Trek X-Caliber 8 Bike check | The upgrades I've made

[@Mikesbikerides]

If you want to support me and my channel, A great way is to "Buy me a coffee" on this link! Your support puts gas in the tank and keeps the bike running! www.buymeacoffee.com/mikesbikerides

[@taylorbeyer8832]

I have an X caliber 9 and you can open up the Judy rock shock it comes with and take out a spacer that makes the travel 120mm! It worked perfect and now my XCaliber is more trail worthy.

[@Mikesbikerides]

That's what I did to mine! Fun and simple mod 😁

[@mstuartkendall]

@@MikesbikeridesThanks, I am purchasing this bike tomorrow. I have been road cycling for most of my life and decided to start doing something different. I don't quite understand what you did to the stem handlebar area as an upgrade. Could you explain or maybe post a link to the part you used so I can research? Thanks

[@JogieGlenMait16]

I have the newer Xcaliber 8 2022. I just replaced 3 things: pedals, grips, and dropper.

[@Mikesbikerides]

That's all you need! 🤝

[@tonycaluda1868]

Regarding chainline, you can "move" it inboard by placing the BB spacer from the drive-side to the non-drive side/left. This way your chainring will go 2.5mm closer to the frame = better chainline

[@Mikesbikerides]

That is absolutely true! Should've done that on this bike.

[@joen3992]

Enjoying the laid back vibe of your channel. Just joined your instagram. Happy riding....

[@Mikesbikerides]

Happy to have you along! 😎

[@rocheuro]

head tube angle is the thing that one should check before buying a certain geometry. XC are closer to 70 - 71, and trail are best at 68-69 or even less. people should be aware how much of a difference the head tube angle actually does. depending on your style of riding and area (mountain or more flat vs trails and downhill).

[@Mikesbikerides]

Very true! My current bike sits at a nice 65 degrees and is so much more stabile at high speeds! But it's the over all geo that makes it really great. However the Headtube angle does give you a good hint if the bike is right for you to start with.

[@davebrunette6394]

Just bought a 2021 xcaliber, radioactive red. Just installed tubeless tires, xt groupset next.

[@Mikesbikerides]

Oh! Sounds like that thing is going to fly! Put some protective plastic on the underside of the bike! Mine is fuuullll of dings from rocks, making the paintjob look so bad! 😩

[@krishnamittal3540]

@@Mikesbikerides plastic protection as in ? Is it found in the shop for bikes?

[@Mikesbikerides]

@@krishnamittal3540 Yes you can buy protective self adhesive sheets made specifically for your bike, or buy normal adhesive 3M plastic film and cover areas of the frame where rocks usually hit

[@johnnydoe66]

I just got an X Caliber 8 frame from Trek as a warranty claim on my Roscoe 8. The seat stay cracked along the weld at the seat tube junction and because of availability and the fact the Roscoe and X Caliber share frames, I got a frame with no model name on it. It's the color scheme of a 2021 X Caliber 8, black with white and silver decals. My Roscoe 8 was a 2020 model with the Black w/ Marigold Fade scheme. Kinda bummed because of the color switch, but it's better than having no bike at all. I had upgraded my Roscoe before w/ a RS Revelation fork, Race Face Affect 35 780mm wide bar and a 40mm stem. Loved the bike and it's been perfect for my local trails, but I have to wait for the rain to stop to try out the new frame

[@Mikesbikerides]

Nice that you got a new frame though! Yeah they're just the same so it should be feeling exactly the same :D Although for rougher steeper trails I would go for a slacker bike, like the new 2022 roscoe. But hey, Ride what you have and have fun doing so :D

[@lal2235]

Hi, what you thing is better the xcaliber 8 or roscoe 7?

[@johnnydoe66]

@@lal2235 If you are asking about a current model year, my preference would be the Roscoe 7 just because of the type of riding that I do. The X Caliber is more XC oriented vs. the trail spec of the Roscoe

[@BlackMan614]

Nice video. I own an XCal as well and did dropper, carbon handlebars, 1x and new tires. I'm like you, I HATE the geometry of the bike. I just didn't realize it until I bought a ProCal 9.6.

