trek x caliber series 29

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Bike Test: Trek X-Caliber 29er

A Simple Solution

  Why would you ever feel sorry for a rider on a long-travel, multi-thousand dollar bike? Unfortunately, we feel sorry for these guys all the time. We often come across riders who have clearly purchased a bike with way too much travel and unwanted ballast for the type of riding they do. Now, the rider might be having a grand old time, but he could have spent thousands less on a bike like the  Trek X-Caliber and be having a much better experience. WHO IS IT MADE FOR?   Trek puts the X-Caliber 29er in their “race” category, but that only tells part of the story. This bike offers enough versatility that it could serve as your everyday singletrack/backcountry explorer. This is a great bike for everything but ultra-technical trails. They make a female-specific version of the X-Caliber and a cool single-speed variation called the Rig. They all sell for the same price. The Rig uses the drivetrain savings to slap on a Fox fork. Trek offers the X-Caliber in five sizes (three for the women’s version).

WHICH COMPONENTS STAND OUT?   The RockShox fork is made with Trek’s proprietary G2 off- set, but it takes a trained eye to catch it (the crown offset is the easiest clue to spot). The 3×10 SRAM/Shimano drivetrain gives the rider lots of options. Trek put a 7-inch brake rotor up front and a 6-incher in the rear. The Bontrager Mustang rims and Bontrager tires give the X-Caliber a race-ready appearance.

On the trail: The X-Caliber puts you in a racy position with a 90- millimeter, zero-rise stem and a handlebar (using thin grips) with the slightest rise of any “riser” bar. It’s more like a flat bar that hiccuped. The firmness of the Bontrager Evoke 1 saddle adds to the racy feel. The stays offer plenty of tire clearance while staying out of the rider’s way.

Moving out: The Bontrager tires offer low-profile, closely spaced knobs that get the big wheels rolling with the least amount of effort. This is a very quick-accelerating 29er, and it doesn’t mind if your style is in or out of the saddle. Either way, the drivetrain, wheels and frame don’t show weakness as you mash or spin the pedals.

Cornering: Trek’s G2 geometry gives the X-Caliber a light feel up front, but it is still far from the nervousness of steep-head- tubed cross-country race bikes. That’s a good thing. The bike is plenty responsive for quick changes, but it doesn’t require the rider to continually concentrate on the steering; it gives you room to relax. The tires grip better than their tread pattern would have you believe in both fast- and slow-rolling situations.

Descending: Remember that you only have a short-travel fork and a rigid rear end, but inside those boundaries, the X-Caliber X-cels. The fork does a great job of absorbing hard hits, while the wheels take care of the small stuff. Braking doesn’t feel powerful, and that’s a blessing on a bike like this. If there is too much power, then the burden falls on the rider to carefully dole out the pressure to the levers.

Climbing: The bike’s weight is excellent for a sub-$2000 29er. With its solid drivetrain and frame, you’ve got a great climbing package. The best advantage is being able to get out of the saddle for bursts of acceleration without worrying too much about breaking the rear tire loose. The only time we used the fork’s lockout feature was to see if it worked. It does, but you don’t really need it.

TRICKS, UPGRADES OR TIPS?   The X-Caliber would have been fine with a 2×10 drive- train instead of the 3×10 drivetrain that delivers a tall gear you will only use on a paved downhill and a low gear that will have you rock crawling. Still, we understand that riders are reluctant to give up the three rings. Trek will no doubt sell more X-Calibers because of their drivetrain choice. Converting the rims and tires to tubeless would be a sensible upgrade, and good-quality clipless pedals would complement this package well.

BUYING ADVICE   The X-Caliber would serve as a great sport-level, cross-country race bike, but let’s face it, only a tiny percentage of mountain bikers race. This is a bike we could recommend to any rider who is looking for a great, all-around trailbike. If you own a heavy, long-travel trailbike that fills your heart with dread when you approach an uphill or wallows along the trail, you are using the wrong tool for the job. The X-Caliber is the right tool, and it needs nothing other than pedals to get it to work.

