trek superfly 8 29er

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Trek Superfly 29er Hardtail

Superfly is THE choice for the aficionado seeking the fastest, most advanced, best 29er out there.

• USER REVIEWS

It's a truly great bike. Fast, light, superb handling. I live it.

There are no weaknesses

The first carbon bike I've owned. The bike is light, fast and fun.

The bottom bracket bearing wore out earlier than I would have expected.

Awesome Bike , Great improvement with the new 142 thru axle ,wow ,awesome stiff. I am 6' 230lbs , Bench 350,squat 650,this bike is a great at climbing and it goes down almost as well. Love the G2 ,always have.

I have owned many mtn bikes (20+) ,if ur lookin for a fast climbing machine that descends very well ,this is a great choice. Just got mine ,it's wonderful. I will let u knw in August how it held up. I rode 1700 on a rd bike last yr and 400 in the woods,look to do 1,000 in the woods on this. Trek Superfly 29er rules.

Similar Products Used:

2014 trek ex 9, salsa Horsethief 2014, Nukeproof Scalp,Cannondale super six evo , E5 SL Smartweld, Trek mamba,Cannondale scalpel & rush and many many others owned by me.

for the Superfly 5 2014 18,5 frame which I am rating: frame design - geometry, great handling

regarding the frame, none. Components, there is Supefly 5 - 9, you get what you pay for, choose the class which suits you and your budget and upgrade what ever you like, mainly the wheels I would recommend.

I am rating the Superfly 2014-2016 alluminium frame. Superfly 5 – 9 have the same frame and are priced according to components selection. My frame is Superfly 5 2014 size 18,5 virtual. I wanted this frame. Components, I upgraded practically everything. Great frame, fantastic geometry, handling could not be better. I had TREK Paragon 29“ 2011 which is the same design as Superfly 2012 and 2013. This frame is a next generation from these. I will repeat what I wrote for the Paragon 2011 review; It is fast, nimble, at high speeds as well while maintaining great stability. G2 geometry really works. The frame is stiff, well built. This new frame design only confirms these facts and only adds to the overall riding confidence. One big advantage of TREK 29” HT is the frame length. Probably the longest 29” HT frame out there. Size M is as long as size L of most other brands which means you can get a one size smaller frame to fit you perfectly and you get more standing clearance. It only would not fit the long legged (models). If you are of this stature and want a 29” HT, TREK Superfly is maybe the best option. It does not come with 12x142 rear wheel hub through axle set up. You have to get the TREK 12x142 conversion set. I got it, but still have to get the wheels for it. For now I am using WTB Stryker TCS Cross Country Race 29? 2012 wheel set (9x135 QR) which I used on my Paragon for about 3 years. They are a fantastic wheel set, but can not be converted to 12x142 ;( Since it was introduced in autumn 2013 I really wanted it. At the time I was still happy with the previous superfly frame design (riding the Paragon 2011) and did not quite realize what can be improved. Compared with the previous frame, this one has: more size options (added the 18,5 which I have), closed convert dropouts - 12x142 rear axle option, internal cable routing, shorter chain/seat stays – stiffer frame, curved seat tube – better pedaling angle and BB are app. 0,5 cm lower which results in better stability. After riding the Paragon 2011 for app 3 years I switched to this Superfly 2014, riding feel is noticeably better. I can not say that the difference is dramatic, but it is noticeable, I have just a little bit more riding confidence feel. Highly recommended.

Marin Nail Trail 29" 2011, TREK Paragon 29" 2011

Fast, climbes faster than my colleagues at the office, and is much easier to control.

Haven't found any yet

I simply love this bike, almost as much as my wife and Stabak football team. It beats me older bike (Specialized Sumpjumper) in every respect. Everyday use showes it is faster, and it is much easier to controll. For me it also feels more responsive when climbing.

Gary Fischer X-Cal, LaPierre 529, Specialized Stumpjumper.

