Trek X-caliber 8 | Sending an XC-bike down rough trails

New! Join me on instagram @mikes_bikerides
If I throw the X-caliber 8 into the gnar, can he stomach it, or does he crumble underneath me?
Made this video as a bit of a bonus from the material I made for another viddy..
Basically this is me trying to find local enduro trails and riding them to the best of my, and the bikes abilities.

[@paulhellings]

That’s some nice scenery there :). Cool to see this bike getting along fine there, will be using it myself mostly on flat trails with a little exciting technical stuff here and there. Can’t wait to get it in two months after already waiting for months. COVID really got the Dutch cycle even more here in Holland, creating crazy shipping times.

[@Mikesbikerides]

Love the bike! Has handled everything I've thrown at it! I bet it'll be worth the wait! Though the bike shortage is crazy.. I bet the used market will be booming soon enough when people start going on charter trips again 😆

[@davidz6576]

@@Mikesbikerides I also pre-ordered a X-caliber 9 now at my local dealer in Germany and luckily only need to wait for 2 weeks. Wanna start riding again after like 10 years :D But I checked out a lot of reviews about bikes under 1500€ and almost all of the bikes like Vitus Sentier, Norco, canyons and so on are either not available or sentier for example costs 2400€ atm instead of 1600😂 Crazy year there

[@JoeJoe-C137]

Got the 2018 xc-8 and I've hammered it on everything for last 3 years, just this year seals have blown on forks (RS30 air) and lockout doesnt work but still perform, brakes hmmm not great mt200 upgraded the rotors to 180 F and R but still not the best, bike has been stripped and re built today still has original BB serviced today, had to service hubs (strip n re grease bearings) every year, rims on 2018 only 22mm internal so 2.3 tyres best suited, 2.4's get light bulb effect, still on original gears xt mech race face crank all working fine upgrades - 790mm bar 15mm rise, 55mm stem (45/50 was too much) pedals tyres disc rotors seat post and saddle Tried a 120mm fork for a few rides but messes geometry up to much bb height to high and constantly want to loop out, stick with 100mm forks Weak spots- brakes! 2x front crank Performance - quick bike, agile and nimble on tech climbs i found I had to move my seat forward a bit it does want to loop out on extreme tech climbs, great for manuals, bit steep the geometry for bombing downhill especially after shortening the stem but u get use to it, alloy frame excellent (first trek I've had) regularly snap hardtails inc jamis d29 orange p7 GT zaskar this trek frame has held it's own no stress fractures yet, they nothing I can't do on this bike that I do on my FS bike I'll run this bike to the ground before I upgrade again to something with 120/130 travel up front purely personal choice for my style of riding

[@Mikesbikerides]

Great comment and info! I am looking at making my fork a 120mm if it works, while I service it anyway.. probably will make the stack too high but we'll see!

[@AllBikeCommunity]

Nice view and track...

[@Mikesbikerides]

Yeah I like it alot :)

[@doncastillo2818]

Awesome man

[@Mikesbikerides]

Thanks bud! :)

[@MRYENNYENN]

*I love this bike. Besides **Latest.Bike** being kind of heavy, I have no complaints. It was delivered a day early in great shape and it is a blast to ride*

[@Mikesbikerides]

Glad to hear that! Yeah it is kinda heavy but could be built up light if you're willing to spend some money on it :)

[@evergistebushayija9017]

One at home...Love it!

[@Mikesbikerides]

They're nice bikes!

[@whodafakru7668]

Am I your first subscriber? Love you vids actually 💕💕

[@Mikesbikerides]

The 495th actually so first 500 😁

[@whodafakru7668]

@@Mikesbikerides oh sorry. I did not see the numbers of subs in your channel. Your vids are really nice. Starting to watch all of it.

[@spaceiscool1236]

So you would suggest this bike for mainly trails but it can also handle some light jumps?

[@Mikesbikerides]

I would say so! It is fast over flat terrain and quite nimble. But honestly if I had ca 1000€ to spend I would look at a ragley big al or something a bit more traily in the geometry. But that's me! If you're more likely to ride XC only, then go for something like the X-Caliber

[@jackkrauser2361]

6:11 LOL 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@viktorrahal2079]

Nice video, I'm going next week to buy this bike. In which area/park were you riding the bike?

[@Mikesbikerides]

Thanks! Hope you'll like the bike, it's a good allrounder :) This is in southernmost sweden. Some half-illegal trails..

[@mctg9043]

Im thinking about selling mine and buying a polygon siskiu d7 or t7. Whenever I do trails it's such a rough ride and my back starts to hurt quickly, and I feel like the bike cant take it and is going to break. In fact the tube in my rear wheel has popped before. What do you suggest, should I go for a dual suspension bike?

