trek x caliber carbon

Trek X-Caliber 8 hardtail review

• February 14, 2023

There are plenty of plus-points to the Trek X-Caliber 8 hardtail mountain bike, like reliable components and a sure-footed feel

Product Overview

Overall rating:, trek x-caliber 8 2022.

• Tubeless-ready wheels and tyres
• Heaviest bike on test

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:.

The Trek X-Caliber 8 is a sure-footed 29er hardtail mountain bike, with plenty of reliable elements that boost its score to impressive levels, but a few missteps that hold it back from quite making it as one of the best hardtail mountain bikes we’ve tested. There’s a whole lot to like though.

Twenty nine inch wheels have long been an integral part of Trek’s mountain bikes, especially the hardtails. And where initially there was uncertainty and hesitation in the industry, Trek pushed on with this larger wheel size and the persistence paid off: with 29in wheels now accepted globally and across all mountain bike categories, not just for the cross country crowd.

Trek’s early 29in wheel bikes were XC hardtails and since then, the X-Caliber has shifted upmarket and now sit between the entry-level Marlin and the carbon Pro-Caliber. All three platforms run 100mm travel forks.

We’ve pulled in the X-Caliber 8 for this review, which is just shy of the Scott Scale 965 in price and shares many of the same components. With all four bikes on test running Shimano brakes and 1×12 transmissions, we were keen to take this consistency a step further and chose models with regular seatposts, rather than droppers. Primarily for comparing the weight of the bikes, but riding dynamics and overall value played a part too as we felt it really levelled the playing field, and maintained the XC hardtail design ethos.

With a steeply sloping top tube and a super-low standover height the X-Caliber is a very striking bike. It’s a silhouette that’s mirrored through all the brand’s hardtails – with the notable exception of the carbon Pro-Caliber – as is the wide size range that Trek is well known for offering. Seven frame sizes are available (with the XS and S rolling on 27.5in wheels to keep proportions in check) with a useful M/L option that’s a great problem solver for riders stuck between the popular M and L options. So hats off to Trek for this level of commitment to getting a good fitting bike.

When it comes to new frame standards, Trek has always been an early adopter, so it’s no surprise to see a tapered head tube and Boost hub spacing on the X-Caliber frame. But it’s Boost with a twist… here, Trek using 141mm rear dropout spacing with a traditional Q/R hub, rather than a 148mm bolt-thru design.

It’s not a deal breaker though, as the fixed rear triangle of a hardtail doesn’t need stiffening up like a full suspension design, and a quick online search reveals plenty of wheel upgrade options from the likes of Hunt, Hope and Bontrager for the 141 standard.

A modern touch that hasn’t been executed as well as on other bikes in test, is the internal frame routing for the cable and rear brake hose – they’re not clamped where they enter the down tube and rattle noisily on rough terrain, just like on the Trek Roscoe in our Hardtail of the Year test.

Trek has equipped the X-Caliber 8 with a RockShox fork and it’s listed as a Judy SL, so we expected to see an upgrade or two. However, all the tech is identical to the regular Judy forks seen on the Cube and Scott – a tapered aluminium steerer, steel upper legs, a Solo Air spring and the brand’s basic TurnKey damper.

The Trek is the only bike in test that doesn’t have a remote lockout lever though, just a simple dial on the top of the fork leg, with an on/off function and no graded adjustment between those points. At least it’s one less cable to maintain and gives more handlebar space for a dropper post remote lever.

And while the X-Caliber frame does not use a bolt-thru rear axle, the 100mm travel Judy fork does have the 15x110mm Boost hub standard – although the website lists the lighter tooled axle as standard, our test bike had the same QR lever operated version as the Scott Scale.

Shimano was slow to filter its 1×12 transmissions down to the lower price points, but it’s there now and proving to be a very popular choice, all four bikes in this test using Shimano drivetrains. The X-Caliber’s specification lists a Shimano chainset, but our bike shipped with a model from FSA, and it’s the only deviation from a complete Shimano drivetrain.

