I the X-Caliber a Mountain Bike Sweetspot?

[@theowheelers1685]

I agree with cross country hard tail being a sweet spot However, 23mm rims, rear QR, 20mm less travel and head tube angle made my choice of the Marin Team One a no brainer. It was also a bit cheaper.

[@ifitrollsrideit530]

FYI despite what the marketing people tell you Thru-axels aren't stiffer than QRs because they're NOT axels. They're just draw bolts that pull the frame onto the axel which is part of the hub. They don't take any load of the bike or rider's weight and aren't part of the load path.

[@nicdhunter7652]

Precisely

[@robertkowton5875]

Excellent review. I wish you would do a part 2with a test ride video. Dyou know what is happening with the X-Caliber in 2024? Hard to find in Canada.

[@rocheuro]

this bike is very well priced. Exact same model now in EU is at approx 999 USD. model from 2023. great deal.

[@halesargent2]

I have the 2021 model and it is really fast, I am more of an uphill rider, I mostly do 14km on a daily basis and ever since I got this bike, I felt the difference right away and dropped the time by 7 minutes from my previous bike. As for the weight it feels much lighter than it actually is, really nimble

[@mc540flip]

Very nice! I dig the X Calibers. I currently own a 2014 X Cal (similar color to this one) and have heavily upgraded it. Fun bike!

[@iankelly4008]

What size do you own? Looking into XXL x caliber 9. 6 ft 4 about 280. Trying to trim down( heart condition) and improve my health

[@joshuaallswang8016]

Good review bro But Rockshox Judy’s are 30mm.

[@user-ktm890rider]

Just got this bike same color last month I’m thinking of upgrading the tires to forekaster front and rear here in NM mainly dry rocky conditions with pavement to the trails

[@55mtb51]

Nice review, but what are the “mostly unchanged” changes for 2023? I don’t see any at all. Also, just a minor correction, the fork stanchion is 30mm, not 32mm (unless that is one of the changes).

[@sleit0]

Perfect bike overview

[@BradTVB]

awesome bike Trek Excaliber 8 2023 i really love XC bike.👍

[@johnnyrussul1278]

Cool I is to own a x-calibre 8

[@rocheuro]

isn't judy SL a 30mm stantion? at least in europe they sell Judy in 30mm variant.

[@Nick-kq2sw]

I'm seriously considering the x-caliber 8 but also looking at a specialized rockhopper expert, which is $350 off right now so is $1,049. Kind of tempting with the Trek being $1,600.

[@roelandwitjens3173]

hello, what are the main differences with the 2022 model, thanks !

[@garrylane4769]

I’m looking at installing a dropper. Seems to be restricted to 100mm. Is this correct? Also what brand would you recommend. Thanks

[@pa3ck860]

Bike not change from 2020. I have 2021 model. Frame is same. Fork is same. Some minor components changes like drivetrain and tires. But price get so high. I would like to see bigger changes.

[@MrTacoJay]

Is this for sure a 32mm stancion? My lbs said it’s 30 I ordered it and was just curious

[@michaelmclean4958]

Was deciding between this bike and the Marlin 8 2023 with a 50 dollar price difference. After taking both for a spin I preferred how the x-caliber rode. Good vid. Made the purchase. Could have skipped the grip part. In different regions the grips are different.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

X-Cal is a nice bike!

[@rossejera1661]

I got this bike.. its called the trek roscoe 6 😄

[@JamesRobertMTB]

Sweet bit of content this. Only now discovering the channel 🤘

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Welcome to the channel!

[@daryl4841]

I have the 2015 version of this bike. Its been a good bike except for the quick release/disc combo. Any disc brake bike I get from here on out must have thru axle. Too much wiggle room for brake rub with the quick release.

[@Sea_New_Things]

Only feature that's steering me away

[@RobS123]

I originally started looking at the Marlin 7 after my wife bought a 2023 Dual Sport 3 to commute on. I wanted something more capable on trails but still good for commuting on the road. We live in hilly San Francisco so climbing capabilities is also imprtant. But looks like the Marlin series has a lesser quality frame than her Dual Sport (Alpha Silver vs Alpha Gold), and is only a 10 speed. Didn't like the SRAM drivetrain on the Marlin 8 or Silver frame, so started looking at the X-Calibur series. I was trying not to break the bank and thought the X-Calibur 7 would have been the sweet spot for me, but it's been discontinued, unfortunately. Other than tires, how good of a commuter bike/Mountain Trial would the X-Calibur 8 be, as far as frame geometry? I do do some mountain bike riding with my son occasionally on my ancient Univega, but not too much hardcore Singletrack.

[@darrenjohn3382]

Looks a lot nicer then the 9

[@55mtb51]

Yes, I love this colour scheme, way better than alpine blue.

