trek superfly models

• ALL MOUNTAIN
• ACCESSORIES
• ALL (130 Forums)
• WHEELS & TIRES

Trek Superfly 29er Hardtail

Superfly is THE choice for the aficionado seeking the fastest, most advanced, best 29er out there.

• USER REVIEWS

It's a truly great bike. Fast, light, superb handling. I live it.

There are no weaknesses

The first carbon bike I've owned. The bike is light, fast and fun.

The bottom bracket bearing wore out earlier than I would have expected.

Awesome Bike , Great improvement with the new 142 thru axle ,wow ,awesome stiff. I am 6' 230lbs , Bench 350,squat 650,this bike is a great at climbing and it goes down almost as well. Love the G2 ,always have.

I have owned many mtn bikes (20+) ,if ur lookin for a fast climbing machine that descends very well ,this is a great choice. Just got mine ,it's wonderful. I will let u knw in August how it held up. I rode 1700 on a rd bike last yr and 400 in the woods,look to do 1,000 in the woods on this. Trek Superfly 29er rules.

Similar Products Used:

2014 trek ex 9, salsa Horsethief 2014, Nukeproof Scalp,Cannondale super six evo , E5 SL Smartweld, Trek mamba,Cannondale scalpel & rush and many many others owned by me.

for the Superfly 5 2014 18,5 frame which I am rating: frame design - geometry, great handling

regarding the frame, none. Components, there is Supefly 5 - 9, you get what you pay for, choose the class which suits you and your budget and upgrade what ever you like, mainly the wheels I would recommend.

I am rating the Superfly 2014-2016 alluminium frame. Superfly 5 – 9 have the same frame and are priced according to components selection. My frame is Superfly 5 2014 size 18,5 virtual. I wanted this frame. Components, I upgraded practically everything. Great frame, fantastic geometry, handling could not be better. I had TREK Paragon 29“ 2011 which is the same design as Superfly 2012 and 2013. This frame is a next generation from these. I will repeat what I wrote for the Paragon 2011 review; It is fast, nimble, at high speeds as well while maintaining great stability. G2 geometry really works. The frame is stiff, well built. This new frame design only confirms these facts and only adds to the overall riding confidence. One big advantage of TREK 29” HT is the frame length. Probably the longest 29” HT frame out there. Size M is as long as size L of most other brands which means you can get a one size smaller frame to fit you perfectly and you get more standing clearance. It only would not fit the long legged (models). If you are of this stature and want a 29” HT, TREK Superfly is maybe the best option. It does not come with 12x142 rear wheel hub through axle set up. You have to get the TREK 12x142 conversion set. I got it, but still have to get the wheels for it. For now I am using WTB Stryker TCS Cross Country Race 29? 2012 wheel set (9x135 QR) which I used on my Paragon for about 3 years. They are a fantastic wheel set, but can not be converted to 12x142 ;( Since it was introduced in autumn 2013 I really wanted it. At the time I was still happy with the previous superfly frame design (riding the Paragon 2011) and did not quite realize what can be improved. Compared with the previous frame, this one has: more size options (added the 18,5 which I have), closed convert dropouts - 12x142 rear axle option, internal cable routing, shorter chain/seat stays – stiffer frame, curved seat tube – better pedaling angle and BB are app. 0,5 cm lower which results in better stability. After riding the Paragon 2011 for app 3 years I switched to this Superfly 2014, riding feel is noticeably better. I can not say that the difference is dramatic, but it is noticeable, I have just a little bit more riding confidence feel. Highly recommended.

Marin Nail Trail 29" 2011, TREK Paragon 29" 2011

Fast, climbes faster than my colleagues at the office, and is much easier to control.

Haven't found any yet

I simply love this bike, almost as much as my wife and Stabak football team. It beats me older bike (Specialized Sumpjumper) in every respect. Everyday use showes it is faster, and it is much easier to controll. For me it also feels more responsive when climbing.

Gary Fischer X-Cal, LaPierre 529, Specialized Stumpjumper.

Fast, responsive, great technical capabilities for an XC bike, wonderful handling at all speeds, strong brakes, great fork, great price, cranks are easily upgraded due to being compatible with many different hollow tech type cranks.

No TLR wheels on 2014 SF 5 (fixed for 2015 models), a little heavy for an XC race bike (it doesn't feel heavy though)

If you can only have one bike this is definitely one to look at. The few gripes I had with the 2014 Superfly 5 (the lowest model available) have been fixed for 2015. The upside of not having those upgrades was that it pushed me to swap to parts that are superior to what you will find on the current stock models. I like going fast but I wanted a bike that could handle the technical sections like a trail bike. The SF definitely fits that bill even on stock components. I swapped in 2010 Bontrager Rythm Elites and paired them with Team Edition 2.3" XR3 tires. The bike is now faster due to the better wheels/hubs but also handles better due to the more aggressive tires and stronger all mountain wheels. I also changed to a single ring and dropped some weight and maintenance that way. Not everyone will want it set up like this but for me it's the best way to go. The bottom line is that the Superfly is light, maneuverable, fast and fun. I've gone back and forth on the same trails with this 29er and smaller 26" wheeled bikes and I can honestly say that even on the tightest of trails this 29er doesn't give up any maneurerability due to it's bigger wheel size and it's much faster on everything else. I know a lot of people go with the carbon frame on this board, and some of them have had durability issues. I just can't justify that extra money, the alluminum frame is already super comfortable for a hardtail, fairly light and I don't have to worry about cracking issues. I've had zero reliability concerns over the last 1200 miles and the only wear item I had to replace was the chain. Even the XR3 tires which have over 700 miles on them at this point look like they will be able to go a lot further.

I'm reviewing a Superfly 5, 2014, 19.5 inch frame: Handles well at all speeds Climbs well. Great on flowing trails Great geometry Handles technical sections well for an XC oriented bike. Cockpit dialed in. Accelerates well if you're in shape

Not tubeless ready. A bit heavy for a bike in this category. Rather have a 2 X 10 drivetrain. Crank set should be upgraded. Needs race tires (Bontrager XR1s are good all around tires, but not so "racy" like the Schwalbe 29er tires.