Fast, responsive, great technical capabilities for an XC bike, wonderful handling at all speeds, strong brakes, great fork, great price, cranks are easily upgraded due to being compatible with many different hollow tech type cranks.

No TLR wheels on 2014 SF 5 (fixed for 2015 models), a little heavy for an XC race bike (it doesn't feel heavy though)

If you can only have one bike this is definitely one to look at. The few gripes I had with the 2014 Superfly 5 (the lowest model available) have been fixed for 2015. The upside of not having those upgrades was that it pushed me to swap to parts that are superior to what you will find on the current stock models. I like going fast but I wanted a bike that could handle the technical sections like a trail bike. The SF definitely fits that bill even on stock components. I swapped in 2010 Bontrager Rythm Elites and paired them with Team Edition 2.3" XR3 tires. The bike is now faster due to the better wheels/hubs but also handles better due to the more aggressive tires and stronger all mountain wheels. I also changed to a single ring and dropped some weight and maintenance that way. Not everyone will want it set up like this but for me it's the best way to go. The bottom line is that the Superfly is light, maneuverable, fast and fun. I've gone back and forth on the same trails with this 29er and smaller 26" wheeled bikes and I can honestly say that even on the tightest of trails this 29er doesn't give up any maneurerability due to it's bigger wheel size and it's much faster on everything else. I know a lot of people go with the carbon frame on this board, and some of them have had durability issues. I just can't justify that extra money, the alluminum frame is already super comfortable for a hardtail, fairly light and I don't have to worry about cracking issues. I've had zero reliability concerns over the last 1200 miles and the only wear item I had to replace was the chain. Even the XR3 tires which have over 700 miles on them at this point look like they will be able to go a lot further.

I'm reviewing a Superfly 5, 2014, 19.5 inch frame: Handles well at all speeds Climbs well. Great on flowing trails Great geometry Handles technical sections well for an XC oriented bike. Cockpit dialed in. Accelerates well if you're in shape

Not tubeless ready. A bit heavy for a bike in this category. Rather have a 2 X 10 drivetrain. Crank set should be upgraded. Needs race tires (Bontrager XR1s are good all around tires, but not so "racy" like the Schwalbe 29er tires.

This bike is fast if you are, and handles flowing trails like a dream.For an XC oriented trail bike it handles technical, mid west style hill riding really well. I've taken some crazy jumps on it just fine, bombed ski slopes, hopped a lot of logs, ridden really fast. I thought to change out handle bar for a straight, but I feel they dialed in the cockpit really well with the slightly bent handlebar it has. It has Deore/ XT, but not the shadow version. It didn't feel as crisp as the Specialized Crave at the price point, but felt more forgiving, definitely better downhill. The Crave felt maybe a bit jumpy in comparison. Pretty paint job, great geometry, and well thought out frame. However, what I have since discovered is that you're not getting an entry level race bike for this price point ($1,300-$1,500) (although it's billed as such), but really just a more XC oriented hardtail trail bike. My naivete. Now I have to upgrade the wheelset to get ready for some races. (I'm new to XC racing.) I put a remote lockout on it too. The 2015 model has a remote lockout standard, but I believe there was price creep on the 2015 model. More people I know ride Specialized, but some seem to love Trek, too. Piece of advice: don't buy to save money-wait til you can spend the money for the bike you want, or you will spend more upgrading over the long run.

2011 Trek Superfly ELITE Relatively light, handles well, rides

Trek Corporation

I purchased a $4,700.00 Trek Superfly Elite (carbon frame), when after a few rides the frame cracked (as did many others). Trek (the company) replaced my ELITE with an entry level DELUXE. After the LBS received the frame, I knew right away this was an inferior cheaper frame. The obvious feature was NO replaceable dérailleur hanger and the fact that it weight a quarter pound more than my original frame. Prior to purchasing my Superfly, my inquiry to the bike shop retailer with regard to warranty was explained as- "Trek will replace with the exact frame, if the exact frame is not available they replace with the next model up" THAT WAS A COMPLETE LIE. Trek was insistent that the replacement frame was identical to my original. When I asked them about the weight difference and replaceable dérailleur hanger, they had no answer and just hung up. Trek's Lifetime (limited) is very limited. Caveat venditor- buyer beware of Trek policy's

Great frame for aluminum category ! Fantastic brakes ! Decent shifting. Rides quick !

