First Look: New Trek Procaliber | A ‘hardtail’ race whip
The refreshed, XC race bike turns on the style with a new look and new tech.
If you look around the starting line of any local XC race, it’s clear Trek’s full suspension Supercaliber is a well-liked race whip. However, ode to their climbing prowess and affordability, the demand for performance-orientated hardtails, remains lofty. To remain competitive in this field, Trek has refreshed it’s Procaliber with new geometry, more travel and softtail-esque tech.
Across all models of the new Procaliber, the geometry matches that of the latest-generation Supercaliber we tested here. Specifics there include a 67° head angle which is almost 2° slacker than the previous generation, reach numbers have expanded to run from 405mm up to 500mm and the seat tube is 0.5° steeper, at an effective 74.3°. These numbers will offer more stability and control at speed and the ability to run the saddle a tad more forward, for those who prefer it.
Key Details
| Available in Carbon and Alloy Frame Options |
| Updated geometry |
| New IsoBow tech — floating seat tube (Carbon models only) |
| 120mm fork |
| 2.4″ Tyre Clearance |
| Floating brake mount |
| Frame weight: 1150g (carbon model) |
| 3 models available in SA |
| Pricing from R30k |
An interesting tech update is the swapping from IsoSpeed to IsoBow. Essentially the seat tube and top tube on the new bike is a single structure that is built to flex, providing some small-bump compliance. Trek says this new fatigue-fighting tech offers 80% of the compliance of IsoSpeed, but shaves as much as 200grams from the frame.
The refresh includes introducing 120mm forks to all models of Procaliber and a floating rear brake mount. These changes will no doubt improve handling and comfort, as well as control – especially when braking hard.
Another weight-saving move is to ditch the steering limiter, aka: Knock Block. There are three models in the local lineup. The aluminium frame Procaliber 6 and 8 will retail at R30k and R40k respectively with a single carbon model, the Procaliber 9.6, that will retail for R55k. One last update worth mentioning is the move to 2.4″ tyre clearance that will improve compliance, flat-resistance and climbing grip.
If you fancy a lightweight climbing machine, with modern geometry the new Procaliber with it’s attractive pricing, is worth investigating. Learn more: trekbikes.com //