This bike is fast if you are, and handles flowing trails like a dream.For an XC oriented trail bike it handles technical, mid west style hill riding really well. I've taken some crazy jumps on it just fine, bombed ski slopes, hopped a lot of logs, ridden really fast. I thought to change out handle bar for a straight, but I feel they dialed in the cockpit really well with the slightly bent handlebar it has. It has Deore/ XT, but not the shadow version. It didn't feel as crisp as the Specialized Crave at the price point, but felt more forgiving, definitely better downhill. The Crave felt maybe a bit jumpy in comparison. Pretty paint job, great geometry, and well thought out frame. However, what I have since discovered is that you're not getting an entry level race bike for this price point ($1,300-$1,500) (although it's billed as such), but really just a more XC oriented hardtail trail bike. My naivete. Now I have to upgrade the wheelset to get ready for some races. (I'm new to XC racing.) I put a remote lockout on it too. The 2015 model has a remote lockout standard, but I believe there was price creep on the 2015 model. More people I know ride Specialized, but some seem to love Trek, too. Piece of advice: don't buy to save money-wait til you can spend the money for the bike you want, or you will spend more upgrading over the long run.

2011 Trek Superfly ELITE Relatively light, handles well, rides

Trek Corporation

I purchased a $4,700.00 Trek Superfly Elite (carbon frame), when after a few rides the frame cracked (as did many others). Trek (the company) replaced my ELITE with an entry level DELUXE. After the LBS received the frame, I knew right away this was an inferior cheaper frame. The obvious feature was NO replaceable dérailleur hanger and the fact that it weight a quarter pound more than my original frame. Prior to purchasing my Superfly, my inquiry to the bike shop retailer with regard to warranty was explained as- "Trek will replace with the exact frame, if the exact frame is not available they replace with the next model up" THAT WAS A COMPLETE LIE. Trek was insistent that the replacement frame was identical to my original. When I asked them about the weight difference and replaceable dérailleur hanger, they had no answer and just hung up. Trek's Lifetime (limited) is very limited. Caveat venditor- buyer beware of Trek policy's

Great frame for aluminum category ! Fantastic brakes ! Decent shifting. Rides quick !

The seat. The seat. The seat. Bike supplied with non tubeless compatible tires.

A decent reliable Shimano drivetrain with excellent brakes and an awesome (for aluminum) frame. TREK 2014 Superfly 6. At about $1650 this would make a great casual race bike or a better bike touring load hauler with its nice frame. These should be out there at a discount now that the 2015 models are coming out. A better wheelset, tires, and seat are all this bike needs.

grippy shimano brakes, wide gear range with triple crankset, stiff frame

a bit heavy, front derailleur a tad slow

bought a 2013 Superfly in July 2014. Got great price from City Cycle in Corte Madera. Love the way the 29" tires roll over terrain that was slow going on my Klein Attitude w/26" wheels. Actually bought it to replace a Specialized carbon road bike that was stolen. I put 700c x 38 mm Michelin road tires on the rims and it handles great on pavement. Love flying over the trails with the stock 2.2" MTB tires. Shimano brakes are quiet and confident. Had to get 2013 model to get triple crankset. 2014s are all compacts. I use that 3rd front chainring all the time, on the road and on trails. Very happy with the bike.

Get the latest mountain bike reviews, news, race results, and much more by signing up for the MTBR Newsletter

Hot Deals See All Hot Deals >>

• CLASSIFIEDS
• TERMS OF USE
• PRIVACY POLICY
• ADVERTISING

VISIT US AT

© Copyright 2024 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved.

2-FOR-1 GA TICKETS WITH OUTSIDE+

Don’t miss Thundercat, Fleet Foxes, and more at the Outside Festival.

GET TICKETS

BEST WEEK EVER

Try out unlimited access with 7 days of Outside+ for free.

Start Your Free Trial

Powered by Outside

Reviewed: Trek Superfly 9.7 mountain bike

The superfly 9.7’s biggest selling point is its frame, and though the parts are modest, it has potential.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

It’s easy to look at this bike and imagine an old Gary Fisher logo in place of Trek’s mark. I mean that as the highest compliment.

Quibble all you like about who invented the mountain bike. One thing’s certain: Gary Fisher played a huge role in popularizing 29” wheels, now the must-have size in nearly any off-road discipline.

His experience with his own brand, which is now rolled into Trek’s lineup, is apparent, giving this simple, middle-of-the-road hardtail an excellent personality.

Most mountain bikers need at least a couple hands to count the number of parts they break or replace any given season, but the frame is usually a constant. That is the Superfly 9.7’s biggest selling point, and though the parts are modest, it has real potential.

A fine frame

Trek doesn’t specify the particulars of their carbon construction, aside from claims that it’s thoroughly designed and tested to be used in an off-road frame.

Talk all you like about carbon, but the geometry is really what makes the Superfly sing. As soon as I hopped aboard the bike, its West coast heritage slapped me in the face like a wave off the Marin headlands.

In a few words, the 9.7 is long, low, slack, and fun. Having ridden some 29ers with 70-degree-plus head tube angles, our medium tester’s 69.3 degrees was comfortable and confident. For comparison, the Specialized Stumpjumper HT line has a 71.5-degree head angle. Trek also insists on a custom-offset fork to complete its G2 geometry.

The Superfly’s top tube length and reach are slightly longer than the Stumpjumper’s, and both lines have the same chainstay length — 435mm. It seems that the Trek gets most of its 1,160mm wheel base from the slacker head tube, making it 88mm longer than the Stumpjumper.

Interestingly, the Superfly’s bottom bracket drop is 5.5mm less than the Stumpjumper, meaning that the pedals sit slightly higher in the frame.

Aside from that detail, Trek’s bike is a longer, slacker machine than most ordinary cross-country race bikes.

Passable parts

To be charitable, the 9.7’s components are adequate. I’ve often found SRAM’s lower-end mountain bike shifting to be a bit clunky and slow to respond, and this pairing of X7 shifters and an X9 rear derailleur is no different. Trek does deserve credit for speccing a Type 2 rear derailleur with a clutch to eliminate nearly all chain noise.

The wheels are also humble — Bontrager rims and blue anodized hubs, which may not stand the test of time from a fashion standpoint. The cartridge bearing internals, however, are reassuring. The wheels are tubeless-ready, which is an essential upgrade, so it’s nice that the Trek is ready for it.

I’ll come right out and say that all 29er hardtails should have 100mm travel forks. Yes, the Fox Float 32 on the 9.7 was equipped with the Evolution damper, which is noticeably inferior to the higher-end FIT damping. But the extra cushion goes a long way to taming rough trail. The CTD lever was helpful to provide a firm ride on paved climbs, but I’d trade that for a damper that supports the middle of the travel any day. I’d lower the pressure to get top-end suppleness, only to be punished by excess brake dive and overly linear stroke.

