It's one of the most important bikes in any young cyclist's life. After the tricycle, balance bike, brief stint on a tandem, and short affair with a hybrid, eventually comes the time when a cyclist can upgrade to what we experts in the industry refer to as "a real bike." Whatever discipline it's in, a real bike is one that is fully dedicated to its own discipline with all the bells and whistles of the time. For mountain bikes nowadays, that constitutes disc brakes and big wheels. In that sense, the Trek X-Caliber 5 is definitely a contender for those who are ready to enter into their first relationship with an all-out mountain bike.
As per usual, the numbers come first. The X-Caliber 5 comes in at $660, about average for a bike of this, ahem, caliber. The X-Caliber uses what Trek has been dubbing their "Smart Wheel Size" range, which means that smaller frame sizes use 650b wheels and the larger frames utilize the 29" platform. I can't speak to the merits of this system, but I also can't speak to any disadvantages. All I know is that I'm happy to be on a 29", especially since this bike is supposed to be a beginner Cross-Country rig.
So what is it that gears this bike towards Cross-Country riding? 100mm RST fork to smooth out the front, a geometry reminiscent of some of the higher end hyrbids on the market today, and Bontrager's XR1 low profile tyres. Beyond that, the X-Caliber doesn't really deliver on its cross country promise. I found the entire build to be heavy for an aluminum bike, and the tyres, while fast moving, I find hard to be impressed with, slipping out pretty easily even in dry conditions if pushed too far, and the steep headtube angle means the bike isn't overly forgiving in the case that you do slip out. Because of this, some more aggressive tyres are probably a good first upgrade if you're riding anything other than dry, dusty, predictable terrain.
The fork, perhaps as expected, is sub-par. One of the indications of that is that you can hear a hiss of air pretty loudly as the fork compresses, and in general it doesn't handle large rocks or obstacles very well. On the other hand, it isn't really designed for more than small fast vibrations on a mostly smooth track, which it handles with ease.
The fork, perhaps as expected, is sub-par. One of the indications of that is that you can hear a hiss of air pretty loudly as the fork compresses, and in general it doesn't handle large rocks or obstacles very well. On the other hand, it isn't really designed for more than small fast vibrations on a mostly smooth track, which it handles with ease.
The drivetrain gave me a pleasant surprise. Acera isn't exactly known for its responsiveness, but I had no issues with my rear derailleur. Front was predictably not as well-performing, and while a 2x would have been much better for the X-Caliber, I can understand the need to find a certain price-point, which has the side-effect of making the bike versatile for the inevitable bike path rides that this bike will probably take. I was additionally not very happy with the enormous leap in between 1st and 2nd gear, which meant that 1st gear went mostly unused for my riding. Or perhaps more accurately, 1st gear was shifted to and then immediately shifted away from several times when I realized that 1st gear was too low to be in. Definitely a useful gear to have in some situations, but I found it more frustrating than anything else.
Rounding out the X-Caliber's component-spec are some Tektro mechanical disc brakes. In general not spectacular, but for a mechanical system they work surprisingly well and consistently, perhaps owed to the excellent levers, albeit with some squeaks and squeals here and there.
The wheels may have been the heaviest part on the bike. Bontrager's AT-650s are basically what Trek uses on all of its mid-entry level bikes, hybrid or mountain bike, so they're accordingly of a higher weight class. Otherwise, they hold up impressively well, even after some very big hits to the rear wheel that I was sure would have whacked it out of true. And of course, Trek's color-matching is on point with their own hubs. Quick release is quickly becoming antiquated, but only recently have thru-axles become an accepted trickle-down technology so I'll give Trek a pass on this one.
The wheels may have been the heaviest part on the bike. Bontrager's AT-650s are basically what Trek uses on all of its mid-entry level bikes, hybrid or mountain bike, so they're accordingly of a higher weight class. Otherwise, they hold up impressively well, even after some very big hits to the rear wheel that I was sure would have whacked it out of true. And of course, Trek's color-matching is on point with their own hubs. Quick release is quickly becoming antiquated, but only recently have thru-axles become an accepted trickle-down technology so I'll give Trek a pass on this one.
In an odd way, the X-Caliber harkens back to the grand old days of mountain biking, when a bike shop carried two kinds of bikes, road or mountain. In those days, basically anyone who didn't want the drop-bars of a road bike got a mountain bike, so mountain bikes served as hybrid commuters or recreational bikes as well. The X-Caliber is similar in its intention to be used as a beginner mountain bike, while at the same time consisting of mainly what are considered "hybrid" parts and components.
This keeps the price point low and gets more riders to mountain bike, which I respect, but it also detracts from the overall package for those who want a mountain bike to, well, mountain bike, and won't be using it for weekly rail trail rides. For instance, I found the grips would often slip on the bars on all-in climbs, and a set of lock-on grips would have been an easy upgrade for Trek to fit into this price point without much hassle.
This keeps the price point low and gets more riders to mountain bike, which I respect, but it also detracts from the overall package for those who want a mountain bike to, well, mountain bike, and won't be using it for weekly rail trail rides. For instance, I found the grips would often slip on the bars on all-in climbs, and a set of lock-on grips would have been an easy upgrade for Trek to fit into this price point without much hassle.
The weight of the bike is definitely a mark against it, but on the flip side, the frame will likely last until the Second Coming, and as such it's backed by Trek's lifetime warranty.
Ultimately, due mostly to its incredible value, the X-Caliber 5 is deserving of a respectable 4/5.
MSRP - $660 USD
Ultimately, due mostly to its incredible value, the X-Caliber 5 is deserving of a respectable 4/5.
MSRP - $660 USD