Why is building in MORE flex on an aluminum frame member a good idea? Thank you for using the Virtual Mirror provided by Luxottica. Both the Procaliber 8 and 6 (above, pink and orange) benefit from the new IsoSpeed equipped frame just in Alpha Platinum Aluminum instead of OCLV carbon fiber. Learn how your comment data is processed. For further information please read our, Trek Alpha Platinum Aluminium, IsoSpeed, tapered head tube, internal derailleur routing, balanced post-mount brake, Boost148, 12mm thru-axle, 29 x 2.4 27.5 x 2.4 (size XS and S), Trek Procaliber AL Mountain Bike Frame 2021. We use cookies to give you the best customer experience possible. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo, Frame Procaliber Aluminum | Procaliber Carbon, Wheelset Stans Crest MK3 | DT Swiss M1900, Handlebars Raceface Next | Bontrager Race Light, Seatpost Raceface Next | Bontrager Pro Carbon, Saddle Bontrager Montrose Elite | Bontrager Montrose Elite, Procal Alu | 2.00 kg | 4.4 lbs | $1,070.00, Procal Carbon | 1.50 kg | 3.3 lbs | $1,580.00, Procal Carbon SL | 1.13 kg | 2.5 lbs | $2,500.00, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Personally I would not buy a Aluminum HT frame these days. But the others I have. Here's any idea of how I would build up the Aluminum frame. Free shipping on orders of $99 or more (U.S. only). Sigma Sports Limited acts as a broker Licence Number 688619 and not Free standard shipping on orders over $49. If you continue to use our website, we will assume you are happy to receive cookies from us and our partners. The Chisel is 1.4 lbs lighter and $320 cheaper than the Procal. The two smallest sizes are built for use with 27.5" wheels with 29" fitting the rest of the range so that all riders can enjoy a balanced geometry with sweet handling. If they are willing to sell the bike with their standard lifetime warranty, they must be confident that it will be fine. With the vertical compliance relying on flex in the seatpost rather than the seatstays, the rear feels stiff and snappy, and no energy is wasted with increases in power. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Colin now resides on the Gold Coast in Australia. If youre looking to get into XC racing, or youre in the market for a lively and super efficient hardtail but dont want to fork out for a full carbon version, the Procaliber 8 is worth a look. It's fast, responsive, and it comes in at a great value, but the biggest advantage is the trail-smoothing IsoSpeed decoupler, which takes the edge off fatiguing bumps in the trail so you can stay stronger longer.Why you'll love it- The IsoSpeed decoupler makes it ride smoother than any other hardtail, so your body doesn't get beat up by trail chatter- Internal cable routing extends the life of your cables and adds to the bike's sleek look- This Alpha Platinum Aluminum frame is race-light and trail-toughWheel size:Sizes X-SmallSmall: 27.5-inchSizes MediumXX-Large: 29-inch. Free shipping on orders over $75 (contiguous U.S. only). It could relieve stress on some member or joints instead of transferring all the forces to them. We are Canadas top trek dealer, and as such we see Treks EVERY day. The 36/26 front chainrings and 11-42 11-speed cassette provide oodles of range, though a 1x system would be a welcome upgrade. (Probably not). View our Cross Country Mountain Bike Frames buyer's guide. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. Free shipping and free 100-day returns on all U.S. orders. Maybe youre not as informed as you think? The geometry is great, the IsoSpeed decoupler does what it advertises, and its a good all-around parts spec for the price. Free shipping on complete bike purchases (continental U.S. only). You tried too many passwords and now your account has been locked for the next 30 minutes. Thanks! The drivetrain is a mix of Shimano SLX and Deore XT parts, with a 2x Race Face Next R crank at the front. So on the MTB side I'm not sure if the standard carbon is worth it or if I need to go to the SL frame? With that, you only get the benefit of the decoupler while youre seated, unlike something like the BMC Teamelite which uses an elastomer in the seatstays to absorb bumps in any riding position. Didn't receive the email? What are you basing this claim on? Apparently you should revisit your standards, friend. This Alpha Platinum Aluminum frameset is a wallet-friendly start to a lightweight XC build for your fastest singletrack rides ever.It's right for you ifYou like to go fast, and also love the idea of a hardtail