Trek Supercaliber frame upends XC suspension with IsoStrut

Eventually the suspension Jolanda Neff has been winning world cups on has been unveiled, the Trek’s new Supercaliber cross-country race bike. The IsoStrut, 60mm travel and sub-2kg weight, fewer pivots and linkages make for more simplified and efficient suspension.

The IsoStrut itself is fixed in place at both ends, and the frame becomes part of the suspension, with the fixed tube (or ‘carriage’) at the top seat stay junction sliding over a stanchion housing the internal workings of the suspension.

With no pivot in the seat stays, the design relies somewhat on frame flex in order to work. Key for marathon racers is that the frame design leaves room for two water bottles.