Correction/Update to video: The Roscoe and X-Caliber bikes actually share the exact same frame, but the geometry numbers still vary due to the 27.5" wheels and longer travel suspension fork.
Thank you! I wish these companies would just be clear with their lineups. It's so difficult for a newer rider who doesn't know what discipline he enjoys yet to understand what kind of bike they're getting in to
They actually are. Websites state the intended purpose. Marlin and xcal are xc. Marlin is more do it all and has holes for luggage racks, etc. Xcal is more race specific without the price of carbon. They offer you good xc frames with cheaper components. Roscoe is a totally different beast. 100% slack, big, heavy trail specific bike. Most people go overkill. The Marlin or x-caliber is more than adequate for most single track. Probably have more fun than jumping on a roscoe. You can upgrade parts in the future if you want. The roscoe 8 is the best value of the roscoe line but it's almost 2 grand, and that's a lot if it puts a bad taste in your mouth and you don't like mtb. Roscoe is a awesome bike but be prepared to work a little harder and build some muscle if you are pedaling on flat ground or climbing.
@@OriginalFallofMind check trek mx (México) and look for “procaliber 6” is aroud the same price to the x-caliber 8 and has a better frameset alpha platinum p, but I don’t understand why when you search in trek usa don’t appears, the rest of the components are the same except for the fork, the procaliber 6 has a better one
It kinda of grates me when bikes are described as being for "beginners". Makes it seem like they should come with training wheels. Ha ha! I bought a Marlin 8 last year because it was the most bike for my budget, and I love it. I do a lot of riding around town (errands; grocery shopping), but I've taken it off-road a number of times, and it handles quite well over rough, rooty trails, so anybody thinking you'll get a bum ride with a "beginner" bike needn't worry.
I got a Roscoe 8 about 2 years ago and love it, put a 35mm nuke proof stem on it, dmr death grips, also got the shram 1x11 nx set and spd pedals, it is a beast and a great ride for all terrain and a fun ride.
I’d recommend going for the Roscoe instead of the Xcal if you’re thinking of getting one. You hardly lose any speed or weight on smoother terrain (just pump up the tires more and lock out the fork if you’re riding pavement), and for a beginner like these bikes are designed for, the extra frame weight just translates into higher durability for the inevitable learning crashes. On the downhills, the Roscoe blows away the xcal in terms of both speed and capabilities. My own Xcal 9 has pretty much become a Roscoe now minus the plus tires because that’s just an overall faster setup: 120mm fork, dropper, and more aggressive tires.
Thanks for the advice!! Yeah I wasn’t sure how much slower the bike would actually feel but I heard from some other comments that people noticed it being a lot slower, which could also be due to the riding position a bit. Hopefully I’ll get to just test ride one to see.
Talalipop MTB Careful not to fall for the old “harsh is fast” fallacy. As long as you’re riding actual trails and not pavement/gravel roads, you’ll find the extra suspension travel, geometry, and tires of the roscoes faster.
Very good comparison video. I just bought the X Caliber 7 and I love it! I'm more of a Roscoe type of rider, but nice to enjoy something different. Just love the mulsanne blue and overall look of the bike. Takes on our xc tracks perfectly!
I’ve had a marlin 6 since 2015 and it’s been a wonderful beginner bike but I think it’s definitely time to upgrade to that beautiful purple color-shift Roscoe 6 😍
This helped me a lot thank you so much. I think I'll bying a X Caliber 8 because the other (X Caliber 9 and Roscoe 8) are complete sold out at my local bikeshop (since middle 2020) and will be available again in January 2021 and online just feels not right Sorry for my bad english Greetings from Germany
Great comparison! Definitely helpful, rather than going to the LBS and asking a bunch of questions - now I can call them up, ask if my choice is in stock (2021 X-Caliber 7 or 9, Medium).
I just paid for the marlin 7. I hate when I buy something THEN go check out reviews. I made a good choice do to the budget. After tax, another $100 would have gotten me on the roscoe.
I currently have a trek Roscoe 7 and it’s great off-road but it’s also pretty good on road and urban areas. Sure it’s not as fast as a cross country bike or a road bike but it’s still pretty fast and it’s light. I plan to go bikepacking with it at some point.
