The fact trek boosted the Topfuel to "trail status" with more travel and slacker geo to me says it all: If you want a fun xc fs bike get Topfuel. If you want a hardtail xc like bike that does more, get Supercaliber.
Everyone has front forks but reviewers don't spend time discussing what make the Supercaliper unique which is that mysterious Isostrut! I'm beginning to think there not much to focus on about that isostrut because it probably feels a just a hair better than a hard tail. I'm thinking about getting that Supercaliper just cause of the unique look and hang on wall as bike art.
Actually, it seems to me to be to the contrary. The isostrut feels like a traditional short travel rear suspension, which is magical considering how simple the construction is and therefore how much weight it saves. And on top of feeling compliant during descents, when pedaling (particularly while climbing) the rear suspension seems to have been designed to reduce pedal bob, which is a main factor that contributes to full suspension bikes feeling less efficient to pedal. The reduced pedal bob and the low frame weight (it’s seriously light for a full-sus mtb) make this bike feel unique.
Love the channel and really interesting niche you have addressed in the XC/marathon space but I am surprised at the conclusion. You mention that the Supercaliber is "so much faster" on the climbs - 8 seconds (2%)!? I guess with a dropper on the Supercaliber it is probably even on the descents however that doesn't factor in more technical descents/fatigue on a stage race where I assume the Top Fuel would be more forgiving. I guess you're right that you can't give away 2% at the front of races though.
Hi Mike. Thanks for your feedback. Yea we are dropping in some data, from two different riders which will help riders decide which is better for them. On a 1km climb the Supercaliber was 8secs faster for Alisha and 15secs faster for me - that is a pretty significant margin for riders who are chasing race results. Hope you enjoyed it. Cheers! - Myles
If both bikes were 9.8s, which I think is where the Supercaliber gets the dual lockout, then any weight penalty on the Top Fuel probably comes from the dropper post and wheelset. If you haven’t already provided the weight of both bikes, that might be helpful.
Two very great Bikes... If I had to choose the Super Calibur all day. But its out of my price range or any range for that matter lol. (Awesome Content Myles)
FWIW, I test drove both these bikes yesterday. The Top Fuel is as plush as my 6 year old Remedy. It did not feel like an XC bike. That's both good and bad. The test drive didn't help. I want something in between these two bikes. I am starting to think Trek has too many models. Trek is certainly having trouble delivering bikes.
hmmm... we think that's changing, slowly, .... if its a gravel road, district road type route then you are 100% correct. Dropper posts are safer for riders who lack skills and only add about 250g (of non-rotational) weight which is a small penalty for being safer and faster on singletrack
@@Foster_B same here, but dropped posts are a convenience, over a 40 mile race it just isn’t worth it. I can take technical descents just fine while high posting; given, I don’t have my post as high as some of the pros do. However, I’ve just never wanted to use a dropper unless I’m racing enduro or I’m riding for fun.
@@bikenetwork_SA without a doubt, but I think learning how to ride a rigid post is a fundamental bike skill that helps newbies understand how to distribute their weight properly. I have no qualms against riding droppers for enduro or trial, maybe even some marathon races, but the majority of XC courses just don’t have terrain where a dropper post is useful.
Weight is a massive factor, I would love to see a test where the weight was taken out of the equation. Use water bottles as the weight source. Add water on the super calibre until they weigh the same.
Ive been contemplating a purchase of one of these bikes now for over a year, and still haven’t decided, but comparing similarly spec’d builds between the Supercaliber and Top Fuel, the Top Fuel may only weighs a few grams (50-100) more than the Supercaliber. With the lengthening of the Top Fuel and the ability to run slightly bigger tires and fork, I’ve been leaning towards the Top Fuel but I wish the rear shock was mounted under the top tube like the Supercaliber to allow for 2 bottles :/
My friend put this bike together for his son and before I knew it he was done ruclips.net/user/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L When the son came to put it together he was surprised to see it was already done. All he had to do was take the bike to get air and be on his way. My friend did not have any major problems putting this bike together; small issue was putting one of the brakes on straight; however when the son got home he was able to fix it. The bike rides well gears move correctly; good bike for the price. Wrote review after the son took the bike. Sorry.
Everyone who rides a bike is RACING.. if you are not racing the Epic you are racing your mates or the commuter on his old dikwiel ... Whats your point about the 1%?
Do you want to race and be inside the top 10% of the race? - Go Supercal. Do you want to race, be competitive but also have a bike that is super capable (and safe) on most trails? - Go Top Fuel
@@bikenetwork_SA Thanks. I think I would get the Top Fuel to be safe per your recommendation. Unfortunately, I found buying one isn't even an option. I'm not spending $7k+ on bike and having to compromise on the appearance. I was told the turnaround on the customization program is at least 200 days. Yikes!
Exact question I asked at the dealership today. Thank you
The fact trek boosted the Topfuel to "trail status" with more travel and slacker geo to me says it all: If you want a fun xc fs bike get Topfuel. If you want a hardtail xc like bike that does more, get Supercaliber.
Seems Myles was able to make up time on the decent with the Top Fuel, it appears to have the faster time overall, see 3:25.
Yea. Over the distance of a long (real) race the Supercaliber would eat up a lot of minutes on the climbing.
I wish my job was to ride fun trails and test bikes with Alisha Myers.
Tyvm for the comparison testing.
She is fun isn't she!