For more information on the X-Caliber and other Trek Bikes, click here. This review originally appeared in our July 2012 issue. Subscribe to MBA here.

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Trek X-Caliber 29er Hardtail

• USER REVIEWS

Returned to mountain biking after an 8 year absence. Live in the Northern Ecuadorian highlands. June 5th bought a 2020 Trek Xcaliber 8-have owned Trek before (Trek 3900 and Gary Fisher Cronus carbon road bike) and bought both the brand and the Xcaliber 8. Where I live and ride is mostly scree and dirt over hard pack, midway between Cotacachi and Imbabura volcanoes with some pavement. Lots of steep hills, steep climbs and descents ........ My first 1 x 12 so some getting used to but a good bike for where and how I ride....climbs well, quick and controllable as long as you are careful about where you put your weight. Like the SRAM (after I got it adjusted see below) and the brakes.....

Weaknesses..... first- weight.Not a light bike. Second, front suspension could be longer travel, a basic air front suspension and so far has done all that I have asked of it. Bike is durable,. components are so far good..... Biggest weakness here is S#$t service. Really horrible. Bought the bike new from a local shop...they had 2 L frame 2020 Xcaliber 8's -- they sold one of them the day I went to purchase the bike. The second one was at a Giant dealer in Ibarra Ecuador, about 20 miles away. Went, rode the bike and bought it knowing that the L frame was borderline on the small side. I was told there were no XL frames in Ecuador....I figured (as I have with other bikes) I could make things work with handlebars and stem (which I have). Bought the bike, got it home and first thing registered it successfully with Trek -I was a little uneasy buying it from a Giant dealer-the receipt for purchase was to the Giant dealer, not the local guy. Service problems started when I asked the local guy and Giant Ibarra to find some bars and a different stem. Completely ignored by the local guy. Giant Ibarra-the rep I talked to wanted to argue with me about what I needed for the bike- I didnt go back. Wrote Trek Ecuador in Quito. They ignored several e mails. Shifter was sync'ed reasonably well (SX Eagle) but after some wearing in I took it to the local guy to adjust it. He rode the bike and said "its fine, dont touch the barrel adjuster"--right.....So I bought a Bikehand, watched a number of videos on Youtube and sync'd it myself -- neither the local shop or Giant Ibarra had the SRAM tool to adjust the B wheel clearance.....found the tool at yet another dealer. Found stem and handlebars at a completely different shop after no response from the local shop, Giant Ibarra or Trek Ecuador. So 2 weeks ago after I noticed a slight amount of slack in the crank (didnt have the allen wrench to tighten things or the other tools to work on the crank) I took the bike to the local shop I bought it from and asked that they pull the bearings out, check them and grease things...the bike at that point had a little over 1200 Km on it. "Doesnt need it", they tightened the crank and away I went. Last week after things not feeling normal , I took the bike to another local shop (where I got the stem and handlebars), they pulled the crank out and the bearings were shot. Luckily no damage. Replaced bearings and away I went....... Now granted, this is Ecua

Good Geometry Rides Nicely Trek Warranty Great for Upgrading

Awful wheels, got warranty replaced Derailleur was not clutch, as specified by Trek Little heavy Brakes aren't the most powerful

I've raced this bike, ridden it on long hard rides, and spent many hours in the saddle. Some things I've learned. 1. The wheels are terrible; it got to the point that I was breaking several spokes on easy rides, I got warranty wheels, it was handled very well 2. Almost immediately I got a narrow-wide chainring; neither of the 2 chainrings were a size I liked. It was very easy to go to a 1x by getting a new chainring. Was immediately so much better. 3. Seatpost has a little give in it, really helps smooth the ride 4. Came with a 29x2 stock rear tire. Was absolutely awful on all terrain. Put a 2.2 on and it has been much better.

Similar Products Used:

Trek Mamba Trek Wahoo Trek Marlin Redline Monocog

Solid frame and decent components line up. Rides great, wonder full cornering.

Freehub, spokes, shock, cassette & brakes.

2016 X-caliber 9. With in the 1st Mont I blew out the shock 2 times before upgrading it. I also chewed thru a cassette in the 1st month. About 3 months in I started eating up freehand. 5 to be exact. Then went thru 2 set of wheel upgrades due to this. I also upgraded the front brakes to a bigger rotor. The stock was too small to stop me. Now with that said. The bike rides great and handel's well. Frame is solid and other components are good. Nice and light and geared well for a 2x10.

Trek 3700, Trek 4300

Great frame, comfortable, great climbing, steady and smooth steering

Spokes - keep breaking almost all the time, till fully replacement. Low cost components (chainset, breakes, fork)

X-Caliber 8, 2015. After 5kkm, chainset needed replace. Brakes was totally mistake on 29" bike. With my weight ~87kg, 160 rotors originally mounted Shimano M395 brakes couldn't stop me. So, after some mods: - replaced spokes -> SAPIM - replaced brakes from M395 to SLX '15 with ice-tech XT 180mm rotors - replaced chainset from SRAM S800 to SLX '15 - replaced fork from RS XC32 100mm, to RS Reba DualAir 100mm - replaced cassette and chain from ? KNC to SRAM PG1050 with PC1051 I would rate this bike to 5/5. I even sold my Banshee Rune, just cause this Trek give me great fun. It's suitable on almost every track. Great climbing in this XCal is new (best so far) experience. You just literally are able to go any rideable hill, knowing that only barrier is your mind. Just go and, replace some parts ;)

Gary Fisher Hookooeko Giant Trance 3 Giant Reign 2 Banshee Rune

It looks so cool... Great G2 geometry. Very nice to ride. Quite comfortable, for a sporty MTB. It's fun - cornering, climbing, descending, all of this. Nimble and fast even with its size and geo (69' 21,5' 29er). Good components, not only "for the price". Weight - 12,9kg Stunning look of X-Cal 9 blue/orange/black 2015 y/model

Saddle -didn't fit me at all. Nylon platforms - just a thing to replace, cuz it's just kinda starting kit pedals. Frame head is not tapered -but it's not an issue for me... A bit loudy braking when wet.

I purchased my Trek X-Caliber 9 after season for less than 3/4 of Trek web page price. It's the best looking X-Cal ever and one of best looking MTB at all. No kidding. 2015 blue/orange/black - take a look. Bike rides great. I smile every time I take it again. Easy, fun, comfortable, 12,9kg Everything works perfectly fine after 3000km made. First casette/chain set, lasted for 1700km. What could be better than that? Maybe X-Cal 10 if they would make one. No issues, not at all. Beginers - yes, because it's comfortale and easy bike. X-Caliber 8 and 7 can be also good deal. Experienced riders - yes, X-Cal 9 more likely. Yes because it won't broke so soon and every piece of this setup works great.

Cube Acid 29er, Scott Scale 960, Scott Scale 50, Kross Level B6

Solid component group for the price, Rigid frame and the finish is beautiful.

Tires are good for dry hardpack but not for loose gravel or wet and the drivetrain struggles with hard shifts

Last year I purchased a cheap department store bike to see if I'd like mountain biking and I got hooked so after shopping around I bought a new XCal 8. It seemed the best value for what I wanted one $1000 budget. The bike allowed me to enjoy riding so much more than the cheap 26" department store bike. The XCal is efficient uphill and pretty stable on the single tracks I ride. Even though the fork is a RockSock coil spring, it works well at dampening most hits and I've taken the bike off drops 2' feet without issue. My only complaints are the tire grip on wet or loose conditions and hard gear changes. In all fairness to the bike the gear changes might be more user inexperience with not shifting early enough. Overall I'm very happy with my XCal which I ride ~30 miles per week. It allowed me to become a much better rider and now I'm ready for my first FS bike ;-)

beautiful frame(xcaliber 4),lightish(14kg without pedals) and one of the best and finest geometry in 29er world and very smooth and responsive ride

suntour fork m3030,its not too bad,actuly gives 75mm travel as advertised,but flexy,no lockaut and heavysh

