trek x caliber 8 vs marlin 5

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

2023 X-Caliber 8

2022 Marlin 8

(descending)

Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.

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Trek Marlin vs Trek Roscoe, which Trek hardtail is right for you?

Comparing Trek's two latest hardtail mountain bikes

Katherine Moore

Choosing which bike to buy, whether it’s your very first mountain bike, an exciting upgrade or you’re looking to try something different, is always a task worth taking your time over.

While on the face of it, some bikes may seem similar, when you dig down into the bike’s geometry, frame design, suspension setup and specs, there are often key differences that go hand-in-hand with their intended use.

Take two of Trek’s most popular hardtail mountain bikes : the best-selling Marlin and the more aggressive Roscoe. On the face of it, they look very similar, but understanding the differences will help you work out which is best suited to you.

What type of riding are you doing?

Forget drool-worthy paintjobs, detailed geometry figures and component choices to start with – the most important thing to consider when choosing the best mountain bike for your needs is to align the type of bike with the style of riding that you’re likely to be doing.

Mountain biking is a broad church, after all, covering everything from multi-day cross-country stage races to four-minute downhill runs, and everything in between.

Bikes intended for these different mountain biking disciplines are designed accordingly; cross-country bikes are best for pedalling and downhill bikes are best for descending. Those in between, including downcountry bikes , trail bikes and enduro bikes , are typically built to balance pedalling efficiency and trail capability on a sliding scale between them.

The Trek Marlin is a beginner-focused hardtail that sits at the cross-country end of the mountain biking spectrum, with a 100mm short-travel suspension fork.

However, the third-generation Marlin has been updated with a number of features that make it both more trail-friendly and upgradeable.

Cleverly, the Marlin also boasts some additional mounts that make it a versatile choice beyond mountain biking, with the capability to fit a kickstand, pannier rack and bags. This enables it to double up as a rugged tourer or urban commuter for cycling to work .

With a greater level of suspension on offer (140mm on most models), more trail-focused geometry, mountain-bike specific frame features and larger tyres, the Trek Roscoe, on the other hand, is a dedicated trail hardtail built for more rugged terrain.

Both the Marlin and Roscoe are alloy hardtails, which helps to keep the prices towards the budget end of the spectrum. Expect to pay more for a lighter carbon fibre frame if you cast your eye at the Procaliber family, designed with fast-paced cross-country racing in mind.

We’ll take a look at the specific features of the Marlin and Roscoe in turn. Key to weighing up which of these hardtails is best for you is deciding what you want to do with it, whether you’re looking to push yourself on challenging trails or are looking for something that’ll help you get about town just as easily as it takes on a local off-road loop.

Because the frame design is so key to how bikes feel to ride, geometry is a good place to start when comparing bikes. You can read BikeRadar’s full guide to mountain bike geometry for more; we’ll focus on the key numbers when comparing the Trek Marlin and Trek Roscoe here.

In terms of head tube angles, while the Marlin’s geometry, updated on the newest third-generation models, has recently been slackened to 66.5 degrees, the Roscoe hardtail is designed around an even slacker 65-degree angle.

Essentially, the slacker the head tube angle, the further forward the front wheel is placed in front of you, and the more capable the bike becomes over rougher terrain.

In combination with the greater level of suspension travel, the slacker head tube angle of the Roscoe means you have to shift your weight further forwards on the bike to weight the front wheel. This results in a more aggressive riding position compared to the more upright position of the Marlin.

Seat tube angles are similar across the Marlin and Roscoe, at 73.4 and 73.1 degrees respectively, steepened to enhance pedalling efficiency for flatter gradients, pedal ups and linking sections of trail.

Both the Roscoe and Marlin offer a wide range of frame sizes, including Trek’s extra size option sitting between medium and large. However, it’s the Marlin that can accommodate the widest range of riders, catering for teens as well as adults with the XXS option.

Another point of difference between these two hardtails is the handlebar width, with the Marlin using 690/720/750mm bars (dependent on frame size), while the Roscoe is fitted with wider 750/780mm handlebars, again for added control on steeper and trickier off-road descents.

With a cross-country-oriented design for efficient pedalling, the Marlin uses a short-travel 100mm fork.

For a more trail-ready ride, the new third-generation Marlin can accept a 120mm-travel fork on all frame sizes from XS up, if you fancy upgrading your ride as you gain confidence and start to tackle larger trail features.

With a hefty 140mm suspension on offer, the Roscoe is positioned firmly in the aggressive hardtail category, best suited for trail riding.

The budget Roscoe 6 is the only exception, retaining a shorter-travel 120mm fork.

Frame features

With a more moderate level of suspension, the Marlin can double up for urban duties as well as hitting the dirt, so Trek has added a number of frame features with the commuter in mind.

You’ll find a mount for a kickstand as well as pannier rack mounts, so you can kit out your Marlin to carry luggage, whether that’s using it as a commuter bike around town or on a longer bike touring adventure.

The updated, third-generation Marlin frame also boasts internal cable routing for a dropper post, should you wish to add one later down the line. A rubberised chainstay guard comes pre-fitted to all Marlin models, to protect the frame from chain slap and minimise any noise.

As a more dedicated dirt shredder, the Roscoe doesn’t include the same rack and kickstand mounts, streamlining the frame.

Instead, you’ll find an in-built down tube guard in addition to the chainstay protector, designed to take the impact of stones and other trail debris.

You’ll also find ISCG mounts around the bottom bracket on the Roscoe, allowing you to fit a chain guide or bash guard.

Wheels and tyres

While most of the Marlin and Roscoe models on offer use modern 29er wheels , they do vary by frame size to offer the best fit for shorter riders.

For the Marlin, size XXS uses 26in wheels, sizes XS and S both use 27.5in wheels (also known as 650b ), while the larger sizes use 29er wheels.

There are slightly fewer sizes on offer with the Roscoe, starting with XS, which uses 27.5in wheels. With the exception of the Roscoe 6, which is built with 27.5in wheels across all sizes, the rest of the Roscoe models and sizes use 29in wheels.

While we’re talking rolling stock, one of the main differences between the Marlin and Roscoe is the tyre clearance, hence the width of tyres they are fitted with.

The new Marlin can accommodate up to 2.4in-wide mountain bike tyres with 29in wheels, whereas the Roscoe is fitted with plus-size 2.6in rubber, also with 29in wheels, for added traction. This wider rubber is fairly typical of trail hardtails, yielding extra grip in lieu of rear suspension .

To drop or not to drop

A dropper post is a key component when it comes to tackling trail features and steeper off-road terrain. You’ll find a dropper post included on some, but not all Trek hardtail mountain bikes.

A standard seatpost saves on both cost and weight, so with the exception of the top-tier Marlin 8, the Marlin family isn’t specced with a dropper. The good news is that internal cable routing means you can easily add one later though – a popular option when it comes to upgrading a mountain bike .

All Roscoe models are equipped with a dropper post from the get-go, correlating to their design for rowdier off-road pursuits.

With five models on offer, starting from a budget-friendly £475 / €599 for the Marlin 4 up to £1,230 / €1,349 for the Marlin 8, the Trek Marlin makes for an accessible entry to mountain biking. Third-generation Marlin models start from £760 / €849 with the Marlin 6.

The Roscoe starts at £1,160 / €1,299 / $1,199.99 for the Roscoe 6, though bikes from the Roscoe 7 (£1,620 / €1,799 / $1,899) onwards feature the latest frame, with the range topping out at £2,550 / €2,799 / $2,799.99 for the Roscoe 9.

You can expect to find an improvement in component choice and performance as you increase the amount you spend. For example, the base-level Marlin 4 is kitted out with Tektro M280 mechanical disc brakes, whereas the top-spec Marlin 8 uses more powerful Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes.

It’s worth noting that Trek’s recent overhaul to the Marlin frame only applies to models 6, 7 and 8, whereas models 4 and 5 retain the previous frame design to help keep these entry-level options priced competitively.

Another good example of how the components differ between models is the wheel and tyre setup. The entry-level Roscoe 6 uses tubeless-ready rims but not tubeless-compatible tyres, the Roscoe 7 features both tubeless-compatible rims and tyres, though set up with tubes, and the top two Roscoe 8 and 9 models are set up tubeless from the get-go.

The quality and configuration of drivetrains change significantly as you move up through the models. All of the third-generation Marlin hardtails, and all Roscoe models, use modern 1x drivetrains , while the second-generation Marlin 4 and 5 use a triple chainring and double chainring respectively.

Trek Marlin vs Trek Roscoe, so which should you choose?

Despite initial appearances as fairly similar alloy hardtails, the Trek Marlin and Trek Roscoe are actually very different machines.