[@jongill2120]

I personally think Trek missed the boat with this bike as it checks a lot of boxes, but the QR rear is a major dealbreaker. Everyone has an alloy xc racer except trek. This would definitely give the Chisel, and Scale Alloy a run for their money if trek made a few tweaks.

[@TheJLMDT]

What size bike do you review? That will affect the weight...

[@nicdhunter7652]

This is a large. The M/L size weighs 13.2 kg

[@notpablo8369]

Wished it was boost148

[@MrWhitmen1981]

Can you have a dropper post installed?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Yeah

[@AceMBP]

How many check the weight at the end first before watching? LOL!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

A lot I bet, lol

[@jamesgretsch4894]

That is like eating the dessert before the meal. Many of us are tempted to do so and I am one of them!

[@ralva2779]

Sweet.

[@stuartmclean3843]

Im 5ft 10, i would of thought id b a size medium but according to trek website im a ml or even large 🤔 do trek bike come up large coz im a medium in a specialized rockhopper

[@dan69golf]

I'm 5 11 and can run a med, a ML and a large. Frame it also shows me a ML or L. But med feel quick and comfortable. It depends what I'm gonna ride. You can't go wrong with any size as you can get parts to make any size bike fit your style from crank, bars, head or seat adjustment. Ride and pick on your judgment

[@Bangladeshiessence]

You didn’t talk about the brake set!

[@sp28buhayofw39]

Any review of x caliber 7 2023

[@JohnnyB1995]

I wonder why they didn't release an xcaliber 7

[@Bigtime1998]

Basically it's the Marlin 8.

[@RobS123]

@@Bigtime1998 Better frame and drivetrain on the X-Calibur 7. But it's a moot point now.

[@iduncanw]

Trying to decide if the X-Caliber 9 is worth the extra money. I really like the colour (the 8 is only in grey for Australia), but quite a bit extra. Main differences seem to be slightly better drivetrain, better forks and dropper post.

[@55mtb51]

Better brakes, too.

[@iduncanw]

@@55mtb51 I've ordered the 9 😎, now just waiting for Trek to sort out what's going on with stock. I'm being told my 2022 is caught up with 2023 new stock or something like that. New model is $200AUD more.

[@shwndh]

@@iduncanw You made the right choice. The 9 has better brakes and fork and comes with a dropper. Wry expensive upgrades you don’t need to make now. It’s a great bike. We have a 2017 and it’s basically the same.

[@ancogbernard]

for me. quality ang price wise. merida bignine limited series is the best..

[@Blunt33bdx]

Just bought it in sales for 999€ here 😅

[@markcaldwell01]

Is the weight basically 1kg heavier than what the Trek website says? 😮

[@Blunt33bdx]

Seems like it 😢

[@Dannyhot1994]

Beautiful

[@ccadp1219]

Very nice review....TREK lately is producing some really nice bikes at reasonable price points......road, fitness, mountain etc.etc.👍🏻

[@CB-ld8no]

Seems like many bikes on Trek website are now listed as 2023. But looks like they are the same as 2022 with a price increase. Even more lower quality substituted parts due to supply chain issues for some models.

[@MrTacoJay]

Is this qr rear. Really something that’s noticeable over a thru axle on a Hardtail. ? I’m talking for the general World. Not hardcore people

[@mickeygoldmill3965]

Is this bike long and stretched out?

[@harrygrimley4352]

That's a good looking bike 🚲. But is it good enough to justify double the price of a Marlin 6? Really asking because I don't know. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@wrecked3m]

Depends how aggressively you will be riding. If you plan to go fast on the trail it’s worth spending the extra money.

[@shwndh]

Yes. Better geometry, parts spec, and future upgrades are much easier. Marlin is limited.

[@maycondeivisferrari7422]

NICE VIDEO...............BRAZIL HERE

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

🙏

[@NVYOUTUBE01]

too heavy.. my xcalliber9 2022 weighs 12.4 kgs

[@nicdhunter7652]

You must have size s. The M size of xcal 8 is 13.05kg . And M of xcal 9 is 12.75kg for anyone that wants to know .

[@Crypto_Brandon]

Just bought one for 1k.

[@noxuification]

check out this bike MTB XC Rockrider 120 NX Eagle which is way cheaper and is 2x better than Trek....

[@mazditzo]

Made in japan - legend Made in Taiwan - fancy Vietnam/myanmar/laos/cambodia - common 😀

[@joshuaallswang8016]

Brooo the specialized chisel craps💩 all over this bike!🤣👎

[@MaQuGo119]

QR? into the trash it goes, not worth the money, let's hope 24 models have improved

[@pepeanza6187]

Totally outdated geometry even for xc and no thru axle and super heavy

[@ridgeydidge4345]

I agree..and the price geez..

[@pa3ck860]

Please what XC bike have up to date geometry nowadays according to you? Whout do you recommend?

[@suggoz]

Trek, soft sluggish frame. Trek is so overrated.