2012 Trek Superfly AL 29er Mountain Bike
With Gary Fishers 29er legacy, the Superfly AL (or X-Caliber as it was known previously) is owed a lot of credit for reviving the hardtail mountain bike in recent years. Because of the smoother rolling platform that the bigger 29" wheels provide, a hardtail becomes a more versatile option that is comfortable for all-day riding whilst having the kind of efficiency and responsiveness that rewards the rider on climbs and flowy singletrack. And when compared to the more expensive dual suspension models, the simplicity of a rigid frame is appealing to riders who don't frequent super techy terrain and don't need to lug around a heavy rear shock or pivots.
The Superfly AL shares a lot of the technology that was pioneered with the carbon fiber Superfly frame, though in a much more budget-friendly aluminum package that will appeal to weekend warriors and trail riders alike. Just like the carbon model, you get the E2 Tapered headtube and a press-fit bottom bracket that both serve to increase frame stiffness while actually decreasing weight, and the Fox Float 100 RL fork also proves that you don't have to compromise on the important areas with a sub-$2k bike. Although this is the entry level Superfly, the componentry is anything but with a slick 10 speed XT/SLX drivetrain, Avid Elixir brakes and lightweight Bontrager cockpit that will leave you no excuses on the trail.

Even at this pricepoint, wheel stiffness is not an area you want to compromise on a 29er, and although there are lighter options out there, few are as stiff and rigid as the Bontrager Mustang 29er wheelset that come on the Superfly AL. As your main connection between the pedals and the ground, the stiff Mustang wheelset accelerates and turns with precision allowing you to hold your line on fast corners and through chunky rock gardens with minimal deflection. Another great feature of the Bontrager wheelset is its ability to be setup tubeless with a Bonty specific rim strip that allows for the use with tubeless tyres - a great upgrade you can make down the line to reduce rolling resistance and the likelihood of punctures.
Having been making 29er tyres for the past 14 years, Bontrager has a lot of experience in wrapping big wheels with quality rubber, and the new 2012 29-1 tyres are no exception. Featuring a lightweight casing, the 2.2" wide low profile tyres are incredibly fast on hardpack and rocky trails, with their big-volume construction providing further cusioning and traction over skinnier tyres. Unless you're riding in a lot of mud, the 29-1 tyres will blow you away with their speed, cornering ability and overall comfort.

Our favourite features of the Superfly AL

FCC MTB Oversized hub, flanges, and end caps create a flex-free 29" wheel capable of chewing through technical terrain. With a 29er wheel that has Wider and taller flanges with outboard J-bend spokes you get a stiffer wheel system.  FCC wheel system pushes the wheel flanges out and up, improving the bracing angle between flange and rim also adding strength and rigidity to the wheel.  A stiffer and stronger 29er wheel, that’s the result.

Slow-handling 29ers? The many advantages of bigger wheels can come with a price: sleepy handling. Gary Fisher solved that with G2 geometry. G2 Geometry is a system-wide solution to slow 29er handling. Trek have optimised frame geometry and fork geometry in tandem to create a bike that handles nimbly in tight, twisty singletrack without compromising high-speed stability. It's why the Fisher Collection 29ers handle better than any others and can be ridden the same way you would a 26” bike