trek cali s mountain bike

Trek Cali S review £700

• Simon Collis
• July 16, 2013

Product Overview

Overall rating:, manufacturer:, price as reviewed:.

Thoughtful design makes Trek’s 29er a clear winner in the women specific category of our Hardtail of the Year shootout

The Trek Cali S is the mid-range offering from Trek’s female-specific 29er range, “backed by over 15 years of Trek 29er development” according to its website .

The WSD frame offers excellent standover — a good 80mm lower than the next lowest on test here, the Specialized Myka Elite Disc — which is a real plus for the smaller rider on bigger wheels. The design and quality of the tubing also made for a compliant ride, which is particularly important on a hardtail, while the internal cable-routing is a neat, stylish detail.

The plushest forks on test, these RockShox XC32s set the Trek Cali S apart from the other bikes here. Tuned for the lighter rider, absorbing big and small bumps well, the 100mm of travel paired with the 29in wheels saw me cruising over rocks and roots with quickly increasing confidence.

The Trek Cali S rolls on Bontrager’s own disc wheels and tyres, with all the added benefits in terms of pace and stability that come with riding 29in hoops rather than 26in ones.

The nine-speed Shimano Alivio/Deore set-up shifted well and you’d hope the internal cabling would ensure it continued to do so. As with all these hardtails, a chain tensioning device of some kind would be invaluable — the chain slap meant descending at pace would never be a secret, and the chain came off all the bikes at one point or another.

My one criticism of the Trek Cali S is the narrow 630mm handlebar. It is a real frustration that there is still a misguided assumption that women need narrow bars on their bikes. This makes no sense to me, as it reduces the leverage available to the rider, and thus reduces control, stability and confidence. However, the 70mm stem felt a good length and brakes were solid and reliable.

Performance

The riding position is initially a little short and upright-feeling, meaning that in conjunction with the fact I am relatively new to the big-wheel feel, my first impression was more hybrid town bike than MTB hardtail. However, everything changed once I took off down the trail. Cornering, even on tight turns, was swift and secure, and the 29in wheels combined with the responsive RockShox fork took the sting out of rocky descents to an extent I had not anticipated. Out of the saddle in particular, the ride was balanced and responsive. The only thing holding me back from pacing things up even further was the insecurity caused by the narrow handlebar.

>>> Click here to find out more about geometry with our handy guide

When run back-to-back, the ability of the 29ers to carry speed over rough terrain, and the smooth and stable cornering was marked compared to the 26in Boardman Fi MTB Comp. But of the 29ers, the Trek Cali S stood out as being the classiest — spending the budget on a decent fork specifically tuned to the needs of the lighter rider was undoubtedly what swung the test in its favour. This, combined with a high-quality, compliant frame and a good set of stoppers, made the ride an enjoyable and confidence-inspiring one. With a wider bar, for greater control and a better riding position, the Trek would easily have scored top marks.

MBR rating: 9

Specification: Frame WSD Alpha Gold aluminium Fork RockShox XC32 100mm travel Wheels Formula DC20/DC22 hubs, Bontrager AT-850 rims, Bontrager 29-2 tyres Drivetrain Shimano Alivio chainset and shifters, Acera f-mech, Deore r-mech Brakes Shimano M395 160/160mm Weight 13.8kg (30.42lb) Sizes 14in, 15.5in, 17in, 18.5in Size tested 15.5in Contact trekbikes.com

This review appeared as part of MBR’s  Hardtail of the Year test  in  June 2013 ‘s issue.

On test in our Hardtail of the Year competition:

£600 category Commencal El Camino 3 29 Fuji Nevada 1.5 KTM Ultra Fun Lapierre Raid 329 Saracen Mantra Pro Specialized Rockhopper Trek 4500 Disc VooDoo Bizango 29er 

£1000 category Cannondale Trail SL 29er 2 Canyon Yellowstone AL 6.9 Cube LTD Pro Giant Talon 29er 1 Marin Palisades Trail 29er Merida Big Nine TFS 900 Scott Scale 960 Pinnacle Ramin 3

Women’s specific Boardman Fi MTB Comp Scott Contessa Scale 920 Specialized Myka Elite Disc Trek Cali S

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Trek Cali SL Women's

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Size / 13.5", 15.5", 17", 18.5"

Weight / 13.15

At a glance

Where to buy.

