29-inch bikes are sluggish, difficult to accelerate and require a lot of effort to manoeuvre through tight singletrack. So much for the prejudices. You could be forgiven for thinking that Gary Fisher only created the "Superfly 29" to get back at the eternal naysayers and notorious complainers.
Extremely agile, light-footed and stiff (83.2 Nm/degree, STW 62.8), the monocoque carbon construction converts pedalling energy into movement. The cockpit with 650 millimetre wide handlebars fits right away, and there is no trace of sluggish steering behaviour when changing direction quickly. This is due to the "G2" geometry with special (larger) fork offset, which reduces the trail.
With a sporty riding position that is also suitable for longer tours, you can make rapid progress on the trails. But even in technical terrain with root networks and stony paths, the large 29-inch wheels roll over obstacles more confidently than their smaller brothers. The limiting factor in terms of comfort is the 80 millimetre travel of the fork, while the slim seat post in combination with the torsion-resistant frame allows for sufficient flex. The traction on steep climbs with loose ground is also impressive. Thanks to the more favourable tyre contact area, the rear wheel spins less quickly, especially when standing.
The workmanship of the frame is pleasing, except for small details such as the cable routing under the top tube, which runs unguided over a long distance and with a lot of contact with the frame to the fittings.
Extremely positive: Two plates in the area of the bottom bracket shell effectively protect the carbon frame from chain jamming. Only Bontrager attachments and SRAM components are used, giving the bike a harmonious, clean look.
The thick but twist-proof foam grips are a little too bulky, especially for riders with small hands. Despite the relatively wide 29-inch tyres, the rear triangle offers sufficient tyre clearance even in muddy conditions. Measured against the proud price of 3699 euros, the total weight of 10.4 kilograms without pedals (frame 1325 g) is in the solid mid-range, but offers tuning potential.
CONCLUSIONS: The Gary Fisher "Superfly" presents itself as a lively 29er hardtail with a beautifully crafted, stiff carbon frame and powerful propulsion.
Photo: Markus Greber