Everyone has front forks but reviewers don't spend time discussing what make the Supercaliper unique which is that mysterious Isostrut! I'm beginning to think there not much to focus on about that isostrut because it probably feels a just a hair better than a hard tail. I'm thinking about getting that Supercaliper just cause of the unique look and hang on wall as bike art.
Actually, it seems to me to be to the contrary. The isostrut feels like a traditional short travel rear suspension, which is magical considering how simple the construction is and therefore how much weight it saves. And on top of feeling compliant during descents, when pedaling (particularly while climbing) the rear suspension seems to have been designed to reduce pedal bob, which is a main factor that contributes to full suspension bikes feeling less efficient to pedal.
The reduced pedal bob and the low frame weight (it’s seriously light for a full-sus mtb) make this bike feel unique.
Love the channel and really interesting niche you have addressed in the XC/marathon space but I am surprised at the conclusion. You mention that the Supercaliber is "so much faster" on the climbs - 8 seconds (2%)!? I guess with a dropper on the Supercaliber it is probably even on the descents however that doesn't factor in more technical descents/fatigue on a stage race where I assume the Top Fuel would be more forgiving. I guess you're right that you can't give away 2% at the front of races though.
Hi Mike. Thanks for your feedback. Yea we are dropping in some data, from two different riders which will help riders decide which is better for them. On a 1km climb the Supercaliber was 8secs faster for Alisha and 15secs faster for me - that is a pretty significant margin for riders who are chasing race results. Hope you enjoyed it. Cheers! - Myles
If both bikes were 9.8s, which I think is where the Supercaliber gets the dual lockout, then any weight penalty on the Top Fuel probably comes from the dropper post and wheelset. If you haven’t already provided the weight of both bikes, that might be helpful.
@@kevingolden4920 Hi Kevin, almost a full kg difference. The SC we rode did have lockout - I just never felt like I needed it on that trail. - Myles
Two very great Bikes... If I had to choose the Super Calibur all day. But its out of my price range or any range for that matter lol. (Awesome Content Myles)
Never say never bru. See you on the trails!
@@bikenetwork_SA My Supercaliber 9.9 XX1 AXS will be here early October! So Pumped. Coming off a Scalpel Si...I cant' wait!
FWIW, I test drove both these bikes yesterday. The Top Fuel is as plush as my 6 year old Remedy. It did not feel like an XC bike. That's both good and bad.
The test drive didn't help. I want something in between these two bikes. I am starting to think Trek has too many models. Trek is certainly having trouble delivering bikes.
Great review!!
Glad you enjoyed it
In actual XC, there is a lot of road where you’d want to completely lock out, and dropper posts are a weight penalty not worth taking on most tracks.
There is no “actual” XC. Every course is different, I have raced plenty with no roads sections and technical descents.
hmmm... we think that's changing, slowly, .... if its a gravel road, district road type route then you are 100% correct. Dropper posts are safer for riders who lack skills and only add about 250g (of non-rotational) weight which is a small penalty for being safer and faster on singletrack
@@Foster_B same here, but dropped posts are a convenience, over a 40 mile race it just isn’t worth it. I can take technical descents just fine while high posting; given, I don’t have my post as high as some of the pros do. However, I’ve just never wanted to use a dropper unless I’m racing enduro or I’m riding for fun.
@@bikenetwork_SA without a doubt, but I think learning how to ride a rigid post is a fundamental bike skill that helps newbies understand how to distribute their weight properly. I have no qualms against riding droppers for enduro or trial, maybe even some marathon races, but the majority of XC courses just don’t have terrain where a dropper post is useful.
Weight is a massive factor, I would love to see a test where the weight was taken out of the equation. Use water bottles as the weight source. Add water on the super calibre until they weigh the same.
Ive been contemplating a purchase of one of these bikes now for over a year, and still haven’t decided, but comparing similarly spec’d builds between the Supercaliber and Top Fuel, the Top Fuel may only weighs a few grams (50-100) more than the Supercaliber. With the lengthening of the Top Fuel and the ability to run slightly bigger tires and fork, I’ve been leaning towards the Top Fuel but I wish the rear shock was mounted under the top tube like the Supercaliber to allow for 2 bottles :/
Yea. Weight is important. Rotational weight is absolutely crucial.
My friend put this bike together for his son and before I knew it he was done ruclips.net/user/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L When the son came to put it together he was surprised to see it was already done. All he had to do was take the bike to get air and be on his way. My friend did not have any major problems putting this bike together; small issue was putting one of the brakes on straight; however when the son got home he was able to fix it. The bike rides well gears move correctly; good bike for the price. Wrote review after the son took the bike. Sorry.
No dropper post? 😱
For this test, we rode the bikes as they are sold on the showroom floor
Track SuperCaliber
Guys, 1% of the viewers watching this are racing.
Everyone who rides a bike is RACING.. if you are not racing the Epic you are racing your mates or the commuter on his old dikwiel ... Whats your point about the 1%?
So over all top fuel is 10sec faster
Buying a single purpose bike is so stressful.
Do you want to race and be inside the top 10% of the race? - Go Supercal.
Do you want to race, be competitive but also have a bike that is super capable (and safe) on most trails? - Go Top Fuel
@@bikenetwork_SA
Thanks. I think I would get the Top Fuel to be safe per your recommendation.
Unfortunately, I found buying one isn't even an option. I'm not spending $7k+ on bike and having to compromise on the appearance. I was told the turnaround on the customization program is at least 200 days. Yikes!