with frame tech designed to take the edge off rough singletrack. Trek has done well to trickle the IsoSpeed technology into its lower end aluminium frames without compromising its advantage, IsoSpeed decoupler adds tangible rear end softness; stiff frame; compact rear end, Treks Procaliber 8 is the highest spec alloy model, There is a 2x Race Face Next R crank at the front, And 11-speed Deore XT derailleur at the back, The most exciting feature on this frame is the IsoSpeed decoupler, Seating arrangements are provided by a Bontrager Montrose Comp, The 80mm stem and wider 720mm bars are very on trend, The RockShox Reba fork gets a bar-mounted lockout, The spring rate of the Reba is a little stiff, The Shimano MT5000 brake set offers consistent braking with plenty of power and modulation on tap, There is a mix of internal and external cable routing, While the 2x drivetrain worked flawlessly, a 1x system would have been welcome, The Duster Elite and XR2 Team Issue rubber pair well, Softtail shootout: BMC Teamelite vs Trek Procaliber, Best mountain bike: how to choose the right one for you, Softtail shootout: BMC Teamelite vs. Trek Procaliber, Shimano SLX M7000 11-speed transmission review. For further information please read ourPrivacy Policy. Looks like lots of praise in this thread for the ProCal. Using similar technology to their road and cross bikes, the Procaliber benefited from increased compliance due to the separation of the top tube and seat tube. $700 road bike for $300? shops Trek has the highest junk to price ratio. The Procaliber 8 is the highest spec alloy version of the frame and, without bottle cages or pedals, it tipped our scales at 11.63kg /25.63lbs not super light, but not all that heavy either. So Aluminum has no fatigue limit, which means it *will* fail after a certain amount of flex. Although his bright socks say full roadie, he can often found exploring singletrack or grinding down a gravel road. Carbon will ride better and be lighter, BUT look also at the weights of carbon as there are some carbon frames that are still a bit heavy. I had originally thought about going with a Top Fuel, but I think it may overlap with the Fuel Ex to the point where one of those two bikes collects dust. Lots of their high end bikes (Fuels, other MTBS, ETC) are just junky compared to other brands comparatively priced bikes. JavaScript is disabled. $243 shipped from ebay. I've never owned a carbon bike, but I've also never had any complaints with my aluminum bikes.I could also step up the custom build and go to the carbon frame for an extra $500, but I'm not sure if it's worth it. Ever sit at a window seat on a plane near the wing? View similar products. 2022 BiciAmerica Corp. | All Rights Reserved | Your Privacy | Accessibility Statement City Bikes and the City Bikes logo are trademarks of BiciAmerica and its affiliated companies. Speed is your main consideration, but comfort is right up there, too.The tech you getA lightweight Alpha Platinum Aluminum frame with IsoSpeed, a tapered head tube, and internal derailleur routing. This is my first time working at a Trek dealer in 20 years of being a shop wrench. My local trail network is pretty rough and rocky, and on a hardtail it can really take its toll on your body, especially your lower back. Holding a media degree, Colin is focused on the adventure sport media world. Sign in now for faster checkout. He has been writing about whats new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Anything we can say is pure speculation based on generalities and may not apply in this instance. It should be noted that all aluminum Procaliber frames have a 300lb weight limit. UK residents only. All measurements are provided in mm unless otherwise noted. Need more info? "we might as well panic, just to be safe". Is owning a bike shop awesome, every single day? Choose another country to see content and pricing specific to your location and shop online. I just ordered a BXT frame last week to upgrade my kids bike, and it showed up in a week!, looks pretty good too. I can honestly say in the past 5-6 years Trek has made some of the best product out there. The Alpha Platinum Aluminium tubes make the frame super responsive to pedalling inputs whilst the clever IsoSpeed decoupler design adds extra plushness to the bike across rough terrain. Frame for the lifetime of the original owner, 1 year paint and decals, @cache_main: cd4f0bdbf0cbaa204f09078135600530. V12 Retail Finance is a trading name of Secure Trust Bank PLC. We'll also make sure this order counts towards your Loyalty Scheme discount. I find it to be just the opposite. Sign up for our newsletter and save 10 on your first order over 100 or 25 on orders over 250. 