Trek Superfly FS Mountain Bike Review
If you want a combination of a fast rolling 29er setup and full-sus compliance then the Trek Superfly FS range provides in both areas. With a broad range of models and a couple of custom setups also available, there is plenty of choice for aspiring racers.
Trek Superfly FS 7
The Alpha Platinum Aluminium frame of this model has a Flow Mould carbon swing link, an E2 tapered head tube and G2 geometry to give the rider an experience which is geared towards off-road fun. At the front you will find the RockShox Reba RL fork with motion control remote lockout and 100mm of travel, while the rear uses a Monarch RL shock from the same manufacturer.
SRAM X7 components are used in the drivetrain and you get Shimano M446 hydraulic disc brakes for extra speed management in tricky conditions.
| Trek Superfly FS 7 Specifications 2014 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Derailleur: | SRAM X7 | Front Fork: | RockShox Reba RL 100mm travel |
| Rear Derailleur: | SRAM X7 | Rear Shock: | Fox Factory Series |
| Shifters: | SRAM X7 | Brakes: | Shimano M445 hydraulic discs |
| Gears: | 10 speed | Rims: | Bontrager |
| Chainring: | 38/24 | Tyres: | Bontrager XR1 Expert |
| Cassette: | 11-36 | Weight: | N/A |
Trek Superfly FS 8
The Superfly FS 8 sticks with the alloy frame of its counterparts but adds Fox Evolution Series suspension at the rear and Fox Factory Series 32 front forks, with CTD (climb-trail-descend) damper technology onboard, making it flexible enough to tackle a range of situations.
Derailleurs are Shimano Deore at the front and Deore XT at the rear. Shimano SLX shifters compliment the drivetrain for smooth changing. Shimano SLX hydraulic disc brakes complete the package.
Trek once again match their excellent frames with Bontrager components in the shape of Bontrager XR1 Expert tyres, rims, seatpost and handlebar to provide a lightweight accompaniment.
| Trek Superfly FS 8 Specifications 2014 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Derailleur: | Shimano Deore | Front Fork: | Fox Factory Series 32 100mm travel |
| Rear Derailleur: | Shimano Deore XT | Rear Shock: | Fox Evolution Series Float |
| Shifters: | Shimano SLX | Brakes: | Shimano SLX hydraulic discs |
| Gears: | 10 speed | Rims: | Bontrager |
| Chainring: | 38/24 | Tyres: | Bontrager XR1 Expert |
| Cassette: | 11-36 | Weight: | N/A |
Trek Superfly FS 9
There are several important equipment upgrades instigated to distinguish the Superfly FS 9 from its lowlier siblings. Firstly you get a RockShox SID RL fork at the front, with PushLock remote lockout capabilities and Trek’s custom G2 geometry, which is paired with a Monarch RL rear shock that also has full lockout functionality.
Shimano Deore XT groupset, brakes and Shadow Plus drivetrain components help speed up gear changes and reduce weight, while the Race X Lite stem and seatpost from Bontrager are tough enough for competitive situations, but light enough to not prevent the rider from pushing themselves.
These are once again complimented with Bontrager XR1 Team Issue tyres but this time they sit on DT Swiss X1800 rims.
| Trek Superfly FS 9 Specifications 2014 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Derailleur: | Shimano Deore XT | Front Fork: | RockShox SID RL 100mm travel |
| Rear Derailleur: | Shimano Deore XT | Rear Shock: | RockShox Monarch RL |
| Shifters: | Shimano Deore XT | Brakes: | Shimano Deore XT hydraulic discs |
| Gears: | 10 speed | Rims: | DT Swiss X1800 |
| Chainring: | 38/26 | Tyres: | Bontrager XR1 Team Issue |
| Cassette: | 11-36 | Weight: | N/A |
Trek Superfly FS 9.7 SL
The stand out feature of the Superfly FS 9.7 SL is its OCLV carbon frame which is lighter and more professionally attuned than the alloy alternatives. Cables are routed internally and the Fox Evolution Series suspension setup is carefully integrated for improved compliance and control.
