Review: Trek E-Caliber | The Cross-country bike with just a little assist
E-Caliber is the brand’s electric derivative of the Supercaliber. It is Trek’s lightest ever full-suspension eMTB. Here’s my take on it.
| WORDS: Myles Kelsey | IMAGES + VIDEO: Ryan Franklin |
BUILD KIT & DRIVE UNIT
The 9.6 E-Caliber (model tested) is a full carbon frame with a mix of RockShox and Fox dampers, Shimano brakes and drivetrain with Bontrager bars, stem, saddle, wheels and tyres.
Details: E-Caliber 9.6
- FRAME | Trek OCLV Carbon frame and stays, 60mm travel, IsoStrut Suspension, Knock Block Steering Limiter
- BATTERY | Fazua Evation 250Wh
- CONTROLLER | Fazua
- MOTOR | Fazua Ride Trail 50
- FORK | RockShox 35 Gold RL, DebonAir spring, Motion Control damper, remote lockoout with 120mm travel
- SHOCK | Trek IsoStrut, Fox Performance shock
- BARS | Bontrager Comp Alloy, 31.8mm with 750mm width and 15mm rise
- STEM | Bontrager Rhythm Comp 70mm
- SEAT | Bontrager Arvada
- SEATPOST | TranzX 130mm travel
- WHEELS | Bontrager Kovee Comp, Double Wall, Alloy
- TYRES | Bontrager XR3 2.4
- CASSETTE | Shimano Deore, 12-speed, 10-51t
- MECH |Shimano XT
- SHIFTER | Shimano Deore
- CRANKS | E*thirteen alloy, 170mm
- CHAIN | Shimano Deore
- BRAKES | Shimano
- WEIGHT | 15,6kg or 18,7kg
GEOMETRY
E-Caliber is available in four sizes that all run on 29″ wheels. It is an electric-assist derivative of the Supercaliber we tested here with two significant changes to the geometry. The head-angle is significantly slacker at 67.5 degrees and the reach numbers have been extended by around 15 to 20mm across all the sizes.
RIDE IMPRESSIONS
THE FAZUA SYSTEM | In my experience all eMTB drive systems have their unique sounds and sensations on the trail. Some whine, some scream and some simply sing along. There’s a little rattle, perhaps a clunk on a drop-off or a battery that vibrates inside the frame. There’s always a different sound and feel to an eMTB. I mean, there’s a motor with moving parts and electrical stuff inside there right? In my opinion, it’s kind of crazy to expect an eMTB to ride as quietly as a traditional bike. The E-Caliber is not without unique sounds and sensations but it is by no means a noisy eMTB. In fact, I’d say it’s one of the more stealthy units I have ridden. The 55Nm and 450 watts in the system are delivered as ordered by the rider — peacefully or, when required, in a decidedly more perky manner. Breeze, River or Rocket are the support modes to toggle through and the preset tunes cover a broad range of support. So much so, that I haven’t felt the need to customize the power delivery through the Fazua App. It is a neat feature to have though, and with more time on the bike something I’d dive into for sure. The Fazua system delivers it’s support through a wide range of cadence too – from as low as 50rpm right up to 120rpm. This is particularly handy on technical trails and on steep restarts. Overall I’d say the power delivery is predictable and easy to control. However, the special sauce with the E-Caliber is the drive-unit (battery and motor) – is removable! So yes, the bike can be ridden as a traditional bike.
HANDLING | It’s not a clunky bike on the trails. What weight it has is positioned very low on the frame making for a poppy and very XC-like ride feel, with just a hint of a trail bike in there. The head-angle is spot on, standover numbers are good and seat tubes are short. For me, the E-Caliber rides a little more like Trek’s new Top Fuel than it does the Supercaliber and I think that’s attributed to the geometry. I rode a size Large (I’m 1.76m tall) and would fit a shorter stem to it as Cape Town has a fair share of gradient about and the shorter stem works better on the downs. Bontrager XR3 Tyres are an excellent spec for the E-Caliber and have great corner grip with a fast-rolling tread pattern. I had a moment on a steep switchback climb on one of my test rides when I thought something was off in the handling but quickly realized I just carried far more speed into the turn than I usually do on my XC bike, ran wide, very nearly binned it. Had a giggle and rolled on. This bike is fun! It’s also very intuitive and easy to ride, just remember to check your entry speed on tight switchback climbs…
RANGE |There are a lot of variables impacting range expectations but Fazua are saying that with a rider putting 200watts into the system they could expect to cover 70km, with 1200m of climbing using continuous support. Naturally, if zero support is used at times in the ride, those range numbers will be bigger. I’ll do some longer-range rides soon and report back on the numbers. I figure 100km rides are on the cards – but fitness and work are required to reach those numbers. [On a side note: Dear Jolanda, NOW I’m ready for your off-season escapades in Cape Town.]
VALUE | Everything is expensive these days. The E-Caliber 9.6 model tested here is priced at R120k at the time of this review. That’s a chunk of change. It is also below half the going rate of some of the world’s range-topping eMTB’s. The real value in the E-Caliber is it can be ridden as a regular bike. It’s an eMTB and a regular bike, all in one and it performs both of those functions extremely well. In a country where endurance riding is the main discipline, I imagine the E-Caliber will be very popular.
BUYING ADVICE | You don’t need to replace a single part on this bike. However, if you ride in a rocky area like some sections of Gauteng, Free State and here in the Western Cape, it’s a smart move to install an insert into the rear wheel to protect your tyre and rim. I’ve used the cSixx and CushCore options and highly recommend them. The second piece of advice I have is if you are riding more singletrack and fancy a little speed on the downs then ask your Trek dealer to fit a shorter stem when you purchase the bike – it helps you bias your weight a little more centrally on the bike and it’ll keep you safer when rocketing down the trails.
WHO IS IT SUITED TO? | This is a great bike for any rider who is not interested in playing at the sharp end of the racing game. I think it is ideal for rookies who are coming into the sport and might need a little assistance to ease into things. It’s a great option for anyone who has been battling health or fitness issues. It’s an ideal bike for veteran riders looking to extend their riding lifetime. It’s also the perfect equalizer that helps riders stay in touch with their fitter riding mates on their regular outings. Fit riders will use the E-Caliber to extend their loops and explore a little further than previously possible.
VERDICT | Trek’s E-Caliber is a strong, lightweight and stealthy eMTB that requires fitness. On the Cross-country trail, it ticks all the boxes and does everything expected of an XC bike. Its easy-handling characteristics make it a lot of fun to ride. Chapeau Trek.
VIDEO OVERVIEW
RELATED: Trek Rail eMTB Range Test