I've had this bike for a year now, what makes it worth the price is the parts used. The 60 psi tubeless tires, great gears and shifters, decent fork and lightweight aluminum frame. Also, xcal-9 has a dropper post :D
@ThePupil7 ай бұрын
what color do you have? Currently Black is in sale but the store doesn't have it in stock. Not sure if the Black color lives up to it in real life.
@thesilversender2 жыл бұрын
XC Racers spend a lot more time in the saddle than Trail or Enduro so they usually skip the Dropper Post to save weight.
@55mtb51 Жыл бұрын
Agreed, also one less thing to go wrong.
@webmenacee Жыл бұрын
Yeah I just put on a carbon fiber post. Dropped is too heavy
@Andrew-ft5zf2 жыл бұрын
Have a 2020 XCaliber 8 and I love it. I take it on trails and commute. You can go anywhere.
@michaelsmeatham2192 жыл бұрын
Nice vid Matty,glad you finally got to get on the xc....I got one and loving it....👍
@kris46452 жыл бұрын
Beautiful bike! I prefer this one, over the Roscoe! If only by some miracle,I could afford it!😌 Greetings from Kris from Croatia 😎
@davidleemann73952 жыл бұрын
Guy at the bike store tried to sell me one of those instead of the Roscoe 7 in 2020, said it was the same as the Roscoe7 but no dropper post and was a 29" . I held out and ordered the Roscoe and never regretted my decision🤣 #TeamRoscoe
@MattyActive2 жыл бұрын
Haha that was a great decision
@jamessbca2 жыл бұрын
No joke. I know this sounds nutty, but this is why I mostly prefer youtube videos over bike shops for research. Not their fault - human nature - they want to sell what's on the floor. Matty's channel is awesome. I may end up with a Trek Roscoe, and frankly, they'll owe Matty a commission :)
@55mtb51 Жыл бұрын
The X-Cal used to share a frame with the Roscoe, but Roscoe(except 6 model) got a new frame in 2022, so they are more different.
@allanridesbikes58562 жыл бұрын
I'm curious to see how this bike has evolved in 2022/23. Back in 2020, they built the Roscoe using the same frame as the XCal, but spec'd it for more trail than XC. And now the Roscoe is an aggressive hardtail bike. Would love to see how the XCal pushed their XC hardtail.
@BlackMan6142 жыл бұрын
I have the 2019 XCal-8. Had to get a dropper post and went for a 1X drive train. Only issue is the QR.
@allanridesbikes58562 жыл бұрын
@@BlackMan614 is it that weird 141 boost qr?
@BlackMan6142 жыл бұрын
@@allanridesbikes5856 yup
@pratyushpancholi28372 жыл бұрын
Finally wait is over....Finally xcaliber 8 2022 review 🙌 thanks a lot 👏 for such a great review... it will gonna help me a lot in my buying decision 🙂
@mrvwbug44232 жыл бұрын
I run the Ardent Race on my hardtail, they work great for XC and light trail work, surprisingly grippy for XC tires. Surprised to see them on a Trek from the factory, I would expect to see Bontrager tires on a stock Trek. This style of XC bike is almost becoming obsolete for XC racing because XC races have been getting more and more technical over the years. The XC race I'm planning to ride in September up in Wyoming includes a fair amount of black rated tech trail on the Advanced and open class courses, even the intermediate course has a couple of black rated lines. The Laramie Range Epic, which is a big XC race that happens up here in July has a steep and janky black rated downhill right before the finish of the 31 mile lap
@dagus1985 Жыл бұрын
I have X-Caliber 9 2022 and I’m really exited with my new bike is awesome
@mjdgaming60602 жыл бұрын
Hey brooo! Just try out x-caliber 9 It's very awesome 😊
@flrn62332 жыл бұрын
BTW, if you want a more XC style tires for the Marlin, I recomend you a Maxxis Recon Race for the front, and and Maxxis Icon to the rear, you can get both tubeless ready. You are gonna get a fast bike with good control on the front, and the Ikon is nice for wheelies.
@anthonygordon2412 жыл бұрын
Oh my days, I've been waiting for this review. I'm getting an x caliber 9 2022 this weekend. Thanks mate
@Mat7780 Жыл бұрын
Thanks! for your time and infos ;)
@MattyActive Жыл бұрын
My first ever super thanks! I really appreciate it, thank you!
