Trek has already rolled out a plethora of new mountain bike products and technologies this summer. We rode the all-new Fuel EX 27.5 9.8, delved into the RE:aktiv shock technology Trek co-developed with Penske Racing Shocks, and highlighted Trek’s new Boost 148 rear axle spacing.
Check out more of our Trek 2015 coverage:
- Trek Emonda – a 10lb road bike
- Trek Emonda SLR 8 – just in
- Trek Silque women's endurance road bike
- Trek 2015 road bike overview
- Trek 2015 urban, recreation and kids bikes
Being the large company that Trek is, there’s even more to be unveiled. BikeRadar traveled to Trek World in Madison, Wisconsin, to get a look at more of the new bikes that will be showing up in Trek dealers’ showrooms in the coming months.
Farley fat bikes
Introduced last season, the Farley is Trek’s foray into the burgeoning fat bike market
For 2015, Trek will offer the Farley in two versions. The Farley 6 has a 2x10 drivetrain and a rigid fork with 135mm spacing and a quick-release axle. It retails for US$1,699. The Farley 8 has an 11-speed SRAM X1 drivetrain and comes with the new RockShox Bluto fork. Price for the Farley 8 is US$2,999. Both Farley builds will be available later this summer.
Bontrager now has tubeless-compatible fat rims and tyres for the Farley
The Jackalope is an 80mm-wide rim with a hybrid single / double wall construction, not unlike the NoTubes’ 29+ Hugo rim. The central channel features a double wall design, while the outer edges of the rim are single-walled. This hybrid design is all about reducing rotating mass. No word on claimed weights for the rim itself, however, a complete wheelset — with a 150mm thru-axle front hub and 177mm quick-release rear hub — is said to weigh 1,330g.
Accompanying the Jackalope is the Hodag, a 26x3.8in tyre with a tubeless-ready bead. What’s a Hodag you ask? Well, it’s a mythical creature known only to the state of Wisconsin, where Trek is based. (There seems to be a general theme here between freak animals and freakish bikes.)
The siping on the knobs is said to improve grip in the snow
The Hodag has a 60tpi casing and a claimed weight of 1,244g. It will be available this fall for US$149.
Superfly SS
After a brief haitus, Trek once again has a singlespeed mountain bike in its line. Trek, which once upon a time carried all of its 29er models under the Fisher brand name, first introduced the singelspeed 29er known as the Rig in late 2004 for the 2005 model year. A decade later, the company has unveiled the Superfly SS. Like it’s ancestor, the Superfly SS comes with a rigid fork and a wallet-friendly price tag.
The purple accents are a nod to the first-generation Gary Fisher Rig
The Superfly SS will be available this November for US$1,539. The frame is constructed from butted and hydroformed aluminum tubing and features a tapered head tube, press-fit bottom bracket and cleverly designed 142x12 sliding dropouts to tension the chain.
Thru-axles on the frame and fork of the new Superfly SS
The new singlespeed has a claimed weight of just 20lb. This low weight was made possible by spec’ing a matching Bontrager rigid carbon fork with a 15mm thru-axle, post mount disc brake tabs and a tapered alloy steerer.
The fork, named the Double Bevel, will be available for aftermarket purchase late this year. The aftermarket Double Bevel will come with a full carbon steerer and will retail for US$450.00. The claimed weight for the Double Bevel fork with a carbon steerer is 569g.
Electra Moto
The Superfly SS is not the only singlespeed in Trek’s quiver if you also count the new Electra Moto. Trek acquired the brand, best known for its cruiser and lifestyle bikes, earlier this year. The Moto blends an aggressive stance with classic curves and should be a hit with riders looking for an affordable 29er “beater” bike for quick trips around town, pub-crawlin’ and general on or off-road mayhem.
The Moto comes in a singlespeed as well as a three-speed version. The singlespeed Moto retails for US$499. The Moto with a three-speed internal hub comes in at $599.
29+ projects in the works…
Bontrager was showing off its first 29+ tyre. This 29x3in tyre goes by the name Chupacabra. It’s named after the (hopefully) mythical Latin American creature rumored to feast on the blood of goats.
Chupacabra tyre (left) alongside a sketch of its namesake
The actual Chupacabra is a medium-condition tyre based on the popular Bontrager XR2 tread pattern. It features a 120tpi construction and comes tubeless-ready. The claimed weight for tyre is 850g. It will be available in late 2014 for US$120.
Trek does not have a frame to pair it with just yet, nor did Bontrager have a tubeless-compatible rim on display, but the fact that this tyre is nearly ready to roll means both of these items can’t be far behind. Trek would neither confirm nor deny the possibility that it was also working on a 27.5+ project as well.
Trek did confirm that the 29.3in Chupacabra will clear the new Double Bevel fork.
New adventure touring model
New for 2015 is the Trek 920, an adventure touring bike designed for the roads and trails less traveled. The 920 has an alloy frame and comes with a set of sturdy front and rear racks, bar-end shifters and TRP Hylex hydraulic disc brakes. The 920 will be available in early 2015 and will retail for US$2,089.
Editor’s note: UK and Australian pricing was not immediately available for these models.
