Bob Ross

I'm half-seriously considering getting a new mountain bike, and the Trek Supercaliber has caught my attention

...but I am almost immediately put off by how many variants of the Supercaliber appear on Trek's website, and how those varations are divided up:



https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...aliber/c/B314/



There are (16) different (?) models listed (not including Frame Only)

• Supercaliber 9.9 XX1 AXS ...(3) different versions (?) @ (3) different pricepoints: $11,699.99 and $11,499.99 and $11,049.99
• Supercaliber 9.9 XTR ...(3) different versions (?) all @ the same pricepoint: $9,549.99
• Supercaliber 9.8 XT ...(3) different versions (?) @ (2) different pricepoints: $7,249.99 and $5,999.99
• Supercaliber 9.8 GX AXS ...(2) different versions (?) @ (3) different pricepoints (!!!): $6,849.99 and "$6,349.99 - $6,849.99"
• Supercaliber 9.8 GX ...(2) different versions (?) @ the same pricepoint: $7,049.99
• Supercaliber 9.7
• Supercaliber 9.6

sweet-mother-of-god why would they even divide the line up that way in the first place?!?!?!

Anyone have the "Rosetta Stone" that translates all those varations into easily understood differences? I mean, I get that all the AXS versions probably come with the SRAM AXS groupset, and that the XTR versions probably come with the Shimano XTR groupset, but beyond that... :::shrugs:::

I suppose Imma have to use their website's "Compare" feature to drill down into all this minutiae. I'm mostly venting. Arrgghh...

Unca_Sam

I looked through the comparison tool, and it seems that the tippity top tier is the absolute newest with all the latest. The second tier uses a narrower fork, older tires, older saddle but on the latest frame, and the third from the top is using older frame geometry, because the seatpost information includes different sizing specs, plus all the other stuff. At this level it's a strong argument for selling one version, and if you want something different buy a frame for a custom build. Do you think they have purchase contracts with Shimano and SRAM and this is how they sell the extra?

I'm not seeing much to sway me from the cheaper models, since any modern MTB I could purchase would be an order of magnitude different from my 1989 Kona.

prj71

It's not that difficult. It's just changes from lower level components to higher level components.

And it's not just Trek. All of the manufactures offer a different level price point for each bike model.

Eric F 

If you're actually considering buying a new Supercaliber, I would go to your local Trek dealer and see what they actually have. Do not expect them to have every variation in every size. Based on what I'm seeing on the Trek website, many of the variations aren't actually available directly from Trek.

Darth Lefty 

Since it's still April some of them are likely last year's model. The post covid bust left these guys hanging with a lot of inventory they ordered in a panic in 2020

They slice the baloney pretty fine over there at Trek. I think they have like 1000 bikes listed and that's not counting sizes. Edit - 375 models

The things to look out for are meaningful improvements like aluminum to carbon wheels, regular to hi-mod carbon frame, orifice to shim damping.

Unfortunately these come along with a lot of meaningless improvements, which is why a lot of us who spend enough time in this hobby buy our favorite components and the bike is just a collection of our favorite parts flying in formation. On the one hand, you can mix brands to get like SRAM's cool cassette with a Shimano shifter, or Hope hubs, or Revive dropper, or whatever, if that's what you want, and you are not paying extra for silly things like carbon fiber brake levers with three adjustments. But, on the other hand, piece by piece does tend to cost a lot more for than the same pieces would on a complete.

Darth Lefty 

If you think of it like this it makes more sense...

top level SRAM

top level Shimano

2nd level SRAM

2nd level Shimano

Cheaper compromise

Even cheaper compromise

... and more of the same in last year's colors

I don't show any of the 9.9 XX1's available near me. Racing season is in full swing here and probably everyone who was going to buy one has

Kapusta

Yeah, those are a lot of versions of the same build level. But as said earlier, there are differences likely due to the model year. It would be very helpful if they indicated that in the name of the model rather than just calling them all the same name.

Edit: actually, when I look at the two 9.8 XT's I don't see any apparent difference. Get the cheaper one.

georges1

more choices with components , as suggested above, get the one which is cheaper.

prj71

You should check out the new Trek Specialized Epic World Cup.

Eric F 

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery