2020 Trek Supercaliber XC MTB Race Bike

Equipment
61

The bike makes a lot of sense. Bridges the gap between hardtail and 100mm FS.

In the trailbike arena, folks are splitting hairs over 15mm, losing sleep over deciding whether to get an SC Tallboy or Hightower.

62

Pretty good to be a consumer these days. We have a lot of choices. Although sometimes too many!

I wonder how much difference there really is in performance between a light 100mm FS bike with lockout and the supercaliber.

63

Anyone get a chance to get one out on the trails yet?

64

Not yet, mine 9.9 is on its way… should be here (Europe) by the end of February.

Meanwile found this comparison test between Canyon Lux vs Trek Supercaliber vs Stoll R1 from Bike Magazine (Germany).

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11019×1363 728 KB
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31015×1353 620 KB
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51016×1360 668 KB
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61038×1376 639 KB

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65

anyone have the cliff notes to this in english?

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66

if you download the picture and put into Google translate as a picture, it will translate it

67

What would be your pick then? Seems your thought seems like mine

68

I don’t think you want my opinion. I bought two Orbea Oiz:es and have now exchanged them for one Scott Spark RC900WC AXS and one Scott Scale RC900 Team. The Oiz was way to nervous, steering-wise, but extremely light so it felt like a HT. Likewise on the backend it bounced around like crazy even though I Shockwizzed it and tested practically every setting I could on the shock. Didn’t help. Switched to Spark and it’s a much stiffer ride. Not as plush as a lot of other bikes I’ve ridden but it’s a race machine so it doesn’t matter. I’d say Spark or Fourstroke if you’re looking for a bike that rides as good as it handles.

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70

I am between the Spark RC or a Canyon Lux. Think the Spark is a better handler.

71

Yeah for sure! Considering geometry I believe the Lux is worse off than the Oiz in regards to being “nervous”. And with nervous I mean very light on the steering. And it’s positive sometimes but for the most part not really. It has to do with wheelbase and if you’ve ever driven race cars then you’d know all the positives and negatives that come with longer vs. shorter wheelbase. Basically if you want a fast handling bike you’d be looking for shorter wheelbase. But that comes with the expense of having a more “stable” bike.

For me the latter is more important. Something I came to realise expensively with dual Oizes… :joy:

73

Thanks! (I am new at this…) For some reason the Supercaliber also got my attention.
Having two bottle cages could be a thing.
I guess that’s another newbe thing? Rating bikes based on bottle cages

74

Yeah. Either you get a pack, someone to help or bottle-sticks. :smiley:

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75

Flow MTB will be doing a review of the Supercaliber. I value their reviews.

It remains on my shortlist - which now looks like this

Blur
Supercaliber
Scalpel

The Blur and the Scalpel are the emmotional choices. Always had a soft spot for these two brands (loved my Cannondale F800 with headshock)

Last MTB was a 2018 Top Fuel, fitted me like a glove. To me Trek is like a VW Golf - maybe not the most exciting - but just works.

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77

I am drawn towards the Supercaliber to. Funny comparison with the VW. My Emonda is kinda the same, no bling but just works indeed.

My choices are Spark RC900, Supercaliber or a Canyon Flux, the only one with a dropper out of the box. Have a nice deal on a Supercaliber however.

78

Spark RC was on my list until I test rode it. Didn’t really get on it. I test rode it same day as the Blur. I felt the Blur was far more efficient both in pedalling and climbing. Scott relied a lot on its lockout - which of course is also a stenght I guess - and I struggled keeping the front down on steep climbs.

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79

Really expect something about that Supercaliber…need to find a test ride. Or just get a Lux.

80

Test riding is difficult. Nobody has stock let alone demo bikes. The Blur and Spark I rode both belonged to staff at the shop.

I am waiting for a shop to come back to me with a few numbers on the Scalpel and Supercaliber (power meter upgrade etc) and I need to speak with someone who rode the SC at a stage race in Portugal (my sort of riding). I will then make up my mind.

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81

Indeed, there is alway the Scalpel.
Keep us posted!

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82

The Lux is hard to look past - and clearly race proven. Geo is a little old school - but in sheer value for money nothing beats it. I will end up paying pretty much 50% more for one of the other bikes like for like spec’d

83

The “old geometry”…something your hear often on the Lux, is that a bad thing and is “the new” geometry that much better?

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