FOLKS, I’M A SUCKER FOR A HARDTAIL MTB! But I also don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on one, and if I did, I surely wouldn’t be able to tap into all that it can do; I’m no pro rider. I have, however, been riding a bike since I was six, and I have broken bones, torn muscles and ligaments, and fake teeth to show for it. What can I say? I love them!
Well, upon seeing one of Trek’s newest additions to their family, I may have fallen in love yet again. I’m talking about the rather simple yet capable creature before us, the Procaliber 8. Best of all, certain parts of the world are dishing these babies out for around $1,800, some more, some less, depending on the dealership you find one in.
This brings me to my next point: according to Trek’s US website, the 8 is all gone, and to put your hands on one, you’ll have to reach out to the countless dealerships in your area. Maybe you’ll even have to travel out of state, as my own search revealed. But they’re out there, so let’s see what’s in store.
Now, since I’ve started covering just about anything on two wheels, I realized that most people don’t have a whole lot of cash to spend on a bike that they’ll use mostly for day-to-day riding, and Trek seems to know this, too. However, being Trek, for that price tag, the 8 is equipped with some rather neat hardware.
Just to give you an idea of what’s in store, Trek mentions that this is the one that “confidently rolls the fine line between race-ready and pocket-friendly,” and all that starts off with an aluminum frame. Carbon fiber versions are also available for this line, but those are clearly to be used for bringing home the gold.
As for the version before us, the aluminum one, take a moment to look closely at the frame and all it has to offer. We can start off with that tapered head tube, which is supported by the top and down tubes, the former blending beautifully into the seat stays.
Am I mistaken, or is there a slight curve to the stays? The seat tube is clearly curved. Speaking of the seat tube, I loved the fact that Trek built this bike around an internal dropper post, giving riders precious wiggle room for more hectic rides.
Overall, the bike is built around 29-inch tires, so rolling through the proverbial deep is bound to be smoother and a tad faster than on 27.5s. But, and this is a big one, forks with up to 130 mm (5.1 in) of travel can be used on this one, and as standard, the manufacturer throws on a RockShox Recon Gold RL with motion control damper, lockout, and 120 mm (4.7 in) of jelly-like goodness.
Moving onto the next stage in our journey of the Procaliber 8, we arrive at the all-important drivetrain. And let me tell you, Trek has really outdone themselves with this one. The setup they’ve given us is simply amazing, especially considering the price of this bike. We’ve got a Shimano SLX shifter, cassette, and chain, all being managed by an XT M8100 derailleur. And the best part? It’s all tuned to the sounds of 1×12 speeds, so there’s no need to worry about getting your trigger fingers mixed up.
Now, I know some people might think it’s sacrilegious to have both Shimano and SRAM components on the same machine, but I couldn’t care less. At least we don’t have those new Cues components anywhere near this beauty. And when it comes to brakes, Trek has once again turned to Shimano, with rotors that can go up to 180 mm (7.1 in). That’s more than enough stopping power for a hardtail like this. And the best part? Despite all these amazing features, the size M frame weighs in at just 27.12 lbs (12.3 kg). It’s like riding on air!
“But, wait, there’s more!” I can hear you saying. And you’re absolutely right. Trek has really gone above and beyond with the Procaliber 8. They’ve included countless mounts all over the frame, making this bike not just a hardtail MTB, but a cross-country and cargo-carrying machine. I mean, just think about it. You can ditch the water bottles and bring along frame bags and even a suspension fork. Take those long rides to the edge of town and back again, and never worry about running out of space. Need to pick up some groceries? No problem! Just attach a cargo rack and you’re good to go. And the best part? This bike is just as useful in an urban setting. Say goodbye to your gas-guzzler and hello to a breath of fresh air as you ride through a local park.
Now, I know it might be hard to imagine what it feels like to ride this beast without actually trying it yourself. But don’t worry, there’s a solution. Find a dealership near you and go for a test ride. Most of them have a test bike that you can take for a spin around the lot or even on some singletrack. Trust me, once you experience the Procaliber 8 for yourself, you’ll never want to ride anything else. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start exploring!