The seat. The seat. The seat. Bike supplied with non tubeless compatible tires.

A decent reliable Shimano drivetrain with excellent brakes and an awesome (for aluminum) frame. TREK 2014 Superfly 6. At about $1650 this would make a great casual race bike or a better bike touring load hauler with its nice frame. These should be out there at a discount now that the 2015 models are coming out. A better wheelset, tires, and seat are all this bike needs.

grippy shimano brakes, wide gear range with triple crankset, stiff frame

a bit heavy, front derailleur a tad slow

bought a 2013 Superfly in July 2014. Got great price from City Cycle in Corte Madera. Love the way the 29" tires roll over terrain that was slow going on my Klein Attitude w/26" wheels. Actually bought it to replace a Specialized carbon road bike that was stolen. I put 700c x 38 mm Michelin road tires on the rims and it handles great on pavement. Love flying over the trails with the stock 2.2" MTB tires. Shimano brakes are quiet and confident. Had to get 2013 model to get triple crankset. 2014s are all compacts. I use that 3rd front chainring all the time, on the road and on trails. Very happy with the bike.

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• Crosscountry
• Rider Notes

2014 Trek Superfly 8

A 29″ aluminum frame crosscountry bike with high-end components.

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Primed For Adventure Or The Podium Being at the forefront of the 29er movement, Trek’s Superfly FS was one of the first full-suspension, cross-country,

Trek's line of Superfly cross-country 29ers includes nine hardtail models and seven full-suspension versions, giving riders ample options at many price points.

Oct 2013 · Dirt HQ

The Trek Superfly range has been overhauled for 2014 with carbon and alloy bikes, trickling technology from the top-end models lower down the price points.

On a long ride or during the wee small hours out on track at a 24hr race, it’s not unusual to get a song stuck in your head. Traditionally it’s something dire, like Peter Allen’s ‘Rio’. But on board this bike, the groove is strong; feel the soul, channel the year 1972. It’s Superfly. We …

A light, fun, fast cross country machine

Superbly relialbe

Clean looks

Not the plushest or stiffest of rides.

Trek sought out to drop a full pound from their already lightweight Superfly 100. They wanted to maintain all stiffness numbers to build a worthy race bike. Did they succeed? - Mtbr.com

Last updated June 29 Not listed for 2,485 days

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Trek Superfly

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Size / 15.5", 17.5", 19", 21", 23"

At a glance

Where to buy.

Specifications

• Frame OCLV Mountain Carbon w/E2 tapered head tube, BB95 bottom bracket, Carbon Armor, G2 Geometry
• Wheels Bontrager sealed cartridge bearing, 15mm alloy axle front hub; Bontrager sealed cartridge bearing, alloy axle rear hub w/ Bontrager AT-850 32-hole double-walled rims
• Wheel Size 29"
• Tires Bontrager 29-1 Expert, 29x2.20"
• Crank Shimano Deore, Shimano M552, 42/32/24
• Bottom Bracket BB95, 95.5mm, press-fit
• Front Derailleur Shimano SLX, Shimano SLX, direct mount
• Rear Derailleur Shimano XT, Shimano Deore XT Shadow
• Shifters Shimano Deore, Shimano Deore, 10 speed
• Brakeset Shimano Deore, Shimano M596 hydraulic disc brakes
• Handlebar Bontrager Low Riser, 31.8mm, 5mm rise, 9 degree sweep
• Saddle Bontrager Evoke 2, chromoly rails
• Seatpost Bontrager Rhythm Elite, 27.2mm, zero offset
• Stem Bontrager Race Lite, 31.8mm, 7 degree
• Headset Cane Creek IS-3, E2, alloy cartridge

Q: Where to buy a 2013 Trek Superfly?

