Smoke rises as the new Trek models come down from the skies. Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman

Smoke rises as the new Trek models come down from the skies (click to enlarge). Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman​

Editor's Note: Mtbr was invited to the launch of the new Procaliber SL, Top Fuel and Fuel EX 29 in Zeist, the Netherlands. This is a relay of what we've learned, talking to the Trek product managers. We got to ride two of the bikes (Procaliber SL and Top Fuel) during a four-hour test session and we're able to give first impressions. As we get the bikes in for longer term tests, we'll provide a more detailed view.

On a very sunny afternoon Trek presented three new mountain bike models at an exclusive location in the Netherlands - the castle of Zeist was used for the venue of the presentation of the new Procaliber SL, Top Fuel and Fuel EX 29 cross-country bikes.

Trek Procaliber 9.8 SL whole bike. Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman

Trek Procaliber 9.8 SL (click to enlarge). Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman​

Trek Procaliber SL

According to Trek, the new Procaliber SL is the fastest, most supple and smartest hardtail on the planet. For cross country racing, you expect a hardtail to have a maximum of stiffness and efficiency. The big innovation came from the road bikes: The new Procaliber SL has been equipped with the IsoSpeed decoupler. This way, the seat tube can move independently of the connection between the seatstay and the top tube. The flexibility increases, but only on a vertical plane, so there's almost no extra weight or loss of pedal efficiency. Specially for mountain bike use, the pivot point is in front of the seat tube, so there's the possibility to mount a dropper post. When the rider is seated on the saddle, pedaling is more supple because the IsoSpeed decoupler gobbles up the small bumps.

Trek Top Fuel 9.8 SL whole bike. Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman

Trek Top Fuel 9.8 SL (click to enlarge). Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman​

Trek Top Fuel

After almost a decade of success in the World Cup races, the 100mm Top Fuel makes a glorious comeback with a series of race worthy updates.

The new Top Fuel will replace the Superfly SL as a more multi-purpose race bike. By using the Full Floater suspension system, the suspension curve has been optimized to have a better performance walking through the suspension travel and in a great number of different kinds of terrain. The one piece EVO Link takes care of some extra frame stiffness.

Trek Top Fuel 9.8 SL DT Swiss Boost 148 rear hub. Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman

Trek Top Fuel 9.8 SL DT Swiss Boost 148 rear hub (click to enlarge). Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman​

Common features of the Procaliber SL and the Top Fuel

  • All wheels have Boost 110/148 hubs
  • Smart wheel size (the smallest frame sizes have 27.5" wheels and the larger sizes automatically have 29" wheels - Trek uses the principle "use the largest wheel that fits"
  • Mino Link adjustable geometry (Top Fuel - now there's adjustable geometry from the most extreme downhill model to the full suspension cross country models)
  • Control Freak cable management system, which integrates all cables inside the frame and which locks the cables on the entrance and exit ports, but also has a fixation in the middle of the down tube (the holes are quite tight and almost no water should be passing through). No rattles heard during the test rides.
  • Optionally, there's a Project One version for the ultimate customization.

Continue to page 2 to learn more about the new Fuel EX 29, first riding impressions and a full photo gallery »

Now you can choose between three dedicated cross country models. Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman

Now you can choose between three dedicated cross country models (click to enlarge). Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman​

Trek Fuel EX 29

According to Trek, the best 120mm trail bike has gotten even better. The Fuel EX has been Trek's most popular trail bike - in all wheel sizes. The 29er now has been improved with a new frame, offering Boost hubs, suspension that defines new criteria and smart frame features that have specially been made for trail riding.

