Bike: 2011 Trek Superfly
Intended Use: XC/Race
Size Tested: 17.5
Bike / Frame Weight: 25 lbs. / 2.97 lbs.
Geometry:
E. Bottom bracket height: 31.2cm
G. Chainstay length: 44.5cm
D. Effective top tube: 60.2cm
C. Head angle: 69.3 degrees
B. Head tube length: 10.3cm
H. Offset: 5.1cm
A. Seat tube angle: 72.5 degrees
Q. Seat tube: 44.5cm
K. Standover: 76.6cm
I. Trail: 8.3cm
J. Wheelbase: 111.6cm
Test Locations: Most all of the Crested Butte trails, some portions of the Colorado Trail, Hartman Rocks.
Endurance Mountain Bike Races: 12 Hours in the Sage; Crested Butte Classic (100 miler)
Days Ridden: ~50
Tester Info: 5’9″, 140 lbs. Loves long painful XC rides, XC racing, lift-served descents, desert terrain, road biking… pretty much any type of riding.
Trek’s claims:
“If its 29er and fast, its Superfly! Everything about this lineup is fast. Be it carbon, aluminum, singlespeed, or geared, they’re built to get you to the podium… fast. Superfly is THE choice for the speed aficionado seeking the ultimate efficiency of a hardtail and bigger 29″ wheels.”
© 1995 – 2012 Trek Bicycle Corporation
Build
This Superfly comes with a pretty mid-level build that weighs in at 26 pounds from the factory. The frame is carbon coated with a nice satin finish, and the fork is a Fox Evolution Series 32 Float, with the standard quick release. I was excited to see that the Bontrager Mustang Disc 29 rims were Tubeless Ready.
The drivetrain includes a mix of Shimano X7 and X9 components—not bad for a build that costs less than US$3,000.
I swapped out some of the parts at the time of purchase, including a women’s Terry FLX saddle, an Easton Haven carbon bar, and Bontrager TR1 (Team Issue) tires.
If you’re interested in the same frame but even better components, Trek offers an “Elite” and “Pro” version, too.
The Ride
Most of my riding is in Colorado. I currently reside in Crested Butte, where there are plenty of fast, fluid trails with some technical and rough rocky areas. I dig the adventure riding in this area, which is where the Superfly really shines: I am grateful for the lightness of the bike when I am still miles from home on these multi-hour rides.
Another one of my favorite rides is at Hartman Rocks, in Gunnison. It has more of a desert landscape with some super fun, technical rock features, as well as smooth, long singletrack sections. After riding this area for a few years on a long-travel, 26″ bike, the Superfly was a real treat and felt like a perfect bike for the area.