This is actually i was looking for and voila today you make it... super amazing work, keep it up... Now I know i need X caliber 7 over my previous choice marlin 7 .... cheeers super super like 💪🏻👌🏻
I’m getting a bike for Christmas, and l’m stuck on which bike to get, the x caliber 8 or the Roscoe 7 (both 2021 version). Any suggestions? I ride on roads with my friends but also trails when l have the time.
If you're riding on more cross country trails and will be riding on the road a lot too the X-Caliber is definitely going to be easier to deal with since it's lighter and faster. The roscoe is the fun bike but it's going to be a bit slower, especially on the road where you might notice the larger tires holding you back a bit. Both should be fine in the end if you really want to make them work, but overall the roscoe is better for rougher trails while the X-Caliber is better for the road and flatter trails.
Even though the Roscoe may not be fast like the x-caliber, can you still do X/C racing with it? Also, I bought a Marlin 5 about two and a half months ago and having a blast, would you recommend the Roscoe 7 as my next bike. I do a lot of jumping and I can't afford a full squish. Also not a massive weight saver.
why does my bike shop turn me down when i ask them for their opinions on whether i should upgrade my 2021 marlin 5 into a 1x system..i ride 100 percent city for workouts btw.. should i just stay with my 3 x 7 drivetrain? tire wise im rolling on maaxis hookworms
Air springs are lighter in weight and are a lot more adjustable for your specific weight so they’ll be more efficient. The marlin 7 this year got a lot better so the gap between those two bikes is smaller. The x-caliber is definitely better but I would personally upgrade further to the 8 or 9 if I were to get an x-caliber.
Great video. It would appear to me that you mainly cover Trek, I do have a DS on order but I also have a cannondale trail are you interested in expanding to cover other top brands, even do cross comparison videos?
The bike is solid and my Ebike conversion went great. ru-vid.comUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Very smooth ride at 30mph with no problems (135 miles ridden so far). The picture is a bit deceiving - there is WAY less space in the center of the frame than it shows. The suspension connection takes up the entire thing. So I needed to attach my battery on the bottom of the frame and my controller on the top. Instructions for assembly were lacking but honestly it wasn't too hard to figure out even though I have very little bike knowledge. Watched some youtube videos on adjusting the disk brakes but that was it. Still, I am loving it and very happy with the purchase.
@@TalalipopMTB thanks.. m going back into cycling after decade and i missed on many things. its just future upgrades such as fork and others, I just wanted know if m getting into any these upgrade make sure my ride just gonna be fine. since m running on tight budget and only bike available is x-caliber 7 and i don't wanna miss and wait another 4-5 months
I’m turning 11 in a couple months and I’m getting a bike for my birthday but I’m not sure whether to get the x caliber 7 or the roscoe 6 because I want to do a lot of jumps on the bike as well though
It just has different measurements than a "straight" head tube, and tapered head tubes are more often seen on modern bikes and more expensive bikes because they are stronger than normal head tubes. Most expensive suspension forks are only compatible with tapered head tubes, so that is another point to consider if you want to upgrade your bike significantly.
Just put together more money and buy an aggro hardtail like a Sync'r pro or a Nukeproof Scout. Much better geo for the money than a Roscoe, or save more money for a full-sus.
I just want to say I REALLY appreciate these videos. I watched all of your comparison videos and cant say how much this helped me understand the differences and what I want/need. I also greatly appreciate the format and consistency across your videos
Talalipop your videos are probably the most informative on RU-vid and are very helpful to anyone confused with the range of Trek bikes on the market. Have you done any comparisons on their different ranges of Ebikes?
Thank you!! And unfortunately I have not discussed any E-bikes yet and have not considered those too much, though I have built and ridden many at my job. I'll probably make a video on those eventually!
got Roscoe 8 in 2017, and im not selling it to this day, even if I can almost get my money back if I sold! I upgraded to 140mm travel fork and OMG this bike rips downhill!
My 2020 marlin 4 for $490-500 with inner tube wires pwns brother! New expensive seat and all! Love love love love! The bicycle shop owner came out and said show him the Marlin 4, n it was game over in love, i was test driving garbage around (so many bikes i over looked mine, n had no clue really) but he knew as soon as he seen me what i needed lmaoaoaoa my fav color also, red