[@Mikesbikerides]

Thanks! Well it is a good starter bike for sure, I just wish I'd learn a bit more before jumping on it, would've saved some time and money 😆

[@LarsVegaz]

Hi You prop have a 3mm plastic spacer at the crank. Put it on the other side to improve the chainline. Got the 2019 xcal9

[@Mikesbikerides]

Oh! I do.. didn’t know I could move it without messing something up.. will try this for sure!

[@LarsVegaz]

@@Mikesbikerides gave me what i needed. :)

[@marknieuwejaar1075]

My 2014 xcal 8 is g2 & ample for my age, try locking out your forks on uphill climbs & myself i dropped my headset by putting all three spacers @ the top not the bottom...

[@tdogthomas1039]

Nice, I was surprised to see we have the exact same dropper post on the exact same bike

[@Mikesbikerides]

Haha so cool! But yeah, popular posts and popular bikes 😁

[@downtr978]

I want to upgrade my bike with this dropper. I bought it secondhand last year. So I bought the internal dropper, because the official website says the frame is ready for internal routed dropper posts. Now that I wanted to install it and watched some video's, I only see frames with a 'second hole' in the front, what our bike doesn't have. So does this mean that I need to buy a external routed, or is it still possible to install it internal routed?

[@fishingandmtb1556]

Wow! I would love to ride where you shot this video! It looks Nice, is this still in Sweden?

[@user5682]

Yea it’s in southern Sweden by the bridge in malmo leading to Denmark it has been active since 2014 just search “lernacken” on google maps

[@fishingandmtb1556]

@@user5682 shit, i am in Dalarna (middle Sweden)

[@Mikesbikerides]

Yeah it’s pretty great for a home trail.. but the downhill sections last maximum ten seconds 😭 it’s called ”regnbågsbanan” if you search on trailforks etc 😊

[@fishingandmtb1556]

Tack!

[@kevinskyline95]

Nice! Lust att länka där man kan kika på styret samt styrstam? Funkar det bättre att hoppa lite med detta än orginal? Letar efter något så man får upp styret lite samt lite mer "trial cykel" känsla :) Vilka däck kör du med? Bra video!

[@Mikesbikerides]

Tack! Har tyvärr inga länkar till dom men stamen är en truvativ hussefelt och styret av märket spank. Tror det är 35mm rise. Jag tycker att denna kombo blev riktigt bra och mer stabil specuellt tillsammans med den slackare HTA’n

[@Mikesbikerides]

Jag kör på maxxis minion dhf och dhr.. något tungtrampade men ett jäkla grepp!

[@antonchristensson2876]

Vad kör du för däck-kombo? Ser ut som DHR2 bak? Är du nöjd med däcken för våra skånska stigar, det rullar inte för trögt? Kör själv de nya Nobby Nic-däcken i supertrail men funderar på att byta till någon maxxiskombo nu till sommarhalvåret eftersom de jag har är för tunga.

[@Mikesbikerides]

Det är DHR2 och DHF2.. Väldigt tungrullade med tanke på den cykling jag oftast utför.. Men fan vad dom greppar! Köpte dom inför förra vintern när det började bli lerigt men dom fick sitta kvar sen. Hade velat hitta ett mer lättrullat däck åtminstone bak inför sommarn. Dessa är ju helt klart gjorda för gravitationsassisterad cykling :D

[@antonchristensson2876]

@@Mikesbikerides Okej, kan tänka mig att greppet inte går att klaga på! Beställde efter en hel del velande Dissector (fram) + Rekon (bak), hoppas på att det ska vara en ok kompromiss för stigarna häromkring på sommaren i alla fall. Får väl återkomma när jag hunnit få hem dem och testat lite. Najs uppgraderingar du gjort för övrigt!

[@Mikesbikerides]

@@antonchristensson2876 Ja berätta gärna hur dom funkar! Blir ju en del xc för mig så jag behöver nåt lättrullat men som greppar både i driv och broms 😄

[@stroogss]

Great video man, I'm an Xcal 8 rider as well. Looking at geometry here, do you think the head tube angle adapter is worth it? You mentioned in one of the other comments you might have gotten a Ragely Big Al or a Scout, but aren't you pretty close to that geometry with the adapter?