Trek has also gone with a smaller 30t chainring and combined with the Deore 10-51t cassette you get a super-low gear, which is useful on the climbs because at 13.53kg (29.82lb) the Trek is the heaviest bike in test.

Another wise move is the genuine Shimano chain which performs faultlessly in wet filthy conditions and plays well with the steel FSA chainring. The benchmark XT rear mech is good to see, as is the rubber chainstay protector, which is a detail the other three brands seemed to have overlooked.

Performance

The dropped top tube, wider 750mm bar, long wheelbase and slackish 68º head angle (the slackest of the four bikes) give the X-Caliber the look and feel of a trail bike. However, the Trek’s geometry and attitude is not in the same league as the most progressive 100mm trail hardtails such as Kona’s test-winning Mahuna .

Even on this size XL, the frame’s front triangle is very compact, especially when compared to the Giant XTC, but it still sports two sets of bottle cage mounts – essential on an XC bike. In fact, Trek has added plenty of mounts to the X-Caliber, with fittings for a rack and kickstand making it a very capable all-terrain bike.

With one of the lightest wheelsets on test, we expected some zip and liveliness from the X-Caliber but it lacked the immediate urgency of the Scott and Giant and on longer non-stop cross country blasts, its weight was noticeable, certainly towards the end of the ride.

You can’t knock the Trek’s sure-footed nature though – the lengthy wheelbase (for an XC hardtail) and wide bar aid stability, and it was only the Judy fork’s lack of refinement that held us back from diving into more challenging terrain. A slightly shorter stem would no doubt help here too.

Although the compact front end still has a tall 525mm seat tube, the seat stays are dropped, giving a tighter rear triangle. This certainly gives the X-Caliber a chuckable hardtail vibe, but the ride quality was a touch less compliant than the other bikes here.

With that in mind, there’s plenty of frame and fork clearance for higher volume tyres to help smooth the ride further, and Trek helpfully supplies the X-Caliber 8 with rim strips, valves and sealant so you can go tubeless straight from the box and reap the benefits immediately.

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With a sure-footed ride, reliable Shimano components and a sorted tubeless wheelset, it feels like there’s a trail bike hiding under the X-Caliber’s glossy frame finish just waiting to get out, but being held back by the fork and lack of a dropper post. Stepping up a model to the X-Caliber 9 would be our recommendation then, as it gets a dropper post and a more capable and refined fork. Ultimately, the Trek X-Caliber 8’s weight is noticeable and even with the same control tyres fitted to all of the test bikes, the Trek lacks the race-bike urgency of the Scott and Giant.

• Buyers Guide

• Technical Details

Trek X-Caliber 9 Review

• good complete bike for the price
• quality frame
• better shifting than the direct competition
• 25 years warranty

Overall Bike Check

The most importanten ratings of the [bike_model] ⬤ in comparison to the competitor bikes of following categorie: (Racehardtail up to 2000 €) ⬤ .

Value for Money Check

If you are keen on value for money, this is your chart. It shows you at a glance how many bike you get for 1649 €.

Je steiler der Winkel des Sitzrohrs ist, desto effizienter können Sie in die Pedale treten.

