

The two smallest use 27.5in wheels with the rest of the bikes rolling on 29in wheels. Trek also tailors stem length, handlebar width and crank length for a better fit across the range of bike sizes. A Maxle 15mm axle upfront ensures precise steering accuracy on descents and the geometry is slightly longer and more purposeful for efficient climbing.Īs with all of Treks bikes, the X-Caliber is offered in a huge range of sizes that can fit any rider. It shares a lot in common with the similarly specced Trek Marlin range but for those looking for performance, there are some key differences. The X-Caliber is Trek's entry-level cross-country mountain bike. Non-standard quick-release boost axle -No dropper post -Smallest bike only has 80mm of travel

Schwalbe’s rubber is a proven favorite amongst XC riders, delivering a fair compromise between grip and low rolling resistance. Targeted at riders who are going to ride significant mileages, the Rapide rolls WTB’s i25 rims with Racing Ralph Evo 2.25in tires. The Shimano 1x10 drivetrain might be a few gears short, but Vitus provides a quality wheelset and those larger 29er wheels do compensate for some of the gearing discrepancies when you are trying to harvest some more speed on a flat gravel road. Vitus has also installed a 148x12mm thru-axle at the rear, which should keep that 29er wheel tracking with great stability when you are navigating rougher terrain. For riders who enjoy an intuitively responsive bike on less steep trails, the Rapide’s combination of a compact reach and stabilizing 29-inch wheels will appeal.

With a RockShox Recon Silver front fork, the Rapide sits at a 67-degree head angle with a comparatively short 435mm reach number on a size Large. It might not have a radically slack head angle, with a correspondingly long reach number, but the Rapide 29 sits at the comfortable juncture between progressive and predictable handling geometry. Only has 10-gears -Reach could be too short for someįor those riders who prefer the 29er wheel size and want to cover ground as fast as possible, this Vitus makes a convincing case.
