{"id":69754,"date":"2024-09-26T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-26T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/a832139b-5807-4ae5-aec4-4a80b6e179f5"},"modified":"2024-09-26T18:25:30","modified_gmt":"2024-09-26T16:25:30","slug":"bike-of-the-week-treks-procaliber-eyes-up-fast-xc-racing-with-compliant-yet-efficient-isobow-softail-frame","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/bike-of-the-week-treks-procaliber-eyes-up-fast-xc-racing-with-compliant-yet-efficient-isobow-softail-frame\/","title":{"rendered":"Bike of the Week | Trek’s Procaliber eyes up fast XC racing with compliant yet efficient IsoBow softail frame"},"content":{"rendered":"

US brand’s high-end hardtail says farewell to IsoSpeed <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Thursday, 26 September 2024 at 16:00 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Trek\u2019s new Procaliber is the brand’s top-level hardtail mountain bike<\/a> aimed at cross-country racers looking to take advantage of a rigid rear end.<\/p>

In its third generation, the Procaliber<\/a> has had its fork travel upped from 100mm to 120mm and ditches the IsoSpeed design for a new IsoBow compliance system, making it lighter and simpler than before.<\/p>

We have the top-of-the-range, \u00a34,250 Procaliber 9.7 AXS Gen 3 in for testing with dormant XC domineer Jack Luke<\/a> looking forward to putting it through its paces.<\/p>

But before we get the bike out on the trails, let’s take a closer look at some of the details.<\/p>

Reframed compliance<\/h2>
The Procaliber was only released last month. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
A fresh frame design sees the departure of Trek’s IsoSpeed compliance system, which used a junction decoupler at the seat tube and seatstays to reduce vibrations from the trail.<\/p>
The previous design relied on a pivot, which not only required maintenance but also added weight.<\/p>
Trek says it has addressed these concerns with the new IsoBow compliance system.<\/p>
$\"Trek$
The hole looks to open up some rudimentary mounting solutions \u2013 an inner tube could fit easily. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
The new design sees the seatstays extended beyond the seat tube, allowing for increased vertical compliance while maintaining pedalling efficiency.<\/p>
Trek says its sponsored athletes can\u2019t tell the difference between the IsoSpeed and IsoBow in a blind test.<\/p>
$\"Trek$
Trek says lateral stiffness isn’t compromised by the hole. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
It\u2019s not a completely revolutionary solution, with similar systems used on gravel bikes<\/a>, such as GT\u2019s more recent Triple Triangle Design seen on the Grade<\/a>, designed to improve compliance.<\/p>
Lapierre uses a similar design to smooth out trail chatter on its Prorace CF9 9.9.<\/p>
$\"Trek$
Floating brake mounts are also becoming popular in downhill racing. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
Elsewhere, the bike features a floating brake mount, similar to the full-suspension Supercaliber<\/a>, which isolates braking forces from the seatstay flex to improve compliance and provide better braking consistency over bumps.<\/p>
Top-echelon carbon<\/h2>
$\"Trek$
The iridescent paintjob picks up the sun well. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
The frame of this Procaliber is made from Trek\u2019s high-level OCLV Mountain Carbon, which is claimed to be put through the most extensive research and testing in the industry.<\/p>
Trek has bucked the trend by not giving its lightweight cross-country bike internal headset cable routing, instead routing cables through the sides of the head tube.<\/p>
$\"Trek$
Headset cable routing might not be here to stay after all. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
Depending on where you stand on internal headset routing, there\u2019s no doubt this will make mid-season bearing replacement less of a chore.<\/p>
All these changes have resulted in a frame that is on average 150g lighter than the previous model through the sizes.<\/p>
$\"Trek$
The protector sits sleek on the chainstay. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
The frame is finished with a down tube protector and a chainstay protector, both of which are made from rubberised plastic to reduce amplification on impact.<\/p>
Slack and steep?<\/h2>
$\"Trek$
Slacker head angles make for more confident downhill characteristics. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
The Procaliber comes in five sizes: S, M, ML, L and XL, with reach measurements ranging from 405mm to 500mm.<\/p>
Overall reach has increased, with a size large growing from 450mm to 460mm<\/p>
Trek has shaved 1.8 degrees off the head angle, which now sits at a more aggressive 67 degrees compared to the previous 68.8 degrees.<\/p>
The effective seat tube angle has steepened from 73.8 degrees to 74.3 degrees in order to maintain an efficient pedalling position.<\/p>
Trek says these alterations have made the bike calmer when descending, while increasing confidence at higher speeds.<\/p>
Top-spec<\/h2>
$\"Trek$
SRAM’s Transmissions work well under heavy loads. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
This Procaliber 9.7 model is said to be specced with upgrades that make a difference, and it looks to balance budget and boujee very well.<\/p>
$\"Trek$
The lockout ramps up the damper to firm the ride. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
The bike has a 120mm \u200b\u200bRockShox SID<\/a> fork with a Rush RL damper and lockout remote that should make smooth climbs easier.<\/p>
Bontrager\u2019s Kovee Elite 30 wheels are made from the same OCLV Mountain Carbon as the frame.<\/p>
These come booted in 29×2.4in Bontrager Sainte-Anne RSL XR tyres, enabling the bike to be run tubeless, although we’re using Pirelli Scorpion XC RC tyres. <\/p>
$\"Trek$
The Stealth lever gives a good secondary position to hold on long climbs. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
Shifting and braking power is provided by SRAM, with the wireless GX Eagle AXS Transmission<\/a> derailing the chain and Level Bronze four-Piston brakes grabbing 160mm and 180mm rotors.<\/p>
$\"Trek$
The bar measures 750mm wide. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
Bontrager\u2019s RSL Integrated handlebar is used for the cockpit, with sizes S, M and ML specced with a 70mm stem, the L with 80mm and the XL with 90mm.<\/p>
$\"Trek$
ESI grips are popular for their bump absorption and low weight. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>
In true cross-country style, the Chunky grips are provided by ESI in the hunt for weight savings.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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