@abdulqadir3773 Жыл бұрын
❤❤
@ylana44446 ай бұрын
I have the xcaliber 8 2022 in crystal white. I upgraded the seat post with a Fox Transfer dropper. I love it! I use it for easy neighborhood trails, fire roads, single track…it does climb well and is pretty comfortable..I put some composite flat pedals on too and bought some 5/10 shoes. It’s a pretty complete bike for my needs!
@MrTacoJay15 күн бұрын
Thinking of buying this. But the qr rear is holding me up. It’s a sweet deal right now on sale Convince me I don’t need a rear thru axle lol
@MIsterioStudios2 жыл бұрын
Sick looking paint job. I agree with you that a dropper post would be nice to have at that price point. But for light xc / trails a dropper isn’t a deal breaker I guess. I have the Trek Marlin 8 and I love it! Using it for general fitness, hill climbs and such while I rehab a back injury.
@50whatnomadtravelnursemtb52 жыл бұрын
For one it’s a cross country bike, intended use is fast as possible not necessarily steep and rough.
@MIsterioStudios2 жыл бұрын
@@50whatnomadtravelnursemtb5 True that. But for practicing certain drills and things I'd love the ability to drop the seat.
@chrisforbes Жыл бұрын
Thanks Matty - I’m buying one this week!🤘🏻
@Biking_with_Akiva2 жыл бұрын
I never rode an XC style type bike glad you liked it... I've looked at a few and notice some of them don't come with a dropper 🤷🏾♂️ at least some of the ones I've seen. Im gonna try hitting some stairs you made that look fun 💪🏾💯 another great video Matty
@jamesmathews2432 жыл бұрын
A lot of XC riders choose not to use dropper posts, for weight savings and/or cause XC is a different style of riding.
@Hand_of_Dorn2 жыл бұрын
Love this video Matty! I own this exact bike, and have started to race XC on it this spring/summer. Definitely surprised me how comfortable it is over long miles. I really didn't like the stock Maxxis tires though, and would recommend going for something from Continental like the TrailKing or Bontragers XR2 or XR3. Tons of fun on the Dirty Bismarck loop.
@ThePupil7 ай бұрын
what color do you have? Currently Black is in sale but the store doesn't have it in stock. Not sure if the Black color lives up to it in real life.
@christopherbritton2256 Жыл бұрын
I have a white X caliber 8 2022 model And I have a 2022 X caliber 9 And they are very awesome bikes And they do Ride a lot nicer Then a MarLin 7 And Marlin 8 I want you to have a very nice awesome wonderful day and be safe
@dylancluck73462 жыл бұрын
i have the 2022 version of this bike and i love it. i really like how light it is and yea having no dropper out of the box kinda sucks but Im guessing its to save weight because its supposed to be an entry level race bike. First thing i did was put a dropper on it tho lmao
@55mtb51 Жыл бұрын
You don’t necessarily need a dropper for XC riding. If you do, it’s easy to add one, or just buy the X-Cal 9. I prefer not paying for it if I don’t need it.
@ThePupil7 ай бұрын
what color do you have? Currently Black is in sale but the store doesn't have it in stock. Not sure if the Black color lives up to it in real life.
@bccc34782 ай бұрын
I bought one yesterday. Non stop thunderstorms since I left the shop...
@s3aitken2 жыл бұрын
would love to see you try out a "hardcore hardtail" with super slack geometry. nukeproof scout, kona honzo esd, canyon stoic something like that
@joshuaallswang80162 жыл бұрын
What do you think his Roscoe 9 is!?
@eemelikarjalainen38962 жыл бұрын
@@joshuaallswang8016 That definitely isn't hardcore hardtail.
@caseyjones33802 жыл бұрын
If you get a dropper post you should get the Rock Shox reverb
@64Michaelwayne Жыл бұрын
Great review Matty,I’ve been looking a while now for a good decent mountain bike. I’ve always had a Hybrid but I want to start going off trek and a little more adventurous, this ticks all of the boxes apart from my £700 max budget……but the wife doesn’t need to know that 😉😂
@boydcrowder44362 жыл бұрын
Much quieter and smoother than a Marlin.