[@Mikesbikerides]

This bike does have its limits after all :) I wouldn't say that a full suspension will take away that much strain from the back. A good fitting bike will probably do the trick. Go to a store and have them do a bikefit with you and your bike. Most people do prefer full suspension but it's more about the riding it enables. I would say you get equally tired riding any bike.

[@mctg9043]

@@Mikesbikerides alright thanks for the help 👍

[@nl_2652]

Hey man! I’m new to the channel, this ride was sweet! What brakes did you upgrade to? I’m waiting to buy a 2021 X-Cal 8 and wanted to know about the weak spots of the bike. 🤙🏼

[@Mikesbikerides]

Very welcome! 🥳 I think you’re going to love the new bike. The rear wheel hub seems to give people some problems, totally a warranty thing but might as well upgrade at some point and keep the stock one as backup. Brakes on these bikes are usually there just to look good.. those mt200 brakes are made for citybikes etc.. really sensitive to contamination and never stop you.. 😅 Mine are shimano xt rt86 discs with Xtr metallic pads. Levers and calipers are SLX 2pot and I have brake power for days now!

[@nl_2652]

Mikes bikerides super helpful, thank you so much! I really appreciate this info. Two more questions - 1. what metallic pads are you running? There are lots of options and I’m not sure what to order! I found the discs, levers, and calipers pretty easily though. 2. Have you changed out your rear hub, and if so what brand/model? I’ve looked into DT Swiss and found one that is pretty affordable and high engagement too.

[@Mikesbikerides]

@@nl_2652 No problems :) I can't actually tell you which exact pads they are.. I haven't had them off, and it's the previous owner who mounted them :) I have yet to have any problems with the rear wheel although they are known to be weak, like all standard wheels. But I think I will go for DT swiss when (not if) the hub breaks.. My buddy bought Hope wheels with the pro4 hub, never had a problem since and they are convertible just like DT..

[@jedikkeoma]

I have one. They are good bikes, but you can feel the components are b stock. I have the 8 with the sram group. It certainly does the trick, but heavy mountaineering is not really recommended on this bike. I ride singletracks with it to stay in shape for road season and that does the trick very very well

[@Mikesbikerides]

@@jedikkeoma Yeah I agree :) I have made quite a few updates to mine, in order to make it a little more trailworthy.. But I also realize that soon enough only the frame will be stock haha!

[@Saif649-1]

So what did you think of the bike did any thing feel weak or as if it was going to break ? Any creaks?

[@Mikesbikerides]

Nothing felt weak.. Wheels are a weak point though.. I ended up bending my back wheel pretty bad after losing a couple of spokes, now replaced with a DT swiss E1900 which so far has been bomb-proof! This bike has gone through alot, and the frame has held up to the abuse perfectly fine :)

[@Saif649-1]

Do you think this bike will be good for commuting on a smooth road 8

[@Mikesbikerides]

@@Saif649-1 Depends on your choice of tyres.. I think this bike is pretty efficient on tarmac but it is made for off road, so it won't be perfect

[@NerdTouchingGrass]

Just send it bud!

[@Mikesbikerides]

The sendature of this video is so not there compared to how I can ride today😂 good to see that evolved😁

[@leohp8933]

Im in a dilemma 😅 similarly priced X Cal 8 or Roscoe 7 2022...which one is like an all rounder mate?

[@UntitledCyclist]

Ha, in the same position! following this question 👀

[@leohp8933]

@@UntitledCyclist i guess i go with roscoe which has boost 148 thru axle vs boost 141 skewer on x cal 8😅

[@UntitledCyclist]

@@leohp8933 Thank you! Think I'll go with Roscoe as well 😁 Enjoy!

[@leohp8933]

@@UntitledCyclist off we go mate! 😀🚴🚴🚴🚴

[@Mikesbikerides]

Haha I'm late to the party I guess, but yeah the Roscoe 2022 (NOT THE ROSCOE 6) is the better all rounder. X-cal is like this weird mix between XC and just a standard mtb. The new and improved roscoe is a real trail bike which can be ridden on the xc-loop just as well as it handles a trip to the bikepark. although it won't thrive on the black DH trails, but it will get you down in one piece.

[@pemskicorchalar5985]

I have also xcaliber 8 2021, I'm thinking replacing a 2.4 or 2.5 tires, do you think it will fit? Thanks!

[@Mikesbikerides]

I think you might be on the limit for mud clearence against the frame but it should fit!

