| Steering angle (°) | Vertical tube (mm) | Rear chassis (mm) | Center distance (mm) | BB height (mm) | Reach (mm) | Front/rear travel (mm) |
| 68.8° | 444 mm | 432 mm | 1118 mm | 313 mm | 435 mm | 100 mm |
Here is the "front" of the Trek house: a half cross country with a carbon frame (we do not find aluminum) equipped with IsoSpeed technology which leads it to be a hardtail that is not quite a hardtail. 100mm travel in 29”, let's get to know it better.
Since the last version, Trek has revised the geometry and also the aesthetics of its hardtail: more streamlined and pleasing to the eye, with a more arched and aggressive body. The philosophy is, however, of a competitive bike suitable for those looking for performance in pedaling even if the IsoSpeed technology allows you to have a more flexible vehicle when pedaling while seated. Do not expect a real shock absorber but a slight flexion of the wagon which, by feeling, gives you greater comfort.
ISOSPEED extension
But what is it about? The innovative Isospeed is nothing more than a decoupler that allows the seat tube to flex regardless of the joint between the top tube and seat stay, doubling the vertical fit without compromising pedaling efficiency.
FEATURES
Trek mounts different components depending on the size: the M and ML frames mount a 70 mm stem, 60 mm on the S, 80 mm L and XL while on the XXL 90 mm. The size of the crank also changes (the S mounts 170mm while the others size 175mm) and the width of the handlebar (from S to ML 72cm while for the remaining sizes 75cm).
Excellent coloring and finishes, even if it is not possible to choose your own color through the Project One configurator (features not available on Procaliber). Trek's OCLV Mountain Carbon frame. The cable routing has been perfected: it is now cleaner and simpler. Also present is the passage for the dropper post.
The wheel passage has been widened and now we can mount tires up to 2.4 ”in section. The Bontrager Kovee Elite rim has an internal channel of 30 mm and is fitted as standard with 2.2 ”section tires, which however offer an abundant and interesting width.
Also interesting are the metal protections in the area of the front crown and in that of the rear disc, but also those in plastic material under the down tube and the chain guard on the chainstay.
VERSIONS AND COMPONENTS
What we have in test is the top of the range model of the Procaliber: a non-dream assembly that stops at € 3599. A choice by Trek that means how the racing world is moving towards full-suspension: in fact, Trek's hardtail models are offered for a medium-sized audience. The Procaliber entry base is the 9.5 model from € 1.849: always carbon frame with Shimano Deore 1 × 12 gearbox and RockShox Judy SL fork. Then we move on to 9.6 (€ 2259), 9.7 (€ 2979) and finally the 9.8 in test (€ 3599). The complete assembly of the bike can be found at the bottom of this test.
Trek has a lifetime warranty on the frame and one year on the paint and stickers. There is also a "discount service" in case of damage: this is the Carbon Care service, an exclusive program aimed at Trek customers that offers significant discounts in case of replacement of damaged frames, forks and carbon fiber components.
PROCALIBER 9.5: € 1.849 PROCALIBER 9.6: € 2.259 PROCALIBER 9.7: € 2.979 PROCALIBER 9.8: € 3.599 PROCALIBER SL KIT: € 2.499 PROCALIBER KIT: € 1.539 PROCALIBER AL KIT: € 749
GEOMETRY
Since the last version, there have been many geometric changes. The Procaliber has become more aggressive or, better said, modern. Taking our size ML as an example, the saddle angle has gone from 72.3 ° to 73.8 °, the head angle opens from a value of 69.5 ° to 68.8 °. The wheelbase is now 1118mm against the "old" 1113mm. This is because the reach has lengthened: from 427mm of the old Procaliber to 435mm of the new version. However, a non-extreme and well-balanced geometry remains, in full Trek philosophy.
THE RESPONSE OF THE TEST
UPHILL
As soon as we get in the saddle, the Procaliber has a racing nature: very low vertical and front seat angle (just think of the 90mm head tube) that make us feel very central on the bike. But in contrast we find a comfortable frame, thanks to the Isospeed system, and a weight that is not the lightest.
The frame is not very light: the declared weight is 1350gr in size M and consequently, the complete bike under test, stopped the scales at 10,2kg without pedals. The extra weight is given by the Isospeed system because the quality of the frame, and the many details taken care of in Trek style, make the Procaliber a refined and high quality product. So it's better to look beyond the pure weight data.
In pedaling it is a very performing bike: ok, it's a hardtail, but the Isospeed is a gem. If you intend the Isospeed as a suspension, you have the wrong bike because it is not perceived so strongly, there is no rear end that bobs like a full suspension, but the frame is more comfortable; a bit like traveling at very low pressures. This gives the whole an exaggerated comfort, for a purely hardtail bike, and is an aid in technical climbs making the performance better in many cases.