@shatter222 жыл бұрын
November 2022. I canceled the order and bought a scott Scale 950 instead. The xcaliber8 (2020) is missing, but the Scott scale seems better: boost hub, fox32
@erikyoutube56412 жыл бұрын
Thx!!! Now i know what i want. I was thinking about a Marlin 7 or roscoe 6 but now i know! Just need to know my size i think i go for a L. Thx again m8
@rdziller1 Жыл бұрын
love this bike just picked oneup about a week ago
@Adventuregirl96 Жыл бұрын
All the Trek XC bike are excellent. My little sister has one which she rides on fast flow trails, but she loves using it as a City MTB around campus. Pretty sure she has a dropper post on hers and she might have changed out the handlebars, but I am not sure. She says it is playful and lots of fun to ride.
@willmuckel9131 Жыл бұрын
Same. I tried out the Roscoe 7 and Xcaliber 8. I loved the Xcaliber, but fell off the Roscoe. The Xcaliber 9 has the dropper post and better brakes.
@BlackadderSnap Жыл бұрын
Great review man!
@robgoffroad2 жыл бұрын
That looks a lot like my Rockhopper Elite 29, at least in terms of geometry. It too has a Judy fork, an 11sp Shimano drivetrain and brakes. And I added a dropper post to mine the day I bought it. EDIT: I had to check the websites; the Trek's head tube angle is 1 deg steeper than the Rockhopper, so yeah pretty close. I do notice mine turns waaaay easier with the steeper head angle compared to my Stumpjumper, which has roughly the same geometry as your Roscoe but with full susp.
@YanicEtoCharles Жыл бұрын
WHAT do you think x caliber 8 2023 OR rockhopper Elite 29 11sp
@ambc38vsxn Жыл бұрын
Hi, please share the exact model of the dropper post you installed
@mirondavis1981 Жыл бұрын
I just bought the Xcal 8, can't wait to see how different it is to my Roscoe 8.
@bmwm3man21 күн бұрын
how does it compare to your roscoe 8?
@blakeschoenbrun8652 жыл бұрын
That bike is what got me started in mountain biking. Upgraded to be more trail bikey. Loved it till i sold it to get my fuel ex 8
@MattyActive2 жыл бұрын
That’s a great upgrade!
@oldkicker89582 жыл бұрын
Me too got the ex5 and EX8 I have the 5 setup for XC. The Cal 8 I had was super fast I even rode it on very technical trails with no problems but It would be nice if it had a 148 through axle in the rear.
@Thomas-pv4my2 жыл бұрын
I reccomend to get a normal rekon in the front and the rekon race in the rear.
@hikers0127 ай бұрын
Been using for 2 years really fast xc bike.
@55mtb512 жыл бұрын
Good review, but I don’t think the lack of a dropper post is a big deal. A lot of people won’t be racing these, or riding aggressively enough to need it. Some will be used as commuters, for example. It’s easy to add a dropper if you need one, or just buy the X-Caliber 9. I’d rather see the money go into a brake upgrade, or stay in my pocket.
@virginiascurti503610 ай бұрын
The X-caliber 9 does and up until recently dropper posts on XC bikes were rare but your seeing pros ride with them more and more. BTW just traded in my Marlin 5 Gen for one of these!
@lockonstrauss77142 жыл бұрын
it will be much faster if you change the tires to maxxis ikon and sid select. i already upgraded mine with these. i will also change the wheelset in future.
@stylusmtb17622 жыл бұрын
You’ve been on the bike before just didn’t realize it. It’s the same frame as your old Roscoe 7 just specd out differently
@chrisjones72812 жыл бұрын
Are you sure? I thought the XCal was a better version of the Marlin with Tapered HR Alpha Gold Aluminum. Where as as the Roscoe was slightly slacker. I could be wrong but Seems like Roscoe was slightly burlier designed around 27.5+ vs 29er.. yes you can put 29s on a Roscoe.but think Marlin geo is same as XCal.