Shimano SLX disc brakes are one of the finest aspects of this bike’s build. It’s remarkable how Shimano can deliver basic, affordable brakes like these, which are within striking distance of its XTR models.

Unfortunately, our Shimano HG62 cassette did not do as well. I destroyed it by somehow shifting the chain between the third and fourth largest cogs. It may have been a freak occurrence. It was certainly the first time for this unlucky tester.

Am I being too critical of the components? At $3,150, the Superfly 9.7 is certainly not targeted as an entry-level model. This is the type of bike a junior or collegiate racer would buy to enjoy for many years of pinning on plates. Surely they deserve a more reliable drivetrain and a capable fork.

The wheels are an easy upgrade that almost any racer expects to make. I did so myself with this test bike, improving the ride with some ENVE M50s. The faster acceleration and surefooted steering was an improvement. Those wheels also shaved a pound off the Superfly’s 25-pound stock weight. However, the most noticeable way to improve the bike’s feel is to convert the tires to tubeless, a much less expensive alternative to carbon wheels.

Another upgrade I made was a Stages power meter, which is becoming an essential training tool, even for mountain bike racers.

Taking it to the trail

Performance on paper doesn’t always equate to performance on dirt, and in some ways, the 9.7 makes that point.

I forgot about its hefty (for a hardtail) weight once it started snapping through corners and pumping fast rollers. As I’ve alluded to, the geometry gives this bike a great personality on the trail, letting you open things up on fast descents, keeping your body weight back just far enough on the steeps, and somehow avoiding any 29er sluggishness.

It’s rare to find a cross-country bike as playful as this, but the Superfly was happy to pop off jumps and whip around berms. Once terrain got rougher, things became a little less cheerful, especially with the fork’s shortcomings, but the bike loyally stayed on line. Perhaps that’s a testament to the carbon construction, as well as the 142x12mm rear thru-axle.

Once the fun ended and the work began, the Superfly was capable. It responded well as I hammered out of corners on steep climbs, rarely betraying its weight. I also enjoyed the fairly rangy top tube in the races I did. It encouraged me to stretch out a bit more, also helping to keep weight over the front wheel on steep pitches.

Is it super enough for you?

When it comes to high-speed riding and racing, the Superfly 9.7 is pretty hard to beat. You can overcome its components’ shortcomings with a few key upgrades, but you might be better off spending an extra $730 to get the 9.8 model.

However, if your riding and racing happens primarily in a place like New England where the corners, rock gardens, trees, and competition are all very tight, make sure to get a test ride on the Superfly. Its laid-back west coast personality is great in many settings, but it might not be sharp enough for every course.

Price: $3,150 Weight: 25 pounds Pros: Fun, comfortable geometry and personality. Great frame construction, reliable brakes. Cons: Underwhelming shifting and fork. Might not handle quickly enough for certain tastes. trekbikes.com

