Lately, it seems we’ve been seeing fewer updated race-hardtails. The surge of mirco-suspension bikes like the Trek SuperCal and the Specialized Epic WC replaced the need for a fully rigid frame. However, nothing beats a pure hardtail’s feel (and zero moving parts to service). Trek feels the same and ditched Iso Speed for a flexible new option on the updated Trek ProCaliber Gen 3.
Do We Still Need Hardtails?
Yes (IMO) but, many of the hardtails we’ve seen have been repurposed into drop bar LifeTime Grand Prix super-gravel racing machines. However, there is still a place for the modern hardtail. Pauline Ferrand Prevot raced her Pinarello Dogma hardtail to an Olympic gold medal this summer. These super lightweight, nimble machines are precision tools in the right hands.
So, how do you make a hardtail appeal to the changing appetite of mountain bike consumers?
Trek ProCaliber Gen 3 – What’s New?
Now in its third generation, the Trek ProCaliber boasts no suspension hardware and is the lightest version to date. The ProCaliber Gen 3 Hardtail leans toward big tires, suspension, and a more relaxed front end.
The most noticeable change is the “suspension,” so let’s start there. The Trek design team has put most of their line on a diet this season, and the ProCal is the latest. The frame no longer has Iso Speed moving parts, elastomer suspension, or the knock block on the front end.
Get to Know Iso Bow
Replacing Iso Speed is a new design Trek calls ‘Iso Bow’; you’ll understand why when you look at it. The design aggressively changes the arch of the top tube, but that all plays into the suspension design. The top tube now arcs into the thin seat stays, with a minimal connection, lower down on the seat tube.
The team says it offers the same benefit as IsoSpeed (seated compliance) but is more straightforward and lighter. Trek says the new design is so similar in performance to Iso Speed that during on-trail blind testing, riders couldn’t tell the difference in seated compliance.
How Much Does the Trek ProCalber Gen 3 Weigh?
- Procaliber 9.6 Gen 3 11.08 kg / 24.43 lbs
- Procaliber 9.5 Gen 3: 12.13 kg / 26.75 lbs
- Procaliber 9.7 AXS Gen 3:10.58 kg / 23.33 lbs
- ProCaliber 9.5 Frame (painted): 1150g
*All weights are Med frame, with TLR sealant, and no tubes.
To put the frame weight into perspective, here are some weights of competing hardtails with the exact tire clearance and suspension capability.
- Canyon Exceed HT: 853g
- Cannondale Scaple Hi-Mod: 895g
- Pivot LES SL: 1045g
- Trek Procal: 1150g
- Santa Cruz Hi-Ball: 1170g
120mm Suspension Update
The ProCaliber Gen 3 uses a modern 120mm suspension, 10mm more than the Trek SuperCaliber. This will make the transition from bike to bike easier on athletes and give the new ProCaliber Gen 3 a broader range of riding conditions to play in.
Slacker and Steeper Geometry
With updated suspension comes updated geometry; this time, it’s more than a slight tweak. To give the ProCaliber more appeal to athletes using it as their main bike, the design team moved to a progressive front end. The head tube angle is now at a round 67 degrees (previously 68.8 degrees). The effective seat tube angle gets slightly steeper, moving from 73.8 degrees to 74.3 degrees.
Trek also updated the reach for the ProCaliber to give the bike calmer handling and increased rider confidence (which increases speed, IMO). The ProCaliber gets a 10mm longer reach, measuring 460 mm (previously 450mm) on a large frame. This updated reach doesn’t match the SuperCaliber, as it measures 465mm for a large frame, but it’s close.
Larger Tire Clearance / Floating Brake Mount
Like hardtail race bikes in 2024-2025, the Trek ProCaliber fits 29 x 2.4″ tires with room to spare.
The Trek ProCaliber Gen 3 uses the same brake mount as the SuperCaliber Gen 2. It isolates braking forces from seat stay flex with an updated floating brake mount. Trek says the design offers more consistent braking and is not affected by seat stay flex.
One Model For the US / Three for Europe
The new Trek ProCaliber Gen 3 comes in three different models: Procaliber 9.5, Procaliber 9.6, Procaliber 9.7 AXS, and a frameset. North America will only see the Procaliber 9.5 and a frameset. Europe, however, will receive all three and higher-end build options.
Trek ProCaliber Gen 3 Pricing
- Procaliber 9.5 Gen 3 : Price: $2,499.99 CAN: $3,399.99
- Procaliber 9.5 Gen 3 Frame Set: Price: $1,999.99 CAN $2,749.99