Specifications

• Frame WSD Alpha Gold Aluminum w/semi-integrated head tube, mechanically formed & butted tubing, race geometry, internal front derailleur routing, rack & fender mounts, G2 Geometry on 29ers
• Fork RockShox Recon Silver RL, RockShox Recon Silver, WSD Rider Right coil spring, preload, TurnKey lockout, G2 Geometry w/51mm offset on 29ers, 100mm travel (13.5" : 80mm travel)
• Hubs Formula DC22 LW alloy
• Wheels Bontrager Mustang Elite Tubeless Ready 28-hole
• Wheel Size 29" 27.5"
• Tires Bontrager XR2, 29x2.20" front, 29x2.00" rear (13.5 & 15.5: 27.5x2.20")
• Chain KMC , KMC X10
• Crank SRAM , SRAM S1000, 36/22
• Bottom Bracket Sealed cartridge
• Front Derailleur SRAM X7, SRAM X7
• Rear Derailleur SRAM GX, SRAM GX
• Shifters SRAM X5, SRAM X5, 10 speed
• Brakeset Shimano , Shimano M315 hydraulic disc
• Handlebar Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 15mm rise
• Saddle Bontrager Evoke 1.5 WSD
• Seatpost Bontrager SSR, 2-bolt head, 27.2mm, 12mm offset
• Stem Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, 7 degree, Blendr compatible
• Grips Bontrager Race
• Headset 1-1/8" threadless, semi-integrated, semi-cartridge bearings

Q: How much is a 2017 Trek Cali SL Women's?

A 2017 Trek Cali SL Women's is typically priced around $1,099 USD when new. Be sure to shop around for the best price, and also look to the used market for a great deal.

Q: Where to buy a 2017 Trek Cali SL Women's?

The 2017 Trek Cali SL Women's may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: How much does a 2017 Trek Cali SL Women's weigh?

A 2017 Trek Cali SL Women's weights 13.15.

Q: What size wheels does the 2017 Trek Cali SL Women's have?

The 2017 Trek Cali SL Women's has 29" and 27.5" wheels.

Q: What size 2017 Trek Cali SL Women's should I get?

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2017 Trek Cali SL Women's

A 27.5″ / 29″ aluminum frame hardtail women’s crosscountry bike with upper mid-range components. Compare the full range

For This Bike

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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.

Cali SL Women's

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Add custom gearing

Sep 2016 · Mountain Bike Rider

The Trek Cali S handling capability and reassuring stability make it a fun bike to ride, the result being your skills develop while you’re having a blast.

Size-specific wheels and great handling

Semi-slick tyres lack grip

Read Review

Last updated July 21 Not listed for 2,463 days

Green Deals

Save $525 on greenworks venture mountain e-bike for $1,575, jackery power station hits $849, and more.

Kicking off this week’s green deals are three discounts to all-time lows, both new and returning. Headlining the offers is Greenworks’ new Venture 80V 26-inch Fat Tire Mountain e-bike that returns for its second official discount to the $1,575 low . It is joined by Jackery’s Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station that just hit a new $849 low , as well as another one-day sale on the Greenworks 80V 26-inch Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer at its $175 low . Plus, you’ll find all of the other day’s other best Green Deals below.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course,  Electrek ’s best EV buying  and  leasing deals . Also, check out the new  Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories .

Greenworks Venture 80V 26-inch Fat Tire Mountain e-bike returns to $1,575 low

Amazon is offering the  Greenworks Venture 80V 26-inch Fat Tire Mountain e-bike for  $1,574.99 shipped . Down from a $2,100 price tag, this e-bike was first announced back in September and slated to debut “in early 2024.” Since its release at the very start of the new year, it has been riding its MSRP, but got its first discount to $1,575 two weeks ago for a short-lived period. Today’s deal is the second official discount that we’ve seen, coming in as a repeat 25% markdown off the going rate and returning the price to the all-time low. All-in-all this opportunity gives you back $525 in savings.

