Bike Check: Massi’s Trek Supercaliber 9.8

review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
Massi rides a Trek Supercaliber 9.8.

Massimiliano Ambrosi, aka Massi, is a 5x Gauteng champ who tasted the XCO scene in Europe this year. “My first World Champs done and literally dusted. Man, that was an intense race with many ups and downs… the race did not go as smooth as I would have liked but we learn from it and use this experience to grow. P51 in the end.” – he says. Sounds like a good kid, right! Here’s a deep dive into his race steed.

review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
Massi is supported by Bicycle Service Company in Jozzie.
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
For those unfamiliar with it, the Supercaliber runs a 100mm fork with 60mm of rear travel.
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
Massi runs Shimano XT brakes with a RockShox TwistLoc lockout with Bontrager Kovee Pro carbon bars that are 760mm wide.
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
It’s a custom Fox Performance shock inside the Trek IsoStrut rear system.
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
It’s a Fox Performance, 32 Step-Cast fork with the manufacturer’s suggested settings.
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
Bontrager Kovee Pro stem, 80mm with a 13-degree drop.
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
Massi had a 150mm Bontrager dropper post but was moving to a 100mm version. He uses a Garmin to keep track of all the numbers. | *Click to enlarge
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
Having a comfy saddle is important when clocking up the training miles Massi needs to. He uses a Bontrager Montrose Elite saddle.

“If I sold the bike the component I would keep and transfer onto my next bike would be my SRAM AXS. It has taken shifting to the next level and made it so much easier and better. No more rattling cables to worry about.” – Massi

review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS wireless electronic shifting with a 10-52t cassette.
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
SRAM 34t chainring with a Power2Max meter and Shimano XTR pedals.
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
SRAM GX cranks in 175mm length with a Sahmurai tubeless repair kit in the BB.
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
Shimano’s ‘XC’ XT brakes with a 180/160 rotor setup.
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
Bontrager XR2 tyres in 2.2″ sizing with the brands uber-light Kovee Pro wheels with about 19psi front and 25psi rear.
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
Massi has added frame protection to the top tube.
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
“This bike blows me away every time I ride it! The handling is next level and it absorbs everything that is thrown at it, even though it has just 60mm of travel it is more than capable of flying down those technical descents. I just love the overall feeling of the bike and how it handles all the hits surprises me every time.” – Massi
review of mountain bike racer ambrosi massimiliano trek's supercaliber bicycle on location in johannesburg south africa for bike network
Yes bru!

| IMAGES: Dom Barnardt |

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