Trek Smooths Out XC Racing with new IsoSpeed Procaliber SL, and Revamped Top Fuel

At this point you could guess what was coming, but now it’s officially here. Trek just dropped two new bikes aimed at high level XC racing whether that means a hard tail or a full suspension rig. However, as XC World Cup courses get more technical, racers are looking for bikes that will take the edge off but still remain as energy efficient as possible since it is XC racing after all.

Ever since Trek’s clever IsoSpeed Decoupler was unveiled on the Domane it seemed like a natural evolution would be to migrate it to hard tails. That’s exactly what Trek has done after first outfitting their Boone cyclocross bike, and now the new Procaliber SL. When the trails get really rough (for XC racing) Trek’s racers will be able to reach for the new Top Fuel which serves as the replacement for the Superfly FS…

The standout feature for the Procaliber SL is of course the inclusion of the IsoSpeed Decoupler. Modified for use with a standard 31.6mm seat post and tuned for offroad usage, the Decoupler performs the same task – providing vertical compliance through the seat tube rather than “suspension.” Due to the decoupling of the seat post and the toptube/seatstay and the pivot with sealed bearings inside, the seat tube is allowed to flex which provides around 11mm of compliance measured from the saddle to the rear axle. Because the chain and seat stays don’t move, the bike retains the efficiency of a hardtail.

Trek states the frame ends up about 100g heavier than the Superfly SL, with a Procaliber SL 17.5″ frame with paint and hardware measuring 1012g. Given the choice, Trek claims their racers prefer the 30% better compliance of the Procaliber SL over the Superfly SL even with the weight penalty. Trek puts it out there that the Procaliber SL is 70% more compliant than competing hard tails.

Sold in 9.9 framesets or complete builds, Procaliber SL frames will be equipped with 100mm travel forks and Boost 148 and 110 spacing front and rear. Boost rear spacing apparently allows for shorter chainstays (435mm) while keeping tire clearance and 36t chainring clearance.

Utilizing their new Control Freak cable management system, the Procaliber can run mechanical or electronic drivetrains as well as internally routed dropper posts. Control Freak includes a port in the bottom of the downtube that allows riders to zip tie the internally routed cables to keep them from rattling. Available through Project One starting in August, standard Procaliber SLs will be sold in frameset form for $2,629, or completes starting with the 9.7 SL (yellow, above) at $3,679.99, the 9.8 SL (blue, above) at $4,729.99, and the 9.9 SL (black, above) at $8,399.99. Offered in 15.5″ to 21.5″ frames, Procaliber SL frames use the Smart Wheel Size system with 27.5″ wheels on the 15.5″ frame while everything else runs 29″ hoops.

Perfect for those that aren’t necessarily fans of the hard tail, Trek’s Top Fuel is back to replace the Superfly FS. Using Trek’s suite of suspension technologies, the Top Fuel replaces the Superfly’s swinglink with the Evo link, ABP, and Full Floater suspension package. There is even a Mino link to change the geometry from a high to a low setting which changes the both the head tube and seat tube angle by almost a full degree. Also making use of the Smart Wheel Size concept, again the 15.5″ frame will run 27.5″ wheels while all other sizes roll 29″.

Running 100mm of travel front and rear with a G2 geometry fork, the Top Fuel receives the Boost update with 148/110 spacing rear and front. With a claimed weight of 1900g for the medium carbon SL frame with all hardware, paint, and shock, the Top Fuel will also be available in Alpha aluminum form with the Top Fuel 8 for men and women ($2,729.99, black, and pink above), and the Top Fuel 9 ($4,199, green above). All frames make use of the new Control Freak cable system with internal routing of both mechanical and electronic drivetrains plus stealth dropper routing and the zip tie feature mentioned on the Procaliber. Compatible with 1x or 2x drivetrains, the Top Fuel also has a 36t maximum chainring clearance.

For the carbon Top Fuel SL models, complete bikes will be available either through Project One or with the 9.8 SL in blue for $5,249.99 (OCLV carbon with aluminum chainstay) or the 9.9 SL in black for $9,449.99 as well as the frameset for $3,369.99 (full OCLV carbon).

Check out Trek’s site for full spec information.