The 2013 Trek Superfly may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: What size wheels does the 2013 Trek Superfly have?

The 2013 Trek Superfly has 29" wheels.

Q: What size 2013 Trek Superfly should I get?

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Trek Superfly Pro review

Flagship 29er race hardtail lightens up for 2012.

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

This article originally published on BikeRadar

The 2012 Trek Superfly Pro builds on the success of last year's Superfly Elite carbon 29er hardtail, adding an upgraded spec that lops a full pound off the build plus a thru-axle and better tires that improve its overall usability. It's speedier and more fun to ride than before but that extra performance carries with it a hefty price premium.

Ride and handling: excellent G2 geometry, stiff all around

The 2012 Superfly Pro essentially wears the same frame as last year's Elite so, not surprisingly, our list of likes and dislikes carries over, too.

Handling is once again especially sweet given Bontrager's trick G2 fork crown offset and its resultant trail, which mimics that of a 26" bike and generates a particularly light feel up front for a big-wheeler. Close confines at low speed in particular are no problem for the Superfly's nimble personality and we never once felt like we were fighting the front end in any way, even on tight uphill switchbacks.

High-speed handling is reassuringly stable for a dedicated cross-country bike, too, thanks to a smart 69.3-degree head tube angle that retains quick steering without feeling unnervingly twitchy and a low bottom bracket that keeps your center of gravity close to the ground. Coupled with the big wheels, there was generally little drama when mindlessly bombing through rock gardens but that same low bottom bracket will also produce more than a few pedal strikes if you're not mindful.

Given the bike's racing intentions, it's also no surprise that it's dutifully quick under power. Stiff carbon fibers and monstrous tube cross-sections – including Trek's ultra-wide 95mm bottom bracket shell and broadly spaced chain stays – yield a stout backbone and firm foundation for big pedaling efforts. Likewise, very good front triangle torsional rigidity keeps the bars from moving excessively when you're sprinting or climbing out of the saddle.

Add in the bike's impressive 9.66kg (21.30lb, complete, w/o pedals) weight and it's no surprise that the Superfly Pro is a perfect companion for long climbs.

Riding position is similarly race-ready with a puny 103mm-long head tube on our 17.5" tester that produced a suitably low hand position when paired with a slightly negative-rise stem and flat bar.

Though stiff, the Superfly Pro nevertheless still isn't quite as unyieldingly efficient as some other machines we've tested recently. Likewise, ride comfort falls a bit shy of the best examples in the market with a rear end that filters out high-frequency buzz but otherwise doesn't offer much vertical flex to speak of. Trek attempts to ameliorate this with the Superfly Pro's slim 27.2mm-diameter seatpost but even that effort is thwarted by the Bontrager Race X Lite ACC's aluminum core.

Despite this, overall comfort has still improved over last year's Superfly Elite. The new Bontrager 29-1 tires are generously sized at 2.2" across and suitably floaty for all-around trail duty yet still roll extremely quickly thanks to the ramped, low center knobs.

Add in the 15mm thru-axle fork dropouts and the noticeable bump in front-end stiffness relative to last year's open dropouts and the Superfly Pro is not only slightly more comfortable and a bit faster than before but also a more suitable all-around trail machine, too.

Frame: huge cross-sections, wide spacing

In typical fashion, Trek infuses the Superfly Pro with lots of smart engineering but doesn't stray too far from convention in terms of tube shaping.

Key features include a tapered 1 1/8-to-1 1/2" head tube and a 95mm-wide bottom bracket shell – both with molded-in carbon fiber bearing seats – a highly asymmetrical seat tube, carbon dropouts with bolt-in aluminum plates and standard 135mm spacing, especially wide-set chain stays that lend lots of tire clearance, and a bonded-on rubberized plate on the down tube underside to ward off impacts from trail debris – something we made liberal use of on Colorado's notoriously rocky terrain.

Frame weight is impressive though not groundbreaking at 1,340g including the rear derailleur hanger, seatpost collar, water bottle bolts, and chain stay and down tube guards (which aren't easily removable).