Popular on Velo

\n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/cycling-sucks-sometimes-what-pogacar-van-der-poel-and-pidcock-said-before-liege-bastogne-liege\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"\u2018cycling sucks sometimes\u2019: what poga\u010dar, van der poel and pidcock said before li\u00e8ge-bastogne-li\u00e8ge\"}}\u0027>\n \u2018cycling sucks sometimes\u2019: what poga\u010dar, van der poel and pidcock said before li\u00e8ge-bastogne-li\u00e8ge\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"\u2018hard miles\u2019 wants to be the first great bicycling movie since \u2018breaking away\u2019","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/hard-miles-wants-to-be-the-first-great-bicycling-movie-since-breaking-away\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/hard-miles-wants-to-be-the-first-great-bicycling-movie-since-breaking-away\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"\u2018hard miles\u2019 wants to be the first great bicycling movie since \u2018breaking away\u2019\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/hard-miles-wants-to-be-the-first-great-bicycling-movie-since-breaking-away\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"\u2018hard miles\u2019 wants to be the first great bicycling movie since \u2018breaking away\u2019\"}}\u0027>\n \u2018hard miles\u2019 wants to be the first great bicycling movie since \u2018breaking away\u2019\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"tom pidcock leaves li\u00e8ge in frustration: \u2018i was setting all-time power numbers\u2019","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/tom-pidcock-leaves-liege-in-frustration-i-was-setting-all-time-power-numbers\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/tom-pidcock-leaves-liege-in-frustration-i-was-setting-all-time-power-numbers\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"tom pidcock leaves li\u00e8ge in frustration: \u2018i was setting all-time power numbers\u2019\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/tom-pidcock-leaves-liege-in-frustration-i-was-setting-all-time-power-numbers\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"tom pidcock leaves li\u00e8ge in frustration: \u2018i was setting all-time power numbers\u2019\"}}\u0027>\n tom pidcock leaves li\u00e8ge in frustration: \u2018i was setting all-time power numbers\u2019\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"xpedo\u2019s new power meter pedals are ready for the spotlight","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/xpedo-new-power-sonik-omni-and-thrust-omni-meter-pedals-sea-otter-classic\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/xpedo-new-power-sonik-omni-and-thrust-omni-meter-pedals-sea-otter-classic\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"xpedo\u2019s new power meter pedals are ready for the spotlight\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/xpedo-new-power-sonik-omni-and-thrust-omni-meter-pedals-sea-otter-classic\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"xpedo\u2019s new power meter pedals are ready for the spotlight\"}}\u0027>\n xpedo\u2019s new power meter pedals are ready for the spotlight\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"the thesis n1 wants to be your sole drop bar bike for everything","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-gear\/thesis-n1-do-everything-drop-bar-bike\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-gear\/thesis-n1-do-everything-drop-bar-bike\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the thesis n1 wants to be your sole drop bar bike for everything\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-gear\/thesis-n1-do-everything-drop-bar-bike\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the thesis n1 wants to be your sole drop bar bike for everything\"}}\u0027>\n the thesis n1 wants to be your sole drop bar bike for everything\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"results: keegan swenson and sofia gomez villafa\u00f1e win the fuego xl at sea otter classic","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/fuego-xl-sea-otter-results\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/fuego-xl-sea-otter-results\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"results: keegan swenson and sofia gomez villafa\u00f1e win the fuego xl at sea otter classic\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/fuego-xl-sea-otter-results\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"results: keegan swenson and sofia gomez villafa\u00f1e win the fuego xl at sea otter classic\"}}\u0027>\n results: keegan swenson and sofia gomez villafa\u00f1e win the fuego xl at sea otter classic\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"mathieu van der poel realistic about quest for monument sweep: \u2018even with roubaix legs i cannot follow poga\u010dar\u2019","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/mathieu-van-der-poel-realistic-about-quest-for-fourth-monument-even-with-roubaix-legs-i-cannot-follow-pogacar-here\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/mathieu-van-der-poel-realistic-about-quest-for-fourth-monument-even-with-roubaix-legs-i-cannot-follow-pogacar-here\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"mathieu van der poel realistic about quest for monument sweep: \u2018even with roubaix legs i cannot follow poga\u010dar\u2019\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/mathieu-van-der-poel-realistic-about-quest-for-fourth-monument-even-with-roubaix-legs-i-cannot-follow-pogacar-here\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"mathieu van der poel realistic about quest for monument sweep: \u2018even with roubaix legs i cannot follow poga\u010dar\u2019\"}}\u0027>\n mathieu van der poel realistic about quest for monument sweep: \u2018even with roubaix legs i cannot follow poga\u010dar\u2019\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"the cadex race integrated bar is as light as it is good looking","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/cadex-race-integrated-bar-first-look\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/cadex-race-integrated-bar-first-look\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the cadex race integrated bar is as light as it is good looking\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/cadex-race-integrated-bar-first-look\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the cadex race integrated bar is as light as it is good looking\"}}\u0027>\n the cadex race integrated bar is as light as it is good looking\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"time to plan your next trip: 5 companies with new bike bags at sea otter","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-gear\/new-bike-bags-at-this-years-sea-otter\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-gear\/new-bike-bags-at-this-years-sea-otter\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"time to plan your next trip: 5 companies with new bike bags at sea otter\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-gear\/new-bike-bags-at-this-years-sea-otter\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"time to plan your next trip: 5 companies with new bike bags at sea otter\"}}\u0027>\n time to plan your next trip: 5 companies with new bike bags at sea otter\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"new titanium brand chandi brings decades of frame building experience to its beautiful bikes","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/new-titanium-brand-chandi-brings-decades-of-frame-building-experience-to-its-beautiful-bikes\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/new-titanium-brand-chandi-brings-decades-of-frame-building-experience-to-its-beautiful-bikes\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"new titanium brand chandi brings decades of frame building experience to its beautiful bikes\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/new-titanium-brand-chandi-brings-decades-of-frame-building-experience-to-its-beautiful-bikes\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"new titanium brand chandi brings decades of frame building experience to its beautiful bikes\"}}\u0027>\n new titanium brand chandi brings decades of frame building experience to its beautiful bikes\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"ride the rockies canceled for 2024, future uncertain","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/ride-the-rockies-canceled-due-to-low-registration-future-uncertain\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/ride-the-rockies-canceled-due-to-low-registration-future-uncertain\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"ride the rockies canceled for 2024, future uncertain\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/ride-the-rockies-canceled-due-to-low-registration-future-uncertain\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"ride the rockies canceled for 2024, future uncertain\"}}\u0027>\n ride the rockies canceled for 2024, future uncertain\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"sea otter randoms: riser handlebars, nifty racks, and tubes aren\u2019t dead","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/sea-otter-randoms-riser-handlebars-nifty-racks-and-tubes-arent-dead\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/sea-otter-randoms-riser-handlebars-nifty-racks-and-tubes-arent-dead\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"sea otter randoms: riser handlebars, nifty racks, and tubes aren\u2019t dead\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/sea-otter-randoms-riser-handlebars-nifty-racks-and-tubes-arent-dead\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"sea otter randoms: riser handlebars, nifty racks, and tubes aren\u2019t dead\"}}\u0027>\n sea otter randoms: riser handlebars, nifty racks, and tubes aren\u2019t dead\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"tadej poga\u010dar seizes li\u00e8ge-bastogne-li\u00e8ge with dominant solo display","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/tadej-pogacar-seizes-liege-bastogne-liege-with-dominant-solo-display\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/tadej-pogacar-seizes-liege-bastogne-liege-with-dominant-solo-display\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"tadej poga\u010dar seizes li\u00e8ge-bastogne-li\u00e8ge with dominant solo display\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/tadej-pogacar-seizes-liege-bastogne-liege-with-dominant-solo-display\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"tadej poga\u010dar seizes li\u00e8ge-bastogne-li\u00e8ge with dominant solo display\"}}\u0027>\n tadej poga\u010dar seizes li\u00e8ge-bastogne-li\u00e8ge with dominant solo display\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"trek launches carback radar rear bike light with 2 km daytime visibility","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/trek-carback-radar-rear-bike-light-challenges-garmin\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/trek-carback-radar-rear-bike-light-challenges-garmin\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"trek launches carback radar rear bike light with 2 km daytime visibility\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/trek-carback-radar-rear-bike-light-challenges-garmin\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"trek launches carback radar rear bike light with 2 km daytime visibility\"}}\u0027>\n trek launches carback radar rear bike light with 2 km daytime visibility\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"the ritchey montebello brings steel goodness to all-road","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/ritchey-montebello-brings-steel-goodness-to-all-road\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/ritchey-montebello-brings-steel-goodness-to-all-road\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the ritchey montebello brings steel goodness to all-road\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/ritchey-montebello-brings-steel-goodness-to-all-road\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"the ritchey montebello brings steel goodness to all-road\"}}\u0027>\n the ritchey montebello brings steel goodness to all-road\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"highbar wants to revolutionize your helmet straps","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/highbar-wants-to-revolutionize-your-helmet-straps\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/highbar-wants-to-revolutionize-your-helmet-straps\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"highbar wants to revolutionize your helmet straps\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/highbar-wants-to-revolutionize-your-helmet-straps\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"highbar wants to revolutionize your helmet straps\"}}\u0027>\n highbar wants to revolutionize your helmet straps\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"haro bikes is set to release a new race road bike and gravel bike. wait, what","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/haro-buzzard-rivette-road-gravel\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/haro-buzzard-rivette-road-gravel\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"haro bikes is set to release a new race road bike and gravel bike. wait, what\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/haro-buzzard-rivette-road-gravel\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"haro bikes is set to release a new race road bike and gravel bike. wait, what\"}}\u0027>\n haro bikes is set to release a new race road bike and gravel bike. wait, what\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"key takeaways: li\u00e8ge-bastogne-li\u00e8ge 2024","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/key-takeaways-liege-bastogne-liege-2024\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/key-takeaways-liege-bastogne-liege-2024\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"key takeaways: li\u00e8ge-bastogne-li\u00e8ge 2024\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/key-takeaways-liege-bastogne-liege-2024\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"key takeaways: li\u00e8ge-bastogne-li\u00e8ge 2024\"}}\u0027>\n key takeaways: li\u00e8ge-bastogne-li\u00e8ge 2024\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"kona bikes bails on sea otter classic with no explanation","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/kona-bikes-bails-on-sea-otter-classic-with-no-explanation\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/kona-bikes-bails-on-sea-otter-classic-with-no-explanation\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"kona bikes bails on sea otter classic with no explanation\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/kona-bikes-bails-on-sea-otter-classic-with-no-explanation\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"kona bikes bails on sea otter classic with no explanation\"}}\u0027>\n kona bikes bails on sea otter classic with no explanation\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "},{"title":"sea otter randoms: limited edition saddle, updated ritte, salsa e-bike and more","url":"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/sea-otter-randoms-limited-edition-saddle-updated-ritte-salsa-e-bike-and-more\/","markup":" \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/sea-otter-randoms-limited-edition-saddle-updated-ritte-salsa-e-bike-and-more\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"sea otter randoms: limited edition saddle, updated ritte, salsa e-bike and more\"}}\u0027>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n >\", \"path\": \"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/sea-otter-randoms-limited-edition-saddle-updated-ritte-salsa-e-bike-and-more\/\", \"listing_type\": \"recirc\", \"location\": \"list\", \"title\": \"sea otter randoms: limited edition saddle, updated ritte, salsa e-bike and more\"}}\u0027>\n sea otter randoms: limited edition saddle, updated ritte, salsa e-bike and more\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n "}]' > >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>advertise >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>privacy policy >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>contact >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>careers >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>terms of use >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>site map >", "name": "footer-menu", "type": "link"}}'>my newsletters manage cookie preferences privacy request healthy living.

