First, a smooth, twisty singletrack climb topped out along a technical traverse that tested the bike's slow-speed handling and traction. Our timed lap for the trail bikes was around 11 minutes long and split into three distinct sectors. Out of the eight value bikes, how do you think the Bossnut fared? Speaking of fun, heatstroke, and cactus, here's a spoiler alert: The 27.5" wheeled Calibre was the underdog of the Impossible Climb pseudo-science test (yes, there's a video coming) but ended up surprising everyone.
#Calibre bossnut 2020 full
With plenty of pep, a compact feeling cockpit, and a head angle that I would have guessed to be a full degree steeper than it actually is, the Calibre has that darty personality that can make technical climbs fun. Not even the fast-rolling, low-traction rear tire could stymie the 'nut, although it sure did its best on the dusty, loose Sedona singletrack. It's efficient, but its real forte is on the tight, technical climbs where it makes short work of those low-speed tests of balance. The 130mm-travel single-pivot rear-suspension doesn't feel like it wastes any watts, which is nice given that I don't have any to waste and the shock doesn't have a pedal-assist switch. Okay, it wouldn't be my first choice (that's the Vitus) or my last (shoutout to the Giant Stance), but the Bossnut does a remarkable job of hiding its low-cost price tag on the climbs, trucking along just as well as bikes costing more than twice as much. The Bossnut is the lone 27.5" wheeled bike in our Field Trip group test, along with also being the least expensive full-suspension bike by $400, so I mistakenly assumed that it'd be the worst climber of the bunch to boot. Speaking of holes, the only place to carry water is on the underside of the Bossnut's down tube. That’s hung off a fairly basic aluminum frame it uses steel pivot hardware and simple tube shapes, but you’ll also see things like ISCG tabs, a (non-Boost) thru-axle, and while it doesn’t come with a dropper post because you can't have everything at this price, goddamnit, it does have the frame holes to accept one. The suspension design is a single-pivot, linkage activated system that drives a RockShox Monarch R shock, paired with a 130mm-travel Recon RL on the front of the bike.
Buuuuut anymore than that might require some re-thinking. Those numbers are relatively contemporary and wouldn’t be out of place on something much pricer, so the Bossnut won't need retiring as an entry-level rider progresses their skills to mid-level status. I’m 5’10” on a good day, putting me on a large-sized Bossnut with a modest 460mm reach, 66 and 74.5-degree head and seat angles, and 436mm chainstays. More info: You might expect some sketchy geometry at this price, but that’s not the case. More stability is added by the long wheelbase, and being able to drop the saddle and move your weight around easily makes a massive difference to overall control.Price: $1,400 USD (depending on duties, taxes) The short stem keeps the steering light for fast and accurate corrections and the slack head tube naturally wants to return the wheel to straight if it gets tripped off-line, giving the Calibre an easy confidence. Not only is the Line 10 wide enough for useful power steering when you’re fighting hard against the trail, or just ripping turns tyre-threateningly hard, but everything attached to it syncs well. The 760mm bar and 45mm stem are on point, and you even get lock-on grips. The 1×10 transmission (Prowheel cranks, Shimano gears, SunRace cassette and KMC chain) works well, and the Shimano Deore brakes are a cut above when it comes to modulation. The 29mm WTB rims are tubeless-ready hoops that feature on many far more expensive bikes and the Schwalbe tyres are tubeless-ready, dual-compound Performance versions, with a grippier tread up front and faster pattern at the rear.
Having a 15mm hub also makes upgrading easier. The 120mm-travel RockShox Recon RL fork may not have a remote lockout lever, but the stiffness and security added by the Maxle through-axle will be more useful to most riders. More stability is added by the long wheelbase Immediate Media Calibre Line 10 kitĪs well as finding the budget to fit a 120mm dropper post, Calibre has included some other significant component categories.
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