Choosing between them largely comes down to what sort of riding you’re planning, and whether you’d like to prioritise versatility or are seeking all-out trail capability.

Want something that’ll make for a great first mountain bike for teens and adults alike, with the added versatility to take you across town to work and back, as well as to the trailhead? The do-it-all Marlin is the smarter choice.

Looking for a ride that’ll level up to meet you as you progress over larger, steeper and techier trail features? Kitted out with a dropper post, progressive frame geometry, wide, grippy tyres and a beefy 140mm fork, the Roscoe is Trek’s dedicated trail option. There’s a reason it’s dubbed the ‘hardcore hardtail’.

Once you’ve worked out which sounds most like you, then you have a choice of four or five models, each with their own component options. Spending more as you work up through the models will give improved performance, as well as a lighter build, which will only help to widen your grin once you swing a leg over.

Can’t afford the top model from the outset? The good news is that both the Marlin and Roscoe have been designed to be upgrade-ready when the time comes.

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Which Trek mountain bike is right for you?

• Benjamin Haworth
• October 3, 2017

Get to know your Remedy from your Fuel

We have a look over the 2018 range of Trek mountain bikes to see who suits what in a range featuring the Fuel EX, Remedy, Marlin and Powerfly models.

>>> All our recent Trek mountain bike reviews

Getting to grips with 2018 Trek mountain bikes

If you pop over to Trek’s website and click on ‘mountain bikes’ more than 120 bikes appear in front of you. It’s rather daunting. Choice is good but can be bewildering. So we’ve boiled Trek’s MTB range down to the basics to get you started.

>>> Trek road bikes: which model is right for you?

What type of bike do you want?

We think it’s best to split the whole range into three categories and then go from there: hardtail , full suspension and electric .

What type of riding will you be doing?

Once you’ve chosen one of the three categories you can refine it to the type of riding you want to do: cross-country, trail or downhill.

With those two category types chosen you’ll be left with a much smaller pool of Trek models to consider.

We’re going to assume that you already know the type of mountain bike you want. We’re not going to go into any debates or theorising (hardtail vs full suspension, 27.5 vs 29 , Plus vs Fat etc etc).

Trek hardtails

There are five hardtail models in Trek’s range: Marlin, X-Caliber, Roscoe, Procaliber and Stache.

Trek use their own proprietary frame materials. Their aluminium stuff is called Alpha. Their carbon stuff is called OCLV.

Some of their high end hardtails have the ‘IsoSpeed Decoupler’ configuration where the seat tube is designed to flex for compliance.

The Trek Marlin is an entry level cross-country focussed hardtail ranging from £370 up to £550. Thee are four models in total (the Marlin 4, 5, 6 and 7). The frame is Trek’s ‘Silver Alpha’ aluminium.

The Trek X-Caliber cross-country range starts from £650 and tops out at £1,150. The frame is Trek’s ‘Gold Alpha’ aluminium. The frames have internal routing for stealth dropper seatposts. The components are of a higher quality than the Marlins.

The Trek Roscoe range of Plus-tyred trail hardtails running from £800 to £ 1,250. The frame has internal routing for dropper posts and is made from Trek’s ‘Alpha Gold’ aluminium.

The £1,300 to £6,500(!) Trek Procaliber cross-country race bike range can look a a bit confusing; there are aluminium Procalibers, OCLV carbon Procalibers and Super Light OCLV Procalibers. Although the frame material varies the intent of Procalibers is the same: xc racing. The geometry remains the same. All Procalibers have the ‘IsoSpeed Decoupler’ feature of deliberate flex.

The Trek Stache bikes are rather unique in that they are 29er Plus bikes. They roll on some seriously large rubber! Monster trucking hardtails. Price: £1,300 to £3,500.

Trek full suspension bikes

There are five Trek full susser types: Fuel EX, Remedy, Top Fuel, Slash and Session.

All Trek full sus bikes use a version of the ‘ABP’ suspension design. ABP stands for Active Braking Pivot. The rear wheel axle is also the rear pivot. The idea is to prevent the suspension from locking up during rear braking.

Fuel EX, Remedy and Top Fuel bikes also have RE:aktiv rear shock damping. This damping design claims to ‘know’ which forces are coming from the pedals/rider and which forces are coming from the trail, and it reacts accordingly.

The Trek Fuel EX 130mm travel, full sus, all-rounder, trail bikes come as either 29er or as 27.5 Plus. They can be run with either wheel size but are initially purchased with one or the other. Starting from £1,800 for aluminium versions they top out at £6,500 for the top end carbon version.

>>> Trek Fuel EX Plus 9.8 27.5 (2017) review

The Trek Remedy is the 150mm travel trail-cum-enduro bike. Prices range from £2,300 to £6,000. There are aluminium Remedy models and carbon fibre Remedy models. For 2018 they are all 27.5in wheel.

The Trek Top Fuel bikes are full suspension XC race machines. 100mm of travel at either end. Begins with the aluminium Top Fuel 8 for £2,400 and goes up to the £7,800 carbon Top Fuel 9.9 RSL.

>>> Trek Top Fuel 9 (2017) review

2018 Trek Slash

The 160mm travel enduro racing Trek Slash range is all 29in wheels and carbon only for 2018. It’s a bold move by Trek but one that makes the Slash arguably the most defined model in their range.

>>> Trek Slash 9.9 29 RSL (2017) review

The Trek Session is the downhill bike. Aluminium or carbon. And now available as a frameset as a 29er with 190mm of travel. Complete build Sessions are all 27.5in wheel and deliver 210mm of rear travel.

Trek electric mountain bikes

There are three electric mountain bike types: Powerfly, Powerfly FS and Powerfly LT Plus.

The Trek Powerfly hardtails start at £2,300 and go up to £3,300. Aluminium frames with 100mm travel forks up front. The motors come from Bosch. There is also a £4,200 Powerfly Plus with 2.8in tyres.

On the Trek Powerfly FS bikes the ‘FS’ stands for Full Suspension, 130mm of suspension to be precise. The Powerfly FS bikes are aimed at cross-country riding with a bit of rougher stuff every now and then. All but the entry level £3,500 Powerfly 5 FS come with Plus tyres.

Trek Powerfly Launch in Verbier, Switzerland

The Trek Powerfly LT Plus models have more travel (150mm) and fatter tyres (2.8in Plus tyres). These e-bikes are up for a bit more aggro riding and technical trails. Prices: £4,200 to £5,250.

>> Trek Powerfly 9 LT (2018) first ride

Trek Women’s mountain bikes

Even as stalwarts of the whole Women’s Specific Design thang, Trek (along with most other bike brands) are now seemingly moving away from design theories that assume that women’s body proportions are different to men’s.

Bikes fit humans, not genders. Rider height is the only thing you should really be factoring in when choosing a bike. It really is only saddles that need to be a bit different to men’s.

It’s fine to opt for a supposedly ‘men’s’ Trek model if it fits your height. Get the saddle swapped out for a ladies saddle at time of purchase. Sorted.

Having said that, if you want a Women’s bike because you prefer the different colourway and decals, fair enough.

• Trek Skye – entry level cross-country hardtails
• Trek X-Caliber Women’s –  lighter and fancier cross-country hardtails
• Trek Roscoe Women’s – Plus tyred trail hardtail
• Trek Procaliber Women’s – XC racing hardtail
• Trek Fuel EX Women’s – 130mm travel full suspension all-rounder
• Trek Remedy Women’s – 150mm trail/enduro full susser
• Trek Powerfly Women’s – entry level e-bike hardtail
• Top Fuel Women’s – XC racing 100mm travel full suspension

Race Shop Limited models

You may spot some Trek mountain bikes with ‘Race Shop Limited’ (or ‘RSL’) in their model name. These are essentially super high spec models. Often limited edition. And sometimes with slightly tweaked designs (a bit more travel, slacker geometry etc etc).

Mark Webber’s Top Fuel Project One

Trek’s Project One

This is Trek’s custom paint and decals option. Yep, if you have the funds and are prepared to wait a bit for your bike, then you can get a Trek in pretty much any colour scheme you want.

Be warned: you can waste hours (days!) tinklering away with the online Project One dream bike builder.

It’s only available on a few mountain bike models: Top Fuel, Fuel EX and Procaliber.

Trek X Caliber 8 Review: Worth Buying Or Not?

• By Daniel Shakibaie
• Mountain Bike , Trek Bikes

Welcome to my Review for Trek X Caliber 8.

The Trek X Caliber 8 review for mountain bike s might be everything you’re looking for right now. It offers impressive rider handling and allows you to enjoy an adventurous ride in a variety of conditions.