Cables are externally routed beneath the top tube for easy maintenance and the front derailleur bolts directly to the seat tube to minimize positioning errors.

Equipment: race ready but still trail friendly

As Trek's flagship cross-country race machine, little expense has been spared dressing up the Superfly Pro frame.

Shift performance from the ultralight SRAM XX group was once again fantastic with uncannily positive and fast front shifts – even under climbing or at low cadence – coupled with impeccably precise and consistent rear shifts. In short, gear changes were simply never something we ever gave a second thought about during testing.

Likewise, the RockShox SID XX 29 fork was well suited for the task with an impressively sturdy chassis, smooth and smartly progressive action through the 100mm stroke, and a well-tuned damper that tackles both trail buzz and bigger hits with equal aplomb. More demanding and complicated sections of trail are still better handled by RockShox's more sophisticated Motion Control BlackBox damper but given the application, we're guessing most users are willing to sacrifice a bit of ride control for the convenient XLoc hydraulic remote lockout lever.

We unfortunately can't heap the same level of praise on the Avid XX brakes. Lever feel, power, modulation, and ergonomics were all excellent but both ends squawked loudly under hard braking – wet or dry, and regardless of pad or rotor condition. Both brakes were at least reliable throughout testing but only after we bled the front straight out of the box.

The vast majority of the included Bontrager kit is excellent, in particular the Race X Lite Carbon Big Sweep flat bar with its comfy 12-degree bend, the comfortable and maneuverable Evoke 4 titanium railed saddle, and the fantastic 29-1 tires with their supple, high-volume casings, fast roll, and surprisingly confident grip in all but marbles and mud.

As we noted last year, though, we'd still prefer to see a different seatpost included as the carbon-wrapped aluminum Race X Lite ACC model is too stiff to take advantage of its small 27.2mm diameter. We traded it out for Bontrager's softer – and lighter – Race XXX Lite all-carbon model and instantly got a big boost in ride comfort.

The included Bontrager Race X Lite FCC wheels are conveniently tubeless-ready (as are the tires, though the requisite rim strips and valve cores annoyingly aren't included with the bike) and they feel both stiff and sturdy enough for genuine trail use, not just race duty. Thankfully, we also never experienced any unnerving pinging and popping from the freehub body that we'd experienced with last year's Bontrager hubs.

However, we still find them to be a little too heavy for a bike of this level, particularly given the premium US$6,829.99/£5,000 asking price.

One place we're happy not to see the Bontrager label at all, however, is on the grips. Last year's foam grips were light but too narrow, prone to rotating on the bar, and uncomfortable. Trek has wisely switched to ESI's silicone foam rubber grips, which are still superlight but far more shock absorbent, grippier in your hands, and far less apt to move. Perhaps the best testament is the fact that even Trek's own Subaru-Trek professional team has used these for years.

Overall, the Trek Superfly Pro is a top-shelf ride and undoubtedly a better bike than the Elite model we tested last year – but then again, it should be considering it's roughly US$2,000 more expensive. It won't be a world beater, however, until it gets nicer wheels, a softer seatpost, and a more refined ride quality.

Price: US$6,829.99/£5,000 Weight: 9.66kg (21.30lb, complete, w/o pedals); 1,340g (frame only, 17.5", w/ rear derailleur hanger, seatpost collar, water bottle bolts, and down tube and chain stay guards) Available sizes: 15.5", 17.5" (tested), 19", 21", 23" Pros: Great power transfer, natural-feeling G2 geometry, thru-axle and tapered front end, smart overall spec list, very light, fantastic tires Cons: Not as stiff or comfortable as some competitors, disappointing wheels, ho-hum seatpost Cyclingnews verdict: 4 stars More information: www.trekbikes.com