When you get up on the pedals, the reactivity of the frame is maximum and when seated the frame dampens small vibrations. Small vibrations that are dampened even by the bulky Bontrager XR2, smooth and very performing rubber, even if the shoulder is not the most resistant but I liked them a lot. The position in the saddle is excellent and we feel good in push on the pedals, not noticing power loss due to the Isospeed.
DOWNHILL
Downhill the Procaliber is an intuitive and easy to ride bike thanks to some choices in the assembly, such as the carbon rims with 30mm channel and abundant 2.2 "tires, the Isospeed system and the light weight that make it stable and decisive.
It is still a front so it is not the easiest bike to ride but a minimum of forgiveness and the rear wheel is more glued to the ground than a normal hardtail.
In principle, a hardtail that lets itself be driven and not that drives us… as long as we are on the right track and equipped with adequate driving technique. Too bad for the width of the handlebar, 72cm, a little narrow in the M / L size. Trek mounts different handlebar sizes based on size but the choice to mount a 72cm on sizes S, M and ML a bit exaggerated, in my opinion. I can understand about the size S, but from M up it is a bit narrow in size and, in the first few rides, I felt like John Tomac in Durango. On the other sizes we find a reasonable 75cm.
It is worth noting the possibility of inserting a double bottle cage (very useful if the bike is used in a marathon perspective) and Knock Block technology, to avoid contact between the handlebar and the frame.
| XC | MARATHON | TRAIL | ALL MOUNTAIN | ENDURO | FREERIDE | DOWNHILL |
| XXXXX | XXXXX |
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KNOCK BLOCK: The Knock Block system is always present to avoid contact between handlebar and frame, or even stomach / handlebar contact (in the most extreme cases). MOUNTAIN OCLV CARBON: Trek's mountain bike-specific carbon fiber is even more durable, made with unique materials and layering procedures. DOUBLE BOTTLE CAGE: Possibility to insert 2 bottle cages on the frame to make up for the hottest days.
| Geometry |
|
| Sizes | S, M, ML (test), L, XL, XXL |
| Steering angle | 68.8° |
| Vertical tube | 444 mm |
| Steering tube | 90 mm |
| Rear chassis | 432 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1118 mm |
| Bottom bracket height | 313 mm |
| Reach | 435 mm |
| Stack | 765 mm |
| + | Downhill quality (for a hardtail). Reactivity of the frame. Comfort thanks to the Isospeed (again compared to a normal hardtail). |
| - | 72cm handlebar. Weight (if used with a competitive meaning). Lack of Project One. |
| €3.599 Euros |
|
| Frame price | 2.559 Euro (SL) |
|
| Italian distributor: www.trekbikes.com |
|
| Weight (without pedals) | 10,2kg |
| Fork | FOX Performance 32 Step-Cast 100mm (2 positions), 44mm offset, Boost110 |
| wheels | BONTRAGER Kovee Elite 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless Ready, Boost148x12 |
| Service | BONTRAGER XR2 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength protection, 120 tpi, 29×2.20″ |
| Rolling mill chocks | e*THIRTEEN TRS Race Carbon, 30mm axle, 34T, Boost, 175mm length |
| Rear gearbox | SHIMANO XT M8100, long bottle cage, 51T max sprocket |
| commands | SHIMANO XT M8100, 12 speed |
| Brakes | SHIMANO Deore XT M8100 |
| Buy Boxes | SHIMANO XT M8100, 10-51, 12 speed |
| OFFENSE | RACE FACE Turbine Basic 35 (50mm) |
| dumbbell | BONTRAGER Kovee Pro, OCLV Carbon, 35mm, 5mm rise, 720mm width |
| seatpost | BONTRAGER Pro, OCLV Carbon, 31,6mm, 0mm offset, 400mm length |
| Sella | BONTRAGER Montrose Elite, titanium rails, 138mm width |
| Color | Orange/black (test) and White/black |
The verdict
HARDTAIL REJUVENATION
Trek has improved the “old” Procaliber in many ways, without distorting it. A bike that can be used in both Cross Country and Marathon optics, having characteristics that seem diametrically opposed but which, in this project, come together: namely comfort and responsiveness. Of course, in super technical races it is inferior to full-suspension, but in Marathon and XC not too technical, it can be the right way to snatch the best possible time. Too bad for the lack of a top-of-the-range assembly, perhaps in combination with the SL version (available only as a frame kit at € 2599), which forces the most inveterate agonist to upgrade to lower the scale a little. In my case, which is not too bad for the weight, the Procaliber is passed with flying colors.