Let’s take a look at this bike’s main features and benefits, along with some important factors to bear in mind when looking for your next mountain bike.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Smart Trail Bike

Before we look at the top factors of the Trek X Caliber 8, below are some important factors to consider when you buy a mountain bike.

Suspension System

There are two suspension systems to consider: hardtail and full. The former comes with a suspension system on the front of the bike, providing half of the shock absorption of a full-suspension bike.

Moreover, a hardtail bike offers a lighter weight overall, which allows you to ride the bike for longer periods of time without feeling like a heavy frame from weighing you down. Alternatively, a full-suspension bike is beneficial for absorbing all of the impacts and shocks that come your way, so you’ll typically feel more comfortable when riding across rough terrain and through woods, for example.

Body Case Material

Secondly, a bike’s body material makes a huge difference in its overall quality, speed, comfort, and more. The most popular body material option is aluminum, which offers a more affordable price compared to titanium, for example. However, aluminum can be more rigid than other materials for frames, meaning that it doesn’t absorb all of the impacts. One of the biggest benefits of a smart frame is its lightweight so that you can cycle quickly. And it’s also rust-resistant, so you won’t have any quality issues when you’re riding in the rain.

Alternatively, steel and alpha gold aluminum, an even more affordable bike body material, absorbs shocks when you’re cycling. This allows you to venture out on a variety of conditions without feeling the impact of every travel over rocks.

You might want to consider a titanium bike frame if you take cycling seriously and want to travel far and quickly. Thanks to this material’s lightweight, the bike picks up speed quickly and maintains this speed with ease. A titanium frame is incredibly agile, which allows the bike to respond to bumps in the road.

However, one of the biggest disadvantages of a titanium bike is its price point. You’ll need a larger budget compared to a steel or aluminum bike, which doesn’t make it appropriate for many riders.

Features and Benefits of the Trek X Caliber 8

Let’s take a look at some of the features and benefits of the Trek X Caliber 8 by taking an in-depth look into this bike’s top specifications.

The Trek X Caliber 8 comes equipped with a performance frame paired with allow rims, which has many benefits. For example, this material of the frame is naturally low in weight, making it an ideal choice for racing and travelling up hills, when you need to keep the overall maximum weight to a minimum.

Aluminum isn’t prone to rust, unlike steel bikes. So this makes the mountain bike low maintenance and ideal for regularly riding in wet conditions. Plus, due to aluminum’s lower strength compared to other bike materials, it tends to come with thicker walls. Therefore, you can use thicker-than-standard tubes without making the bike significantly heavier.

Moreover, the Trek X Caliber 8’s frame provides stiffness, which provides plenty of stability when climbing uphill or sprinting. And this level of stiffness will likely provide an advantage to racing cyclists because it offers an increased speed when sprinting.

This smart bike comes with a RockShox 30 Silver 100 mm suspension fork and a hardtail suspension system. These specifications allow the rider to feel the ride more than with a full-suspension bike, which allows you to experience an adventurist ride.

Another benefit of a hardtail bike over a full-suspension model is its reduced weight. Since the bike doesn’t have an additional shock system to the rear, the mountain bike has a lighter weight, which allows it to pick up speed and travel up hills quicker. And, with this weight saving, you can add accessories to your bikes, such as sports water bottles, fenders, and even a basket.

More: Trek Marlin 5 review: Is It a Good Bike to Have?

Uniquely, this trek bike features a smart wheel size, which means that you’ll receive either 27.5- or 29-inch wheels to accommodate a small or medium/large-sized frame. Therefore, the frame size will be perfectly paired with the bike’s tires, improving responsiveness, speed, and agility.

Moreover, the Trek X Caliber 8 ’s 27.5-inch wheels provide faster acceleration compared to the 29-inch wheels. This allows you to accelerate quickly and gives the bike a more responsive feel that riders will love.

Alternatively, the 29-inch wheels on this mountain bike accelerate slower, giving the bike a less responsive feel. But, once you reach your top speed, the bike maintains this for longer, requiring less effort to keep the momentum going. Not to mention that it’s actually a more efficient option for longer bike rides.

In addition, this smart trek bike comes with 12 speeds, which gives you more control when riding your bike. In particular, you can make the ride more challenging if you want to use it solely for fitness purposes. Or you can use the Trek X Caliber 8 to easily climb steep hills, making it a viable option for rides through the woods, etc.

More: Trek 820 Mountian Bike Review: Worth Having?

The Trek X Caliber 8 is equipped with hydraulic disc brakes. Perhaps the biggest benefit of this type of brake system is that it automatically self-adjusts once they’re worn down. And the calliper’s design retracts a certain distance from the rotor, regardless of the pad’s wear level. Therefore, you don’t need to adjust the bike’s brakes as you would with mechanical pads.

Furthermore, these types of disc brakes dissipate heat evenly compared to traditional mechanical brakes. This means that the brakes are more likely to last a long time and can increase safety when you’re riding your bike.

More: Trek 1120 Review: Is It The Best Touring Bike?

Is the Trek Dual Sport 2 a Better Option Than the Trek X Caliber 8?

When comparing the Trek Dual Sport 2 to the Trek X Caliber 8, the trek dual sport 2 review: a worthwhile investment . With its versatile design and impressive features, the Dual Sport 2 offers a smooth ride on various terrains. On the other hand, the X Caliber 8 is a great choice for off-road enthusiasts looking for speed and performance. Ultimately, choosing between the two depends on your preferences and intended use.

Social Proof

Don’t just take our opinion on this bike ’s excellent performance. Below are some screenshots from customers and users of this bike and what they thought about how it rides.

Alternatives

Since you might want to keep your options open and put this mountain bike’s specifications into perspective, we’ve included a few comparisons with similar bikes.

Trek X Caliber 8 Review vs Trek Marlin 7

There are several differences between both smart bikes. For example, the Trek Marlin 7 features a kickstand, but the Trek X Caliber 8 bike doesn’t, which is an extra item that could catch on the trail.

A big difference between the bikes is the parts they’re made of. With the x Cal, you’ll get an air fork, whereas the Marlin bike comes with a coil spring. This difference in parts can affect how the bike feels on the trail. Check our guide to Trek Marlin 7

Trek X Caliber 8 vs Trek X Caliber 9

Both bikes come with 27.5-inch lightweight parts, but the Caliber 9 boasts a bigger fork and a slightly lighter weight (albeit it by 0.02 pounds). And the 9 Caliber comes with a 100 mm front travel, which allows this particular bike to absorb more shocks than the Caliber 8.

Trek X Caliber 8 vs Trek Roscoe 7

Both of these bikes feature a 27.5-inch frame of aluminum and are hardtail versions. However, the Roscoe 7 comes with a bigger fork and a dropper post. The Caliber 8 is the lightest of the two bikes by nearly three pounds, which might sound like a minute difference, but any additional weight on a bike can impact the overall power and momentum you have.

While the Caliber 8 has front travel of 80 mm, whereas the Roscoe 7 boasts a 100 mm front travel. Check our guide to Trek Roscoe 8

Trek X Caliber 8 vs Giant Fathom 2

Both bikes boast a performance frame, which helps to keep the bike’s weight at a minimum—ideal for when you’re cycling at high speeds. The Fathom 2 sports a 120 mm front travel, and while the Caliber 8 has a rigid seat post, the Fathom 2 boasts a dropper seat post, which allows for quick saddle height adjustment.

Trek X Caliber 8 vs Trek X Caliber 7

The Caliber 7 has a heavier weight, making the difference between the two bikes 0.8 pounds, which can be significant if you want to cycle fast and up hills. Aside from this specification and a difference of 20 mm for the front travel, both bikes are very similar. For example, they both boast an Alpha Gold aluminum frame, hydraulic discs, and hardtail suspension. Check our guide to Trek Caliber 7

We hope you enjoyed this Trek X Caliber 8 mountain bike review . Overall, this mountain bike was made with excellent attention to detail and the RockShox fork and hydraulic disc brakes make this bike a great option for adventure rides.

These types of mountain bikes have a loose ball bearing system with a solo air spring and a tapered head tube. This cross country mountain bike has the perfect frame size along with smart wheel sizing and sealed bearing. The wheels are made with lightweight alloy rims and have max chain ring size. These mountain bikes are a great choice for participating in the Maxxis Ardent race. It is a fast mountain bike with an alloy axle and a kickstand mount as well.

What are your thoughts on the bike? Let us know your feedback in the comments.

About The Author

Daniel Shakibaie

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Your complete guide to the 2021 trek mountain bike range.

Trek has had a long-standing presence in the mountain bike world with a vast range of bikes to back it up. The brands offering ranges from featherweight cross country bikes right through to downhill thoroughbreds. If you're in the market for a Trek bike and wondering which will suit you best, read on for our complete guide to their 2021 range.