With the Control Freak Cable Management System, cables are well fixed inside the down tube to prevent rattling. Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman

With the Control Freak Cable Management System, cables are well fixed inside the down tube to prevent rattling (click to enlarge). Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman​

Features Fuel EX 29

  • Boost 110/148 hubs
  • RE:aktiv suspension, Active Braking Pivot, EVO link and Full Floater suspension with the new Fox EVOL damper (which has the same, long worked on suspension curve of the old custom damper - right out of the box)
  • Mino Link adjustable geometry
  • Control Freak cable management system
  • Optionally, there's a Project One version for the ultimate customization

Product manager John Riley rips the trails on the new Procaliber. Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman

Product manager John Riley rips the trails on the new Procaliber (click to enlarge). Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman​

First Ride Impressions

We got the opportunity to ride the mountain bike trails in the forests in the neighborhood of Zeist with the new Procaliber 9.8 SL and the new Top Fuel 9.8 SL. Both bikes were ridden in an 18.5" fame size, which means that they are equipped with 29" wheels. Surprisingly, these forests unveil a true roller coaster style single track. Sharp turns with unexpected roots and small hills. Gravity pump tracks without gravity - you have to pedal full throttle to be able to lean high in the berms but man, it's fun riding. Ideal terrain for cross country bikes.

The Trek Procaliber 9.8 SL pivot of the IsoSpeed decoupler has been placed in front of the seat tube, so if wanted, you could mount a dropper post. Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman

The Trek Procaliber 9.8 SL pivot of the IsoSpeed decoupler has been placed in front of the seat tube, so if wanted, you could mount a dropper post (click to enlarge). Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman​

The Procaliber 9.8 SL offers a very positive first impression by offering great acceleration and very precise maneuverability right out of the box. The best part of the bike shows itself by riding over small bumps on not too extreme trails: the IsoSpeed decoupler makes the seat tube flex, independently of the rest of the frame. The flex is visible but it doesn't soak up the rider's energy - au contraire, it smoothens out the ride significantly and the normal feeling of ending a hardtail ride totally shot by the small bumps is taken away.

With almost no weight penalty, this opens more demanding trails for hardtail fans, without sacrificing riding efficiency or, you could ride the same trails longer keeping the same amount of fatigue.

Trek Top Fuel 9.8 SL rear triangle with the Full Floater suspension, Active Braking Pivot and EVO link. Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman

Trek Top Fuel 9.8 SL rear triangle with the Full Floater suspension, Active Braking Pivot and EVO link (click to enlarge). Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman​

The new Top Fuel 9.8 SL takes care of the bumps with the known, very efficient full floater suspension. The wheels with Boost hubs, together with the stiff frame, make this bike rocket down the roller coaster without the feeling that too much energy is lost in suspension action. Although the Top Fuel 9.8 SL offers a one-button full lockout, the trails were ridden at open setting. Speed bumps, unexpected roots, but also the soft sand surface which the tracks threw at the bike, were leveled by the very well balanced suspension system.

Like the Procaliber, the maneuverability is very precise and direct, without lag. Of course, the bike weighs a little bit more than the hardtail, but on more uneven surfaces the acceleration is almost the same - the rear wheel is glued to the ground.

Emily Batty and Dan McConnell at the entrance of the venue, which was held at the castle of the Dutch town Zeist. Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman

Emily Batty and Dan McConnell at the entrance of the venue, which was held at the castle of the Dutch town Zeist (click to enlarge). Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman​

We've seen cross country bikes getting more suspension travel during the years, but it seems that Trek sets the limit at 100mm of travel. Another remarkable point is that with the IsoSpeed decoupler, technology from road bikes reaches mountain bikes and is already being called a game changer by competition riders (the lovely Emily Batty and Dan McConnell which is having a great season honored us with their presence). We've given the 'roadies' disc brakes, let's get something in return, too!

Continue to page 3 for the Trek Procaliber SL FAQ and a full photo gallery »

Trek Procaliber 9.8 SL the only place that you'll see cables, is in front of the handle bar. Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman

Trek Procaliber 9.8 SL the only place that you'll see cables, is in front of the handlebar (click to enlarge). Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman​

Trek Procaliber SL FAQ

Is the IsoSpeed decoupler the same one found on the Domane?
The IsoSpeed decoupler on the Procaliber SL is similar to the decoupler on the Domane, but it's been tuned specifically for the rigors of off-road use, as well as for use with a traditional 31.6 seat post rather than a seat mast system.