Complete bicycle specifications

Frame : Trek Superfly Pro Available sizes : 15.5, 17.5 (tested), 19, 21, 23in Fork : RockShox SID XX 29, custom G2 offset Headset : Cane Creek Forty, 1 1/8-to-1 1/2in tapered Stem : Bontrager Race XXX Lite Handlebars : Bontrager Race X Lite Carbon Big Sweep Tape/grips : ESI Racer's Edge Front brake : Avid XX, 160mm rotor Rear brake : Avid XX, 160mm rotor Brake levers : Avid XX Front derailleur : SRAM X.0 Rear derailleur : SRAM XX Shift levers : SRAM XX trigger Cassette : SRAM XX, 11-36T Chain : SRAM PC-1091 Crankset : Truvativ XX, 36/26T, 156mm width Bottom bracket : Truvativ BB92 press-fit Pedals : n/a Wheelset : Bontrager Race X Lite FCC TLR Disc 29 Front tire : Bontrager 29-1 Team, 29x2.2in Rear tire : Bontrager 29-1 Team, 29x2.2in Saddle : Bontrager Evoke 4 Seat post : Bontrager Race X Lite ACC

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Trek Superfly 100 AL Elite 29er review

Long-legged, big-wheeled trail cruiser

Russell Burton

Arguably the most significant feature of Trek’s Superfly 100 AL Elite is tucked away behind the seat tube. It’s a Gary Fisher signature decal, signifying that this bike is, in genesis at least, the inspiration of one of mountain biking’s founding fathers – and the inventor of the 29er concept.

The AL Elite props up the bottom of the five-strong, 29in-wheeled Superfly 100 range, offering a trail-worthy spec at a price that just creeps over the magic £2k barrier. Great handling, sorted suspension performance, decent components and epic mud clearance make for big-wheeled trail fun. The Trek looks a tiny bit pricey compared to some of the competition, though.

Ride & handling: Fast rolling, great handling trail machine that’ll tackle anything you can throw at it

Big wheels only really look in proportion when they’re connected to a big frame. So our 17.5in test bike, in common with most 29ers around this size, has that slightly disconcerting effect of looking… well, not quite right at first glance. It’s only because we’re all used to smaller wheels, and we only mention it because that ‘not quite right’ feeling disappears the moment you climb aboard the Trek and turn the pedals.

From just-so weight distribution to a wheelbase that’s pretty much the identical twin of 26in-wheeled competitors and a front wheel that goes where you want it to, the Superfly 100 will have uninitiated riders forgetting about the big wheels within the first few minutes. Which is, when you think about it, about the biggest compliment we can pay it. Get on, ride, and enjoy the easy-rolling nature of 29er wheels.

Fox shocks with a high compression damping tune can make a bike feel constipated over small bumps. Not here. The big wheels certainly help, but the Superfly’s suspension remains supple and controlled on everything from technical climbs to flat-out descents. If we were to split hairs, we’d suggest that the front end is a tiny bit slower to respond in fast-changing situations, but that’s the laws of physics for you – more rotating mass, further from the centre of the wheel. There’s nothing anyone – not even Gary Fisher himself – can do about that.

Big wheels with 100mm of travel translate into fast, efficient and comfortable mile-munching. We’ve known that for a while, but what the Superfly 100 does so well is to iron out all the little niggles that have beset earlier attempts at big wheeled full-suspension nirvana. The geometry works, the handling is excellent, the weight is reasonable in an unexceptional kind of a way and there’s even decent mud clearance. Is it the best 29er full-susser available? No. But it’s well worth putting on your shortlist.

Frame & equipment: We wish the frame finish was a bit neater, particularly around the welded areas

Cramming big wheels into a bike offering 100mm of travel at each end isn’t straightforward. There’s less space for most components, a greater need to pay attention to geometry and a number of stiffness-related issues to deal with. Trek’s design team have been sweating the details, resulting in a frame that’s bristling with mostly subtle design solutions.

Fitting the frame tubes into the available space is arguably one of their less successful achievements, the conjoined top and down tubes necessitating large – and, it has to be said, not particularly tidy – welds. Never mind that, though, because all the functional stuff has been taken care of.