• Your complete guide to the 2021 Canyon mountain bike range
• Your complete guide to the RockShox rear shock range - Deluxe, Super Deluxe, SID, Monarch and Vivid air and coil
• Buyer's guide to mountain bikes - get the best MTB for you

2021 Trek mountain bikes

• Full Stache
• Supercaliber

Understanding Trek's naming system

Trek's naming system follows a similar style to how Canyon names its bikes. Each bike's name is suffixed with a number, with higher value numbers corresponding to pricier and better-kitted bikes. Once we get to 9, Trek adds decimals to the suffix to denote changes in the bike's suspension package. All bikes with a 9 in the name get carbon frames but a 9.7 might get its suspension from Fox's Rhythm range for example, while a 9.8 will get better something from higher in the range. Also, you'll see that a lot of kit on the bikes come from Bontrager, for the uninitiated that's Trek's in-house component brand.

At the '9' level, we also see XT, XO1, and GX finding their way into the names. Yep, you've guessed it, that's the drivetrain the bike comes kitted with.

Another thing that's definitely worth mentioning is that a small selection of Trek's bike range is available through what the brand calls Project One. Project One offers the opportunity to have your bike personalised and custom painted with special, exclusive colours. This will mean you have to part ways with a heap of cash but in return, you'll get a bike that's unique to you.

As with the brand's range of bikes, the price range is vast with bikes starting from £440, right up to £9,200 and that's not even considering the Project One options. There's also a comprehensive range of gravel bikes and e-bikes.

Let's kick things off with the Slash. It's Trek's enduro bike which rolls on 29" wheels and gets 160mm of travel at the rear, paired with 170mm at the front. For 2021 it gets both an aluminium and carbon frame option all of which benefit from Trek's proprietary Knock Block system which saves your top and down tube if your front end spins during a crash. This bike also gets the Mino Link which is a geometry adjusting flip-chip, down tube guards threaded bottom brackets, an Active Braking Pivot, and storage in the downtube. As for the geometry, in the low setting, the Slash sees a 75.6° effective seat tube angle, a 64.1° head tube angle, and a 435mm chainstay. A large frame gets a 486mm reach. If you're after something a little more special, the Slash is available through Project One.

Slash 9.9 XTR

Topping the Slash range is the Slash 9.9 XTR. It gets Trek's OCLV carbon frame with the all-new RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock with an updated ThruShaft damper. At the front, you'll find the RockShox ZEB Ultimate RC2 which features chunky 38mm stanchions. As its name suggests there's a full Shimano XTR 12-speed drivetrain with an e*thirteen LG1 Race Carbon crank. The brakes here also come from the XTR lineup and they come with 4-pot calipers for extra stopping power. This bike rolls on a pair of Bontrager Line Pro 30 which are wrapped with a Bontrager SE5 Team Issue 2.6" Tubeless Ready, Core Strength sidewall, aramid bead tyre at the front and an SE5 Team Issue with the same spec in 2.4" at the rear. It also gets a Bontrager Line Elite Dropper with Bontrager supplying the 820mm wide carbon bar, 35mm stem along with the rest of the build kit.

Slash 9.9 XO1

The Slash 9.9 XO1 gets all of the same trimmings as the 9.9 XTR but benefits from a SRAM XO1 Eagle drivetrain and SRAM Code RSC Brakes, along with a slightly friendlier price tag.

Slash 9.8 GX

Shaving a few thousand pounds of the range-topper is the 9.8 GX. This one is still built around Trek's carbon frame but this one gets a slightly downgraded RockShox ZEB Select+ RC with a RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate. Here we get a SRAM GX drivetrain with a matching crankset and SRAM Code R brakes. As for the rest of the bike, it's the same as the 9.9 XTR.

Slash 9.8 XT

As its name suggests, the Slash 9.8 XT gets a very similar built kit to the 9.8 GX. However, this bike sees a Shimano XT drivetrain with SLX M7120 four-piston brakes.

Dropping a full £1.8k off of the 9.8 models, the Slash 9.7 is still built around a carbon frame and it swaps the RockShox suspension with a Fox Rhythm 36 fork and a Fox Performance DPX2 EVOL shock. The drivetrain is a mix of SRAM GX and NX Eagle and the wheels here are the alloy Bontrager Line Comp 30's. Those come shod with a Bontrager XR5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Inner Strength sidewall, aramid bead 2.6" tyre at the front with a Bontrager XR4 with the same spec and a 2.4" width at the rear. Trek has also swapped the dropper post for a TransX post and there's Bontrager's own alloy finishing kit.

With the Slash 8, we no longer get a carbon frame but we do get a RockShox Lyric Select+ RC fork with a RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate at the rear. This bike is driven by a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain and there's a pair of SRAM Code R brakes. Everything else is the same as what you would get on the 9.7 model.

The Slash 7 rounds of the range with its alloy frame, RockShox Yari RC fork, RockShox Deluxe Select+ shock, and SRAM NX drivetrain. Here we get a pair of SRAM Guide T brakes and the rest of the bike follows suit with the 8.

Trek Remedy

The Remedy is Trek's long-legged trail bike which comes with four models for 2021. It rolls on 650b wheels and gets 160mm of travel at the front, with 150mm at the rear. Much like the Slash, the Remedy benefits from the Knock Block, the Active Braking Pivot, and the Mino Link. Geometry-wise, it gets a 65.6° head angle, a 74.2° effective seat tube angle, and 435mm chainstays in the low position. A large frame gets a 455mm reach, again in that low setting.

The Remedy 9.8 is the only bike in the 2021 line up that gets a carbon frame. It also gets a burly Fox Performance 38 paired with a Fox Performance Float DPX2 EVOL shock at the rear. This bike benefits from a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain matched with SRAM Code R brakes. As for the wheels, they're a pair of carbon Bontrager Line Elite 30's and they're wrapped with a Bontrager SE5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Core Strength sidewalls with an aramid bead in 2.6" with a Bontrager SE4 Team Issue with the same specs in the 2.4" width. Bontrager also supplies the dropper post with the Line Elite and the 820mm handlebar along with the 35mm stem.

As suggested by the lack of a '9' in its name, the Slash 8 comes kitted with an alloy frame. As for the fork, it's a RockShox Lyrik Select+ RC and that's paired with a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ shock. This bike is also driven by a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain and it gets the same brakes as the 9.8 rig. Differing from the range-topper, this build sees in a pair of Bontrager Line Comp 30 alloy wheels which get an XR5 Team Issue tyre that's tubeless-ready with Inner Strength sidewalls and an aramid bead in 2.6", also from Bontrager. At the rear, there's an XR4 with the very same specification. The rest of the bike follows suit with the 9.8 model.

Remedy 8 XT

Rather unsurprisingly, the Remedy 8 XT comes with a very similar build to the 8 but gets an XT drivetrain and Deore M6120 four-pot brakes. Everything else on this build matches the Remedy 8.

The Remedy 7 is the cheapest 2021 Remedy on offer. It gets a RockShox Gold RL fork and a RockShox Deluxe Select+ shock. There's a SRAM NX drivetrain with SRAM Guide T brakes. Apart from that, everything else is the same as what you'll get on the Remedy 8's.

Trek Fuel EX

The Fuel EX is Trek's do it all trail bike. It gets 130mm of rear travel and 140mm at the front. Just like the Slash, the Fuel EX gets built-in downtube storage and the Active Braking Pivot. It comes with a RE:aktiv shock with Thru Shaft, something that you'll only find on Trek bikes. It promises more grip and control with a shock the reacts to the ground faster than anything else on the market, says Trek. This bike also gets the Mino Link, Knock Block, and Straight Shot downtube. The Fuel EX comes in five sizes with XS getting 650b hoops and M upwards getting 29" wheels. However, size S comes with a choice of either wheel size. As for the geometry in the low setting, the bike gets a 66° head angle, a 75° effective seat tube angle, and a 437mm chain stay. A large frame benefits from a 470mm reach.

Fuel EX 9.9 AXS

Topping the range with a pretty hefty pricetag is the 9.9 AXS. On this model, you'll get a Fox Factory 36 with a GRIP 2 damper, paired with a Fox Factory Float EVOL RE:aktiv shock. Of course, we then get wireless shifting from SRAM and the AXS range along with a wireless RockShox Reverb AXS dropper. It rolls on a pair of Bontrager Line 30 carbon wheels and they're wrapped with two Bontrager XR4 Team Issue tyres with Inner Strength sidewalls and aramid beads, measuring in with a 2.6" width at the front and a 2.4" at the rear. Bontrager supplies the finishing kit with a Knock Block stem and a 780mm OCLV carbon handlebar.

