Trek Supercaliber SL 9.7 AXS Gen 2

Trek Supercaliber SL 9.7 AXS Gen 2 - Race fully or hardtail? This innovative bike is both!

Which bike is faster in cross-country races? Hardtail or fully? Propulsion or traction? Racers are still arguing about this today. One thing is certain: both systems have their advantages. So why not pack the capabilities of both systems into a single bike? That's exactly what Trek has done with the Supercaliber. The centrepiece is a unique carbon frame whose rear triangle is as stable as that of a hardtail thanks to the IsoStrut system, but is still vertically compliant enough to swallow stones and roots. The function: A main bearing sits above the bottom bracket, the rest is done by the flex of the rear triangle and a special damper element below the top tube. As a result, IsoStrut gets 80 millimetres of "travel" out of the rear triangle. And thanks to the improved lateral stiffness, pedalling power is converted into propulsion with noticeably less loss than with a traditional fully. Of course, IsoStrut can be tuned like a conventional shock and can also be locked out if required. Then the Supercaliber really becomes a hardtail.

The Supercaliber SL 9.7 AXS Gen 2 comes with a RockShox Reba RL Solo Air at the front, which offers 110 millimetres of travel. The IsoStrut SID rear shock also comes from the US suspension specialists. The wireless Sram GX Eagle AXS 12-speed drivetrain changes gears electrically with the precision of Swiss clockwork. In addition, the rear derailleur is so stable on the rear triangle with the help of T-Type technology (= Transmissiojn) that it is immune to external influences. Lightweight Sram Level Bronze disc brakes decelerate crisply and reliably in all weathers. The in-house Bontrager parts are also tried and tested: handlebars, stem, Vario seatpost and a lightweight 29-inch wheelset.

Trek OCLV Carbon - The classic in lightweight construction

The OCLV Carbon developed by Trek has been a household name in the scene for years. There are different series for different bike classes, from mountain bikes to racing bikes. The Supercaliber SL OCLV type is one of the lightest frames in the programme. Depending on the equipment, a Supercaliber Racefully weighs between 9 and 10 kilos. And we're talking about a full-suspension bike here! However, it is not just the lower weight that distinguishes a carbon frame from an aluminium frame. Rather, the material offers better opportunities to specifically improve stiffness at neuralgic points. Nevertheless, Trek OCLV frames are extremely comfortable to ride. This is because carbon has a natural inherent damping effect that minimises vibrations.