[@Mikesbikerides]

I think the angler headset is worth it! But there are so many other aspects that make the trail hardtails more suited for tougher riding. The x-cal can handle alot but it does have kinda bad geo for more inspired riding 😌

[@stroogss]

@@Mikesbikerides @Mikes bikerides I see what you mean looking at the geo on the new Roscoe, Ragleys, and Scouts. I might go ahead and try the slackening and the shorter stem just to see how it feels. I'll probably leave the handlebars alone though. Have you thought of maybe putting wider tires on? I'm not sure what the max would be for these rims but people really seem to like the giant ones on Roscoes.

[@leonardfrutos5346]

How's that head to Slacker working out for you I was thinking of doing the same thing you're going to have to give us an update on that and another couple of months

[@Mikesbikerides]

It's working great so far! Bike feels more stabile going through bumpy terrain and gives more confidence riding on steep bits 😊

[@leonardfrutos5346]

I have the same exact bike and done similar mods to my bike. I was thinking of changing the forks from the 100m to a 120m to help with my decents , but what you did feels a lot easier on the pocket lol . I'll look in on that head set 😉👍. Oh and the dropper post woo I bet you love that hahaha 😁

[@alexandrefallara-ff9pi]

Bonjour, j’ai également un x caliber, ma question concerne la roue arrière ? Comment avez-vous pu installer une dt swiss x1900 sur un axe 141 qr 5 ? Pouvez-vous me donner les informations concernant la roue diamètre et adaptateur ? Merci infiniment

[@Mikesbikerides]

Sorry I don't speak a word french and apparently I can't copy the text to translate either 😑

[@ForEverMTB]

i have this frame and I want to use a fox 34 with 130mm of travel, so Do you think this cause any problems? thanks in advance

[@Mikesbikerides]

Hmm a bit overforked maybe.. but it's still not a huge difference from 100mm. With sag counted in, even less of a difference

[@ForEverMTB]

@@Mikesbikerides Hi there one last question, I am looking to buy a 170mm dropper post, Do you think this dropper will fit on the bike? it is only 40 bucks used.

[@Mikesbikerides]

Depends on your height and insertion length of the dropper. But it might just fit, hard to know before you try, alas.

[@virginiascurti5036]

How old is that version that it actually has a 2X chain?

[@Mikesbikerides]

I think maybe 2017/2018 so not that ancient

[@uhno1957]

Hi Mike do you think it would be possible to convert the hub to microspline? looking at the same set of wheels and no one here has any idea what im asking. Thanks and more power to your channel

[@Mikesbikerides]

Hmm I have no idea actually! I wonder why they just won't put the info on their website.. anyway thanks for the kind words 😀

[@gamerholics6556]

I’ve got the exact same bike and was just wondering how high can it jump,like is it bad for the bike?

[@Mikesbikerides]

Depends on alot of factors.. you could take it off big jumps if the landing matches your trajectory, thise landings feel like nothing! But alot of hucks to flat can't be good 😬 but probably wheels etc will give up before the frame does, frame is built pretty tough by the looks of it

[@danielfl.9347]

Do you Think it is good straight out the box for someone Who does not ride like a crazy person (like u)? ;)

[@Mikesbikerides]

Not the cheapest version, but the others are good as gold. Always pretty shitty components on the cheapest version.

[@artforma5928]

I have such a Trek, I want to change the rear wheel, please write all the details of the wheel and hub please. How does it fit the 141 boost?

[@Mikesbikerides]

Good idea replacing the rear wheel! Some through axle hubs have the option to replace the endcaps so that they fit their quick-release counterpart. Boost 148 converts to boost 141 and 142 converts to 135! This is a dt swiss E1900 it has 24 engagementpoints, heavy but solid wheel! Watch my video on converting boost hubs for more info on how to do it!