@stylusmtb17622 жыл бұрын
@@chrisjones7281 the year roscoe 7 he had was the exact same frame as the xcalibers. The new roscoes except for the 6 now have updated geometry and components. The 6 is still the old model year
@chrisjones72812 жыл бұрын
@@stylusmtb1762 yeah I have a 19 Roscoe as well. I had a Marlin before that and at the time I thought the Marlin and XCal had same design and geometry and Xcal and Roscoe had same grade of Aluminum. Roscoe was slacker by 1° than Marlin. But if what you're saying is right i might make it a Roscaliber. Lol. I have a Ragley Big AL as my HT Trail. Cool thanks for clearing that up👍
@stylusmtb17622 жыл бұрын
@@chrisjones7281 I have a mulleted chromag stylus as my main bike and an orange crush as my loaner bike for others. A few years back I took a 2018 xcaliber and mulleted it with a 120mm travel fork and then put in a dropper and that bike handled like a dream. Sold it for almost double what I bought it for
@michaelgrieve3296 Жыл бұрын
Nice video!
@meepcheep3142 жыл бұрын
the reason why it doesn't have a dropper post is because xc bikes don't really need a dropper post as much as trail bikes, they probably saved the money to put it towards different components of the bike
@politan832 жыл бұрын
A lot of XC bikes don't come with droppers, probably, as another commentor said, to save weight, since weight matters a lot in XC races.
@hikers0122 жыл бұрын
Great bike
@kwaktak Жыл бұрын
On second though, after coming up against some limitations with my Marlin 7 I'm thinking that maybe I should upgrade one of these. I could also transfer some of the upgrades I made to my Marlin (such as an internally route dropper post, PNW Range handlebars and a set of Maxxis tubeless ready tires) to one of these. The only downvote I have is that it can only take a 32t crank; I have a 34t on my Marlin.
@iLuvNegrosO. Жыл бұрын
I'm using 34t chainring. If you want to bigger than 34t, you need to add a spacer.
@flrn62332 жыл бұрын
Could be better. They use the "deore" cassette which is heavier than the "Deore XT". They use the Rockshox judy (not bad but too heavy). I'm so used to the shimano xt brakes with the xt disc that I don't like others, it's so good for modulate. I think they hate droppers, they even removed the dropper post hole from the frames, was removed in that frame or not? And the tread of those Ardent looks too separated to me (I'm very picky), if they make too much noise they are not gonna be that fast. I would use a Pace on the rear, but that's just me. I would love to see the parts of the bike with a close up. I would love to see if the frame that that hole for the dropper post (for example). Nice to see another bike.
@rikelmore48952 жыл бұрын
Xc bikes typically have a fixed post to save weight instead of a dropper
@MattyActive2 жыл бұрын
Oh ok That makes sense because I could really lower the seat at all.
@rohankoripalli2 жыл бұрын
@@MattyActive Looks like the Marlin where you cant lower the post all the way and you have to cut it
@55mtb51 Жыл бұрын
@@rohankoripalli yes, the top water bottle mount is the lowest it can go. Cutting a little off the post is easy if you need to go lower.
@Ben-sv9op2 ай бұрын
Will, this drive on the street pavement better than a rusco 8 Or should I just go for a Marlin? I'm looking for a second bike, but mainly for like around the neighborhood pavement street thir
@juanhuttoe45172 жыл бұрын
Sharp bike!
@bernieromero35202 жыл бұрын
You ever come back to Albuquerque I know a nice trail you may like.
@MattyActive2 жыл бұрын
I should be in Albuquerque this fall
@luispantaleonhart3233 Жыл бұрын
I Just got one ❤
@iceboogie8275 ай бұрын
Whats up?. Good Vid!. ?. What size is the bike??
@MattyActive5 ай бұрын
It’s a size M
@iceboogie8275 ай бұрын
@@MattyActive ... Oh Ok... I'm 5'11 and a large seems a lil big for me..Thanks brother!
@iceboogie8275 ай бұрын
How tall are you?. If you don't mind me asking. I'm 5'11 and the Medium fits well dlfor me. Or might have to get the M/L.
@kihealthandwellness2 жыл бұрын
No thru axel... means no deal!
@robbo85668 ай бұрын
Whats that noise?
@natalkapotorzycka63558 ай бұрын
Jaki rozmiar ma pan?
@MrAshkeris2 жыл бұрын
Bro make a trek marlin 8 2022
@JensEser Жыл бұрын
Do you like the Marlin 8 or X-caliber 8 better?