Fuel EX 9.9 XTR & XO1

Next up, the Fuel EX 9.9 XTR gets all of the bling. It's built around Trek's OCLV carbon frame and gets a Fox Factory 36 fork with a GRIP2 damper. At the back, there's a Fox Factory Float EVOL, RE:aktiv. As its name hints, this bike comes with a Shimano XTR 12-speed drivetrain with matching XTR M9120 four-piston brakes. There's also an option with a SRAM XO1 drivetrain with SRAM G2 RSC brakes. This one rolls on a pair of Bontrager Line Pro 30 OCLV carbon wheels which are wrapped in a pair of Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready tyres with the brand's Inner Strength sidewalls and aramid bead. At the front, there's a 2.6" tyre with a 2.4" at the rear on both wheel sizes. Then the bike comes kitted with a Bontrager Line Elite Dropper and the rest of the kit comes from the same brand.

Fuel EX 9.8 XT & GX

Offering a saving of over £2,000 over the top of the range bike is the 9.8 GX and XT. This bike comes with the same carbon frame as the most expensive bike but sees a downgrade in suspension and drivetrain. Here we get a Fox Performance 36 with a GRIP damper and a Fox Performance Float EVOL, RE:aktiv shock. This rig comes with a choice of drivetrain with either SRAM's GX groupset or Shimano's XT. The GX build comes with SRAM G2 RS brakes whereas the XT model is stopped with a pair of Shimano SLX M7120 four-piston brakes. Everything else on these builds is the same as what you'll find on the 9.9 XTR model.

Fuel EX 9.7

The 9.7 is Trek's most affordable carbon-framed Fuel EX. It comes kitted with a Fox Rhythm 36 with a GRIP damper and a Fox Performance Float EVOL shock. The drivetrain here is a mix of SRAM NX and GX with the former making up the shifter and the latter handing the mech. Gone are the carbon wheels, unfortunately, but instead we get a set of Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheels wrapped in the very same tyres like the rest of the range. The rest of the bike follows suit with the pricier models but there's an alloy bar and stem.

Fuel EX 8 XT & GX

At the sub £3k mark Trek does away with the carbon frames and replaces them with cheaper alloy alternatives. On the priciest alloy option, we get a Fox Rythm 34 Float with a GRIP damper and a Fox Performance Float EVOL RE:aktiv shock. On this build, there's a choice of either a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain or a Shimano XT with the former benefitting from SRAM G2 R brakes and the latter receiving a pair of Shimano MT4100 levers mated to MT420 four-piston callipers. This bike gets a pair of Bontrager Line Comp 30 alloy wheels and the rest of the build is the same as what you'll get on the 9.7 bike.

Fuel EX 7 NX

On the Fuel EX 7 NX we find a RockShox 35 Gold RL fork and a Fox Performance Float EVOL shock, note that this shock doesn't come with that special RE:aktiv tech. You've guessed it, this one comes equipped with a SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain it gets its brakes from Shimano with a pair of MT4100 levers and MT410 callipers. The rest of the bike, including the wheels and tyres on this bike, is the same as the rest of the alloy range but we see a TransX dropper on this model.

Fuel EX 5 Deore

Rounding off the fairly extensive range is the reasonably priced Fuel EX Deore. It gets a RockShox Recon Silver fork with an X-Fusion Pro 2 shock. Then there's the Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain with Shimano brakes made up of MT201 levers and MT200 callipers. The wheels see a downgrade from the rest of the range with an Alex MD35 rim laced to Bontrager hubs. They're wrapped in a pair of Bontrager XR4 tyres and there's a TransX dropper post. The rest of the finishing kit comes from Bontrager.

Trek Top Fuel

Like it or not, but down-country bikes are becoming more and more prolific. Luckily for those who are on board with the trend Trek has a bike for you. It comes kitted with 120mm travel up front and 115mm at the rear with 29" wheels. In keeping with the rest of Trek's bikes so far the Top Fuel also gets a Straight Shot downtube and Trek's Active Braking Pivot. It's also kitted with the Mino Link and Control Freak cable management system. Moving onto the geometry, the Top Fuel sees a 68° head tube angle, a 75.7° effective seat tube angle and a 434mm chainstay. A large frame gets a 470mm reach and those numbers have been taken with the bike in its low setting. As for frame sizes, there's a choice from XS right up to XXL.

Top Fuel 9.9 XX1 AXS

A few hundred pounds shy of the 10k mark, this bike comes with all of the top tech. It's made around a carbon frame with a RockShox SID Ultimate fork with a Race Day Charger damper and a RockShox SID Luxe Ultimate shock. There's a RockShox TwistLoc Full Sprint lockout remote too. As for the drivetrain, here we get a SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS 12-speed wireless set up with SRAM G2 Ultimate brakes. The wheels on this bike area pair of Bontrager Kovee Pro 30 Carbon hoops and they're kitted with a pair of Bontrager XR3 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready tyres with Inner Strength sidewalls and aramid beads in a 2.4" width. Finally, there's a RockShox Reverb AXS wireless dropper post, Bontrager OCLV carbon bar with a 750mm width and 35mm clamp and a Bontrager stem.

Top Fuel 9.9 XTR & XO1

Next up, the Top Fuel XTR and XO1 models get the same carbon frame but this time there's a Fox Factory 34 Step Cast with a FIT4 damper paired with a Fox Factory Float shock. This bike also gets the RockShox Twistloc remote lockout. With this model, there's a choice of either a SRAM XO1 drivetrain or the Shimano XTR set up. The XO1 model gets SRAM G2 RSC four-piston brakes while the XTR gets XTR M9100 brakes. Everything else on the bike is the same as the AXS model but the dropper, which is a Bontrager Line Elite.

Top Fuel 9.8 XT & GX

The Top Fuel 9.8 sees a saving of £2.4k and gets its suspension from RockShox with the SID Select+ RL fork and RockShox SID Ultimate RL shock. There's a choice of drivetrain on this bike too between either a SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed with SRAM G2 RSC brakes or a Shimano XT drivetrain with SLX M7000 brakes. Everything else on this bike is the same as its pricier brethren.

Top Fuel 9.7

The 9.7 model is the cheapest with a carbon frame and it comes with a RockShox Reba RL fork and a Fox Performance Float DPS shock. There's a SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain with Shimano brakes consisting of MT501 levers and MT500 calipers. This bike makes a move to Bontrager Kovee Comp 23 alloy wheels and they get the same tyres as the rest of the range. We get an alloy cockpit and a Bontrager Line Dropper.

Top Fuel 8 NX

At this price point, Trek introduces alloy frames into the mix. With the 8 NX there's a RockShox Recon Gold RL Solo Air with a Fox Performance Float DPS. There's still a remote lockout here but it comes from Bontrager in the form of the Drop Lock. As its name suggests, this bike is driven by a SRAM NX drivetrain and it's stopped with a pair of SRAM Level T brakes. The rest of the bike is the same as what you'll find on the 9.7 model.

Top Fuel 7 SX

The Top Fuel 7 SX is the most affordable bike in the range featuring suspension from RockShox with the Judy SL Solo Air fork and the X-Fusion Pro 2 shock. There's a SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain with Shimano MT200 brakes. This one rolls on the same alloy wheels as the rest of the range with the same tyres. In fact, apart from the TransX dropper post, everything else matches the Top Fuel 8 NX.

Trek Full Stache

While the Full Stache hasn't had an update for 2021, it seems rude not to include it as there aren't an awful lot of full suspension 29+ bikes on the market. Of course, it rolls on 29" wheels with chunky 3" tyres. It also has 130mm of travel at both ends but the frame is compatible with up to a 140mm fork if you fancy some extra lairy riding. There's also the Mino Link, Control Freak cable management and the Knock Block. It's built around an aluminium frame and gets a 67° head tube angle, a 75.5° effective seat tube and a 430mm chainstay in the low setting. A large gets a 480mm reach, again in the low setting.

Full Stache 8

With its aluminium frame, you'll find a RockShox Pike Select Plus RC fork with a Fox Performance Float EVOL RE:aktiv shock. There's a SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain, aTruvativ Descendant 6k crank and SRAM Guide R brakes. This bike gets a pair of SUNringlé Duroc 40 SL wheels and they're shod with a pair of Bontrager XR4 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready tyres with Inner Strength sidewalls and aramid beads. We get a Bontrager Line Dropper on this bike with a 780mm wide alloy bar, also from Bontrager.

