Update: 2014 Trek Superfly 8

The S8 flies along nicely on smooth, rolling singletrack. When seated and pedaling, its newly redesigned seat stays and top tube provide good vertical compliance, yielding a smoother ride than some other aluminum hardtails (Yelli Screamy for example). But there is still some residual harshness in the ride thanks to the rigidity of aluminium, which only calluses and a good chamois can absorb. A rougher ride is to be expected on any aluminum hardtail, but all in all, I think Trek has done a pretty good job of mitigating the harshness of the S8’s ride while seated.

For steeper point and shoot trails, the Fox fork does well sucking up bumps, but lacks the low-speed compression to keep the fork riding high in harsh braking and cornering. This is something riders will have to get used to because aftermarket fork options for the Superfly are limited, due to the G2 61mm off-set crown. I do think Trek’s idea of an off-set fork is valid for XC-type bikes like the Superfly as a way to improve low-speed cornering. There aren’t a whole lot of low-speed corners around here (on the way down) to really test this out,  but the bike handled ascending switchbacks just fine.

How does the Superfly 8 compare to my Yelli on the DH? This one shouldn’t be too surprising. The Yelli is essentially a dirt jump bike with 29” wheels, so when built up properly, can absolutely slay trails on the way down. The Superfly doesn’t hold a candle against the Yelli in this category. That being said, the S8 is a capable descender in the hands of a skilled pilot. It’s stable and will hold a line through mild to wild technical sections.

In my First Look, I likened the S8 to a GS ski with a long sidecut radius, and that still seems right. Unlike the Yelli Screamy, which prefers being airborne whenever possible, the Superfly is happier staying on the ground—preferably smooth rolling ground. It can loft the occasional water bar in a nervous sort of way, but the S8’s bread ‘n butter is straight lining smooth trails.

The Superfly Lineup

Trek offers 12 models in the Superfly lineup, from entry-level aluminum bikes to full-on World Cup XC purebreds.

Prices for an aluminum Superfly start at $1500, with the Superfly 8 being the highest aluminum offering in the line ($2359), $161 less than its carbon cousin, the Superfly 9.6.  The carbon 9.6 ($2520) has a less advanced component package and actually weighs slightly more than the S8.

I’ve yet to ride a Trek Superfly carbon bike, but I imagine that the carbon model rides “softer” than the aluminum S8, given my time on the Devinci Wookey, a carbon hardtail. The Wookey has a much more ‘damp’ ride than any aluminum bike I’ve been on, the S8 included.

Riders looking for a new XC hardtail around the $2k mark will need to decide between ride quality (dampness) and components when looking at Trek’s Superfly line up. But if you live around buffed out, smooth trails, the aluminum S8 should suit you well.

A Few Gripes

The Superfly 8 is spec’d well enough for a $2300 hardtail, but owners may want to upgrade a few things as stuff wears out, namely the tires. I never felt comfortable on the Bontrager XR1 tires. They roll fast and have that pinner XC tread pattern that leg shavers will love, but I also found them outrageously unpredictable in corners, and they didn’t hook up well on Boise’s kitty litter covered trails.

I’m pretty picky when it comes to handlebars. I like a certain bend and sweep, and the stock Bontrager 27” flat bats didn’t work for me. 27” may be wide enough for some folks out there, but I prefer a wider bar with a little less sweep.

Trek’s G2 Geometry is forward thinking, but it requires proprietary components to really work. The issue G2 is trying to solve is that 29” wheeled bikes handle like dump trucks at slow speeds. Trek’s solution: slacken the head angle slightly (to make it steer quicker) but counteract that with a fork that has an off-set crown (to retain stability). The issue here is that you’re stuck with the OEM Fox Fork, as upgrading to the new Pike (or any other aftermarket fork for that matter) is not an option.

This is a highly subjective gripe but, Trek spec’d the Superfly with a 27.2” diameter seatpost. My sense is that this is supposed to help make the pounding your ass takes aboard an aluminum hardtail slightly more bearable (with a little flex in the seatpost, ew, I know…) but it again limits choices for aftermarket upgrades—i.e., a dropper post. I know XC bikes like this aren’t usually fashioned with dropper posts, but lets be honest, dropper posts are the single greatest invention the mountain bike has seen since disc brakes. I’d love to be able to throw one on the S8.

Bottom Line

With so many other options in the Superfly line, I can’t help but be curious about the slightly more expensive carbon Superfly 9.6, which could offer a damper ride than the S8 on the way down, and still maintain some of its awesome rigidity for climbing and control. Still, I think the Trek Superfly 8 is a good all around hardtail for the right person in the right place. If your local trails have few technical challenges and you’re considering entering some expert-level races, the S8 may be perfect for you.