i use to have german bike wich wose lighter,but traded him old for new in bikeshop and i didnt regret it! trek is simply faster,smoother and i Loove the frame! In my country you can buy tens of diffrent bikes brands,mostly german,polish,american etc,but i choose this one!If i hade more budget i wood buy xcal 7 but...Enyway a realy fantastic frame a class of itsown and beautiful smoot ride!With little better fork and lighter and faster tires it would be truly fantastic bike! I ride tested the german bike wich wose 200 hundred dollars more,but xcal ride wose better!And most important this bike rides like is kilo or two lighter wich is very good!Fantastic Gary Firher geometry!Thank's Gary (sorry for my english,not my native language;-)

Drivetrain surprisingly decent (although, it is heavy) Brakes work really well for the price point Fork surprisingly decent

The wheels are atrocious, mine failed first day on the trail (200lb rider) and caused injury Very unforgiving Tires are poor

This is for the 2014 X-Caliber 8. The long and short of it is, I wish that I had just bought a higher quality, but used bike instead of getting a new X-Cal. There is nothing about these bikes that left me with a good feeling afterwards. By far the -WORST- part is the wheelset, if you search around you'll find numerous instances of riders over 195lbs tacoing the front wheel. In my case, I came off a 3 -INCH- drop and the whole thing just folded over, sending me over the bars and a few inches from serious injury. I ended up replacing it in with a $250 (so 1/4th of what we paid for the bike) front wheel (Arch Ex) which held up really well. After spending over $1k on a bike, I shouldn't have a wheel fail the first day on the trail and have to buy a $250 wheel just to make the bike safe. Clearly Trek observed this, too, because they changed the wheel for 2015. The tires are pretty bad too, at least I had a lot of issues with them losing traction at the worst possible time. I think moving to a 29x2.2 in the rear would help a lot, the 29x2.0 just doesn't cut it, for the trails I ride anyway. Lastly, the fork isn't horrible, but an air fork would be a nice upgrade over the coil, mainly for ease of adjustment. Having to tap out the coil spring is kind of a pain and doesn't allow a lot of adjustment. I have to admit, though, I was surprised at how well the fork did most of the time, given it's limited travel and lower price point. To be frank, I believe this is a city bike with some off road capabilities. I've read plenty of others that do "hard" trail riding on these bikes stock, but I don't see how. I found the bike to be very unforgiving of mistakes and in need of upgrades before you can do any serious trail riding with them (wheels, tires, as mentioned before). By the time it's all said and done, you'll end up spending another $600 on a ~$1000 bike. The positives? If you really want a hardtail and plan on keeping it for a while, you could put a new wheelset, fork, and drivetrain on it progressively and eventually have a pretty decent hardtail. These bikes are great candidates for a 1x conversion too or even SS. These are entry level bikes and priced as such, you get what you pay for, but I think they could do a lot better in some of the most important areas (fork, wheels) while still coming close to the same price point.

( For X cal 4) This bike can take a beating. It is light and nimble. Great bike for the money. Can handle tech and tight turns.

Replace the pedals ASAP, you won't regret it.

I bought this bike a few months ago and rode it mainly on pavement, gravel, and grass until about a month ago. I took it on a trail with plenty of crazy downhills and climbs (98% technical) and the trail beat the snot out of me, but this bike just wanted more. This is a tough, light, nimble bike. Great handling but the pedals suck, replace them immediately. I use Freeride platforms on my bike and they have saved my life because of their grip. If you are a beginner or on a budget, get an X-Caliber 4, you won't regret it.

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Trek X-Caliber 8 hardtail review

• February 14, 2023

There are plenty of plus-points to the Trek X-Caliber 8 hardtail mountain bike, like reliable components and a sure-footed feel

Product Overview

Overall rating:, trek x-caliber 8 2022.

• Tubeless-ready wheels and tyres
• Heaviest bike on test

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:.

The Trek X-Caliber 8 is a sure-footed 29er hardtail mountain bike, with plenty of reliable elements that boost its score to impressive levels, but a few missteps that hold it back from quite making it as one of the best hardtail mountain bikes we’ve tested. There’s a whole lot to like though.

Twenty nine inch wheels have long been an integral part of Trek’s mountain bikes, especially the hardtails. And where initially there was uncertainty and hesitation in the industry, Trek pushed on with this larger wheel size and the persistence paid off: with 29in wheels now accepted globally and across all mountain bike categories, not just for the cross country crowd.

Trek’s early 29in wheel bikes were XC hardtails and since then, the X-Caliber has shifted upmarket and now sit between the entry-level Marlin and the carbon Pro-Caliber. All three platforms run 100mm travel forks.

We’ve pulled in the X-Caliber 8 for this review, which is just shy of the Scott Scale 965 in price and shares many of the same components. With all four bikes on test running Shimano brakes and 1×12 transmissions, we were keen to take this consistency a step further and chose models with regular seatposts, rather than droppers. Primarily for comparing the weight of the bikes, but riding dynamics and overall value played a part too as we felt it really levelled the playing field, and maintained the XC hardtail design ethos.

With a steeply sloping top tube and a super-low standover height the X-Caliber is a very striking bike. It’s a silhouette that’s mirrored through all the brand’s hardtails – with the notable exception of the carbon Pro-Caliber – as is the wide size range that Trek is well known for offering. Seven frame sizes are available (with the XS and S rolling on 27.5in wheels to keep proportions in check) with a useful M/L option that’s a great problem solver for riders stuck between the popular M and L options. So hats off to Trek for this level of commitment to getting a good fitting bike.

When it comes to new frame standards, Trek has always been an early adopter, so it’s no surprise to see a tapered head tube and Boost hub spacing on the X-Caliber frame. But it’s Boost with a twist… here, Trek using 141mm rear dropout spacing with a traditional Q/R hub, rather than a 148mm bolt-thru design.

It’s not a deal breaker though, as the fixed rear triangle of a hardtail doesn’t need stiffening up like a full suspension design, and a quick online search reveals plenty of wheel upgrade options from the likes of Hunt, Hope and Bontrager for the 141 standard.

A modern touch that hasn’t been executed as well as on other bikes in test, is the internal frame routing for the cable and rear brake hose – they’re not clamped where they enter the down tube and rattle noisily on rough terrain, just like on the Trek Roscoe in our Hardtail of the Year test.

Trek has equipped the X-Caliber 8 with a RockShox fork and it’s listed as a Judy SL, so we expected to see an upgrade or two. However, all the tech is identical to the regular Judy forks seen on the Cube and Scott – a tapered aluminium steerer, steel upper legs, a Solo Air spring and the brand’s basic TurnKey damper.

The Trek is the only bike in test that doesn’t have a remote lockout lever though, just a simple dial on the top of the fork leg, with an on/off function and no graded adjustment between those points. At least it’s one less cable to maintain and gives more handlebar space for a dropper post remote lever.

And while the X-Caliber frame does not use a bolt-thru rear axle, the 100mm travel Judy fork does have the 15x110mm Boost hub standard – although the website lists the lighter tooled axle as standard, our test bike had the same QR lever operated version as the Scott Scale.

Shimano was slow to filter its 1×12 transmissions down to the lower price points, but it’s there now and proving to be a very popular choice, all four bikes in this test using Shimano drivetrains. The X-Caliber’s specification lists a Shimano chainset, but our bike shipped with a model from FSA, and it’s the only deviation from a complete Shimano drivetrain.

Trek has also gone with a smaller 30t chainring and combined with the Deore 10-51t cassette you get a super-low gear, which is useful on the climbs because at 13.53kg (29.82lb) the Trek is the heaviest bike in test.

Another wise move is the genuine Shimano chain which performs faultlessly in wet filthy conditions and plays well with the steel FSA chainring. The benchmark XT rear mech is good to see, as is the rubber chainstay protector, which is a detail the other three brands seemed to have overlooked.

