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Trek X-Caliber keeps prices low, value high with updated aluminum hardtail line

Written by Greg Kopecky
26 Comments
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Trek announced the new 2020 lineup for the aluminum X-Caliber hard tail mountain bike. With a multitude of spec levels and even a frameset option, it’s out to make you go fast without spending an arm and a leg. Key standards include a threaded 73mm bottom bracket shell, Boost 141 QR rear hub, and a 31.6mm seat post with provisions for internal dropper routing.

Trek X-Caliber aluminum hardtail mountain bike

While Trek has a huge variety of different full suspension designs, they remain committed to offering hardtail bikes for lower price points and die-hard enthusiasts. The new X-Caliber is an alloy-only model, meant to offer you legitimate XC performance without spending multiple thousands of dollars.

A 100mm travel fork provides comfort up front, with axle varying by model (either Boost 110 or 100mm QR).

Out back, Trek uses the new Boost 141 standard, which applies Boost spacing to a 10mm QR axle.

Drivetrain spec varies by model, with 1x used on the higher-end. Trek uses a threaded 73mm BB shell, rather than the Press Fit BB92 or T47 used on other bikes.

Keeping things practical, the X-Caliber offers compatibility with accessories such as kickstands and racks. Note that the 31.6mm (internal) seat tube has provisions for internal dropper post routing.

Seven sizes are offered for the X-Caliber, from XS to XXL. Note that it uses Trek’s Smart Wheel Size system, with 27.5″ wheels on XS and S frames, and 29″ wheels on all other sizes.

Models & Spec

The X-Caliber 9 (13.32 kg / 29.37 lbs, $1579.99) features a RockShox Judy Silver fork, Bontrager Kovee double wall rims, and a Shimano XT/SLX 1x drivetrain.

The X-Caliber 8 (13.44 kg / 29.63 lbs, $1199.99) features a RockShox 30 Silver fork, Bontrager Kovee double wall rims, and a SRAM SX Eagle 1x drivetrain.

The X-Caliber 7 (13.80 kg / 30.42 lbs, $1019.99) features a RockShox 30 Silver fork, Bontrager Connection double wall rims, and a Shimano Acera/Alivio 2×9 drivetrain.

Trek also offers an X-Caliber frame option (2.17 kg / 4.78 lbs) for $599.99. All options above are available now as 2020 models.

TrekBikes.com
Greg Kopecky
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onrhodes
onrhodes
5 years ago

I like it all except the QR rear (not a deal breaker though). It cannot be that much more in production costs (not to mention fewer sku #’s) to just make it a thru axle boost system. All my bikes are now either steel or aluminum. Glad to see Trek still making a race ready aluminum bike that is upgradable along the way. Huge plus for the Shimano build! T

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Dinger
Dinger
5 years ago
Reply to  onrhodes

Thru axle costs a lot more. The axle and hub themselves, especially. Thru axle isn’t of any performance benefit on a hard tail, anyway.

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Eric E. Strava
Eric E. Strava
5 years ago
Reply to  Dinger

A thru axle is a massive performance benefit on any bike that is equipped with disc brakes and ridden in any environment more demanding than a sidewalk. I can’t tell if you are actually being serious.

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Tim
Tim
5 years ago
Reply to  Eric E. Strava

Some things that offer massive performance benefits are suspension forks over rigid ones, rear suspension over hardtail frames (provided we’re riding in bumpy enough territory), disc brakes over rim ones (especially if it’s wet and the downhills are long), dropper posts (in just about any trail riding scenario)… But rear thru axles on sport level hardtails? Sorry, but they just don’t belong in the same list of things offering huge benefits. In fact, I am not even sure most people could tell the difference if they didn’t look down and back at their rear wheel.

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jasonmiles31
jasonmiles31
5 years ago

Can someone explain the product spec cost savings of rear QRs? I have been thinking for years that budget alloy frames would go to thru axle in the rear.

Where are the biggest savings? Wheels, Axles, Dropouts, Welding, or Assembly?

When I first saw the Boost 141 standard I thought it would never last and here we are 4 years later…

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luggednut
luggednut
5 years ago
Reply to  jasonmiles31

+1

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JNH
JNH
5 years ago
Reply to  jasonmiles31

Open dropouts are more forgiving of being slightly out of tolerance than a thru-axle set up, there will be a saving in quality assurance. Also, cheap cup and cone hubs with mild steel axles.

