Trek Procaliber 8

It's the right bike for you if you want to get into XC racing, on a hardtail that tackles demanding climbs and remains composed on rough terrain. You want to benefit from maximum performance and reliability anytime and anywhere.

Here's what you get: a lightweight hardtail frame made from Alpha Platinum aluminum with modern XC geometry and a 148 mm Boost axle width for increased stiffness and stability under load, as well as a trail-smoothing RockShox Recon Gold RL fork with 120 mm of travel, DebonAir spring, Motion Control damper, and lockout. You also get a smooth-shifting 12-speed drivetrain with Shimano XT/SLX components, Bontrager Kovee tubeless-ready wheels, a Bontrager Line dropper post with internal cable routing, and hydraulic disc brakes.

Our final word: When you're at the start line on race day, you'd better be on the Procaliber 8. This aluminum hardtail has plenty of speed in its genes. It features a modern cross-country geometry that accelerates on climbs and remains stable on challenging descents.