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Seen a few of the teasers and promo videos for the new Calibre Sentry models. I'm really interested in the Pro model - is it as good value as it seems? What else is comparable at the price?
Also noted it's heavy (like me...) but aside form the wheels and tyres not seeing too much evidence of skimping on quality of parts so think it is roughly in the ballpark for a big bike with a coil shock?
I don’t think there is much else that can compete at that price. If it was me I’d want a 1x lever on the reverb and the RSC rather than R codes, but those are easily fixed. Radon Swoop is also great value with what to my mind is a slightly better spec, and not much more expensive.
Certainly seems to stack up well against some of the similar builds I was considering.
second hand /bargainacious drivetrain and wheels
plus
orange stage 5 in sale
bird am9
cotic flare max
all came in £5-600 more for similar.
if it's the enduro bike theres a review on pinkbike. It is not on the pro though.
Quite neat: the Sentry Pro made it's first EWS race this weekend (is that correct?). Chloe Taylor. Sounds like Chloe and the bike survived it. Great!
Guess first EWS year will be "learning year". Great that Chloe and Calibre are brave enough to race the brandnew Sentry in EWS.
Yes - the bike might be a bit heavy. But fun for sure.
Pro version vor 2.8 k:
is it really such an bargain? Isn't a Radon Swoop, Orbea Rallon or Canyon Strive (or Torque) in same range? (aluminium frame versions)
O.k. - difference is the LLS thing with the Sentry. This beast is really long, low and slack....! Would like to test ride it. I hope it still climbs o.k..
No Alloy version of the Rallon @andreasrhoen
Strive gets good reviews on certain sites but the 'base' model CF 5.0 is the most compatible with the Sentry Pro on price and only comes with NX Eagle, Guide T Brakes and Iridium dropper Vs the Sentry with GX Eagle, Codes and Reverb 170mm dropper... I guess it has a carbon frame but its still within 500g of the Calibre weight too.
Radon Swoop definitely looks like a value comparison though.
I think the Calibre should climb OK - sure it'll not be a featherweight rocketship but steepish seat angle should help a wee bit.
Rallon: uuups. O.k..
Strive: agree. And forgot ... also here...think the 2019 Strive is only Carbon (and expensive). Had the 2018 models in mind - there they had the aluminium low budget version. Torque still aluminium? Around 2.6 k?
Radon Swoop, 2.7 k
Swoop 170 9.0
29er as well. But the Sentry Pro has the sexy coil shock...
Think Commencal has a very neat 29er coil shock Enduro. But no low budget anymore either.
So yes - not a lot of competition for the Sentry.
Hope that Chloe does well in EWS this year. She competes with big teams and 7k or 8k sleds... For Calibre this will be an expensive "learning year". I like the approach. (and the Swoop is a great bike as well - but no EWS racing I think?)
There was a few of the new Sentry Pro's floating the around the dual race on Howard Street on Saturday night.
Got nothing to add other than they look like a real deal, burly mountain bike that could tackle anything. I'm not in the market but if I was it would be top of the list for a test ride.
Detail: guess the detailed spec is not out yet.
But hope the Sentry Pro doesn't use Formula hubs. Even if those are the Formula hubs with industrial bearings - I would be carefully with those.
My Calibre Bossnut V2: pretty happy with it. But the Formula hubs were done after 10 months. Cup and cone stuff. Seals are o.k. - but non of the surfaces was hardened. A joke.
Have now DT 370 hubs.
Calibre knows how to get the geo right for a bike. The Bossnut is a fun trail bike. Guess the Sentry will be a great Enduro. Pro version hopefully with good hubs.
Full spec here:
They didn't have any on display in GoOutdoors at the weekend, but I was pretty impressed with the Cardiff and Swansea stores, spoke with the Mechanic who built my Son's new bike, certainly a cut above most (not all) my experiences of Halfords, they're like 'proper' bike shop (the repair bit anyway) tucked away in the back of a warehouse full of brightly coloured Nylon.
It does look a cracking bike for the money.
Wonder if they'll do a 27.5" version.
I reviewed the Calibre Sentry here: https://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/review-calibre-sentry-review-an-ews-racer-for-2000/
Nobody was given the Sentry Pro to review and Pink Bike hasn't tested one... @trumpton
Full spec here:
O.k.. Thanks!
The spec states Formula hubs - for the base version and the Pro version.
The rims are fine. But I'am done with Formula hubs. Lets hope Calibre will rethink those. At least for the Pro version. DT 370? Low cost as well - but they last and you get all spares from DT. Complete wheelset upgrade for the Sentry would be minimum around 300 GBP or so. Or?
Can't you get spares for formula hubs?
what's not lasting?
Nobody was given the Sentry Pro to review and Pink Bike hasn’t tested one
Wasnt Guy Kesteven riding one recently? sure I saw some IG or YT vids from him
Can’t you get spares for formula hubs?
what’s not lasting?
Bossnut V2: cup and cone type hub. Ball bearing surfaces were shot after very short time. Not hardened? Seals were intact. No idea where to get formula spares from. Think they only sell to OEMs.
Happy now with new wheelset. That's still o.k. for a 1k Bossnut - but a 2.8 k bike should have better hubs (also if those Formula hubs are industrial bearing type ones). All others with the Sentry: like it a lot!
Ok andreas
Your bearing races almost definitely wore from one of two things
improper adjustment - and ridden oblivious to the issue
or
improperly lubricated (greased) - and ridden oblivious to the issue.
Either issue if worn out in (genuinely) a very short period means it was most likely an issue with the adjustment/lubrication when purchased and is a pretty valid warranty claim.
I've no idea what hubs come with the sentry but they're clearly not the same ones your Bossnut does so why even comment when you have zero personal experience of them?
Plenty 2.8k+ complete bikes come with rebranded formula (and various far eastern factory) hubs. infact many of Calibre's direct competitors sell frames with nothing more than a shock for around the price of the entire Sentry Pro.
You definitely used to be able to buy spares for many formula hubs BTW. I don't really see that this will have changed.
Watched Kesteven's "brilliant!" review of the Sentry on youtube last night.
TWENTY ONE YEARS he's been reviewing bikes!!!
so why even comment when you have zero personal experience of them?
Hahah.
Your humor is great!
Those cup and cone things weren't even round.
Stay away from Formula hubs!
Or buy them and suffer! Fine for me as well.
hahha...
Dude
formula make loads of different hubs (for loads of brands)
A bike having hubs made by formula should not really be a deal breaker.
Formula are a go-to hob for many wheelbuilders. As geex mentioned, spares are available and they are big enough to have a good warranty department.
Having said that, I didn't even know they did cup/cone versions. I haven't had a cup/cone hub since the mid-nineties! As geex said - if they weren't even round, then it's a good warranty case, however nobody really wants to be bothered with that.
Anyone seen or ridden a Sentry Pro yet?
There available to buy on the website.dont think they’re in store yet.
No sentries in the Sheffield branch of go outdoors when I popped in yesterday.