@MattyActive Жыл бұрын
I like the x-caliber more honestly. It’s more updated and easier to upgrade
@Mat7780 Жыл бұрын
Did you feel the M/L a bit small ? L fit better? (im 5.9 … 32… in the inseam) ?? i whant to order it but can’t return it so i’m a bit scare lol 😅
@MattyActive Жыл бұрын
The M/L is perfect size for me and I’m 31 inseam 5’8
@Mat7780 Жыл бұрын
THANKS MATTY!!!! 👍🏼
@ThePupil7 ай бұрын
As a Dutch guy I never understood why people need a 1500 mtb as a commuter bike. Any bike with gears will do. And high spec shifter and gears are only needed when you go off road.
@demri123Ай бұрын
Weather can be extreme in the US. Frequent snow. Also some ppl commute through dirt trails
@madmikemtb1052 жыл бұрын
It’s the old roscoe frame
@rasssike5941 Жыл бұрын
what is your gearing to make wheelie?
@MattyActive Жыл бұрын
I’m usually in 4th or 5th gear
@Mat7780 Жыл бұрын
Is it a Medium or Medium/ Large you test in the video and how fast can you get whit it ? (km/h) 26km/h
@MattyActive Жыл бұрын
M/L and about 20mph
@Mat7780 Жыл бұрын
@@MattyActive Wow thanks alot !! Realy fast respond ! 🤝👍✌️
@h1n1worm Жыл бұрын
2023..kinda premium xc and....eccentric .
@jasonkwasky532 жыл бұрын
X Caliber 8 or Roscoe 9 for trails?
@MattyActive2 жыл бұрын
Definitely Roscoe 9!
@mattj66762 жыл бұрын
Do I think you can wheelie? Does it have two wheels?
@alex-zh5yv Жыл бұрын
what is your height / inseam if you dont mind me asking? thinking about getting this bike but not sure if I should get M or M/L (i am 5'8 right around 30" inseam)
@MattyActive Жыл бұрын
I’m the same as you. I would go M/L
@alex-zh5yv Жыл бұрын
@@MattyActive thanks for the info, now just going to wait and see if they do a black friday sale
@jenniferdipietro3666 Жыл бұрын
I am 5/5 and have a 30 inch inseam. I got the small. Fit me great. Have taken it out several times on gravel super muddy road. And I love it.
@JensEser Жыл бұрын
@Matty Active - How tall are you?
@MattyActive Жыл бұрын
I’m 5’8
@JensEser Жыл бұрын
@@MattyActive the bike in this video is a M/L, correct? - Thus, I should go at height 5'10 with a size L, I guess..
@theforeigner69883 ай бұрын
If it only had a dropper post...
@ukkilukki36202 жыл бұрын
Do you have marlin 7 if u have can u tell me is it good bike for 970€?
@MattyActive2 жыл бұрын
I have the trek marlin 6 I think it’s more for the money
@ukkilukki36202 жыл бұрын
@@MattyActive 👍
@namithakishor18512 жыл бұрын
Who much did you paid for it
@MattyActive2 жыл бұрын
It was just a test ride but it $1,599
@user-ri8ny9hu4q4 ай бұрын
Tha best cardiooo leard from old school de mi barrio club deportino cuchilla kuarteta chuspii guadarrama acuna coach old school todabia a tibos ex caliber 8 perrona fuga pala pressà
@nipahaus62062 жыл бұрын
Indeed trek is fooling the customers, the only change is the number of the year but not on a frame of the bike until now the x caliber is in qr not a true axle
@MattyActive2 жыл бұрын
I’m surprised it’s not thru axle.
@staccatoglock Жыл бұрын
Affordability
@kakusei36722 жыл бұрын
$1600 with 141 boost qr no thanks
@MattyActive2 жыл бұрын
Yea I was looking at that too. I don’t blame you
@VK-ip9ru2 жыл бұрын
What’s wrong with 141?
@kakusei36722 жыл бұрын
@@VK-ip9ru no one uses it but trek and other lower end bikes
@iLuvNegrosO.2 жыл бұрын
I was worried about that at first because it's hard to find hubs for 141 boost, till I discovered that you can also use 148 boost hubs on them which is better. But, for sure, I'd still would've liked it better if it's a thru axle.
@carlt9265 Жыл бұрын
Not many bikes in that price range comes with an xt derailour
@perfumesnobs5 ай бұрын
Hi bro. Great video man 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 I think buy new bike what is better this one or trek Marlin 7 2023 ? Thanks 🙏