Is it possible to love a bike at first sight? In my case, the answer is a complete 'yes!' For a review of the Hammerhead Karoo (the successor to the Karoo 2), I was looking for a bike with SRAM electronic shifting. Via Ronald Staman of SportBikeService in Hellendoorn I ended up with a Superior X-Road GF.
I do not know the Superior brand very well yet. Of course, I have seen some pictures of them on social media and in real life I have come across one. Besides, I know that Superior is a fine international player, especially in mountain biking. The brand originates from the Czech Republic, but that's where my ready knowledge ends.
Together with Ronald, we make the choice to completely rebuild a Superior X-Road GF: Obviously, we go for electronic shifting via SRAM Rival with a double front blade (48/35, 12 speed). We also opt for a single-sided power meter, Fast Forward Tyro wheelset with a 45 mm height and 32 mm Vitoria RideArmor tyres. The aero handlebars already come with the standard bike. All in all, then, top-notch equipment.
Superior X-Road GF: What a picture!
Whichever side you look at the bike from, it is a picture. Of course, this is a matter of taste, but I really think the Superior is a sleek bike. Thanks to the electronic shifting system, no cables are visible, which makes the aero handlebars look even nicer and cleaner. The 32-millimetre-wide tyres fit nicely to the frame. From the side, the Superior looks even sleeker. A flat top tube, a wide down tube and something of a notch in the seatpost near the rear wheel. What catches the eye most, however, is the colour: dark purple with a glitter in it and the big silver letters SUP on the down tube.
The frame near the rear wheels also features the bike brand in the same silver colour. These very letters literally give the bike a flashy look. Because no matter from which side you look at the bike or from which side you approach, the incidence of light makes the letters keep changing colour. It is as if the bike invites you to come closer and take a bike ride.
New experience
For me, cycling with SRAM is new. I've never really experienced electronic shifting either. Because, why should I? Press the levers a little harder and you shift gears yourself. However, I cannot deny that I am very curious to see how this works in practice. According to Ronald, after cycling with electronic shifting, I will never want anything else. We'll see.
Cycling!
My first lap with the Superior, while not long, certainly already gives me a good impression of the bike. It will be a lap in my backyard, up and down the Holterberg. A hilly road between moorland and forest with a few tough calves.
Before I can get on, I just need to set up my Hammerhead Karoo. Pair it with the power meter and specify the gearing of the 12-speed SRAM Rival. It works really incredibly simply and the data that appears on the display gives a nice insight into power and the gear I am cycling in. Also handy that I can see at a glance the status of the Rival's batteries.
This bike wants to go
Cycling away, I immediately feel that the bike wants to move forward. I use the first part out of the village and along a through road to get used to the bike. Shifting gears is incredibly easy. A tap on the lever on the right means a heavier gear change and by tapping the left shifter I change back. No more 'pushing through' as I was used to, just a tap. I will definitely be comfortable with this. If I press both shifters at the same time, I switch to the small front wheel or vica versa.
Testing at Holterberg
The Holterbergweg runs slightly uphill from the Nijverdal side at first. Not so hard yet that I have to go to the small gears, but it takes some work. When I get out of the saddle for a moment, I feel that the bike is quite stiff. This is due to the frame, but certainly also to Fast Forward's fantastic wheels. Like an accomplished Contador I reach the highest point of the Holterberg. For 2 kilometres from that point, the road goes downhill, between the moors. I place my hands at the bottom of the stirrups and push as hard as I can. The first thing I think is that I have missed this terribly. Deliciously picking up speed on a road bike. Tick, tick, tick... I place the chain on the heaviest gear and try to cycle as fast as possible. The Superior does exactly what is asked.
After the 'German turn', we have to climb again to the top of Deep Hell. The Superior responds just fine. Whether I stay in my saddle or get out for a moment.
Everything fine about this bike
I find that I also really like the handlebars. It is precisely the aero handlebars with the flat top that allow me to put my hands well away and have sufficient grip. With my hands half on the handlebars and the shifters, I ride up at a nice pace. What a bike!
After completing the outward route, I ride back via the Motieweg. A short but tough climb that I rode up many times. On average, the climb is about 4% with an outlier to just over 10%. This time, however, it feels less tough. I stay on until the steepest part, then shift gears effortlessly for a while and toil upwards. The grin does not disappear from my face. Delightful!
When I reach the Toeristenweg towards Nijverdal again, I put the bike aside to think about my first impression: It feels like I'm on a pro's bike and I imagine that this Superior won't make a blunder in the bunch at all. Far from it. The sticker on the upright also confirms this: UCI approved. As I glance over the bike, I also notice for the first time that, unlike Shimano, the chain is flat at the top. Enquiry reveals that this this chain features Flattop technology, developed by SRAM. It increases durability and ease of shifting and just looks incredibly sleek.