13.5 in., 15.5 in., 17.5 in., 18.5 in., 19.5 in., 21.5 in., 23 in. The aluminum Procaliber will also be available as a frame only for $1,099.99, and it has a claimed weight of 4.4 lbs/2kg for a 17.5 frame. The processing of your image is needed to allow you to use Virtual Mirror. ISOSpeed just sucks and is flimsy. Mon - Fri: 11:00am - 6:00pmSat: 10:00am - 5:00pmSun: Closed, Procaliber AL Frameset is a race-worthy cross country mountain bike with the unique advantage of IsoSpeed, a decoupler at the top tube/seat tube junction that provides additional compliance on rough trails. Those were the 9.6 & 9.7 model levels on the 2017 models. Your image is processed in real-time on your device and will not be communicated to anyone nor will it be stored by Luxottica or Sigma Sports. With the small knobblies they roll along almost effortlessly but there is a definite trade off when it comes to braking and cornering traction. Weve previously noted on higher end carbon Procaliber frames that when the power is down at a grinding low cadence the seat would noticeably bounce underneath you. We have never had an isospeed decoupler fail while being ridden. Already have an account with us? Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! Oh, dear. Support us! That was limited to the carbon SL version of the Procaliber until now. I honestly doubt theres any wind cheating advantage here, instead this is where the tube is tuned to flex and soak up some of the trail noise. Knowing Trek, the did significant FEA studies (including fatigue) and functional testing (likely to millions of cycles to replicate many lifetimes of use). We sent a few of our guys and theyve come back miles ahead of their old selves. For racing this is ideal to prevent any loss of power, but without race plates something a bit more supple is appreciated. This item is no longer available to buy. I know on the road side of things the Emonda SL frame isn't any better than the Emonda ALR frame, really you need to go to the SLR frame. It's fast, responsive, and it comes in at a great value, but the biggest advantage is the trail-smoothing IsoSpeed decoupler, which takes the edge off fatiguing bumps in the trail so you can stay stronger longer.Why you'll love it- The IsoSpeed decoupler makes it ride smoother than any other hardtail, so your body doesn't get beat up by trail chatter- Internal cable routing extends the life of your cables and adds to the bike's sleek look- This Alpha Platinum Aluminum frame is race-light and trail-toughWheel size:Sizes X-SmallSmall: 27.5-inchSizes MediumXX-Large: 29-inch, All Rights Reserved Policies & Shipping Privacy Accessibility, Alpha Platinum Aluminum, IsoSpeed, tapered head tube, internal derailleur routing, balanced post mount brake, 12mm thru axle. At the front, the RockShox Reba RL, complete with a cable actuated lockout remote, has quite a stiff spring rate at the top of the travel. The processing of your image is needed to allow you to use Virtual Mirror. Combined with the geometry it allows for an aggressive position while still providing plenty of leverage to muscle the bike around. Would you like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company)? If you are going to spend money on fox 32 step cast then get the lightest frame you can. With uniform square knobs throughout, the XR2s are a fast rolling XC tire, theyre marked at 2.2-inch, but actually measured 2.36-inch mounted on the rim. Before that it was good just nothing special. Now they are on leading edge and setting a lot of trends in the mountain bike world. I had a Domane too, I had to use a 5mm offset seat cap too keep the Isospeed flex reasonable. Combined with a specially shaped seat tube and the IsoSpeed Decoupler at the seat tube/top tube junction, input to the rider is decreased while maintaining the XC-efficient ride a race bike is known for. The Procaliber 8 doesnt suffer this to the same extent, and I was only able to detect the slightest movement when I was focused on finding it. Speed is your main consideration, but comfort is right up there, too.The tech you getA lightweight Alpha Platinum Aluminum frame with IsoSpeed, a tapered head tube, and internal derailleur routing. Ive worked shops for 20 plus years. Copyright 2022 Bikerumor, All Rights Reserved. Replacing the normally fixed joint where the top tube meets the down