• Frame X-Caliper
• Frame Material Aluminium
• Fork Size: S, RockShox Recon Gold RL, DebonAir spring, Motion Control damper, lockout, tapered steerer, 37mm offset, Boost110, 15mm Maxle Stealth, 100mm travel; Size: M, ML, L, XL, XXL, RockShox Recon Gold RL, DebonAir spring, Motion Control damper, lockout, t
• Spring Unit air
• Remote-Lockout yes
• Gearrange 510%
• Drivetrain 1x12
• Gear Lever Shimano SLX M7100, 12 speed
• Rear Derailleur Shimano XT M8100, long cage
• Crank Size: S, M, Shimano MT611, 30T steel ring, alloy spider, 52mm chainline, 170mm length; Size: ML, L, XL, XXL, Shimano MT611, 30T steel ring, alloy spider, 52mm chainline, 175mm length
• Cassette Shimano SLX M7100, 10-51, 12 speed
• Chain Shimano SLX M7100, 12 speed
• Brake Set Shimano hydraulic disc, MT4100 lever, MT410 caliper
• Brake Rotors 180/160
• Wheel Set Size: S, M, ML, L, XL, XXL, Bontrager Kovee, double-wall, Tubeless Ready, 28-hole, 23mm width, presta valve; Size: S, M, ML, L, XL, XXL, Bontrager Kovee, double-wall, Tubeless Ready, 32-hole, 23mm width, presta valve
• Front Hub Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, alloy axle, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15mm thru axle
• Rear Hub Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, 6-bolt, Shimano MicroSpline freehub, Boost141, 5mm QR
• Tires Front Size: S, Maxxis Ardent Race, tubeless, EXO casing, folding bead, 60tpi, 27.5x2.35''; Size: M, ML, L, XL, XXL, Maxxis Ardent Race, tubeless, EXO casing, folding bead, 60tpi, 29x2.35''
• Tires Rear Size: S, Maxxis Ardent Race, tubeless, EXO casing, folding bead, 60tpi, 27.5x2.35''; Size: M, ML, L, XL, XXL, Maxxis Ardent Race, tubeless, EXO casing, folding bead, 60tpi, 29x2.35''
• Saddle Bontrager Arvada, steel rails, 138mm width
• Seat Post Size: S, M, TranzX JD-YSP18, 100mm travel, internal routing, 31.6mm, 361mm length; Size: ML, L, XL, XXL, TranzX JD-YSP18, 130mm travel, internal routing, 31.6mm, 425mm length
• Stem Size: S, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 60mm length; Size: M, ML, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 70mm length; Size: L, Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 80mm length; Size: XL, XXL, Bontrage
• Handle Bar Size: S, M, Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 5mm rise, 720mm width; Size: ML, L, XL, XXL, Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 15mm rise, 750mm width
• Handle Bar Width 750
• Head Set Semi-integrated, sealed cartridge bearing, alloy cups, 1-1/8'' top, 1.5'' bottom

best alternatives

• beautiful design
• benchmark bike in this price range
• great geometry
• rides excellent in the downhill
• 6 years warranty

• is painted in Spain
• one of the best bikes in this price range

• adjustable steering angle
• almost invisible cables
• UDH derailleur hanger
• organic shapes

• Spanish cult brand
• excellent geometry

• great wheels for this price range

• definately shredable in the downhill
• great fork compared to the direct competition
• 12,9 kg - a bit heavy

• Super modern geometry
• superb geometry in this price range
• strong in the descents
• strong in the uphills
• superb frame

• classic bike for beginners
• higher quality gears than the other bikes in this price range

• with 11,4 kg lighter than comparable bikes

• coherent overall package
• good fork provides good value for money
• a lesser groupset

Expirience with the Trek X-Caliber 9

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Trek X-Caliber 8: Everything You Need To Know

At a Glance: Features of the Trek X-Caliber 8

• Aluminum frame
• RockShox 30 Silver 100mm suspension fork and hardtail suspension system
• Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes
• Shimano Deore front derailleur, Shimano Deore XT rear derailleur, and Shimano Deore 10-Speed shifters

Introduction

Are you going off-roading on rough trails or participating in cross country (XC) mountain biking?

There are many things you need to take care of when doing any of these activities. Before you get anything else done, however, you’ll have to start by choosing a reliable, high-quality bike.

Today, we’re going to check out what kind of companion the X-Caliber 8 from Trek Bikes is for your mountain biking trips.

Let’s get right into it and start with the complete guide on X-Caliber 8.

Our Guide to Trek X Caliber 8

Trek Biking Company has been making bikes since 1976. Across four decades, the company has built a reputation for crafting excellent, durable bikes that offer serious performance, regardless of your experience level.

The X-Caliber series from Trek Bikes takes this legacy forward with their XC mountain bikes. For the purposes of this review, we’ll be focusing on the X-Caliber 8 model only.

So, let’s get started with the features of Trek X-Caliber 8.

The X-Caliber series is a range of XC bikes all made of aluminum frames. These are lightweight bikes with a tapered head tube, and a rack and kickstand mount.

The internal cable routing helps to add to the neat appearance of these X-Caliber bikes.