What wheel size is on Procaliber SL?
Being a cross-country bike where speed and efficiency matter, Procaliber SL gets Smart Wheel Size for the fastest wheel that fits. Larger sizes from 17.5 and up get 29" wheels while the 15.5 gets more proportional 27.5" wheels.

What does "SL" stand for?
Super Light.

How much rear travel does IsoSpeed provide?
Procaliber SL is a hardtail and hardtails don't have rear travel. However, IsoSpeed does allow for compliance through the seat tube. There's a key difference in how IsoSpeed performs vs "soft tail" designs. Most soft tails gain vertical compliance through the seatstays, but the compromise is a loss of overall frame stiffness. Trek's IsoSpeed decoupler allows the seat tube to pivot and flex independently of the seatstays, gaining energy-saving vertical compliance without compromising stiffness and pedaling efficiency. It's a smarter way of smoothing out the trail.

Depending on the magnitude of the impact, rider weight, and riding style, a rider could experience up to 11mm of compliance as measured from saddle to rear axle.

Trek Procaliber 9.8 SL Shimano Deore XT front brake with 160 mm disc. Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman

Trek Procaliber 9.8 SL Shimano Deore XT front brake with 160 mm disc (click to enlarge). Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman​

How much more vertically compliant is the frame than the Superfly SL?
Our advanced analysis team has confirmed that Procaliber SL is 30% more vertically compliant than the previous Superfly SL which was already engineered to be a very compliant bike. The Procaliber SL is 70% more vertically compliant than the existing Superfly which will be comparable to other hardtail competitors.

How much does the frame weigh? How much weight is added by IsoSpeed?
The 17.5" Procaliber SL frame with paint and hardware weighs 1012 grams, about 100g more than the Superfly SL. Our riders confirm that the 30% increase in vertical compliance is worth the 100g weight increase.

Does Procaliber SL feature front and rear Boost hub spacing?
Yes! Procaliber SL's equipped with 29" wheels benefit from both Boost110 up front and Boost148 in the back. This gives Procaliber SL stiffer wheels for maximum efficiency and control while also allowing us to shorten up the chainstays and provide more tire and chain ring clearance.

Does the fork have G2 Geometry?
Yes. All 29er-equipped Procaliber SL models feature forks with a 51mm offset for the best 29er handling.

Is the frame Di2 compatible?
Di2 will cleanly integrate with any Procaliber SL frame thanks to our Control Freak cable management system.

Can I run an internally-routed dropper post?
Yes! Control Freak cable management system allows riders to internally route any combination of cables or hoses for a clean, customized set up.

What is that hole in the bottom of the downtube?
It's part of the Control Freak cable management system. The port under the downtube allows the use of a zip tie to secure the internally routed hoses so they don't rattle inside the frame.

Trek Procaliber 9.8 SL an unused port of the Control Freak Cable Management System. Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman

Trek Procaliber 9.8 SL an unused port of the Control Freak Cable Management System (click to enlarge). Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman​

Is the Procaliber SL available in Project One?
Yes! Procaliber SL will be available in Project One August 2015 so discerning riders can fine-tune their spec details and choose paint to match their own style.

What's the largest 1x chainring I can run?
Procaliber SL can handle up to a 36T if you can handle it.

Is this the same bike Trek Factory Racing used earlier in the season?
Our Trek Factory Racing squad has been riding and testing several prototype and early production models since the beginning of the race season in February. This is the culmination of all that testing and feedback.

Will it be available as a frame?
Yes! Procaliber SL frames will be available in the stock 9.9 paint scheme.

Continue to page 4 for the Trek Top Fuel FAQ and a full photo gallery »

Trek Top Fuel 9.8 SL single lever remote lockout for both fork and damper. Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman

Trek Top Fuel 9.8 SL single lever remote lockout for both fork and damper (click to enlarge). Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman​

Trek Top Fuel FAQ

What wheel size is on Top Fuel?
Being a cross-country bike where speed and efficiency matter, Top Fuel gets Smart Wheel Size for the fastest wheel that fits. Larger sizes from 17.5 and up get 29" wheels while the 15.5 gets more proportional 27.5" wheels.

Does this replace the Superfly FS?
Yes. Top Fuel takes over as the 100mm full-suspension XC race bike in both alloy and carbon models.

How is it different than the Superfly FS?
In short, the bike is more capable without sacrificing any of its lightweight speed. The most notable difference is the suspension layout. While Superfly FS used a swing link and fixed shock mount, Top Fuel uses an EVO link and Full Floater, which attaches the shock to two moving points. This gives our suspension engineers the ability to further fine tune the spring rate for better performance across a wider variety of terrain. Top Fuel does still use Trek's Active Braking Pivot. Other notable differences include: Boost 148/110 hub spacing, Smart Wheel Size, and Control Freak cable management.

Why does Top Fuel feature an EVO link instead of a swing link?
Our one-piece EVO link allows us to mount the shock to the Full Floater chainstay mount for better suspension tuning and it provides extra frame stiffness.

Trek Top Fuel 9.8 SL one piece EVO link offers a lot of stiffness without a severe weight penalty. Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman

Trek Top Fuel 9.8 SL one piece EVO link offers a lot of stiffness without a severe weight penalty (click to enlarge). Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman​

Is this the same bike Trek Factory Racing was riding earlier in the season?
Our Trek Factory Racing squad has been riding and testing several prototype and early production models since the beginning of the race season in February. This is the culmination of all that testing and feedback.

Does Top Fuel feature Boost hub spacing?
Yes! Top Fuels equipped with 29" wheels benefit from both Boost110 up front and Boost148 in the back. This gives Top Fuel stiffer wheels for maximum efficiency and control while also allowing us to shorten up the chainstays and provide more tire and chain ring clearance.

How much travel does Top Fuel have?
Top Fuel has 100mm of XC-tuned travel.

How much does the frame weigh?
The frame weighs 1900g with all hardware, paint, and shock.

Is the frame Di2 compatible?
Di2 will cleanly integrate with any carbon Top Fuel frame thanks to our Control Freak cable management system and a battery that's attached to the water bottle mounts.

Can I run an internally-routed dropper post?
Yes! Control Freak cable management system allows riders to internally route any combination of cables or hoses for a clean, customized set-up.

Trek Top Fuel 9.8 SL equipped with the Bontrager Montrose Elite saddle. Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman

Trek Top Fuel 9.8 SL equipped with the Bontrager Montrose Elite saddle (click to enlarge). Photo by Jeroen Tiggelman​

What is that hole in the bottom of the downtube?
It's part of the Control Freak cable management system. The port under the downtube allows the use of a zip tie to secure the internally routed hoses so they don't rattle inside the frame.

Is that a Mino Link?!
Yes! We've offered adjustable geometry on our longer-travel bikes for years, and now that versatility extends to XC riders as well. By simply rotating the Mino Link nuts that connect the seatstay to the EVO link, riders can adjust their head tube angle by a ½ degree, which will also raise or lower the bottom bracket by 8mm.

Does the fork have G2 Geometry?
Yes. All 29er-equipped Top Fuel models feature forks with a 51mm offset for the best 29er handling.

Is Top Fuel available in Project One?
Yes! Carbon Top Fuel will be available in Project One this August so discerning riders can fine-tune their spec details and choose paint to match their own style.

Will it be available as a frame?
Yes! There will be a carbon Top Fuel frameset available with both carbon chainstays and seatstays. It will be painted the stock 9.9 paint scheme.

What's the largest chain ring I can run?
Top Fuel will accept up to a 36T 1X which is a World Cup spec. You can run any 2X combination, of course.

Are there any Women's Top Fuel models?
Yes! Top Fuel 8 Women's features the same high-performance geometry and suspension as the inline models, but with a women's specific saddle and paint customized for more feminine style.

What if I want to upgrade my wheels, fork, or crank? Are Boost-compatible aftermarket components available?
The industry is rapidly adopting the Boost standard. The following manufacturers have already indicated that they will be offering Boost-compatible components: Bontrager, DT Swiss, Shimano, FSA, RockShox, SRAM, Race Face, Specialized, E-thirteen, Easton, Hope, and Industry Nine.

For more information visit www.trekbikes.com.