Stand BSM
A week later, I leave for Bourg Saint Maurice. The main purpose is holidays, but it is also the ideal base to try out the Superior in the mountains. Cormet de Roseland, Peissey Nancroix, Col de Petite Saint Bernard...cols that have already provided fireworks in many a Tour stage. At the time I am there, the men from Visma-LAB are just having a training camp in nearby Tignes. I am curious to see what Robert Gesink will think of the Superior. I suspect that he could also have a successful altitude training ride with this bike.
Wonderful all-rounder
Indeed, the Superior is an all-round bike that is excellent on any surface. This is certainly also due to Fast Forward's wheelset. I personally like the 45 millimetre Tyro rims. It looks great, but you still don't suffer so much from crosswinds. The wheels steer tight and direct. The rims are completely black, with FFWD in dark decals. Nice! Vittoria's RideArmor tyres are 32 millimetres wide, which makes for great handling and rolling resistance. According to Vittoria themselves, this is their most durable and puncture-resistant tyre ever. I can only agree, as I haven't had a single puncture in the period I tested the bike, despite not saving the tyres.
The best there is
For me, cycling in the mountains really is the most beautiful thing there is. Slogging up to the top, having a coke at the top and then whizzing down. With the Superior, I don't expect climbing to become that much easier, I am simply a few kilos too heavy for that. However, the X-road does add to the enjoyment factor. Climbing remains tough at times, but the ease with which you shift gears, the bike's reaction when you come out of the saddle or the relaxed position of your hands on the aero handlebars makes climbing just a little less gruelling. Descending itself is a joy. I can turn on, gain speed and dare to throw the Superior into the hairpin turns with great ease. Hands under the stirrups and go. At no point does the bike feel unstable and even the side wind has no influence on the riding behaviour: head for a hairpin at speed, assess it, brake, steer and get on the gas again. Enjoy!
Last lap for this review of the Superior X-road GF
After my holiday, I unfortunately have to return the bike. I make one last tour of the area. Have I taken all the points? Can I think of anything else? The only thing that comes to mind is that it's just an incredibly comfortable bike. A bike that wants to move forward, that you can pick up speed on and steers pleasantly. The best part during the last trip with the Superior is a wide cycle path towards a motorway. Just before the motorway, you dive under the motorway exit with a curve and then cycle over it with a curve upwards. We ride at high speed head over heels towards the motorway, when I decide to bang full speed towards the overpass. Leaving my cycling buddy's back, I sprint down under the exit. The bike doesn't budge and does what is asked: Speed up. Once I have passed under the turn-off, the road curves further uphill. I get out of the saddle and give one last punch until I reach the top of the viaduct, where I sit back down and let myself roll out until my bike mate catches up.
Final conclusion Review Superior X-Road GF
What a wonderful bike! Comfortable, yet fast and what great looks. From a distance, the bike seems a bit colourless at first: Dark coloured with only big SUP on the down tube. But the closer you get to the Superior, the more beautiful the bike becomes. The incidence of light constantly changes the colour of the decals on the frame. It has caused many turning heads and admiring glances along the way. In that respect, I do think it's a shame that Superior opts for a slightly duller logo on the down tube with its latest models. Of course, it's more recognisable and from that point of view I can understand it.
Would I want this bike myself? Absolutely! I wouldn't hesitate for a moment. An added advantage is that it also fits gravel tyres with a maximum width of 40mm. Then you definitely have an all-in-one bike. Superior will soon come out with a new X-road, which will also fit 45-millimetre gravel tyres. That offers even more perspective.
Plus points Superior X-road GF
So what are the biggest pluses for me? There are three:
- The frame
- the wheels
- the wheel.
Of course, I experienced the convenience of electronic shifting and I also see the added value of riding with a powermeter, but they are not deal-breakers for me. In terms of price, then, the Superior strikes me as incredibly good.
- The bike as I ride it costs €5299. That's a hefty sum, but this one is not too bad considering the equipment. So that's with FFWD wheels and SRAM Rival electric and the power meter. For a bike like this, that's really not a bad deal. It's still €5000 but you buy a lot of bike for it.
- If you buy the bike in the standard version, the Superior will cost €3469. For that, you do get the frame, aero handlebars, DT-Swiss wheels and Shimano Ultegra R8000 (11 speed). A more than fine basic bike with possibilities to upgrade. If you buy a set of gravel tyres with it, you have a bike you can really do anything with. A very nice road bike and an incredibly fast gravel bike.
More info: Superior Bikes
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