineers. A huge amount of development work is required to continually raise the supposedly optimised models to a new level.
In order to achieve maximum range of use and minimum weight with full race track suitability, special carbon fibre, innovative frame construction and cleverly composed equipment are used to combat every superfluous gram.
The basis for a super light mountain bike is a super light frame. Filigree damper linkages and the elimination of everything that is not really necessary will enable frame weights of well under 2000 grams in 2024. Including the shock, mind you. And with very good stiffness.
These are currently probably the lightest and most expensive mountain bikes we have tested - the top stars will be competing with them in the 2024 Olympic year. The bare figures.
Overview: The 10 lightest MTB frames 2023/2024 - weighed & tested by BIKE
- Arc8 Evolve FS (size L): 1536 g
- Trek Supercaliber (size L): 1672 g
- Canyon Lux CFR (size L): 1675 g
- Specialised S-Works Epic 8 FACT 12M (size L): 1682 g
- Cannondale Scalpel Series 0 (size M): 1775 g (on test: Series 1, size L, 2052 g )
- Scott Spark RC World Cup (size L): 1780 g (in the test: Scott Spark RC Pro for 6799 euros)
- Pivot Mach 4 SL (size M): 1845 g
- Specialised Epic EVO 8 FACT 11M (size L): 1872 g
- Simplon Cirex 120 (size L): 1880 g
- MMR Kenta SXC (size L): 2125 g
Close behind:
Without integration, as without BIKE test & without BIKE measurement
Jan Timmermann
Editor
