Trek “Rhodey” Superfly 8 Review

First “True” Mountain Bike:

This is my first “true” mountain bike, the 2015 Trek Superfly 8. In case you guys don’t know, our stable is composed purely of folding bikes. We have the Custom Tern “Stark” Verge, the Custom Tern “Potts” Link, and the Limited Edition London Brompton “Bromie”. Thus, all of my recent riding experiences are on the asphalt. So, as a reminder, this first impression/review will be from a mountain bike beginner's perspective.

Since I was really set on getting a Trek and since this was the only Superfly 8 on-stock during my visit to the local Trek dealer (Cebu), I really didn’t have any other option. Good thing the shop owner gave me a good deal which was hard to refuse and I never looked back.

Yes, I did research a good amount of information about mountain bikes before pulling the trigger. But, the things to remember when getting a mountain bike are very different from my previous experience with folding bikes. Thankfully, a friend of mine, Ramon “Bogs” Calderon, accompanied me during the whole mountain bike purchasing ordeal.

I’m around 5’7”, I think. And I haven’t done any actual bike fitting or measurements in the past. The shop owner and the technician suggested a small frame for me based on my height and proportions. The small frame (15.5) of the Superfly has 650b or 27.5" wheels while the rest of their larger frame sizes which have 29" wheels.

At first, I was a little skeptical since the sizing charts on the internet either puts me on a medium frame or somewhere between medium and small. I was also undecided whether to get a 27.5" or a 29". Both bikes have their own pros and cons. The 650b or 27.5 " wheels accelerate faster and are lighter at the expense of a bumpier ride when rolling over rough terrain. The 29" wheels, on the other hand, have better top speed and smoother ride at the cost of a heavier overall weight. After much deliberation and a little testing, I decided to put my fate on their expert opinions and took the small frame. 

Frame:

The frame may not be carbon but is made from Trek’s Alpha Platinum (premium grade) Aluminum. It is one of the lightest in its class. The paint job is also superb and I liked the black/blue color scheme.

Before getting the bike on the road, I made sure that I installed some kind of protection for the frame. So, I had the technician install a Zefal Skin Armor (L). It is a realtively thick transparent film (think of the plastic cover of books but on your bike frame instead) that is applied on certain parts of the frame to protect it from debris and cable rub. I really recommend it since it is really of good quality.

I would also like to mention about Trek’s lifetime warranty on the frames. In case your frame fails and they find out it is due to a factory defect, they will replace it with a brand new one. Thus, you really need not worry about the quality and craftsmanship. Kudos on Trek on this one. Their bikes are built to last.

Fork:

One of the most, if not the most, distinguishable part of a mountain bike is its fork since it has shocks unlike their road bike counterpart. On this bike, it is the Fox Float CTD Evolution that cushions the rider up front. Fox, by the way, is one of the leaders in bike suspensions and many consider their products as their top choice. Performance wise, I am very satisfied and didn’t have any issues with it during my first long ride. Since I don’t plan to upgrade the fork anytime soon, I am lucky to have a Fox Float in my built bike.

Groupset:

The 2015 Superfly 8 is powered by Shimano, namely SLX Front Derailleur, SLX Front and Rear Shifters, SLX Brake system, SLX Crankset and Deore XT Rear Derailleur. Functionally, based on my first long ride (mostly asphalt with minimal rough terrain), the brake system was decent. The shifting was flawless. This is actually my first time owning a Shimano groupset and I think the set installed on my bike are good enough for beginners and amateur level riders. I will definitely test the bike on the trail next time to better assess these components on their natural habitat.

The Others (Wheelset, Tires, Handlebar, Seatpost, Saddle):

I really don’t have any issues with the rest of the components. I also don’t have enough knowledge and experience to critic them well enough. I will probably have an update on their performance in the future. But as of now, they serve me well and most likely any casual to amateur riders as well.

Conclusion:

Overall, the 2015 Trek Superfly 8 is a great bike for beginners and amateur riders looking for a stable ride which they need not upgrade anytime soon. The components are already in the mid-range level. No regrets here. :)