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Trek Procaliber w/ IsoSpeed flex becomes a faster, nimbler race mountain bike

new 2021 trek procaliber hardtail mountain bike with emily batty
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Building on it’s IsoSpeed equipped predecessor’s comfort and the modern geometry of the short-travel Supercaliber, the all-new Trek Procaliber hardtail gets all the right updates. Modern geometry, cleaner cable routing, and improved steer-ability make it faster than ever.

What’s new about the 2021 Trek Procaliber?

trek procaliber hardtail mountain bike in a race

The geometry’s the biggest change you’re likely to feel. Based almost exactly on the Supercaliber (which has 60mm of unique IsoStrut rear travel), the new Procaliber has:

  • 68.75º headtube (0.75º slacker)
  • 8mm longer reach across all sizes
  • 432mm chainstays (3mm shorter)
  • 72.75º seat tube (1.65º steeper)

Here’s the full geometry chart:

2021 trek Procaliber geometry chart

And all six sizes, from Small through XXL roll on 29″ wheels now, so all sizes roll faster. And it gets a shorter offset fork to increase trail for more stability.

new 2021 trek procaliber uses a flexible seatpost called isospeed that pivots through the top tube

The cable routing runs everything through full length tubes, all through the downtube, and only has what you need: Rear derailleur, rear brake, and dropper seatpost.

knock block headset on the new trek procaliber hardtail mountain bike

The Knock Block headset now allows for a wider 62º turning radius per side (up from 58º). So, those slow speed maneuvers and tight, twisty corners will be easier to negotiate. Not only does this protect the controls or fork crown from cracking into the top and down tubes during a wreck, Trek says it also keeps the cable from getting yanked too hard.

Theoretically, we’re thinking this means you could run slightly shorter hoses and cables for a cleaner (lighter) look without needing all the extra to accommodate excess bar spin.

trek procaliber race mountain bike hardtail climbing up technical terrain

There’s also more tire clearance, fitting up to 29×2.4″ treads inside the frame. And those tires com setup tubeless out of the box with TLR strips, valves and sealant.

trek isospeed seat tube decoupler

As for the IsoSpeed decoupler, it carries over unchanged. It creates a pivot point between the seat tube and top tube, with flex designed into the seat tube. This gives the rider more compliance when seated without giving up any lateral rigidity.

It means you lose any of that bump-damping comfort when you stand up, but at least you’ll be able to power through the rougher stuff in a more efficient position than on a standard hardtail.

2021 Trek Procaliber models and pricing

trek procaliber 9.5 mountain bike in black trek procaliber 9.5 mountain bike in red yellow fade

Starting with the most affordable model, the Procaliber 9.5 gets a Rockshox Judy air fork, Shimano Deore 12-speed group and MT200 brakes for just $2,099.99.

trek procaliber 9.6 mountain bike in black trek procaliber 9.6 mountain bike in red

Next up is the Procaliber 9.6 with an SLX/XT mix, MT4100 brakes, Rockshox Recon Gold fork and upgraded Bontrager Kovee Comp wheels for $2,779.99.

trek procaliber 9.7 mountain bike in gray trek procaliber 9.7 mountain bike in orange

The Procaliber 9.7 gets the latest SRAM GX Eagle group with Shimano MT501 brakes, a Rockshox Reba RL fork, and Kovee Elite Carbon wheels. Retail is $4,199.99

trek procaliber 9.8 mountain bike in white trek procaliber 9.8 mountain bike in orange and black

There’s carbon everywhere with the top model Procaliber 9.8, from it’s Kovee Elite 30 carbon wheels to the e13 carbon cranks. The rest of the drivetrain and brakes are full Shimano XT 12-speed, and it gets a lightweight Fox 32 StepCast Performance fork.

Price is…well, it’s not available in North America. But in Europe it’s about €3,499-3,599 depending on the country. Or £3,100 in the UK.

Complete bikes and a frameset are available now at all Trek dealers and direct through their website. No word on alloy models yet, but if they follow the prior path, maybe look for those in a few months.

Learn more at TrekBikes.com.

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Tim
Tim
3 years ago

Is there/ will there be a frame only option? When will there be North American availability?

alloycowboy
alloycowboy
3 years ago

Benedict, can Trek make their Logo any bigger on these frames???

Brendan
Brendan
3 years ago

Are these frames all the same or do the lower builds get correspondingly heavier carbon?

dontcoast
3 years ago
Reply to  Brendan

Sounds like all the same carbon

AKA unforgivably heavy at 1.6kg for an XC race frame. Isospeed and kockblock add lots of weight.

Lars
Lars
3 years ago

Yes, there will be. At least here in Germany, no idea if it’s the same everywhere else. It’s btw. the white/black/red frame of the 9.8.

Rodrigo
Rodrigo
3 years ago

Sad to see the 27.5” option for small frames disappear. Do riders on Small and Extra Small MTBs really need 29” wheels? Seems like a compromise where smaller riders lose out to accountants. I was considering this and the Orbea Oiz M10 27.5”. No longer considering either.

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