Last week we brought you some news and a first look at the recently launched Calibre Bossnut Evo. Today we are taking a look at the Calibre Two³, an updated hardtail from the Go Outdoors brand that costs just £400.

This bike isn’t released until May 2018 but we’ve just had one dropped to the office for review. The Two³ is the updated version of the Two2, with not just a new spec but also a new geometry and bigger wheels too. It’s half a degree slacker at 67.5°, it’s got a slightly steeper seat angle at 73.5°, the head tube has been shortened slightly across the range and the chainstays have been lengthened by 10mm to 435mm. The new geometry, alongside the use of a slightly shorter stem, gives the bike a slightly more aggressive stance, whilst not being that wild that it will scare off first-time mountain bikers. 

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Calibre Two Cubed Detail Whole Bike-1 (Image Credit: Rachael Gurney)

 

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Calibre Two Cubed Detail Top Tube-2 (Image Credit: Rachael Gurney)

Specwise the alloy Two³ looks to be as equally good value as the previous bike with 100mm Rockshox XC30 forks, a Shimano 9 Speed Altus 3x drivetrain, Shimano MT100 brakes, Schwalbe tyres. It’s all big name kit for the £400 price tag.

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Calibre Two Cubed Detail Drive train-5 (Image Credit: Rachael Gurney)

 

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Calibre Two Cubed Detail Forks-3 (Image Credit: Rachael Gurney)

 

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Calibre Two Cubed Detail Chainstays-8 (Image Credit: Rachael Gurney)

Interestingly, this is the first bike where I’ve seen ‘Calibre own brand’ components in place. This bike features a Calibre 60mm stem, nice wide 760mm bars and also own branded rims. It signals a move for Calibre towards making their own parts and speccing them on bikes which Mike from the brand says is more cost effective, allowing the budget for bikes to be redistributed, which means better parts in terms of forks and the like can be fitted. In the long run, the prices won’t be decreased but the customer will see the benefit of better kit for the money. The Two³ does in need have better XC30 forks rather than the less stiff XC28’s on the Two2.

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Calibre Two Cubed Detail Stem-6 (Image Credit: Rachael Gurney)

 

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Calibre Two Cubed Detail Tyre-7 (Image Credit: Rachael Gurney)

Here off.road.cc we’ve taken a look at a few entry level bikes and have been impressed by the likes of the Marin Bobcat Trail, the Canyon Grand Canyon AL and the Voodoo Bizango. We are looking forward to seeing how the Two³ adds up alongside these competitors, it’s over £100 less than most of these and comes from a stable full of bikes with blindingly good reviews! Check back in with us for a full review soon.

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Calibre Two Cubed Detail Downtube-4 (Image Credit: Rachael Gurney)

 

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Calibre Two Cubed Detail Brakes-10 (Image Credit: Rachael Gurney)

You won’t have to wait long to get your hands on one of these new bikes, keep an eye on your local Go Outdoors store or check their website from the beginning of May. 

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