This  new e-bike model from Greenworks  comes equipped with a 750W brushless rear hub motor alongside an integrated and removable 4.0Ah battery that propels the e-bike up to 20 MPH for up to 22 miles on a single 40 minute charge. The 4.0Ah battery is also compatible with 75+ other tools within the company’s 80V ecosystem, allowing you to swap in other batteries you may already have for extended riding times or use this bike’s battery for jobs around your home. It has three levels of pedal assistance with a 7-speed Shimano gear shifter, and even has a walk-assist mode for when you may have to push the bike up a steeper-than-normal slope. It also features 26-inch by 4-inch all-terrain Kenda fat tires, dual mechanical disc brakes, an IPX4 waterproof rating, a high-intensity LED headlight, and a digital LCD display that gives you real-time performance data alongside typical setting controls – including Bluetooth connection for further personalization and tracking your travels.

Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station hits new $849 low

The official Jackery Amazon storefront is offering its  Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station for  $849 shipped ,  after clipping the on-page $150 off coupon . Already down from $1,199, we saw it hit the former $899 low back during Black Friday before rising to $950 during Christmas sales. Since the new year began, we’ve seen three previous discounts, two of which repeated the same price cut to $950 in January and February while in March it fell back to $899. Today’s deal comes in as a combined $350 markdown off the going rate that beats our previous mention by $50 and marks a new all-time low.

The  Explorer 1000 Plus  has a 1,264Wh capacity that can provide 2,000W of power output (4,000W peak). It is able to fully charge from 0 to 100% in 100 minutes via a wall outlet or in up to two hours via four  Jackery SolarSaga 200W solar panels  (sold separately). It offers eight ports to cover all your device’s charging needs: three ACs, two USB-As, two USB-Cs, and one car port. You’ll also be able to sync your smartphone with the power station in order to monitor and adjust settings in real-time via the app, allowing you to see remaining battery levels, customize settings and manage power consumption wherever you roam.

Greenworks 80V 26-inch Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer at $175 low for one day only

Best Buy is offering the  Greenworks 80V 26-inch Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer for  $174.99 shipped  through the end of the day. Down from its $250 price tag, this model saw very few discounts over 2023, with its smaller counterparts usually being the focus of most sales. Today’s deal comes in as a 30% markdown off the going rate and returns costs to the lowest price we have tracked. It even beats out  Greenworks’ website  where it is listed at a higher $280 MSRP. Equipped with a 2.0Ah lithium-ion battery that provides up to 60 minutes of continuous runtime on a single charge, this hedge trimmer is designed with efficiency and comfort. Its 180-degree rotating rear handle allows for easier and safer trimming at multiple angles while the 26-inch dual-action blades provide a 3/4-inch cutting capacity, able to hit 3,200 strokes per minute.

Spring e-bike deals!

• Super73 RX Electric Motorbike: $2,999 (Reg. $3,695)
• Lynx All-Terrain e-bike: $2,999 (Reg. $3,999)
• Juiced’s HyperScrambler 2: $1,999 (Reg. $3,499)
• Aventon Aventure.2 All-Terrain e-bike with free extra battery: $1,799 ($2,499 value)
• Aventon Abound Cargo e-bike with $372 in free accessories: $1,799 (Reg. $2,199)
• Heybike Brawn Fat-Tire e-bike: $1,449 (Reg. $1,800)
• Electric Bike Co. Model J e-bike: $1,299 (Reg. $1,499)
• Velotric Discover 1 e-bike: $1,099 (Reg. $1,599)

Other new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

• ALLPOWERS’ S200 portable power station with 4 ports and wireless charger hits $89 (Reg. $129)
• Greenworks’ 60V CrossoverZ electric zero-turn riding mower hits new $3,797 low (Save $1,003)
• Anker’s 256Wh portable power station has nine ports for $170 low (Reg. $220), more from $299
• Rad Power’s RadExpand 5 folding e-bike comes with free extra battery for $1,299 ($2,098 value)
• Electric Bike Co. e-bike bundles now up to $200 off with free anti-theft alarm starting from $1,899

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