Trek Supercaliber

Filling the role of the full suspension cross country bike is the rather unique looking Supercaliber. The standout feature of this bike is its IsoStrut suspension platform. It offers 60mm of fully tunable travel and what makes it special is that it does away with a rocker link thus saving a chunk of weight. The IsoStrut is also a structural feature of the frame which Trek says prevents twisting, flex and deflection which the brand claims offers a more direct power transfer. The whole range of Supercalibers feature carbon frames rolling on 29" hoops, Straight Shot downtube and the Knock Block. The geometry on this bike sees a 69° head angle, 74° seat tube angle and a 430mm chainstay. The reach of a large frame measures in at 455mm. There are six sizes from S to XXL and an ML size which gets a longer top tube than the M. Up front there's 100mm of travel.

Supercaliber 9.9 XX1 AXS

The Supercaliber 9.9 XX1 AXS takes the crown as Trek's most expensive mountain bike. It comes dripping with top-shelf kit such as the RockShox SID SL Ultimate with a Charger Race Day damper and a Fox Factory IsoStrut shock. This bike gets SRAMs XX1 Eagle AXS wireless drivetrain with the carbon crank and SRAM Level Ultimate brakes. It rolls on a pair of Bontrager Kovee XXX OCLV carbon wheels and they're wrapped with a set of 2.2" Bontrager XR2 Team Issue, tubeless ready tyres with Inner Strength Sidewalls and aramid beads. Then the finishing kit also comes from Bontrager and the line of carbon components, including a 720mm wide handlebar.

Supercaliber XX1 & XTR

Next up the Supercaliber 9.9 XX1 and XTR get all of the same kit as the priciest model but they drop the fancy wireless shifting. Instead, there's a choice of either a SRAM XX1 Eagle drivetrain with SRAM Level Ultimate brakes or a Shimano XTR drivetrain with XTR M9100 brakes.

Supercaliber XT & GX

Seeing a considerable saving from the rest of the range, the Supercaliber 9.8 GX and XT models get a downgraded Fox Performance 32 Step-Cast fork with a GRIP2 damper. There's also that IsoStrut suspension also provided by Fox but this model doesn't get that sleek Kashima coating, coming from the brands Performance line-up. These models come with a choice of either a SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed groupset with both choices coming kitted with Shimano Deore XT M8100 brakes. Here we get a pair of Bontrager Kovee Pro 30 carbon wheels, then the rest of the kit is the same as what you would get on the other bikes.

Supercaliber 9.7

The Supercaliber 9.7 is the most budget-friendly option in the range. It's still built around that OCLV carbon frame and the Performance level IsoStrut shock but gets a RockShox Reba RL fork. This one is driven by a SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain and it's stopped by brakes from Shimano with the MT501 levers and MT500 calipers. This model gets slightly narrower Bontrager Kovee Elite 23 carbon wheels with the same XR2 tyres but the rest of the bike comes from Bontrager's alloy line of kit.

Trek Procaliber

The Procaliber is Trek's lightweight cross country hardtail. Compared to the Supercaliber it presents a mighty cash saving if you're looking for a race-ready XC bike. That doesn't mean that it's not without some cool tech, however. The Supercaliber benefits from what Trek calls the IsoSpeed decoupler which allows the set tube to rotate independently from the top tube to seatstay junction which Trek says offers some vertical compliance without sacrificing pedalling efficiency. As with the rest of the range, this bike gets the Straight Shot downtube and Knock Block too. Each bike in the Supercaliber line up comes with a carbon frame which rolls on 29" wheels and can fit up to 2.4" rubber. Here we see a 68.8° head angle, a 73.8° seat tube angle and 432mm a chainstay. A large frame benefits from a 450mm reach and there are six sizes, from S up to XL, including an ML size which gets a longer top tube than the M. The Procaliber gets 100mm of suspension.

Procaliber 9.8

Built around an OCLV carbon frame the Procaliber 9.8 comes with a Fox Performance 32 Step-Cast fork with a GRIP damper. It's driven by a Shimano XT drivetrain with Deore XT M8100 brakes but this one gets an e*thirteen TRS Race Carbon crank. The wheels here are a pair of Bontrager Kovee Elite 30 carbon wheels and there's a pair of Bontrager 2.2" XR2 Team Issue, tubeless-ready tyres with Inner Strength sidewalls and aramid beads. The rest of the kit comes from Bontrager too, with a 720mm wide carbon handlebar.

Procaliber 9.7

This model comes equipped with a RockShox Reba RL Solo Air and a SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain with Shimano MT501 brake levers hosed to MT500 calipers. This bike gets Bontrager's Kovee Elite 23 wheels, then the rest of the bike matches the 9.8 model.

Procaliber 9.6

On the 9.6 model of the Procaliber you'll get a RockShox Recon Gold RL and a mixture of Shimano kit making up the drivetrain. There's an SLX M7100 shifter and an XT M8100 derailleur. With this model there's the move over to alloy wheels, they come from Bontrager and the Kovee's. Then there are the same tyres as the rest of the range and an all-alloy finishing kit from Bontrager.

Procaliber 9.5

Finally the Procaliber line-up is rounded off with the 9.5. Even as the cheapest bike, it still gets that OCLV carbon frame but sees a RockShox Judy SL fork. There's a full Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain with Shimano MT200 brakes. Then the rest of the bike features the same kit that you'll find on the 9.6 model.

Trek X-Caliber

If you're looking for a race-ready cross country bike but you're on a budget, the X-Caliber is the bike for you. Accommodating for its affordable price point is an aluminium frame rather than the carbon you'll find on its pricier sibling, the Procaliber. The X-Caliber comes kitted with rack mounts, so it's bike-packing ready, along with a mount for a kickstand. All frames feature internal routing and they all come kitted with Trek's Blendr stem. The X-Caliber comes with either 650b wheels on sizes XS and S with all larger bikes (up to XXL) roll on 29" hoops. As for the geometry, there's a 73° effective seat tube angle on sizes M and up while the smaller two sizes get a 73.5° effective seat tube angle. Then there's a 69.5° head tube angle (S and XSs get a 69.3° HA) and a 438mm chainstay on M and up, and a 425mm chainstay on the smaller bikes. Sizes S to XL get 100mm of travel leaving XS with just 80mm. Although, the frame will accept a maximum of a 120mm fork while the XS can accept a 100mm fork.

X-Caliber 9

Heading up the range, the X-Caliber 9 gets a RockShox Judy Silver Solo Air with a TurnKey remote lockout. This bike gets a Shimano SLX M7100 12-speed drivetrain with Shimano brakes made up of an MT401 lever and an MT400 caliper. The wheels on this one are a pair of Bontrager Kovees and they're wrapped with a pair of Bontrager XR3s in the 2.3" width on all sizes. The finishing kit comes from Bontrager too with an alloy bar, stem, and seat post.

X-Caliber 8

The middle of the range X-Caliber 8 comes with a RockShox Judy SL Solo Air fork with a SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain. Stopping the bike is a pair of MT200 brakes from Shimano. As for the wheels, the rims come from Bontrager with a pair of kovees and they're laced to Formula DCL-141Q hubs. Then the rest of the bike is the same as the X-Caliber 9.

X-Caliber 7

The X-Caliber 7 gets much of the same kit as the X-Caliber 8 with the only difference in spec being its Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain.

Trek Roscoe

If you're looking for a trail orientated hardtail, the Roscoe fits the bill. Each build comes properly sorted with dropper posts, 120mm of travel (size S gets 100mm), 1x drivetrains and alloy frames. The bike also rolls on 650b+ wheels and tyres. They all feature internal cable routing, rack and kickstand mounts too. Onto the geometry, the Roscoe sees a 67.3° head angle, a 70.8° effective seat tube angle (with the medium frame getting a 70.7° effective seat angle and the S and XS getting 71.2° and 71.1° angles respectively), and a large frame gets a 428mm reach. As a 650b+ bike, it can run either 27.5x2.8" or 29x2.4" rubber.

On the Roscoe 8, you'll find a RockShox 35 Gold RL fork with a SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain with Shimano brakes in the form of the MT501 lever paired with an MT500 caliper. It's worth noting that the fork comes with a flexy QR axle. The wheels here are made of rims from Bontrager and the Line 40s with a Bontrager hub at the front and a Formula hub at the rear. This bike gets a pair of Maxxis Rekon tubeless tyres with a 2.8" width and then the rest of the kit comes from Bontrager and the alloy range apart from the dropper post, which comes from TranzX with the JD-YSP18.

The Roscoe 7 benefits from most of the same kit as the 8, but this one gets a SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain and Shimano MT200 brakes.