Performance

The dropped top tube, wider 750mm bar, long wheelbase and slackish 68º head angle (the slackest of the four bikes) give the X-Caliber the look and feel of a trail bike. However, the Trek’s geometry and attitude is not in the same league as the most progressive 100mm trail hardtails such as Kona’s test-winning Mahuna .

Even on this size XL, the frame’s front triangle is very compact, especially when compared to the Giant XTC, but it still sports two sets of bottle cage mounts – essential on an XC bike. In fact, Trek has added plenty of mounts to the X-Caliber, with fittings for a rack and kickstand making it a very capable all-terrain bike.

With one of the lightest wheelsets on test, we expected some zip and liveliness from the X-Caliber but it lacked the immediate urgency of the Scott and Giant and on longer non-stop cross country blasts, its weight was noticeable, certainly towards the end of the ride.

You can’t knock the Trek’s sure-footed nature though – the lengthy wheelbase (for an XC hardtail) and wide bar aid stability, and it was only the Judy fork’s lack of refinement that held us back from diving into more challenging terrain. A slightly shorter stem would no doubt help here too.

Although the compact front end still has a tall 525mm seat tube, the seat stays are dropped, giving a tighter rear triangle. This certainly gives the X-Caliber a chuckable hardtail vibe, but the ride quality was a touch less compliant than the other bikes here.

With that in mind, there’s plenty of frame and fork clearance for higher volume tyres to help smooth the ride further, and Trek helpfully supplies the X-Caliber 8 with rim strips, valves and sealant so you can go tubeless straight from the box and reap the benefits immediately.

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With a sure-footed ride, reliable Shimano components and a sorted tubeless wheelset, it feels like there’s a trail bike hiding under the X-Caliber’s glossy frame finish just waiting to get out, but being held back by the fork and lack of a dropper post. Stepping up a model to the X-Caliber 9 would be our recommendation then, as it gets a dropper post and a more capable and refined fork. Ultimately, the Trek X-Caliber 8’s weight is noticeable and even with the same control tyres fitted to all of the test bikes, the Trek lacks the race-bike urgency of the Scott and Giant.

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Trek X-Caliber 8 review

Trail confidence without breaking the bank

David Rome / Immediate Media

In 2014, Trek's X-Caliber (Skye for women) was re-born as a range of entry-level 29er hardtails. Just a year on, it's undergoing further changes, thanks to what Trek calls ‘Smart Wheel Sizes’ – that means smaller 650b hoops for the two smallest frame sizes, and 29in ones for every other size.

Given our near perfect experience with last year’s X-Caliber 7 , the sight of a RockShox branded fork on the new immediately had us smiling – although a corresponding price rise also has to be factored in. So is the new model worth the extra outlay?

Ride and handling: pro-level trail character with superb balance

The handling qualities of the last year’s X-Caliber 7 were a major factor in the praise we showered on it. Borrowing the geometry from Trek’s popular and World Cup-proven Superfly range, the 29in wheeled 7 rides like a performance bike, rather than the entry-level model that it is.

While smaller frame sizes will undoubtedly experience some difference in handling owing to their 650b wheels, our 17.5in-framed test bike immediately – and reassuringly – felt similar to the X-Caliber 7.

Out on the trail, the ride from the X-caliber's geometry shines

The spacious top tube, short stem combination means your weight sits evenly between the wheels, making for balanced handling. Factor in the relatively short rear end and you've got a comfortable riding position with easy manoeuvrability when the terrain requires. Meanwhile the wide, well-swept Bontrager handlebar offers plenty of leverage for confident control of the bike.

The front derailleur cable is routed internally through the top tube for a clean look

Plenty of handlebar height adjustment is available

It’s worth noting that the X-Caliber's responsive handling and undeviating climbing ability is only fully unlocked once the stem is lowered from its stock position. The bike's short head tube and a large stack of headset spacers allow for plenty of handlebar height adjustment options.

Rolling freely and with authority, the 29er wheels and large volume rubber take charge on rock and root infested trails. Smaller rocks and ripples in the ground go past unnoticed, with the RockShox XC32 fork doing a decent job at absorbing bigger hits – though sharp square-edged bumps can overwhelm it.