X-Caliber 8 also features Boost 141 hub spacing that makes your frames stiffer and wheels stronger. It also gives you shorter chainstays, and more tire and chainring clearance. This allows you to ride on low-difficulty terrains with ease but isn’t suitable for particularly rough trails.

Like all XC mountain bikes, the X-Caliber also employs a lightweight geometry that gives you better pedaling efficiency.

The X-Caliber 8 is a hardtail bike, meaning that it does not have suspension in the back and the front suspension locks out. This makes biking on climbs and sprints easier.

The 1x SRAM drivetrain on this X-Caliber requires fewer gear adjustments which means a better biking experience for you with fewer chain drops. However, this configuration also offers fewer gear options.

If you’re looking for better flat-out speed, then a 2x or 3x drivetrain might be better for you.

The company has equipped the X-Caliber 8 with Shimano Deore front derailleur, Shimano Deore XT rear derailleur, and Shimano Deore 10-Speed shifters.

These speed shifters allow you to shift easily between riding positions with their 2-way release triggers.

The tire size will differ depending on the bike size you choose. Trek offers the following size options for its X-Caliber series:

• 29×2.4 inches for medium and large X-Caliber bikes
• 27.5×2.8 for small and extra small X-Caliber bikes

Versatility

Is the Trek X-Caliber 8 a versatile mountain bike?

The X-Caliber 8 is one of the most versatile bikes you’ll find on Trek’s list. The X-Caliber 8 allows you the freedom to go off-road or ride single-track marathons and races.

Can you take the X-Caliber 8 on long rides or touring? Absolutely!

The X-Caliber 8 is durable and will sustain you on long rides and touring as well. It is best suited for long trails with uphill and downhill riding.

Weight and Load Capacity

The medium-sized X-Caliber 8 weighs 28.77 pounds and its total load capacity is 300 pounds.

Braking System

Don’t forget about the braking systems!

This X-Caliber 8 mountain bike comes with the Shimano MT200 hydraulic disk brakes.

Hydraulic brakes are excellent for beginners because they do away with cables and also require less pressure. They are also lightweight so the bike’s overall weight is well adjusted.

But the Shimano MT200 brakes are the best for those looking to try MTB for the first time. These are quiet breaks that utilize one-way bleeding technology to prevent air from entering the hydraulic system.

What this means is your breaks and the hydraulic fluid in them will remain in optimum condition for years, without any need for regular bleeding and maintenance.

Want to add more flexibility to your seat’s height on those rocky terrains?

X-Caliber 8 is internal dropper compatible which allows you to upgrade your seat height limit whenever you want to.

At a rough price of $1,400, the X-Caliber is a cost-effective option among hardtail bikes which typically go up to $1,500.

Accessories

The bike features rack mounts that allow you to carry some accessories on those long trips you’ve been wanting to take.

Want to install accessories such as lights and computers on your bike?

Trek allows you to do that with its Blendr-compatible stem system.

Colors and Sizes Available

Trek makes its X-Caliber 8 in two different color options. One is a combination of lithium gray and trek black. While the other combines a radioactive red with trek black.

The X-Caliber 8 is available in a variety of size options from small and medium to large and double XL.

X-Caliber 8: Pros and Cons

• Great for beginners
• Lightweight
• Easy to maintain
• Easy to make high-end upgrades
• Cost-efficient
• Quality materials used
• Great bike for moderate to smooth trails
• Available in a variety of size options
• Not for technical trails
• Fewer gear options
• Not ideal for very rough trails
• Not the fastest MTB out there

In Conclusion: Is Trek X-Caliber 8 Worth It?

Trek makes quality products and the X-Caliber 8 is one of them. The bike is made of quality parts, has a good design, and has a good frame.

The X-Caliber 8 is a good bike for the new and experienced biker. There’s little to worry about and more to explore with the bike’s great features.

Its front suspension fork is good enough to take a few moderate bumps so you can take it for beginner to mid-level trails.

Overall, the Trek X-Caliber is a great choice among MTB products for beginners.

We hope our guide helped you understand the X-Caliber 8 better and made the purchasing choice a tad bit easier.