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James C
James C
5 years ago
Reply to  jasonmiles31

What a joke! The Rockhopper pro is a better spec and is a better price. The top spec Xcal is bested by the chisel in every way.

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henry
henry
5 years ago
Reply to  James C

Agree! Chisel is better IMO.

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Tim
Tim
5 years ago

Steep head angles, weird “standard” rear spacing… No, thanks. I like the idea of affordable alloy hardtails, but offer slacker HA and real 148 Boost spec.

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Craig
Craig
5 years ago
Reply to  Tim

I was thinking tidy paint schemes, but yeah, it’s about time brands progressed away from 80 degree head angles on hardtails.

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Nick H
Nick H
5 years ago
Reply to  Craig

It isn’t 80 degrees, it is 69.5, which is standard for cross-country bikes. There are other hardtails with longer travel forks and slacker head angles which are marketed to those who want it.

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Craig
Craig
5 years ago
Reply to  Nick H

Its definitely an 80 degree head angle, if not 82 or 83 degrees. 69.5 is so outdated. Consider this: 100mm fork at say a minimal 15% sag brings a 69.5 head angle to maybe 70.2 +/-. Under riding conditions at 30%+ compression that makes it at least 71 degrees. That’s what bikes had in 1992, and trails weren’t nearly as steep or as rough. True, we had longer stems and narrower bars back then but that another discussion, related to this, but still another discussion. As is the change on trail measurement as a hardtail dives under compression. Designers will soon wake up and start making head angles on hardtails with 100mm forks in the range of 67-68 degrees.

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Dinger
Dinger
5 years ago
Reply to  Craig

Where are you coming up with this 80* figure, or that 69.5* is steep and outdated for a HT with 100mm travel?

I was riding in 1992. Trails were mostly steeper and rougher in the 90’s than they are now that they’re being specifically designed for MTB riding.

The Specialized Chisel, Cannondale Fsi, Giant XTC all have 69-70* head angles. I suspect the engineers who design these bikes know what they’re doing.

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Brandon
Brandon
5 years ago

Having to align disc brakes if I ever removed a wheel us a pain. Competing bikes offer thru axles at comparable prices (co-op, for example)

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JBikes
JBikes
5 years ago
Reply to  Brandon

You shouldn’t have to re-align disc brakes on QR as the locating mechanism is the same (axially to the dropout face and vertically/radially against the inner top part of the dropout).
Both systems really require a small amount of vertical downward pressure on the frame while snugging up the axle to consistently locate them. Side load will cause misalignment and movement, which you’ll hear at the disc (granted, its limited on TA, but they are still sloppy enough to be an issue).

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drunk at work
drunk at work
5 years ago

Seems like it lags behind the Chisel all around. 141 QR, really? Yuck.

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Jclaa
Jclaa
5 years ago

Boost 141!?! WTF

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blahblah1233445
blahblah1233445
5 years ago
Reply to  Jclaa

OMG, imagine all those hubs having such ax… Oh, wait…

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Peter Lewis
Peter Lewis
5 years ago

I’m having a hard time figuring out what makes the 2020 “all-new”, as the owner of a 2018, it seems exactly the same and that 141 boost still makes it extremely impractical to upgrade or use with trainers

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Shaun
Shaun
5 years ago

Not sure why there is negative comments about 141 rear dropouts. Its just a qr version of boost. Just like 135 is a qr version of 142 thru axles.

Plenty of hubs to choose from if you want to upgrade.. DT and Hope for starters fit.

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John Royal
John Royal
5 years ago

Just happy to see Trek offer a frame with a threaded BB and no Knockblock…

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IzzyM
IzzyM
5 years ago

This is still the same frame as the 2020 Roscoe right?

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offrhodes
offrhodes
5 years ago

Same price for frame as a Niner Air 9, and the Niner has a real 148 thru axle rear.

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Salvador
Salvador
5 years ago

Nice thru axle frame, there wont be rotor to breakpad rub when changing flat tires

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Joey B
Joey B
5 years ago

Ironic that Trek brought Boost 148 to the industry years ago and they opt for this

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