BIKE TEST
TEST WINNER!
HIGHS Breaks all boundaries
LOWS COMPONENTS
130mm RockShox Monarch R with sag gradients
Stubby 40mm stem is bang on trend
You’ll struggle to find fault with the build kit on the Beastnut, but if we’re being really picky the Ritchey handlebar has a little too much backsweep. Calibre could also take a leaf out of Whyte’s book, and fit a 2.4in WTB rear tyre, as the 2.25in Ranger looks a little puny next to the meaty 2.3in Vigilante front tyre. The bar and rear tyre don’t detract from the stellar ride quality of the Beastnut, though, and specification is very impressive for less than £2k, so the Beastnut’s scorecard remains clean.
PERFORMANCE Fast, capable, and a total blast to ride, the Calibre Beastnut is everything a modern trail bike should be. Whether it’s all-day epic adventures or riding against the clock in a mini-enduro race, the Beastnut has your back. All of the small improvements in the specification taken together make the Beastnut a superior bike to the Bossnut and the other bikes in this test; the biggest difference being the additional control the RockShox Revelation fork brings to proceedings. And, just because the Beastnut is considered entry-level, don’t think
104 mbr
SUMMER 2017
for a second that it’s been dumbed down. The geometry and sizing are on point, and combined with the standout specification trail riders have never had it so good. We should also point out that even at £1,299 the Beastnut is considered a high-ticket item for Calibre. As such, the pilot run of bikes was limited to 250 to test the water. Given the amazing quality of the Beastnut you’ll be unsurprised to learn that the bikes are selling like hot cakes. If you’re too late to get one don’t fret though, as GoOutdoors will be baking another batch pretty soon.
Limited availability
VERDICT In creating the Beastnut, Calibre has proved once again that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a truly standout trail bike. With great geometry and a jaw-dropping specification, the ride quality of the Beastnut belies its price tag. In fact, it’s so good, the performance is comparable to bikes costing almost double the money. Sure, it’s going to be a little bit heavier than those £2k bikes, but we’re more than happy to accept the compromise, especially given how much heavier your wallet will feel if you get the Beastnut.