• Clean Eating
• Vegetarian Times
• Yoga Journal
• Fly Fishing Film Tour
• National Park Trips
• Warren Miller
• Fastest Known Time
• Trail Runner
• Women's Running
• Bicycle Retailer & Industry News
• FinisherPix
• Outside Events Cycling Series
• Outside Shop

© 2024 Outside Interactive, Inc

Trek Superfly 100 Elite SL review

29er full-suspension race bike.

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

This article originally published on BikeRadar

Trek set out on an aggressive weight-saving campaign for the latest Superfly 100, and by all accounts its engineering team was largely successful.

Even with a not-incredibly-light Shimano Deore XT group and mid-range wheels, our medium-size Superfly 100 Elite SL test bike weighs just 10.90kg (24.03lb) without pedals. The lack of mass is noticeable on the trail but, unfortunately, so is the lack of stiffness and so-so pedaling performance.

Ride & handling: Lightweight with good suspension but lacking in efficiency

The revamped Superfly 100 platform feels right at home on fast and flowy trails with lots of wide open, high speed sections.

The long wheelbase and relatively low bottom bracket provide a very stable feel through sweeping corners. And even though it's lost 10mm of movement compared to its predecessor, the remaining 100mm of rear suspension is active and pleasantly progressive, impressively sucking up smaller trail chatter without bottoming out harshly on bigger impacts while maintaining a lively feel throughout.

The rear end offers a good amount of pop for leaping out of berms and dips. And, as we've noted in the past, Trek's G2 geometry, with its increased-offset fork crown, goes a long way towards neutralizing both the big feel of 29in wheels and its unusually long wheelbase.

Steering feels light and natural without requiring much in the way of excessive rider input, and it's usually only in very tight switchbacks that you notice the Superfly 100 Elite SL's considerable overall length.

Like the Giant Anthem X Advanced 29er we tested last year, though, the Superfly 100's chain stays are still a little long at 452mm. Therefore, it's not the most natural bike to manual or wheelie.

Such handling traits would generally be no big deal in the Superfly 100's intended context of cross-country racing, where speeds are usually higher and there often aren't as many technical features as in general trail riding or enduro. However, the Superfly also doesn't pedal that efficiently, either.

Switching the Fox Float CTD rear shock to its middle Trail setting is a must nearly any time pedaling is required, and we frequently resorted to the firmest Climb position even on short sections of fireroad. We saved the fully open Descend setting for extended downhills only. Otherwise, there's far too much movement and a somewhat dull feel under power, particularly when you're hammering along in the big ring.

Nor did we find the Superfly 100 Elite SL's new carbon fiber frame particularly rigid. Front triangle stiffness is admittedly quite good, with the large diameter, nominally round main frame cross-sections and tapered head tube.

That's largely squandered out back, though, with an appreciable amount of out-of-plane flex, particularly in high-load situations such as bermed corners or excessively rough sections of trail. Here, instead of the rear wheel tracking precisely behind the front one, we repeatedly noticed the rear loading up – only to spring back when unloaded, which occasionally sent us off-line.

One simple test verified our suspicions, too: stand beside the Superfly 100 Elite SL with one hand atop the rear tire and the other on the saddle, push forward on one side while pulling back on the other, and you can see the top of the seat stays moving side to side relative to the seat tube more easily than one would expect from a bike of this caliber.

We should note that two BikeRadar testers independently came to identical conclusions on two separate test samples. Naturally, Trek has expressed concern over our findings.

"We're going to be testing that bike to evaluate stiffness testing," said Trek mountain bike brand manager Travis Ott. "I trust you felt what you experienced. Numerous sessions with pros and test riders haven’t exposed any weakness with the rear end stiffness.

"At this point, we’re concerned about repeating what you experienced so we can better figure it out. We’re also retesting stock frames currently. Point being, we take this seriously and when we get conflicting reports, we try and get to the bottom of it.

"As for the suspension spec and pedal bob, four out of five Trek Factory Racing riders also use the same rear shock tune. They wanted a very stiff lockout and we were able to achieve that with this tune. Thus far, the feedback and results from our pro riders have been exceptional. To date, we’ve been happy with the feedback on the bikes from our testers and pros."

