Czech brand Superior carries over their XF series’ 1,900g full carbon frame with pivot less rear end, but they get upgraded parts options for 2019. The big improvements are a model with a complete XTR group using all the new parts from Shimano. To make that work, they also get the latest DT Swiss 1200 carbon wheels with a MicroSpline freehub body.
It’s not just the DT wheels, the bike gets a full DT Swiss suspension front and rear with their dual lockout remote lever.
The cockpit on this and the other two models shown below is their One house brand. For the XF R, that includes a carbon post and handlebar and sleek alloy stem. Retail is €6,500 for the XF 29R version as shown here with the best build. All XF models also use the Acros BlockLock headsets to keep the bar from spinning too far around and damaging the frame.
To compete in the growing “trail” category, there’s a new XF 999 Trail version that subs in an alloy rear end and bumps travel to 130mm. That’s a 10mm increase from prior trail versions, which were really more like long travel XC bikes.
The front triangle is the same for both, they just use a shorter shock yoke and longer shock stroke to add the travel.
Shown above, the XF R’s longer yoke and shorter shock is on the left, compared to the shorter yoke and longer stroke shock of the XF 999 on the right.
The top model will retail for €4,000 with SRAM X0 Eagle, DT 1900 wheels and Rockshox suspension.
A women’s version of the XF comes in three builds, topping out at the Team level. That still gets a full XTR build for the Team version, but with alloy XR 1500 wheels and alloy railed saddle.
Available in different colors and smaller/narrower/womens’ specific cockpit parts, but the same spec otherwise. The Team model shown here will retail for €5,500.
The X-Road gravel bike finally gets a 1x drivetrain build option. The top model gets similar parts upgrades as the XC bike, switching to carbon DT Swiss ERC 1400 wheels and carbon handlebar.
They say it can fit up to a 700×40 depending on rim width – it’d be tight on these rims.
It’ll ship with an FSA SL-K Carbon crankset with Shimano Ultegra RX Di2, K-Force Carbon cockpit and Schwalbe G-One 700×35 tires for €5,500. All are available through most of Europe.