Trek’s Active Braking Point (ABP) pivot – which places the chainstay pivot around the hub’s rear axle – is here in versatile ‘Convert’ form, meaning that the standard 135x5mm rear axle can be switched to a stiffer, lighter 142x12mm design at a later date. A Bontrager-designed hub with widened, bigger diameter flanges and larger dropout contact area performs the same job up front.

The Superfly 100’s fork uses a crown with increased offset, which reduces trail (the distance between the front tyre’s contact point on the ground and the point where a straight line through the centre of the head tube also meets the ground) and sharpens steering responses, countering the 29er tendency to be slow-handling in the turns. Carefully shaped stays wrap cleverly around the rear tyre, giving this bike the best mud clearance we’ve yet seen on a big wheeled machine.

In common with many full-suspension designs the Superfly 100 struggles to accommodate a pair of standard bottle cage bosses. There’s one set in the usual place on top of the down tube but the second set has been shunted into a position right in line with the spray off the front wheel, under the down tube. You could put a bottle there, but you probably wouldn’t want to.

A Fox Float RP2 shock matches the fork nicely and clip-on sag indicators make the job of getting the right air pressure front and rear straightforward. Predominantly Shimano SLX-based components work well and should prove reliable and Bontrager finishing kit is all top-notch, although we’d swap the tyres for something with more grip if you ride a lot in wet conditions.

This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine.

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27.5 vs 29er – A Full Breakdown and Comparison

There has been a lot of excitement in the industry lately with the introduction of innovative Mountain Bike technology.

On top of the cool components like Dropper Posts and Electric Mountain Bikes, there has also been a larger change in regard to Mountain Bike tire size.

The 26er that we’ve known since the 80s is now having to compete with the increasingly popular 27.5 and 29er.

And these two new wheel sizes offer a lot of appealing benefits over their smaller counterpart.

But with the two, seemingly great, options available, you may be struggling to decide which one is best for you.

In this article, we break down a few of the most common variables that you should keep in mind, as we directly compare the 27.5 to the 29er.

Similar to the 26er, 27.5-inch bikes aim to provide the handling and reliability of the smaller wheel sizes, while increasing their rollover ability and speed. 29ers prioritize momentum, stability, and attack angle, creating a faster and more comfortable ride over a longer distance, but also sacrificing agility and acceleration .

For a quick breakdown of the 27.5 vs 29er shootout, here is an at-a-glance look at some of the points we break down in this article. If you’re interested in how these tire sizes perform on their own, check out these articles on the other popular wheel sizes available; 29er Pros and Cons , 27.5 Pros and Cons , 26er Pros and Cons

What is 27.5er and 29er?

You may have already guessed by now, however, I will explain for those who are new to the terms.

A 27.5 refers to a Mountain bike with 27.5-inch wheels.

A 29er is a Mountain Bike with 29-inch wheels.

While you can have full suspension or Hardtail in either wheel size, most bikes are referred to by wheel size.

Comparing 27.5 and 29ers

1. acceleration.

Winner – 27.5

The benefits of a 27.5 are right in line with that of a 26er, with a few of the advantages of 29ers.

One of the first things to set the 27.5 and 29er apart, is Acceleration.

While the 27.5 aims to provide a solid middle ground between the two, critics would agree that the 27.5 takes more after the 26er than the 29er.

This smaller wheel size gives it the advantage over the 29er when it comes to getting the bike up and moving.

A 29er, a bike with heavier wheels, will require more energy and time to get up to speed.

The 27.5 on the other hand is only a fraction larger than the 26er, a bike that is regarded as the fastest and most nimble.

2. Maintaining Speed

Winner – 29er

While the fact that the 27.5 takes so much after the 26er usually makes it more appealing, it does come with a few drawbacks compared to the 29er.

Starting things off, the 29er is still going to be the best bike when it comes to maintaining speed.

While those extra few inches do help the 27.5er case, it cannot compete with the impressive inertia of a 29er.

The physics of the 29er wheel gives it a substantial advantage over the 27.5- and 26-inch wheel sizes.