Frame: Elegant lines and light weight but could use more brawn

The Superfly 100 Elite SL's performance is particularly disappointing given that the new frame is a gorgeous piece of hardware. The low-slung, molded carbon fiber front triangle features nominally round tubes devoid of superfluous kinks, bulges, or edges, while the one-piece molded carbon fiber seat stay assembly is similarly sleek and clean looking.

As opposed to the original Superfly 100 – or the current Superfly 100 Pro SL flagship model – this version uses TIG-welded aluminum chain stays, which adds some weight but should prove beneficial in terms of long-term durability.

Linking everything together up front is a minuscule swing link – molded from short-strand carbon fiber, of course – driving Fox's superb Float CTD rear shock.

The back end of the bike features Trek's ABP (Active Braking Pivot) concept, with suspension pivots situated concentrically about the rear axle to produce a pseudo-floating brake effect. Those ABP pivots are so cleanly integrated that you could be forgiven for thinking the rear end was one solid unit, although the axle path is strictly single pivot in nature.

The rear end is effectively a single pivot in terms of axle movement

The main pivot is situated inline with the curved seat tube, about halfway between the inner and outer chainrings in terms of height – about where we'd expect it to be. Moving it a touch higher, however, would make for more neutral pedaling performance in the big ring, and add more anti-squat when clawing up grades in the inner ring. Moreover, the Superfly 100 Elite SL's pedaling performance could further benefit from more aggressive compression tuning.

Other features include thru-axles front and rear, Trek's extra-wide BB95 bottom bracket with bearing seats molded directly into the shell, a tapered 1 1/8in to 1 1/2in head tube (again, with bearing seats directly molded in), a direct-mount front derailleur, post-mount rear brake caliper tabs (sized for 140mm rotors and up), and internal cable routing – including for the hydraulic rear brake.

The latter will be cumbersome if you ever decide to swap brake models (although we're not sure why you would – more on that below). Otherwise, though, Trek's internal routing solution is reasonably easy to service despite not being guided from end to end.

Exit ports are fairly large, the paths are clean and kink free, and the whole operation runs impressively quietly, thanks in part to clamps at either end of the brake hose to keep it from rattling around on the trail.

Further dulling sounds is the thick plastic guard on the underside of the down tube. Unfortunately (and rather inelegantly) it's held in place with a couple of giant o-rings.

Actual frame weight for our 17.5in sample is 2.13kg (4.7lb) including rear shock, seatpost collar, rear derailleur hanger, and water bottle bolts – slightly lighter than the previous edition, which is impressive considering the switch to aluminum chain stays. Riders who place a priority on weight will appreciate the lack of heft, but otherwise we'd rather Trek invested the mass currency on bolstering the chassis.

Equipment: Brilliant Deore XT components and Fox suspension plus solid Bontrager gear

There's little to fault when it comes to the Superfly 100 Elite SL's build kit, with Shimano's faultless Deore XT 2x10 transmission and brakes, a perfectly matched Fox 32 Float 100 CTD fork and Float CTD rear shock, and the remainder filled out with bits from Trek house brand Bontrager.

Shift performance is fantastic, with quick and precise chain movement, impressively hushed running, and excellent shifter ergonomics despite the I-Spec integrated clamps' lack of independent shifter angle or shift paddle adjustment. Gear ratios are smartly chosen, too, with versatile 26/38T chainrings up front and a wide-range 11-36T cassette that works well for both racing or general trail riding provided you've got a reasonable amount of fitness.

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few years, it goes without saying that the matching hydraulic disc brakes are among the best on the market. Power is ample even with just 160mm rotors fitted front and rear, it's very easily controllable even in slippery conditions, and lever feel is arguably second to none.

Riders in extremely mountainous regions might wish for Shimano's finned brake pads and their greater heat capacity, but we never noticed any fade even on longer descents in Colorado.

We were mostly pleased with the Bontrager cockpit components, too. The Race X Lite Carbon handlebar is suitably light and rigid, with just 5mm of rise to help keep the front end low. However, we would prefer something wider than 690mm for more leverage – it's easy to cut things down if need be but you generally can't make a narrow bar wider.

Ditto for the forged aluminum Race X Lite stem, which is always a solid performer, albeit one whose profile hasn't changed in ages and could stand a larger cross-section in this application.

Saddles are, of course, a personal issue. The Evoke 3 should suit most rear ends with its fairly flat profile and densely padded top with rounded rear corners that help boost maneuverability. We've no complaints on the Rhythm Elite aluminum seatpost, either, with its secure two-bolt head and what should be reliable forged construction.

Rolling stock is a little more of a mixed bag, though. The Bontrager Race Lite TLR Disc CL 29 wheels are fairly light (1,640g per pair, claimed), easy to set up tubeless (although Trek doesn't include the requisite rim strips and valves), reasonably stiff, and held up well during testing with no truing required. We feel the 19mm internal width is a touch narrow for general trail use, although most cross-country types probably won't mind much.

Bontrager wraps the otherwise-capable wheels with their rather narrowly focused 29-1 tires, though, which don't even measure 2in across and aren't designed to be run tubeless (although we managed the conversion anyway).

Rolling resistance is noticeably very low, but it comes at the price of traction in anything other than tacky dirt, what with its hard rubber compound and tightly spaced array of small knobs. We'd advise at least swapping out the front for something a little more secure and saving the extra one for a spare, fast-rolling rear.

Price: US$5,569.99/£4,250 Weight: 10.90kg (24.03lb, complete bike, 17.5" size, without pedals); 2,133g (4.70lb, frame only, including rear shock, seatpost collar, rear derailleur hanger, and water bottle bolts) Pros: Good high-speed geometry, lively rear suspension performance, lightweight Cons: Not very efficient, not very stiff, very long wheelbase BikeRadar verdict: 3 stars More information: www.trekbikes.com