Along with a crown-mounted lockout and coil spring preload, the XC32 fork offers rebound control – something that is missing from cheaper models.

The RockShox XC32 fork works well in most conditions, though some flex becomes evident when it's really pushed

Unlike pricier steeds, the X-Caliber sticks with a standard 1 1/8in steerer and quick release axle. But it's only when you really push it that flex is felt in the fork – for most trail conditions, and most riders, it’s a non-issue. (It’s certainly stiffer than the 2015 X-Caliber 7’s XC30 fork)

Trek has also done a respectable job in smoothing the X-Caliber’s ride quality. While little compliance is offered by the alloy frame or firm handlebar grips, large 2.2in tyres go a long way towards filtering trail buzz. Combine this with a generously padded saddle that sits atop a skinny 27.2mm seat post, and the ride is by no means harsh.

It's worth bearing in mind though that while the X-Caliber is capable and eager to go just about anywhere, it does so more slowly than a fancier machine will. Whether you're hauling in speed for a fast approaching corner, conquering the steepest hill in the area or pumping the bike into the air, you're regularly reminded of the weight compromises – especially where it's carried by the wheels – that must inevitably be made with entry-level bikes.

Frame and equipment: well rounded build that’s capable of real riding

As mentioned above, depending on your size the 2015 X-Caliber frame goes through significant changes, or none at all. In the case of our 29in sample it’s the latter, with one exception in the form of brighter paint.

The frame is a fairly no-nonsense build featuring wide tyre clearance, internal front derailleur cable routing, easily serviced threaded bottom bracket and cleanly guided full-length sealed cable housing. Showcasing the potential versatility of the X-Caliber for commuting or light touring, the frame features both fender and pannier rack mounts out the back.

A bit of additional weld at the rear brake mount is used to reinforce the frame. Although it isn't the prettiest...

The build quality is pretty great, however, our brake hoses arrived a little long and messy. Good bike mechanics will clean this up before it reaches your hands, but if not, don't accept giant unnecessary loops in the hoses.

A 2x10 gearing system isn't commonly seen at the X-Caliber 8's price. But is it a good thing?

Given that this is the model above the previously tested X-Caliber 7, it’s no surprise the components are better. Beyond the front fork, the drivetrain is the next most obvious point of upgrade, with this model featuring a SRAM 2X10 system, more commonly seen on higher-end bikes. With 10-speed at the back and just two chainrings on the front, the X-Caliber’s gearing has been optimised for off-road use.

As discussed in our mountain bike groupset buyer’s guide , SRAM is Shimano’s key competitor and a popular choice in mountain biking. The X5/X7 components are an approximate equivalent to Shimano Deore and once set up correctly offer crisp and reliable shifting. It's still not as fast as more expensive options, but it didn’t miss a beat while being tested.

Gearing wise, the small chain ring and largest cog on the cassette enable you to crawl up even the steepest of climbs without too much stress. On the reverse, the 36T big chaninring is well suited to fast off-road use, though it may prove under-gunned for those looking to put a skinnier tyre on and commute. For such usage, other brands that stick with a triple chainring setup may suit you best.

Quality components where it matters

Something we don’t often sing about on bikes at this price is tubeless tyres. A tubeless setup allows for lower tyre pressures without the risk of flatting, so providing a smoother ride quality and greater traction on the trail. Additional benefits include lower weight and reduced rolling resistance. While the X-Caliber isn’t set up tubeless, it does feature tubeless ready rims that proved nicely off-road worthy.

In order to ditch the tubes, you’ll still need to buy the appropriate rim strips, tubeless-ready tyres and sealant, but it’s the single biggest upgrade you can do to the bike (after decent pedals) and it’s not a huge expense either.

Although the supplied Bontrager tyres are durable and confident treads for many trail conditions, they carry plenty of weight. Upgrading to tubeless with a compatible tyre would see the bike drop half a kilogram (and probably more) in weight.

