Second-generation Trek Supercaliber ushers in more refinement
More travel, improved suspension and a refined geometry
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Since its release four years ago, Trek's Supercaliber has seen much success. The brand has brought some much-needed updates and refinements to its full-suspension cross-country platform, such as increased travel, two carbon layup derivatives, improved suspension, and unpdated geometry. Here's everything you need to know.
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New for the Supercaliber is that it now comes with a choice of frames with the SLR shedding 200 to 250 grams against the standard SL frame. This is done through changes in the carbon laminate and cable routing as this frame has been designed to operate with wireless groupsets. There are no internal guide tubes for cables. Instead, it uses lightweight foam tubing to dull any rattle.
2023 trek supercaliber lower link.png, by Liam Mercer
The SL frame comes in at a comparable weight to the previous bike but it gets the same rear triangle as the featherweight SLR. However, this frame does get internal guide tubes to make internal cable routing simple.
Trek's latest Supercaliber uses a new RockShox SIDLuxe IsoStrut which benefits from a longer stroke, resulting in 80mm of rear travel. At the suspension kinematic, the brand has given the new bike a higher linear leverage rate which it reckons is best for XC performance. It's also been given a higher anti-squat figure for better peddling and thanks to revised bolts and tooling, it should be an easier unit to service.
2023 trek supercaliber isostrut 1.jpg, by Liam Mercer
The Supercaliber now gets a floating brake mount that stops the stays from flexing under braking forces, thus boosting braking power. At the front of the bike, it gets a boost in suspension travel – up from 100mm to 110mm.
Of course, the updated suspension doesn't come without a refreshed geometry. The Supercaliber has gotten longer and slacker and its reach has been stretched by a respectable 10mm while the head angle has slackened by 1.5-degrees. There's also a 5mm longer chainstay.
2023 trek supercaliber fork.jpg, by Liam Mercer
That means that a large frame benefits from a 465mm reach, a 67.5-degree head tube angle, and a 71.5-degree seat tube angle which is half a degree steeper than before. The chainstay then measures 435mm.
The new Supercaliber line-up consists of seven bikes with the top bike said to weigh just over 9kg. The 9.9 SLR XX AXS is built up with Kovee RSL carbon wheels, XX SL Transmission, a RockShox SID Ultimate fork with a Fox Transfer SL dropper post, and SRAM Level Ultimate four-piston brakes.
2023 trek supercaliber isostrut out.jpg, by Liam Mercer
All but two of the bikes utilise the lightweight SLR frame, while the 9.7 and 9.6 get the SL carbon model. At the bottom of the range, the 9.6 SL employs budget friendly kit such as a Shimano SLX/Deore drivetrain, a Recon Gold RL fork with 110mm of travel, a JD dropper post, and Shimano MT500 two-piston brakes.
Prices start at $4,200 and go up to $11,700.
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