tube, the IsoSpeed decoupler is essentially a pivot that allows the seat tube to flex independently of the rest of the frame. Trek is adamant that the Procaliber is not a soft tail. Al is not a metal that is supposed to be sent back and forth to my knowledge. While using this tool, Luxottica will process your personal data, in particular your image. Down near the bottom bracket the seat tube has a cutout resembling what youd expect to see on an aero road bike. Procaliber AL Frameset includes a headset and is designed for a PF92 bottom bracket, post-mount disc brakes, and Boost148 wheels.The final wordProcaliber AL is a lightweight aluminum mountain bike frameset built in Trek's trail heritage. This, in combination with the relatively compact 435mm chainstays makes the rear wheel feel as though its directly beneath your derriere, and the bike corners like a heat-guided missile, especially on tight uphill bends. Free shipping on orders over $60 (contiguous U.S. only). I'm considering picking up a XC Hardtail to compliment my 2016 Fuel Ex 8. Procaliber AL Frameset is a race-worthy cross country mountain bike with the unique advantage of IsoSpeed, a decoupler at the top tube/seat tube junction that provides additional compliance on rough trails. Coming from a ski background, his father a former European pro convinced him to try collegiate crit racing. Been riding Procaliber for a year now, superb machine (zero problemo) I think you are an under achiever mechanic IMHO. I crashed on my Carbon Fiber bike. Trek has done a fantastic job trickling the IsoSpeed decoupler down into the lower end alloy frames. Utilizing Treks Smart Wheel Size, the 13.5 and 15.5 frames roll on 27.5 wheels while the remaining larger sizes all see 29 hoops. Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. Aluminum manufacturing has come a very long way since the bruisers of old, and engineers can shape and tune the tubing almost to the same level as carbon. Given that theyre XC race builds with a more affordable build, each bike includes a 211 drivetrain, RockShox suspension fork, tubeless ready rims and tires, and rigid seat posts. We've sent you an email to reset your password. It's fast, responsive, and it comes in at a great value, but the biggest advantage is the trail-smoothing IsoSpeed decoupler, which takes the edge off fatiguing bumps in the trail so you can stay stronger longer.Why you'll love it- The IsoSpeed decoupler makes it ride smoother than any other hardtail, so your body doesn't get beat up by trail chatter- Internal cable routing extends the life of your cables and adds to the bike's sleek look- This Alpha Platinum Aluminum frame is race-light and trail-toughWheel size:Sizes X-SmallSmall: 27.5-inchSizes MediumXX-Large: 29-inch, All Rights Reserved | Accessibility Statement. As weve previously reported with the higher-end carbon Procaliber, and Treks road bikes for that matter, the decoupler definitely adds some tangible softness to the rear end. That [IsoSpeed] was limited to the carbon SL version of the Procaliber until now.. Your image is processed in real-time on your device and will not be communicated to anyone nor will it be stored by Luxottica or Sigma Sports. Finance provided by PayPal Credit and V12 Retail Finance, Terms and Conditions apply. In case you want to save your image after the experience, the image will be stored only on your device and it won't be accessed by Luxottica or Sigma Sports. to status. It looks like you've already got an account! Procaliber AL Frameset includes a headset and is designed for a PF92 bottom bracket, post-mount disc brakes, and Boost148 wheels.The final wordProcaliber AL is a lightweight aluminum mountain bike frameset built in Trek's trail heritage. Select the store you visit most frequently below and their stock information will show on product pages. It's fast, responsive, and it comes in at a great value, but the biggest advantage is the trail-smoothing IsoSpeed decoupler, which takes the edge off fatiguing bumps in the trail so you can stay stronger longer.Why you'll love it- The IsoSpeed decoupler makes it ride smoother than any other hardtail, so your body doesn't get beat up by trail chatter- Internal cable routing extends the life of your cables and adds to the bike's sleek look- This Alpha Platinum Aluminum frame is race-light and trail-toughWheel size:Sizes X-SmallSmall: 27.5-inchSizes MediumXX-Large: 29-inch, Alpha Platinum Aluminum, IsoSpeed, tapered head tube, internal derailleur routing, balanced post mount brake, 12mm thru axle.