Complete bicycle specifications

Frame: Trek Superfly 100 Elite SL, 100mm travel, OCLV Mountain Carbon main triangle and seat stays, aluminum chain stays Available sizes: 15.5, 17.5 (tested), 19, 21, 23" Rear shock: Fox Float CTD Performance Series Fork: Fox 32 Float 100 CTD Performance Series Headset: Cane Creek IS-3, 1 1/8-to-1 1/2" Stem: Bontrager Race X Lite Handlebars: Bontrager Race X Lite Carbon, 5mm rise, 690mm width Tape/grips: Bontrager Race Lite lock-on Front brake: Shimano Deore XT BR-M785, 160mm SM-RT81 rotor, standard (non-Ice Tech) pads Rear brake: Shimano Deore XT BR-M785, 160mm SM-RT81 rotor, standard (non-Ice Tech) pads Brake levers: Shimano Deore XT BL-M785 Front derailleur: Shimano Deore XT FD-M785-E2 Direct Mount Rear derailleur: Shimano Deore XT Shadow Plus RD-M786-SGS Shift levers: Shimano Deore XT SL-M780-I Cassette: Shimano Deore XT CS-M771-10, 11-36T Chain: KMC X10.93 Crankset: Shimano Deore XT FC-M785, 38/26T Bottom bracket: Trek BB95 by Enduro Pedals: n/a Wheelset: Bontrager Race Lite TLR Disc CL 29 Front tire: Bontrager 29-1 Team Issue, 29x2.2" Rear tire: Bontrager 29-1 Team Issue, 29x2.2" Saddle: Bontrager Evoke 3 Seat post: Bontrager Rhythm Elite

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

POC Aspire cycling glasses review: A sturdy and stylish modern classic

Mike's Bikes launches 'mega sale' with discounts on everything sitewide

Tour of the Gila: Scott McGill wins men's stage 2 Inner Loop Road Race

Most Popular

• MAGAZINE OFFERS
• BIKE INSURANCE
• Best Products
• Maintenance
• Accessories
• Long-Term Reviews
• BikeRadar Podcast
• First Look Friday
• Bike of the Week
• Tech Features
• Routes and Rides
• Bike Galleries
• BikeRadar Bargains
• Buyer's Guides
• Fitness & Training
• Sizing & Fit
• Mountain Biking UK
• Cycling Plus

Trek Superfly 100 AL Elite 29er review

Long-legged, big-wheeled trail cruiser

Russell Burton

Arguably the most significant feature of Trek’s Superfly 100 AL Elite is tucked away behind the seat tube. It’s a Gary Fisher signature decal, signifying that this bike is, in genesis at least, the inspiration of one of mountain biking’s founding fathers – and the inventor of the 29er concept.

The AL Elite props up the bottom of the five-strong, 29in-wheeled Superfly 100 range, offering a trail-worthy spec at a price that just creeps over the magic £2k barrier. Great handling, sorted suspension performance, decent components and epic mud clearance make for big-wheeled trail fun. The Trek looks a tiny bit pricey compared to some of the competition, though.

Ride & handling: Fast rolling, great handling trail machine that’ll tackle anything you can throw at it

Big wheels only really look in proportion when they’re connected to a big frame. So our 17.5in test bike, in common with most 29ers around this size, has that slightly disconcerting effect of looking… well, not quite right at first glance. It’s only because we’re all used to smaller wheels, and we only mention it because that ‘not quite right’ feeling disappears the moment you climb aboard the Trek and turn the pedals.

From just-so weight distribution to a wheelbase that’s pretty much the identical twin of 26in-wheeled competitors and a front wheel that goes where you want it to, the Superfly 100 will have uninitiated riders forgetting about the big wheels within the first few minutes. Which is, when you think about it, about the biggest compliment we can pay it. Get on, ride, and enjoy the easy-rolling nature of 29er wheels.

Fox shocks with a high compression damping tune can make a bike feel constipated over small bumps. Not here. The big wheels certainly help, but the Superfly’s suspension remains supple and controlled on everything from technical climbs to flat-out descents. If we were to split hairs, we’d suggest that the front end is a tiny bit slower to respond in fast-changing situations, but that’s the laws of physics for you – more rotating mass, further from the centre of the wheel. There’s nothing anyone – not even Gary Fisher himself – can do about that.

Big wheels with 100mm of travel translate into fast, efficient and comfortable mile-munching. We’ve known that for a while, but what the Superfly 100 does so well is to iron out all the little niggles that have beset earlier attempts at big wheeled full-suspension nirvana. The geometry works, the handling is excellent, the weight is reasonable in an unexceptional kind of a way and there’s even decent mud clearance. Is it the best 29er full-susser available? No. But it’s well worth putting on your shortlist.

Frame & equipment: We wish the frame finish was a bit neater, particularly around the welded areas

Cramming big wheels into a bike offering 100mm of travel at each end isn’t straightforward. There’s less space for most components, a greater need to pay attention to geometry and a number of stiffness-related issues to deal with. Trek’s design team have been sweating the details, resulting in a frame that’s bristling with mostly subtle design solutions.

Fitting the frame tubes into the available space is arguably one of their less successful achievements, the conjoined top and down tubes necessitating large – and, it has to be said, not particularly tidy – welds. Never mind that, though, because all the functional stuff has been taken care of.

Trek’s Active Braking Point (ABP) pivot – which places the chainstay pivot around the hub’s rear axle – is here in versatile ‘Convert’ form, meaning that the standard 135x5mm rear axle can be switched to a stiffer, lighter 142x12mm design at a later date. A Bontrager-designed hub with widened, bigger diameter flanges and larger dropout contact area performs the same job up front.

The Superfly 100’s fork uses a crown with increased offset, which reduces trail (the distance between the front tyre’s contact point on the ground and the point where a straight line through the centre of the head tube also meets the ground) and sharpens steering responses, countering the 29er tendency to be slow-handling in the turns. Carefully shaped stays wrap cleverly around the rear tyre, giving this bike the best mud clearance we’ve yet seen on a big wheeled machine.

In common with many full-suspension designs the Superfly 100 struggles to accommodate a pair of standard bottle cage bosses. There’s one set in the usual place on top of the down tube but the second set has been shunted into a position right in line with the spray off the front wheel, under the down tube. You could put a bottle there, but you probably wouldn’t want to.

A Fox Float RP2 shock matches the fork nicely and clip-on sag indicators make the job of getting the right air pressure front and rear straightforward. Predominantly Shimano SLX-based components work well and should prove reliable and Bontrager finishing kit is all top-notch, although we’d swap the tyres for something with more grip if you ride a lot in wet conditions.

This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine.