What features of MTB bicycles do you think your MTB must-have?

Think it over and write to us with your answers.

Happy off-roading!

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Trek X Caliber 7 Review

February 22, 2023

‍ Key Takeaways

• The Trek X-Caliber 7 is optimized for fast cross country riding and long days on the trail.
• This bike is great value with hydraulic disc brakes,
• This lightweight hardtail feels nimble, fast, and fun on flowy trails.
• The durable alloy frame is light and stiff for responsive handling.
• The X-Caliber 7 is the perfect entry point for someone wanting to get into serious XC riding.

‍ There’s a lot to consider when shopping for a hardtail. In this Trek X-Caliber 7 review, I dig into the details to help you choose if this is the bike for you.

The Trek X-Caliber 7 is a fantastic entry-level bike for someone wanting to get into racing or long cross country singletrack rides. For only $1,099, this bike gives you a full range of modern features including an advanced aluminum frame, hydraulic disc brakes, and a wide-range 1x10 drivetrain.

While I’m no racer, I love going fast and far on capable cross-country bikes. I’ve ridden most of the best entry-level XC bikes, and for this review I dug into the specs and performance of the Trek X-Caliber 7 to see how it measures up to some of my favorite hardtail speed machines.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

‍ Trek X-Caliber 7 Performance

This is definitely a cross country machine that emphasizes speed and light weight over aggressive downhill riding. The X-Caliber 7 feels awesomely light and nimble and is easy to steer around obstacles.

With a lower-than average reach and a steep 69.5-degree head tube angle, this bike is definitely designed more for efficiency than charging down technical descents. This bike feels fun and fast on moderate flowy singletrack, but as trails get steeper, the forward riding position will start to be pretty sketchy.

The 100mm Solo air spring fork works great for smoothing out trail vibration, but it definitely isn’t enough for really rocky, rough hills. If you want a hardore hardtail for ripping down technical descents, this is definitely not the bike for you.

The X-Caliber 7 really excels while climbing. The stiff aluminum frame does a great job of sending all your power straight to the rear wheel. At 29.5 lbs, this bike definitely won’t feel like it’s weighing you down.

If you like crushing up long climbs, you’ll feel right at home on the X-Caliber 7.

The main shortcoming of this build is in the drivetrain gear range. The 10-speed Shimano drivetrain is a common one on bikes in this price range, but the rear derailleur is limited to a11-46 cassette. This is a descent range, but it may leave you wanting a lower gear on really steep climbs.

Trek X-Caliber 7 Frame and Geometry

The X-Caliber 7 is built around a lightweight and durable alloy frame. Trek is at the top of the game when it comes to aluminum frame manufacturing, and it really shows in this bike. This frame feels exceptionally light and responsive on the trail.

The frame has decent tire clearance for cross country tires, though you won’t be able to fit big 2.6” knobby tires on here.

The tapered head tube and internal dropper post routing make this frame future-proofed and upgrade-ready.

Specs and Components

For just $1,099, the Trek X-Caliber 7 comes with a solid and capable build kit. There are a few compromises that Trek made to hit the price point. Here is a breakdown of the key components and what to expect in terms of performance.

The Trek X-Caliber 7 comes with a Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain. This drivetrain is used on a lot of bikes around this price range, and it offers very reliable shifting performance with a sturdy rear derailleur that will hold up to abuse.

The downside with this drivetrain is that it has a limited 11-46 cassette size. Top end drivetrains typically have 11-51 or even 10-51 cassette range. With a 46-tooth big gear, you have a limit to low-end gears for climbing.

If you get this bike, the drivetrain may be the first thing you want to upgrade.

The X-Caliber 7 is fitted with the RockShox Judy SL Solo Air Spring Fork. This fork only has 100mm of travel, so it won’t soak up big hits, but it is smooth and responsive and works great for smoothing out the smaller vibrations of cross country trails and keeping your front tire in contact with the ground.

This fork is great for fast cross country riding, but will bottom out on rockier trails.

The Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes included on the Trek X-Caliber 7 aren’t the most high-performance brakes available, but they are great for this price point.

