Trek Precaliber 24 8-Speed Suspension review
Best for: Older children on mixed paths · Upper mid-range
Ad · affiliate links
Compare prices in other countries
Each shop shows its own price, currency and delivery terms. Not every shop delivers abroad, and taxes can differ.
Pros
- Easy twist shifter with gear display
- Wide tyres and suspension fork for comfort
- Rack and kickstand mounts
- Widely stocked with good back-up
Cons
- Rim brakes rather than discs
- Heavier than the premium woom
- Suspension fork is basic
Full review
The Trek Precaliber 24 is a common choice for the move to a full-size-feeling mountain-style bike. It uses an aluminium frame with a low stand-over height, so a child can get on and off easily, and a 45 mm suspension fork to take the sting out of kerbs and rough paths.
The drivetrain is Shimano Tourney, with an 8-speed 13-34T freewheel and a twist shifter that includes a gear display, which is simpler for children than a thumb trigger. Cranks are 152 mm and the bars are a narrow 560 mm. The tyres are 24 x 2.25 inch Bontrager XR1, which are wide enough for gravel and grass. Brakes are alloy linear-pull rim brakes with children's levers.
Trek's own sizing chart puts the 24 inch bikes at about 8 to 12 years and 130 to 150 cm. The frame has rack and kickstand mounts, which makes it useful for school runs and weekend rides as well as paths.
It will not match the lightness or hydraulic brakes of the pricier woom Off Air 5, but for most families it covers what a child needs at a more moderate price. Trek also sells a rigid version without suspension, which is lighter.
Full specifications
| Type | 24 inch kids' mountain-style bike with front suspension |
|---|---|
| Wheel size | 24 in |
| Recommended height or inside leg | About 130 to 150 cm height |
| Recommended age | 8 to 12 years |
| Weight (brand) | 11.90 kg (dealer listing) |
| Frame | Alpha Silver aluminium |
| Brakes | Alloy linear-pull rim brakes, kids' levers |
| Gears | 8-speed (13-34T, Shimano Tourney twist shifter) |
| Fork | 45 mm travel suspension fork |
| Tyres | Bontrager XR1 24 x 2.25 in |
| Crank length | 152 mm |
| Handlebar | 560 mm steel kids' bar |
| Maximum load | 80 kg combined bike, rider and cargo |
| Mounts | Rack and kickstand mounts |
Spec check note: Trek's UK page gives the size chart (24 inch, 8 to 12 years, 130 to 150 cm) but not a full spec table, so components and the 11.90 kg weight come from a UK Trek dealer's listing, which gives height as about 129.5 to 149.8 cm. Trek also sells a rigid version not covered here.
Specifications checked against: Trek Precaliber sizing guide (UK), Wheelbase (Trek dealer) Precaliber 24 8-Speed Suspension listing
How it compares with its rivals
| Feature | Trek Precaliber 24 8-Speed Suspension | Hornit AIRO 12" balance bike | woom GO 2 (14 inch) | Hornit HERO 16" kids pedal bike | Frog 53 (20 inch) | woom OFF AIR 5 (24 inch) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Older children on mixed paths | Toddlers learning balance | Children moving up from a balance bike | Good quality on a sensible budget | First gears and longer family rides | Keen young trail riders |
| Price band | Upper mid-range | Mid-range | Upper mid-range | Mid-range | Upper mid-range | Premium |
| Type | 24 inch kids' mountain-style bike with front suspension | Lightweight balance bike | First pedal bike with hand brakes | Lightweight 16 inch pedal bike | Lightweight 20 inch geared hybrid | 24 inch kids' mountain bike |
| Wheel size | 24 in | 12.5 in (sold as 12 in) | 14 in | 16 in | 20 in | 24 in |
| Recommended height or inside leg | About 130 to 150 cm height | Inside leg 30 to 46 cm (height not published) | 95 to 110 cm height | Inside leg 40 to 51 cm (height not published) | Inside leg 50 to 65 cm (height not published) | 128 to 145 cm height |
| Recommended age | 8 to 12 years | 1.5 to 5 years | 3 to 4.5 years | 3 to 6 years | 5 to 7 years | 7 to 11 years |
| Weight (brand) | 11.90 kg (dealer listing) | 2.95 kg | 5 kg (without pedals) | 5.55 kg | 8.15 kg | 10.3 kg (without pedals) |
| Frame | Alpha Silver aluminium | Magnesium alloy frame | 6061 aluminium | AL6061 aluminium | 6061 T6 aluminium | 6061 T6 aluminium, butted and hydroformed |
Prices in every region
We haven't confirmed prices for this product yet. Use the links to see today's price at each shop.
Prices include VAT where the shop shows it and may have changed since we checked. Delivery costs and stock vary by country, so check on the shop's site before you buy.
Prices in Ireland and United Kingdom
| Country | Shop | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Decathlon | – | Visit shop → | |
| United Kingdom · GBP | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Argos | – | Visit shop → | |
| Evans Cycles | – | Visit shop → |
Other countries
Rest of Europe
| Country | Shop | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| BIKE24 | – | Visit shop → | |
| ROSE Bikes | – | Visit shop → | |
| Austria · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| BIKE24 | – | Visit shop → | |
| ROSE Bikes | – | Visit shop → | |
| France · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Alltricks | – | Visit shop → | |
| Belgium · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Coolblue | – | Visit shop → | |
| Bol | – | Visit shop → | |
| Netherlands · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Coolblue | – | Visit shop → | |
| Bol | – | Visit shop → | |
| Spain · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Italy · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Portugal · EUR | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Poland · PLN | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |
| Sweden · SEK | Amazon | – | Visit shop → |