Share this article

• Terms & Conditions
• Subscribe to our magazines
• Manage preferences

• Rocky Mountain
• Specialized
• YT Industries
• Allied Cycle Works
• Black Market
• DALLINGRIDGE
• Diamondback
• Early Rider
• EVO Bicycles
• Growler Bikes
• Guerrilla Gravity
• iGO Electric
• Intense 951
• Juiced Bikes
• View all brands
• Production Privee
• Rad Power Bikes
• Rambo Bikes
• Riese & Müller
• Soul Fast E Bikes
• Spark Cycleworks
• State Bicycle Co.
• Structure Cycleworks
• Surface 604
• Van Nicholas
• Vintage Electric
• We Are One Composites

• Cross Country

• All Mountain

Trek Superfly

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Size / 15.5", 17.5", 19", 21", 23"

At a glance

Where to buy.

Specifications

• Frame OCLV Mountain Carbon w/E2 tapered head tube, BB95 bottom bracket, Carbon Armor, G2 Geometry
• Wheels Bontrager sealed cartridge bearing, 15mm alloy axle front hub; Bontrager sealed cartridge bearing, alloy axle rear hub w/ Bontrager AT-850 32-hole double-walled rims
• Wheel Size 29"
• Tires Bontrager 29-1 Expert, 29x2.20"
• Crank Shimano Deore, Shimano M552, 42/32/24
• Bottom Bracket BB95, 95.5mm, press-fit
• Front Derailleur Shimano SLX, Shimano SLX, direct mount
• Rear Derailleur Shimano XT, Shimano Deore XT Shadow
• Shifters Shimano Deore, Shimano Deore, 10 speed
• Brakeset Shimano Deore, Shimano M596 hydraulic disc brakes
• Handlebar Bontrager Low Riser, 31.8mm, 5mm rise, 9 degree sweep
• Saddle Bontrager Evoke 2, chromoly rails
• Seatpost Bontrager Rhythm Elite, 27.2mm, zero offset
• Stem Bontrager Race Lite, 31.8mm, 7 degree
• Headset Cane Creek IS-3, E2, alloy cartridge

Q: Where to buy a 2013 Trek Superfly?

The 2013 Trek Superfly may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: What size wheels does the 2013 Trek Superfly have?

The 2013 Trek Superfly has 29" wheels.

Q: What size 2013 Trek Superfly should I get?

No comments on this bike yet. Why not be the first?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Want more MTB in your mailbox?

The latest on mountain bikes delivered straight to your mailbox.

More Bikes in Range View All

Trek Superfly 5

Trek Superfly 100 AL

Trek Superfly AL Elite

More cross country bikes view all.

Focus Raven 8.9

Made in Germany, R.A.T. floating axle, Internal cable routing, Post mount 160mm, Tubeless compatible

Rose PSYCHO PATH 3

Orange Crush RS

The Orange Crush is a bike you don’t want to mess with. It’s loved and revered, with award winning performance, it’s the definitive aluminium hardcore hardtail. So for 2018, with…

Deals View All

View all deals, recent posts view all.

Blackburn Honest Digital Pressure Gauge Review

It's 2020 people. The squeeze and bounce test doesn't cut it anymore (and this is…

Comparing Mountain Bikes

Mountain Bikes are complicated machines. They have parts from hundreds of different manufacturers, come in…

Undomestic Mountain Bikes: Here’s what we know

Update March 2020: Undomestic has announced that they are manufacturing frames "at this moment" and…

Send Feedback

Have a suggestion? Looking for a bike that's not on MTB Database? Or perhaps you've spotted an error?

We'd love to hear from you. Let us know with the form below.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible. Learn more.

About MTB Database

Explore, search and compare thousands of the world’s best mountain bikes here on Mountain Bike Database.

Compare prices, components, suspension, reviews, images and more on current and past MTB’s. You can even share reviews, comments and questions on mountain bikes. View and compare a huge selection of bikes from brands such as Trek , Specialized , Giant , Santa Cruz , Norco and more .

We strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information for mountain bikes on MTB Database. If you’ve spotted any issues, please let us know . We also include helpful tools, such as our frame size calculator, to assist you in choosing the right mountain bike. Bear in mind that these tools serve as a guide and simply provide a general indication. Refer to information provided by your bike manufacturer for the most applicable information for your bike.

Bikes By Brand

Bikes by year, bikes by riding style, bikes by wheel size, popular bikes.

• 2022 Specialized Epic EVO Comp
• 2022 Trek Marlin 6
• 2022 Specialized Enduro Comp
• 2022 Specialized S-Works Epic EVO
• 2022 Specialized Epic EVO Expert
• 2022 Giant Fathom 29 1
• 2022 Trek Marlin 7

Latest Bikes

• 2023 Commencal SUPREME DH V5 SIGNATURE 70'S
• 2023 Orange Phase 29 Factory
• 2022 Commencal META SX V4 TEAM Frame
• 2023 Commencal SUPREME DH V5 SIGNATURE LTD
• 2023 Commencal META SX V4 - Frame
• 2023 Riese & Müller Swing4 vario
• 2023 Riese & Müller Swing4 silent

• Crosscountry
• Rider Notes

2014 Trek Superfly 5

A 29″ aluminum frame crosscountry bike with high-end components.

For This Bike

View more similar bikes →

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Similar Bikes

(descending)

Add custom gearing

Aug 2014 · Guy Kesteven

Hard driving, smooth floating, super-fast Superfly is a fantastic speed machine for the money

Read Review

Jul 2014 · Emily Schaldach

The Superfly 9.7’s biggest selling point is its frame, and though the parts are modest, it has potential

May 2014 · MBA Action

Primed For Adventure Or The Podium Being at the forefront of the 29er movement, Trek’s Superfly FS was one of the first full-suspension, cross-country,

Trek's line of Superfly cross-country 29ers includes nine hardtail models and seven full-suspension versions, giving riders ample options at many price points.

Oct 2013 · Dirt HQ

The Trek Superfly range has been overhauled for 2014 with carbon and alloy bikes, trickling technology from the top-end models lower down the price points.

On a long ride or during the wee small hours out on track at a 24hr race, it’s not unusual to get a song stuck in your head. Traditionally it’s something dire, like Peter Allen’s ‘Rio’. But on board this bike, the groove is strong; feel the soul, channel the year 1972. It’s Superfly. We …

A light, fun, fast cross country machine

Superbly relialbe

Clean looks

Not the plushest or stiffest of rides.

Trek sought out to drop a full pound from their already lightweight Superfly 100. They wanted to maintain all stiffness numbers to build a worthy race bike. Did they succeed? - Mtbr.com

Last updated June 29 Not listed for 2,487 days

• Superfly SS