BOMBTRACK CALE AL
£2,000 Versatile, but will it let you take hard line after hard line?
Known for their diverse selection of adventure bikes, the Cale 29er is German brand Bombtrack’s first expedition-ready trail hardtail.
The frame
The alloy frame is available in just two sizes, with reach figures of 452mm (medium) and 466mm (large), which are on the shorter side and unlikely to suit riders over 6ft. At 67.5 degrees, the head angle is similar to those on the latest highly-capable XC bikes, while the 73.5-degree seat tube angle puts you in a reasonable seated climbing position. Aside from the dropper post cable, all the control lines are routed externally for easy maintenance. As well as mounts for mudguards and a rear rack, you get triple bosses on both sides of the down tube for ‘everything cages’ popular with bikepackers, plus top tube fixings for a ‘bento box’ bag.
The kit
SRAM supply their SX Eagle drivetrain and Level brakes, while a 130mm-travel RockShox 35 fork eats up the bumps. Bombtrack hubs are laced to 29in WTB ST rims shod with Kenda Hellkat Pro tyres, but the frame will work with 650b+ wheels if you prefer. Finishing kit is own-brand, except for the KS E20i dropper post.
The ride
Heading uphill unladen, the Cale feels quite nimble and lively. This makes it fun for trail riding and is a good starting point for adding frame bags, ensuring that the extra weight just brings it back to being a relaxedfeeling climber, rather than making it handle like a cold rice pudding. Being able to lock out the fork when you’re hauling luggage helps on smoother climbs, and the small 30t chainring makes steep ascents slightly easier. The grippy 2.4in Kenda tyres are good when the going gets loose but feel a little draggy on smooth trails. We had no issues keeping weight over the rear wheel for traction.
Stripped of bags, the Cale hammers along rolling trails like any good alloy hardtail, popping o anything in sight and railing corners as fast as you dare. Loaded, this personality remains. As the gradient steepens, the Cale only begins to feel marginally less planted on the steepest, rootiest chutes – the likes of which you’re unlikely to take on with panniers out back and your lunch hanging o your bar.
While not a consideration on flowing, less steep trails, the brakes lack power when you need to scrub speed in a hurry. Also, the fork isn’t the smoothest, although it’s a decent enough mid-range option. The Cale AL is trying to be many things. Not quite an aggressive hardtail, almost a bikepacking rig and nowhere near a commuter, it’ll do any of these things and more if you’re willing to compromise a little. WILL POOLE www.bombtrack.com