We're big fans of Shimano brakes – even the cheapest models

While SRAM takes care of the drivetrain, Shimano handles the braking duties. This is a common and popular choice, because Shimano's entry-level brakes set the benchmark with reliable function and solid performance. The basic model on the X-Caliber lacks the precise feel and bite of more expensive models, but newer riders will quickly gain complete confidence in the system.

So we’ve covered what you’re gaining over the cheaper X-Caliber 7 , but it's also worth considering what you get at the next pricepoint up.

In some countries (including the US and UK), the X-Caliber 9 is also available and provides an example of what to expect. It offers an air-sprung fork for greater suspension tuneability and substantial weight savings. Additionally, the drivetrain components see a further upgrade that should aid in long-term durability. Finally, the hubs move to a sealed bearing unit – effectively creating a lighter system that use replaceable cartridge bearings instead of the cup and cone loose ball-bearing system found on the X-Caliber 8 and below.

Common advice when buying a starter mountain bike is to spend as much as your budget allows. As we’ve seen in our testing of the X-Caliber 8, that advice rings true in the form of lower weight along with suspension, gearing and wheels that are better suited to the punishment meted out by off-road use. Whatever your budget, be sure to factor in the cost of pedals, as those included won’t let you see what this bike is capable of.

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2021 Trek X-Caliber 9

A 29″ / 29″ aluminum frame hardtail crosscountry bike with upper mid-range components. Compare the full range

Manufacturer Price

X-Caliber 8 - 2021, Medium/Large

In Stock: MD/LG

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A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

X-Caliber 9

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Trek X-Caliber 9

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Size / 15.5", 17.5", 18.5", 19.5", 21.5", 23"

Weight / 12.61

At a glance

Where to buy.

Specifications

• Frame Alpha Gold Aluminum, E2 tapered head tube, internal derailleur & dropper post routing, rack & kickstand mount, Boost141, G2 Geometry
• Fork RockShox Recon Silver RL, RockShox Recon RL, Solo Air, rebound, remote lockout, E2 tapered steerer, G2 Geometry w/51mm offset on 29ers, Boost110, 100mm travel (13.5: 80mm travel)
• Hubs Bontrager sealed bearing, Boost141
• Wheels Bontrager Duster Elite Tubeless Ready 28-hole, tubeless strips and valves sold separately
• Wheel Size 29" 27.5"
• Tires Bontrager XR2 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, 120 tpi, aramid bead, 29x2.20˝ (13.5 & 15.5: 27.5x2.20˝)
• Chain KMC , KMC X11-1
• Crank Shimano XT, Shimano Deore XT, 36/26
• Bottom Bracket Sealed cartridge
• Front Derailleur Shimano SLX, Shimano SLX M7020
• Rear Derailleur Shimano XT, Shimano Deore XT M8000, Shadow Plus
• Shifters Shimano SLX, Shimano SLX M7000, 11 speed
• Brakeset Shimano , Shimano M425 hydraulic disc
• Handlebar Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 5mm rise, 720mm width
• Saddle Bontrager Evoke 2, chromoly rails
• Seatpost Bontrager alloy, 2-bolt head, 31.6mm, 8mm offset
• Stem Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, 7 degree
• Grips Bontrager Race Lite, lock-on
• Headset Semi-integrated, cartridge, 1-1/8˝ top, 1.5˝ bottom

Q: How much is a 2018 Trek X-Caliber 9?

A 2018 Trek X-Caliber 9 is typically priced around $1,579 USD when new. Be sure to shop around for the best price, and also look to the used market for a great deal.

Q: Where to buy a 2018 Trek X-Caliber 9?

The 2018 Trek X-Caliber 9 may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: How much does a 2018 Trek X-Caliber 9 weigh?

A 2018 Trek X-Caliber 9 weights 12.61.

Q: What size wheels does the 2018 Trek X-Caliber 9 have?

The 2018 Trek X-Caliber 9 has 29" and 27.5" wheels.

Q: What size 2018 Trek X-Caliber 9 should I get?

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