For it’s entry-level carbon frame, Trek have selected SRAM X7 & X9 components for the engine and Shimano SLX hydraulic discs to slow the beast down. Boots are Bontrager XR1 Experts sat on Bontrager rims.
| Trek Superfly FS 9.7 SL Specifications 2014 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Derailleur: | SRAM X7 | Front Fork: | Fox Factory Series 32 100mm travel |
| Rear Derailleur: | SRAM X9 | Rear Shock: | Fox Evolution Series Float |
| Shifters: | SRAM X7 | Brakes: | Shimano SLX hydraulic discs |
| Gears: | 10 speed | Rims: | Bontrager |
| Chainring: | 38/24 | Tyres: | Bontrager XR1 Expert |
| Cassette: | 11-36 | Weight: | N/A |
Trek Superfly FS 9.8 SL
The carbon frame of this model comes with a Fox Evolution fork that has the aforementioned CTD technology built into its remote lockout. The Bontrager Race Lite TLR wheelset is rugged and robust while still capable of reducing the bike’s weight and the Shimano Deore XT drivetrain and brakes setup is well matched with the rest of the equipment.
| Trek Superfly FS 9.8 SL Specifications 2014 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Derailleur: | Shimano Deore XT | Front Fork: | Fox Factory Series 32 100mm travel |
| Rear Derailleur: | Shimano Deore XT | Rear Shock: | Fox Evolution Series Float |
| Shifters: | Shimano Deore XT | Brakes: | Shimano Deore XT hydraulic discs |
| Gears: | 10 speed | Rims: | Bontrager Race Lite |
| Chainring: | 38/26 | Tyres: | Bontrager XR1 Team Issue |
| Cassette: | 11-36 | Weight: | N/A |
Trek Superfly FS 9.9 SL XX1
If you have the cash (£6,999) to invest in this professional-grade full-sus mountain bike then you will want to make sure that it has been well spent, which a quick glance at this bike’s spec sheet will reveal to be the case. The carbon frame is paired with RockShox SID World Cup XX suspension at the front, RockShox Monarch XX at the rear, an SRAM XX1 drivetrain and Avid XX World Cup hydraulic brakes.
There is even an OCLV Mountain carbon chainstay for additional weight reduction in an area which you might not otherwise have considered.
| Trek Superfly FS 9.9 SL XX1 Specifications 2014 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Derailleur: | N/A | Front Fork: | RockShox SID World Cup XX 100mm travel |
| Rear Derailleur: | SRAM XX1 | Rear Shock: | RockShox Monarch XX |
| Shifters: | SRAM XX1 | Brakes: | Avid XX World Cup hydraulic discs |
| Gears: | 11 speed | Rims: | Bontrager Race X-Lite |
| Chainring: | 34T | Tyres: | Bontrager XR0 Team Issue |
| Cassette: | 10-42 | Weight: | N/A |
Trek Superfly FS 9.9 SL XTR
This Superfly model will cost a similar amount to the XX1, ie. £6,999, but uses a Fox Factory fork and Shimano XTR drivetrain rather than the SRAM alternative.
| Trek Superfly FS 9.9 SL XTR Specifications 2014 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Derailleur: | Shimano XTR | Front Fork: | Fox Factory Series 32 100mm travel |
| Rear Derailleur: | Shimano XTR | Rear Shock: | Fox Factory Series |
| Shifters: | Shimano XTR | Brakes: | Shimano XTR hydraulic discs |
| Gears: | 10 speed | Rims: | Bontrager Race X-Lite |
| Chainring: | 38/26 | Tyres: | Bontrager XR0 Team Issue |
| Cassette: | 11-36 | Weight: | N/A |
Trek Superfly FS 9.9 SL custom models
If you want a bit more choice in what equipment and colours are used on your top tier Trek Superfly FS mountain bike then either of the two custom models, with SRAM or Shimano components onboard, can be chosen this year.