[@artforma5928]

@@Mikesbikerides I just watched your video of how you convert, and I also thought about the inclination of the fork, 2 ° and it drives better, I have never seen such an application what's this?

[@Mikesbikerides]

@@artforma5928 Oh it's a headset bearing kit that is offset in the top so that the fork leans back a bit more. It doesn't actually change the frame, so it's cheating, but it does affect the ride alot! Here's a link to the exact kit that fits the X-Caliber: www.workscomponents.co.uk/20-degree-ec44-zs56-angle-headset---to-suit-tapered-steerer-tube-945-p.asp

[@travisbrown4077]

@@Mikesbikerides did you need a headset press for this?

[@MrNobody-ts6gv]

is it feasible to install the Rockshox SID SL fork on this bike ?

[@Mikesbikerides]

By all means! Upgrades like that can be brought on to your next bike. Good investment

[@stuartmclean3843]

Can you put 27.5 wheels on a x caliber?

[@Mikesbikerides]

You can always go smaller. But if it will ride well is the question. I think the old roscoe was just a x-caliber with 27,5+ and a bigger fork🤔

[@stylusmtb1762]

What’s the measurements on the head tube slackener u got. Have the exact same bike and working my way to do the same thing

[@Mikesbikerides]

Can’t remember! But it should be a tapered one, look out for the head tube height.. it’s 100mm on mine. I can look up the correct one if I remember it later 😁

[@stylusmtb1762]

@@Mikesbikerides awesome thanks

[@Mikesbikerides]

SHOULD be this one.. but double check the diameter upper and lower, and get the one with the right head tube length! www.workscomponents.co.uk/20-degree-ec44-ec49-angle-headset---to-suit-tapered-steerer-tube-355-p.asp

[@leonardfrutos5346]

How's that head tube slacker working out for you.

[@stylusmtb1762]

@@leonardfrutos5346 its amazing how much of a difference it makes on the dh and turning. Don’t feel like I’m going to wash out or go otb. Bike definitely more stable now than it was. No big difference on the uphill as well

[@zenshlonek9808]

what is the max tire width you can put on this bike?

[@Mikesbikerides]

Haven't tried but surely 2,5 would fit. Then the mus clearence might get too small!

[@zenshlonek9808]

such a beauty,but beasty...

[@rachromero]

What tires are those ?

[@Mikesbikerides]

Worn out minion dhf/dhr lol 😁

[@rekioz6033]

29/2.50 ?

[@hanschristian8039]

Hello brother, I am from Mexico and I have the same bike, last week my rear hub broke, could you help me with the measurements or with the model that you put on your bike Hello brother, I am from Mexico and I have the same bike, last week my rear hub broke, could you help me with the measurements or with the model that you put on your bike Hola hermano soy de México y tengo la misma bici, la semana pasada se me rompió el buje trasero, podrías ayudarme con las medidas o con el modelo que te pones en tu bici Hello brother, I'm from mexico and I have the same bike, my back last week broke mace, you could help me with the measures or the model that you put your bike?

[@Mikesbikerides]

Hey! The hub you should get is one that is "boost 141" OR! A better option, get a wheel/hub with "boost 148" with replaceable endcaps and then replace the endcaps so that it becomes a boost 141 instead. I explain this in another video on my channel. The wheel is a DT swiss E1900 and is a pretty basic enduro wheel (not light, but sturdy!) with a hub that has 24 engagement points. Nothing crazy but a good solid budget option!

[@silver_c1oud]

Upgrading this bike is pointless 1st of all the frame still uses a dropout quick release skewer which can only be found on entry level budget bikes. thats why i better go for Specialized Chisel or Giant XTC

[@Mikesbikerides]

I agree to a certain extent.. The bike is using outdated standards and might not be the perfect frame to build on. But alot of people end up with this as their first bike, me included. And making upgrades that you then can transfer to another better frame is worth it to me! I was able to move most of the parts straight over to my much more modern Radon hardtail a while back. This enabled me to build a much more capable bike than if I would've bought it stock from the shop. Like better wheels/hubs, brakes, gears etc. But yes, there are better frames to build on :)