On the cheapest Roscoe 6 you'll get an SR Suntour XCM 32 coil sprung fork with a Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain and MT200 brakes. This bike then rolls on Alex MD35 rims and Formula DC hubs which get a pair of Kenda Havok, wire beaded, 2.8" tyres. As for the rest of the build, that's just the same as the rest of the range.

Trek Marlin

If a sub £1k cross country, everyday bike is more your speed then it's worth checking out the Trek Marlin. Each bike in the range comes with an alloy frame and a fork with 100mm of travel (XS frames get 80mm). There are also rack and stand mounts, the Blendr stem, and internal cable routing. XS and S sizes roll on 650b wheels while sizes M to XXL get 29" hoops. On the Marlin, you'll get an effective seat tube angle of 73.5° on the XS and S frame while everything else benefits from a 71.9° effective seat tube angle. As for the head angle, on the smaller sizes it'll measure in at 69.3° and from M upwards it's a couple of degrees steeper at 69.5°. All frame sizes share a 438mm chainstay length and a large frame gets a 451mm reach.

The Marlin 7 comes kitted with a RockShox Judy coil sprung fork with a Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain and Shimano MT200 disc brakes. The wheels are made of Bontrager Kovee rims laced to Formula DC hubs and they're wrapped with a pair of Bontrager XR2 Comp 2.2" tyres with wire beads. The rest of the bike comes with Bontrager's own finishing kit.

Trek Farley

Perhaps fat bikes are more your things. Allow me to introduce the Farley. There are two in the 2021 range with an alloy and a carbon option which, of course, roll on 4.5" tyres. Both bikes come with a dropper post, horizontal sliding dropouts, ideal for single speed setups and tubeless-ready tyres. As for the geometry, the Farley gets a 69° head angle, a 73° effective seat tube angle and a 455mm chainstay. The reach on a large is 441mm and there are four sizes available, from S to XL. 

The Farley 9.6 gets an OCLV carbon frame with a Bontrager Haru OCLV fork. The drivetrain on this bike comes from SRAM and the GX Eagle 12-speed shifting. As for wheels, they're Sunringle Mulefut 80 SL rims laced to Bontrager alloy hubs. Those are wrapped in a pair of Bontrager Barbegazi Team Issue, tubeless-ready tyres with inner strength sidewalls and aramid beads. The dropper kitted here is a TransX JD-YSP18 and the rest of the kit comes from Bontrager with a 750mm wide bar.

The Farley 5 is Trek's best value fat bike and it's built around an alloy frame. It gets a Shimano Deore M4100 10-speed drivetrain with SRAM Level brakes and there's a Race Face crank. It gets the same wheels as the 9.6 but the tyres here are a pair of Bontrager Gnarwhals. The rest of the kit is the same as the 9.6. It's worth mentioning that while the Farley 5 comes with a rigid fork, it'll happily accommodate a 100mm travel suspension fork.

Trek Session

The Session needs no introduction, but it's the brand's 650b downhill bike. There's only one model in the 2021 range which is built around an alloy frame. It gets Trek's Active Braking Pivot and the geometry adjusting Mino-Link. Up front, there's 200mm of travel and at the rear, there's 210mm. In the low setting, the Session gets a 63.6° head angle, a 445mm chainstay and a large frame gets a 426mm reach. There are four sizes, from S to XL and the 8 27.5 model will set you back £4,200

Trek Ticket

Finally, rounding off the Trek range of mountain bike is the Ticket. It's available as the full suspension, Ticket S (pictured) with 100mm of travel and the Ticket DJ, which is the hardtail version. Both come as a frame only with prices starting from £725, up to £1,400.

• www.trekbikes.com

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Liam Mercer

Tech Editor here at off.road.cc Liam can also be found photographing bikes as well as revelling in cycling's intricacies. Whether it's gravel, mountain, or e-MTB as long as it's a bike on dirt, he's happy.

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Is Trek Marlin 8 Worth Buying? [Trek Marlin 8 Review]

Table of Contents

Trek Marlin 8 Gen 2

• Price: $1329
• Travel: Front: 80mm
• Tires: 26″/27.5″/29″

What we like about it: A super cost-effective hardtail trail bike with high-grade hydraulic disc brakes and a lightweight fork for excellent climbing as well as shock absorption. What don’t we like about it: Too few body color options.

Rating (4.7/5 )

As a hardtail trail bike, the Trek Marlin 8 Gen 2 has no better performance than its climbing ability. treacherous ascents.

The Trek Marlin 8 also doesn’t disappoint on the descending terrain where most hardtails don’t excel. The advanced Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc braking system with lightweight RockShox Judy Silver damping fork and 80mm of front travel minimizes the bumps you’ll feel on descending terrain.

Superb performance combined with an excellent price makes the Trek Marlin 8 worthy of being your first choice as an excellent hardtail off-road bike at a great price!

Climbing Review Of Trek Marlin 8

I was particularly impressed by the climbing ability of Trek Marlin 8 during the three-month review. The Maxxis Ardent Race vacuum tires with their superb grip and strong traction and sturdy EXO casing kept the ride smooth even through the rooty forest roads.

When faced with an excessively steep rocky slope, the rich 1×12-Speed shifting range was enough to allow me to take the appropriate speed adjustment in time for the even steeper ascent.

On top of that, the ultra-light Alpha Silver Aluminum body frame chosen for the 8 showed great advantages while doing the climb. The flexibility of the lighter body allowed me to run the bike with less effort during the climbs.

In addition, the long enough Reach value allows me to keep my body as low as possible during the ride, thus ensuring less drag from the air. This also better helps me save effort on long climbs.

The RockShox Judy Silver fork and Solo Air springs play an important role here.

Riding in the same position for long periods inevitably causes some stiffness and discomfort in my body.

But the steeper 73° seat tube angle of the Trek Marlin 8 Gen 2 hardtail bikeand the traditional comfort of the Bontrager Arvada saddle greatly alleviated the bumps and discomfort I felt on the bumpy roads.

On top of that, without the Trek Marlin 8 Bontrager’s handlebars to dampen my hands during the non-stop bumps, it would have been hard to imagine that I would have been able to ride the bike afterward. I can’t imagine how numb and sore my arms would have been at the end of the ride.

During the long climbing ride, with no bumps but regular ups and downs, I began to experience a certain fun from it and started to enjoy the ride from my heart.

Trek Marlin 8’s General Riding Review

Back on smoother trails for the Trek Marlin 8 review. I found that the Trek Marlin immediately lost its aggressive edge when facing single-track trails to conquer the rough terrain and replaced it with a more submissive and softer stance.

On smooth trails, the Trek Marlin’s Suspension with locking feature was extremely effective in improving pedaling efficiency on smooth roads.

In addition, the vacuum tires of the Maxxis Ardent Race carried me along in a smooth manner. 29×2.35” wide tires were effective in damping the vibration while providing a strong grip. After a dusty section of road, the Trek Marlin’s internal alignment design made the bodywork look cleaner and more streamlined while eliminating the need to scrub it after it was contaminated with mud.

The Trek Marlin 8’s braking method is the Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brake that I am so familiar with. It’s easy to operate and the braking power is amazing, so I trust it fully. Sure enough, when I hit an overly long cutoff, I applied just a little pressure to the lever and the Trek Marlin locked the wheel in time.

When I encountered several small turns while riding in the forest park, the Trek Marlin 8’s 93mm long Trail ensured smooth and agile steering and a smooth enough ride that also gave me plenty of security.

After a long ride, I had to take a break to recharge, and the its water bottle holder allowed me to carry a large enough water bottle to rehydrate on the go.

Main F eatures

In terms of color, the Trek Marlin 8 Gen 2 has a glossy flame-red body with the classic Trek logo attached to the downtube. The bold collision of black and red shows a courageous and fervent pursuit of the limit. At the same time, the glossy paint is also more convenient to clean.

The Alpha Silver Aluminum body frame is lightweight yet sturdy enough to give you a sense of security and comfort, whether you’re looking for drag reduction on the upside or stability on the downside.

Both the top and bottom tubes can be installed with or without a water bottle cage, and the rear rack can also be installed to carry essentials on long trips. Personally, the installation of the water bottle cage and a rear rack gives me a more convenient riding experience, but it is up to personal preference whether to install them or not.

The Trek Marlin 8 Gen 2 has a long enough Reach to allow me to ride without having to maintain an overly stiff, bent stance. This also eases my fatigue to some extent on long rides, while also ensuring that I can ride most efficiently.

In addition, the standard 69.5° head tube angle and long enough Trail value are the best guarantees of head flexibility when I need to steer during the ride. With the comfortable grip of the Bontrager XR Trail Comp, the Trek Marlin 8 allows me to put my upper body in the most comfortable position while riding.

In addition, the steep enough 73° seat tube angle makes it easier for my leg muscles to swing, thus running the bike more efficiently and saving as much effort as possible during the ride.