With a 180mm front rotor and 160mm rear rotor, you’ll get plenty of braking power for cross country riding.

The X-Caliber 7 is fitted with Bontrager Kovee double-wall aluminum wheels with Formula hubs. These rims are tubeless-ready out of the box, which is great so you can upgrade to tubeless easily without needing to buy new wheels.

The rims are fairly lightweight for aluminum, and they’re durable and will last you a long time.

The Bontrager XR2 Comp MTB Tires that come on the X-Caliber 7 are heavily focused toward speed and low rolling resistance. They have very low-profile knobs and don’t have great cornering traction.

For cruising on easy singletrack, these tires are fast and won’t slow you down. If you ride on loose trails, you’ll probably find yourself wanting more grip.

Competition for the Trek X-Caliber 7

The market for mountain bikes around the $1,000 price range has tons of options to choose from. The X-Caliber 7 measures up pretty well with the competition and offers great value for what you pay. If you are looking for the lightest, raciest cross country hardtail in this pricepoint, the X-Caliber is a great choice.

Here are a few of the top competitors for the X-Caliber 7 and how they compare.

Trek X-Caliber 7 vs Cannondale Trail SE 4

The Cannondale Trail SE 4 is a direct competitor with the X-Caliber 7. At $1,175, it’s a tad more expensive, but it’s easy to find on sales.

The Trail SE 4 has a pretty similar design to the X-Caliber. They have the exact same Shimano 10-speed drivetrain, and a fork that has 20mm more suspension, but is coil sprung.

If you’re looking for a more capable all-around bike, the Trail SE 4 is probably a better choice. It has more aggressive geometry with a 66.5-degree head tube angle, and the frame has more advanced modern features like flex zones in the rear triangle to mute trail buzz. The Trail SE 4 also has thru-axles, which are a better design and more compatible with modern wheels if you want to upgrade.

The X-Caliber is almost two-pounds lighter, and is better for a race-focused cross country rider.

Trek X-Caliber 7 vs Specialized Rockhopper 29 Expert

The Specialized Rockhopper 29 Expert is one of the most popular entry-level hardtails on the market. It has the same Judy air fork as the X-Caliber, and there really isn’t much difference between the frames: they both have quick-release axles, .

The Sram SX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain on the Rockhopper offers better gear range than the 10-speed on the X-Caliber, though it may be a bit more difficult to get dialed in just right.

There really isn’t much differentiating these bikes other than the drivetrain. Your choice will probably depend on what is available at the bike shop and what color you like more.

Trek X-Caliber 7 vs Canyon Grand Canyon 5

The Grand Canyon 5 is a fantastic aluminum hardtail that comes at a shocking price because of Canyon Bicycle’s direct-to-consumer business model. At $899 plus $100 shipping, it’s still $100 less than buying the X-Caliber at a bike shop.

The Grand Canyon 5 has a lot going for it. It has more aggressive geometry, longer fork travel, and a significantly better Shimano 12-speed drivetrain.

If you are really focused on weight and pure speed, the X-Caliber makes sense, but for a more fun all-around bike at a lower price, it’s hard to argue against the Grand Canyon 5.

Where to Buy the Trek X-Caliber 7

For 2022-2023, Trek has phased out the X-Caliber 7 to leave room for other models, so you can’t purchase it directly from Trek. It may still be in stock at your local bike shop.

The bike that’s replacing the X-Caliber 7 in Trek’s entry-level cross country hardtail lineup is the Trek Marlin 7 Gen 2 . It is almost identical to the X-Caliber in terms of frame, geometry, and components. Here are a few places you can shop for the Marlin 7:

• Direct from Trek
• Windsor Bikes and Sport
• You local Trek dealer

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About THE AUTHOR

Jakob Thygerson

I love mountain biking and live in Salt Lake City: a central hub for the MTB community. I started biking four years ago when a series of injuries put me out of commission for trail running. While biking started as cross-training, I fell in love with the sport. I mainly enjoy using my bike as a tool for exploration, I've done 50-mile all-day epic rides in the mountains and have been to some amazing places on my bike.

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