[@cyndivillanueva5475]

Yes, 2.4 fits well on my xcaliber 8 2020

[@yaroslavchornyi6251]

Yes it do personal record 11m jump 2m high:)

[@Mikesbikerides]

That is impressive! 🤯🤯

[@wojak2466]

You mean You did it in an X- Caliber 8 ? Is it suitable for doing bunnyhop ?

[@miketigs5867]

which is good for 5'6 height is it 29er or 27.5? thanks

[@ricochete5875]

for your height it's about the bike frame but nimble is 27.5, XC 29.

[@Mikesbikerides]

Sorry for the late answer but yeah pretty much what Ricochete wrote. 29 picks up and holds speed better, rolls over rough stuf better etc. 27,5 would be a bit more playful. Shorter people ride 29ers just as good as 27,5. I'd say you're in the medium range of sizes. Also depending on How you're built. Testing a few bikes of different size would be ideal!

[@mitch8131]

HOw do you feel the xcaliber held up?

[@Mikesbikerides]

Well to be honest looking back on this video I think I couldv’e ridden it harder.. It holds up fine but it is not made for this kind of riding. Since this video I have slackened the HTA and put on a shortet stem and grippier pedals.. that does make a big difference!

[@Mikesbikerides]

But yeah, if I had been smart I wouldv’e waited for a nukeproof scout to show up used for kinda the same money..

[@dorelgradinaru1762]

@@Mikesbikerides I wonder if upfrading the fork with a fox 32 will make a huge diference. 🤔 I know it will double the bike value.🤣

[@Mikesbikerides]

@@dorelgradinaru1762 I think it would! But yeah fox is very expensive and I don’t think I would feel any difference to a rockshox of the same specs 🧐

[@jasonhorne311]

do you wish you had spent the extra money and bought a Roscoe?

[@TokyoNinja1467]

1:38 My guy #ADHD LmAo 😜

[@Mikesbikerides]

Haha SQUIRREL

[@117j.2]

Could you send it more? I think it would be better if you did not hold the break all the time. Great vid tho.

[@Mikesbikerides]

Haha yes I most definitely could and I am embarrassed that this unsendy video got so much traffic 😂 I will make a better one like this come spring! 👀

[@OriginalFallofMind]

@@Mikesbikerides Don't be embarrassed. It's better than having a broken collar bone.

[@Mikesbikerides]

@@OriginalFallofMind Well you got that right! 😂

[@adi.s4469]

Hi Mike! i hope you are fine. Where do I find that track you are biking on?

[@Mikesbikerides]

Hey there! These are all around Romeleåsen in the middle of Björnstorpsrundan here in Genarp, skåne, sweden

[@adi.s4469]

@@Mikesbikerides Thanks Mike

[@Lastinline1965]

What’s all the rattle sounds when your hitting the ruff ,??

[@Mikesbikerides]

My bones.. No but it's like everything. The derailleur didn't have a clutch so a lot of chain slap, internally routed cables bangin around etc. My current bike is 100% silent :D

[@Lastinline1965]

@@Mikesbikerides haha . Gotcha - I just bought a 2022 x-caliber 9 so I’m hoping for a quieter ride .. 😌 cool videos thanks for taking the time 🥂

[@Mikesbikerides]

@@Lastinline1965 That'll be a quieter ride for sure :) Thanks for watching! :)

[@lal2235]

@@Mikesbikerides whats your current bike?,

[@Mikesbikerides]

@@lal2235 ragley big al 2022. (The 2023/24 version gets a slacker geometry, not to be confused with the 2022)

[@joen3992]

That bike definitely needs a dropper post, better tires, decent pedals and handlebars. Stock, I wouldn't ride it on that trail....not if I wanted my dentures to chatter in my mouth. ha ha

[@Mikesbikerides]

Haha yeah alot has happened since.. it did have minion dhf/dhr and slx brakes at least..

[@davidr4114]

The SRAM SX 1-12 is complete junk. It lets the bike down.

[@Mikesbikerides]

I bet! Mine had 2X shimano but I rebuilt it to 1X with Advent X :)

[@Aspeklint]

Klinten är så najs att köra på! Kommer själv från Veberöd :)

[@Mikesbikerides]

Visst är den! Lite sketchy på sina ställen dock 😂

[@Aspeklint]

Mikes bikerides Jo, man får köra några gånger så man vet var man kan köra! Men där e många olika spår som går neråt o det är ovanligt😁

[@Mikesbikerides]

Ja jo! Jag gillar observatoriet annars! Lite kort bara. Dåligt climb - ride ratio😅

[@svantejohansson2522]

@@Mikesbikerides vart i sverige ligger detta?