Trek has added a more upscale Pro model to its range of Superfly carbon hardtails for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Trek Soho Deluxe looks to be well equipped for the rigors of urban commuting.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
A new OCLV Mountain carbon fiber blend and an additional rubber pad on the down tube underside should protect the Trek Superfly Pro well against impact.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The extra-wide bottom bracket shell has bearing seats molded directly into the carbon structure.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Trek has heeded one of our gripes from last year, replacing the quick-release dropouts with a 15mm thru-axle setup for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
100mm of travel is provided by the RockShox SID XX 29 fork.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Hallelujah! Trek has abandoned the old Bontrager Race XXX Lite foam grips for the outstanding ESI silicone foam rubber grips used by the Subaru-Trek team.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The rear rack is ready to accept the bags and panniers of your choosing.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Shimano Nexus 8's internal gears are well protected from the elements relative to a conventional drivetrain.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Gates Carbon Drive CenterTrack toothed belt runs quietly and should require virtually zero maintenance.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Trek wisely includes reinforced tires and full-wrap fenders with the Soho Deluxe.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The top tube is armored with a strip of thick rubber on each side to protect the frame from light posts and parking meters.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Rather than go with hugely oversized chain stays and ultra-spindly seat stays, Trek has opted for more moderate dimensions all around.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
We tested the 2011 Trek Superfly Elite last year and found a lot to like, including impressively low weight, a stout backbone, superb handling, and good ride characteristics. The 2012 Superfly Pro, however, expands on what was good, fixes a few niggles we found with the previous version, and moves even further upscale for what we expect to be a cross-country rocketship.
The frame is mostly carried over – which in this case is a good thing – with the exception of Trek's OCLV Mountain and Carbon Armor technologies for improved impact resistance. Nearly 100 percent carbon construction keeps the weight to a not-too-low 1,340g for our medium tester while the otherwise identically puffed-up tube diameters and tapered front end should yield the same sharp handling and pedal responsiveness as before.
Both the headset and bottom bracket bearing seats are molded right into the carbon structure – saving weight but also minimizing complexity – and while the dropouts are carbon, too, bolt-on aluminum plates are used for better long-term durability and easy replacement if needed.
This year's Superfly Elite switches from the SRAM X0 of our old tester to a Shimano Deore XT package but our new Pro model goes all-in with a SRAM XX group, which helps bring the total weight of our tester to a paltry 9.66kg (21.30lb) – and once we convert it to tubeless, that figure will drop even further.
Trek has heeded one of our gripes from last year, replacing the quick-release dropouts with a 15mm through-axle setup for 2012
Other component highlights include a RockShox SID XX 29 fork with remote hydraulic lockout, tubeless-ready Bontrager Race X Lite TLR Disc 29 alloy clincher wheels, a carbon wrapped Bontrager Race X Lite seatpost, a pleasantly wide Bontrager Race X Lite Carbon Big Sweep flat bar, a Bontrager Race XXX Lite molded carbon stem, and Bontrager's comfy Evoke 4 titanium railed saddle.
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Despite losing a full pound relative to last year's Elite, some wise choices in spec should actually make this year's Pro more capable on a wider selection of terrain. Tire size has grown to 2.2"-wide Bontrager 29-1 Teams with their versatile, low-to-medium profile tread blocks, new 15mm thru-axle dropouts up front should improve steering precision over technical terrain, and last year's horrible Bontrager foam grips have finally been replaced by the ESI silicone foam grips that the Subaru-Trek team has used for years.
All this performance does come at a high price, though. Retail cost is US$6,829.99 but at least as far as we can tell right now, the only thing you'll need to add before hitting the trails or toeing the start line is a pair of pedals.
Rather than go with hugely oversized chainstays and ultra-spindly seatstays, Trek have opted for more moderate dimensions all around
Belt drive and internal gearing on the Soho Deluxe creates the perfect match for commuting
Trek's Soho Deluxe promises ultra-low maintenance for the time-strapped urban commuter. The Gates Carbon Drive CenterTrack toothed belt requires no lubrication, the Shimano Nexus 8-speed internally geared hub guts are far more protected from weather than on a conventional drivetrain, and the front disc and rear drum brakes should work far longer than regular rim brakes before any service is required.
At least from the look of things, the Soho Deluxe should be a true grab-and-go machine that's ready when you need it but won't require a lot of attention in between.
Initial test rides have also proven it to be remarkably quiet – so much so that Trek should perhaps consider a bell as standard equipment. The rear hub features a roller clutch mechanism instead of conventional toothed pawls, the belt generates nary a whisper of sound as you pedal along, and aside from the light click in the shifter, even changing gears is a virtually noiseless operation
Aside from the aforementioned bell (and kickstand), Trek looks to have otherwise done a good job of making the Soho Deluxe commuting-ready with factory-included fenders, chain guard, and rear rack plus a rubber padded top tube to protect against scratches and dents when locking the bike up. Armored Bontrager H2 Plus tires are standard fare as well and their reflective sidewalls offer some reassurance when riding in low light.
It's not especially lightweight at 13.92kg (30.66lb) all in but pricing seems fairly reasonable at US$1,319.99 considering the hardware included.