Main Components

Shimano mt200 hydraulic disc brake.

Compared to mechanical disc brakes, hydraulic disc brakes are more efficient, easier to use, and have a longer service life, and the Trek Marlin 8 uses the Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brake for braking rather than the more expensive mechanical disc. This shows the 8 is a great value for money.

Compared with the hydraulic disc design, the closed design of the hydraulic disc type not only can completely block the dust in the air but also can block all the grit and dirt in the sandy area, which is less affected by external factors. Obviously, the Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brake has a more powerful braking force, a better braking effect, and is less likely to damage tires, making it the ideal braking device for all types of high-end bicycles.

SRAM SX Eagle, 1×12 Speed Drivetrain

The Sram 1×12-Speed used in the Trek Marlin 8 is far superior to the familiar Shimano in terms of quality, with no front shifting issues. Not only does it provide enough options in terms of shifting needs, but it is also enough to face any terrain that requires shifting.

Based oN rich speed options, the 1× shifting is easier to operate and more friendly to novices than the 2× and 3× shifting systems. The weight of the body plays a role in weight reduction, lighter frames can also make the ride more flexible and light.

Maxxis Ardent Race, Vacuum Tires

The Trek Marlin 8 is designed with a variety of different sizes depending on the size of the tire, making it easier for riders to choose according to their needs.

The standard-size Trek Marlin 8 I reviewed has the common 29×2.35” tire size, and the taller tires provide a certain amount of assistance in terms of shock absorption. The extra wide tread has a large tread pattern that is excellent for grip and increased friction.

In addition, the 60tpi and the puncture resistance provided by the EXO shell also greatly enhance the ruggedness of the Trek Marlin 8. This is one of the reasons why the Trek Marlin 8 can easily conquer any treacherous road.

Other Versions Of Trek Marlin

In the previous article, we’ve provided a detailed and accurate review of the Trek Marlin 8’s performance by component. But to give you more options, we’ve done an unbiased review of the other versions of the Trek Marlin. We have selected Trek Marlin 6 and 7 for comparison.

Trek Marlin 6

As an earlier version of the Trek Marlin, the Trek Marlin 6 also showed a more naive side to many of its components, despite its better price. Although the Marlin 6 has the same aluminum body frame as the Marlin 8 and the same hydraulic disc design. But in more ways than one, Marlin 6 and Marlin 8 still have many differences.

First of all, the Trek Marlin 6 has only two tire size options, one less option than the Marlin 8. Secondly, compared to the Trek Marlin 8’s 1×12-Speed drivetrain, the Trek Marlin 6 has only 10 speeds to choose from. For a rider like me who cares more about shifting frequently during a ride depending on the terrain, I would prefer to have a wider range of speed options.

But in the choice of body color, Trek Marlin 6 has more options compared to Marlin 8, the body color and color combination are also more jump bright.

I would prefer the Trek Marlin 8 for performance reasons, but the Trek Marlin 6 is also a good choice if you are looking for more color.

Trek Marlin 7

As an upgraded version of the Trek Marlin 6, the Trek Marlin 7 retains the advantages of the Marlin 6 in terms of body color but also upgrades some components.

For example, in the choice of hydraulic discs, the Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes and the lighter Alpha Silver Aluminum frame were chosen in line with the Trek Marlin 8.

However, the Trek Marlin 7 still fails to improve well in some important components. The Trek Marlin 7 continues the 10-Speed shifting system of the Trek Marlin 6 and the choice of two tire sizes. All of these determine that the Trek Marlin 7 is not as good as the 8 in terms of performance.

Overall, the Trek Marlin 8 is more expensive than the Marlin 6 and 7. But accordingly, the better performance of the Trek Marlin 8 will bring you a better riding experience. If you have more budget, then Trek Marlin 8 will be your best choice.

What we like about it

• Hard-tailed off-road vehicles with superb value for money.
• 1 x 12-Speed rich speed control system.
• Higher grade, longer life hydraulic disc brakes.
• A super selection of tire sizes.
• Lightweight, yet sturdy aluminum frame.

What don’t   we like about it

• Insufficient choice of body color.
• Some people think that the 1×12-Speed speed range is not wide enough.

What is the tire size of the Trek Marlin 8?

Tire size options for the Trek Marlin 8 are 26×2.40”, 27.5×2.35”, 29×2.35”, 29×2.20”.

What is the drivetrain of the Trek Marlin 8?

The Trek Marlin 8 has a 1×12-Speed drivetrain.

What are the brakes on the Trek Marlin 8?

The brakes on the Trek Marlin 8 are Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes.

How do I choose the size of the Trek Marlin 8?

Trek Marlin Specs

Comparison Table

Trek x-caliber 8 vs trek marlin 8.

As different series of hardtail off-road bikes from the same brand, Trek X-Caliber 8, and it has a lot in common. For example, they both use the very classic Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes and the popular 1×12-Speed drivetrain.

In the choice of frame material, Trek X-Caliber and Trek Marlin also choose the same choice of aluminum frame that combines lightness and strength. This is a reflection of Trek’s continued pursuit of quality manufacturing.

The Trek Marlin 8 has a wider selection of tire sizes than the Trek X-Caliber 8, and the Trek Marlin 8’s wider selection of tire sizes makes it easier for consumers to find the right size for them. In terms of price, the Trek X-Caliber 8 is more expensive than the Trek Marlin 8.

All things considered, the Trek Marlin 8, which offers better performance and better value for money, would be my first choice.

Is The Trek X-Caliber 8 Worth Buying? [Trek X-Caliber 8 Review]

Specialized Rockhopper Expert 27.5 vs Trek Marlin 8

The slightly more expensive Specialized Rockhopper is a close second to the Trek Marlin 8 in terms of ride and performance. They both have easy-to-adjust but not monotonous 12-speed shifting systems, and they both have premium, high-performance hydraulic disc brakes.

The only regret for the Trek Marlin 8 might be that it doesn’t have a wide enough selection of body colors like the Specialized Rockhopper. But if you’re more focused on riding performance like I am, then that can be overlooked.

In terms of tire design, the Specialized Rockhopper uses a more durable, longer-lasting front and rear hybrid design, but doesn’t offer as many tire size options as the Trek Marlin 8. This may pose some difficulties for some consumers.

On the other hand, both the Trek Marlin 8 and Specialized Rockhopper are designed with a specified travel value depending on the size. This is reflected in the riding experience: more ergonomic, more comfortable, and more relaxed riding.

Given that the riding experience and component performance are roughly the same, I would undoubtedly prefer the more affordable Trek Marlin 8.

Scott Scale 970 vs Trek Marlin 8

Also a hardtail, the Scott Scale 970 shares many of the same components as the Trek Marlin 8. But in more ways than one, I think the Scott Scale has a performance gap compared to the Trek Marlin 8.

In terms of braking, the Scott Scale 970 and Trek Marlin 8 also chose the Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc braking method. In terms of drivetrain, both also choose the more popular 1×12-Speed. but in terms of travel value, Scott Scale does not design different travel according to different sizes like Trek Marlin 8, which may have some effect on riders of different heights.

Besides, Scott Scale 970’s Syncros Belcarra Regular 2.5 saddle has a certain difference in riding experience from Trek Marlin 8’s Bontrager Arvada. I prefer the more comfortable seat of the Trek Marlin 8, which I think is a great relief for the fatigue I feel during my rides.

In comparison, I prefer the Trek Marlin 8 which has a comfortable riding experience.

Learn More: Scott Scale 940 Be A Good Cost Performance Hardtail Bicycle? [Review]

Giant XTC SLR 29 2 vs Trek Marlin 8

In conducting a comparison review of these two bikes, I was surprised to find that the Giant XTC SLR 29 2 was highly similar to the Trek Marlin 8 in terms of appearance. 

The same bright red body with a black logo on the downtube and tough aluminum frame and the same 1×12-Speed shifting system with a wide selection of gears. In terms of braking, both the Giant XTC SLR 29 2 and the Trek Marlin 8 have opted for the classic Shimano hydraulic disc brakes.

In terms of geometry, both the Giant XTC SLR 29 2 and Trek Marlin 8 have long enough Reach values. This helps the rider to stretch their body better during the ride, which effectively relieves the stress of riding.

But the Giant XTC doesn’t give consumers as much choice in terms of size as the Trek Marlin 8, making it difficult for more petite riders to choose the right bike for them.

So if you need a more suitable size bike, the Trek Marlin 8 will give you more options.

In case, the above comments are helpful to you, please remember to share the subscription. Have a great day!

learn more: Giant XTC Advanced 29 3 Review – Is This The XC You Want

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