Explainer: New Trek Supercaliber | Tech Overview
It might look the same, but Trek’s second-generation Supercaliber is so very different.
In 2019, with the launch of the first-generation Supercaliber, Trek rewrote the book on XC bikes. The Supercaliber was a new concept and as with anything new, opinions were mixed. Integrating the rear shock into the top tube was unconventional, as were other things about the Supercaliber. I vividly recall the naysayers doing their best to steal the thunder of Trek’s new XC whip. Then it started winning races. A lot of races. At schools racing and at the highest level of the sport. Where’d the skeptics go? As I write this I make a mental note, a reminder of sorts, that true progress often requires breaking away from traditional norms and embracing innovation. You can read and watch my review on the first-generation Trek Supercaliber here. Onto the new Supercaliber then. In my opinion, this second generation has many small changes, the sum of which will likely add up to an entirely new beast.
The suspension
There’s more of it and it’s better, says Trek. Rear travel is bumped up to 80mm and it’s an entirely new shock from RockShox that is reportedly both easier to service and easier to tune. The RockShox SIDLuxe shock has the usual external clickers plus interchangeable volume spacers that’ll help riders get the desired small bump and bottom-out resistance.
The shock diameter has also been increased to 38mm which will improve both its efficiency and the lateral stiffness of the frame. The new Supercaliber also has a floating brake mount which removes some of the braking forces from the frame and will improve control under harsh braking.
The leverage ratio of the bike has been increased which means it requires less force to move the shock and this improves the small bump compliance. Also new, the shock and kinematics are now designed to produce more bottom-out resistance. Without getting too technical, the anti-squat numbers (a bike’s ability to resist pedaling compression) have been tweaked in anticipation of riders running bigger chainrings.
Geometry
The geometry changes that impact rider fit and biomechanics (mostly reach and seat tube angle) are minimal. One big change that will be welcomed by all is a massive slackening of the head angle, (by 1.5°) to 67.5°. Fitting a 100mm fork would steepen the head angle to 68° and with a 120mm fork fitted you’d be looking at 67°. This will vastly improve the bike’s versatility and capability.
The reach numbers are around 10mm more, that’s through all five frame sizes. With a stock 110mm fork the reach numbers from the S to XL are 410, 435, 450, 465 and 500mm. The chainstays are 5mm longer – which will improve climbing and the overall composure of the bike when riding at pace. Another small change is a slightly higher BB, by around 8mm, which will reduce pedal strikes.
Frame options
The new Supercaliber is available in two frame options, the SL and the SLR. The difference between them is the type of carbon used in the layups which results in the SLR frame being around 235g lighter, so around 1795g. Trek says a top-of-the-line build with a dropper post comes in at 9.3kg.
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