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

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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…

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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.

Procaliber_SL_Frameset

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.

Procaliber_9_9_SL_Profile

Procaliber_9_8_SL_Profile Procaliber_9_7_SL_Profile

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.

Procaliber SL geometry

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Top_Fuel_SL_C_Frameset

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″.

Top_Fuel_9_Profile

Top_Fuel_8_Profile Top_Fuel_8_WSD_Profile

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.

Top_Fuel_9_9_SL_Profile

Top_Fuel_9_8_SL_Profile

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).

Top Fuel 2016 trek Geometry

Check out Trek’s site for full spec information.

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22 Comments
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Cxracer
Cxracer
8 years ago

Trek never ceases to amaze me. They make some of the best, if not the best, bikes in the market. But what is up with the remote lockout hose routing for the rear shock. It’s like after the whole bike was done, someone was like oh crap, what are we going to do with the lockout hose. To me it just looks unfinished and odd, not to mention it probably adds a few grams ;). Also the hardtail is bada$$. I say the make a carbon Stache with the IsoSpeed!

Pantaloon
Pantaloon
8 years ago

IsoSpeed Decoupler is awesome for what it does. I hope Trek puts it on all hardtails, as soon as possible.

Tim
Tim
8 years ago

I like the hardtail (flex-tail? I think I have read that before somewhere) concept and execution. But then they go and throw the weight savings out by using that RS1.

Scott W.
Scott W.
8 years ago

Looking forward to aluminum IsoSpeed.

GT
GT
8 years ago

As a big rider would have like to see these go to the 23″ size that SF and Fuel go to… The new Fuels not shown here looked pretty nicely speced as well.

Mgrip
8 years ago

I am done with Trek, love everything they have done this year but I need my 15.5 frame with 29er wheels.

Pecas
Pecas
8 years ago

Maybe it’s time Ibis make Silk-Ti again…and Bow-Ti (29er please)…

Where's Gary?
Where's Gary?
8 years ago

Nice bikes!!

But wait, where is the Gary Fisher Collection?? I thought Gary was all excited about this and that he was going to be working more closely with Trek engineers….Did Trek trick him? Well if I’m not a rat in a hat…those tricky Trek guys did it again!

Gary said “This makes sense. I love this strategy, I’ve been working with Trek on the Fisher Brand since 1996, but this puts me right in the middle of the best team of bike people. I can now bring my ideas to Trek, number one bike brand in the world. Better bikes and more people on those bikes. I love it.”

First Gary Klein, then Greg Lemond, now Gary Fisher. What’s the theme here? All their names start with a G of course! Trek saved Keith (Bontrager) because his name starts with a K!

Trek can you make me a Klein Adroit? Just for old times sake, just one last frame. Like what they used to be when Gary used to make them. C’mon guys, I really want one. A 1991 model please. Maybe you can ask Greg to phone Gary and he can get in touch with Gary and see if he has an old tube set left over.

Jordan P
Jordan P
8 years ago

@tim If you watch a world cup xc race you will see a lot of riders on the rs1 as it has better sensitivity. It is strange however to see trek align with sram when they usually have a strong shimano/fox set up

pfs
pfs
8 years ago

I’m confused, everyone jumps all over the lauf fork because it is an undamped carbon spring. This is no different. Why is this okay but the lauf fork isn’t?

Fer
Fer
8 years ago

The 1012g claimed weight sounds like BS. I bet the actual weight is close to 1300g.

spctgr
spctgr
8 years ago

@pfs

People are complaining because the Lauf fork is undamped suspension which directly affects steering and control of the bike. I would love to try one though.

The Iso-speed seat tube affects rider comfort while seated. Although I’m sure the rear end flexes a tiny bit more than a solid rear triangle.

Also, this is not the same thing as BMC/Moots/etc soft tail, which can still flex while standing.

Jackson Floyd
Jackson Floyd
8 years ago

I swear I heard one or eleventy times that sitting through the rough was bad technique, and here they go and build a bike around it. . .

mtbr1995
mtbr1995
8 years ago

@Jordan P. I assume that Trek went with Rockshox/SRAM build over the Fox/Shimano spec mainly due to Boost 148 and their collaboration with SRAM this year. Once Fox gets on board with the new standards and XT 1×11 is available to them, I bet we’ll see some more F/S options.

xc-fr
xc-fr
8 years ago

(deleted) boost 148 🙁
was waiting for the procaliber framset – but with boost 148 it is dead for me.
is it possible to run a standard 2x crank (-3mm chainline) with this frame ?

Hpbiker
Hpbiker
8 years ago

This bikes will also be under project one in the fall. You will have fork and drivetrain options.

offrhodes
offrhodes
8 years ago

@Mgrip, I totally agree. 29er for us smaller people too!

Mike C
Mike C
8 years ago

@pfs: the rubber piece acts as a damper in this situation.

@Mgrip: And here I am bemoaning the fact that there’s no 17.5″ 27.5 option. Bike companies can’t win…

josh
8 years ago

@Fer Trek is usually spot on with weights. Everything we have gotten has always been under claimed weight.

jooo
jooo
8 years ago

What’s the deal with the RF cranks? Trek hasn’t been 30mm spindle friendly on most of their bikes for ages…

Mayonayze
Mayonayze
8 years ago

will the frame be SS compatible w/o magic gear or CT?

xc-fr
xc-fr
8 years ago

@Hpbiker,
Thanks, good to know 🙂
I want to run a standard crank with 50mm chainline. If this is possible I’ll arrange adapters for the rear wheel (left & right +3mm & 3mm spacer between discrotor & hubshell) to use my current wheels 🙂

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