The 29er uses a few of the points discussed in this article to maintain more speed, like attack angle, stability, and traction.

3. Traction

If you’re looking to maximize traction over slick rocks and techy rocks sections, the 29er is going to give you the most efficient traction.

Since the 29er wheel is larger in diameter, your Mountain Bike tires have a fraction more contact with the ground.

This comes in handy when you’re trying to brake on techy terrain, where your wheel is only in contact with the ground for short moments.

This is also a good benefit for those who hit those corners hard, as the additional grip will keep you more stable.

To be fair, the 27.5 has comparable traction, especially when you factor in the different tire sizes and pressures available for each one.

4. Attack Angle

The attack angle on a Mountain bike refers to the angles made between the axle of the bike wheel and the object that the rider intends to roll over.

In short, the shallower the angle, the easier it is for the bike to roll over that object.

Since 29ers are the largest diameter wheel on the market, they will always have the shallowest attack angle, and therefore, the upper hand when it comes to making it over objects.

Depending on the tire pressure you usually run, you may be hard-pressed to feel the difference on those smaller obstacles.

But on those rough and speedy descents and climbs, you are going to feel the stability and control a 29er offers.

27.5-inch tires do improve this angle over the 26er, but with them being so close, the improvement is not as significant as 29ers.

As you have probably guessed, the 27.5 is going to almost always be the lighter choice between 27.5 and 29er.

Not only do they have less weight in the wheel, one of the heaviest components on a Mountain Bike, but the frame built around those wheels can accommodate a smaller profile.

On top of the large feeling of a 29er, a lot of riders opt for the 27.5 as it is still a manageable weight.

Not to say that the 29er is taxing to manage, in fact, you may find it to be quite comfortable to ride.

It’s just that the added weight can make the bike feel less responsive, requiring slightly more effort to through around on the trail.

6. Handling

Again, the 27.5 was introduced to narrow the distance between the 26ers and 29ers.

What most riders find though, is that the 27.5 aligns more closely with the 26er.

With a shorter and lighter wheelbase than the 29er, the 27.5-inch bike is going to require less energy to move around.

And without the dampening effect some 29ers can have, you will also feel more in tune with how the bike and the trail are handling.

The bike geometry also comes into play here, further supporting the responsiveness of the 27.5.

7. Geometry

In the shootout between the 26er and the 29er, the geometry debate was just about even.

Since they were both on two sides of the spectrum, the topic of fit and geometry was really left up to the riders’ choice.

However, since the 27.5 is often referred to as the “Goldilocks” of Mountain Bikes, I have to give it the win in this category.

Finding the balance between the smallest and largest Mountain Bikes on the market, the 27.5 really is a great fit for just about any rider.

Being only slightly larger than the 26er, with just as many frame options as the other, a 27.5 bike should not be counted out if you feel you’re too big or small.

8. Climbing

If you’ve ready any of my other shootouts or have had the opportunity to ride a 29er, you can already guess who wins this category.

The 29er is the ultimate climbing machine – at least in my eyes. Through those babies on a hardtail, you can climb for days.

I do have to give it to the 27.5, as the easier acceleration can help you climb faster, however, the 29er is going to get you up those bumpy hills in a lot better shape.

Especially if you can keep your momentum on the incline.

The weight of the 29-inch wheels will help your bike want to keep moving forward. Couple that with a consistent pedaling cadence and you’re climbing faster than before.

On top of that, the 29er is going to handle those rocks and bumps a lot better, keeping your energy focused on moving forward up the hill.

9. Strength

While we used to see 26er dominating the discipline of Downhill Mountain Biking, we are starting to see more and more 27.5s at the trailhead.

Unlike the 29er, which has a relatively significant decrease in wheel strength, 27.5-inch wheels are still closer to the hub, with shorter spokes like the 26er.

This results in 27.5-inch wheels that are stronger than that of the standard 29er.

While this often doesn’t come too much into play for the average rider, performance athletes and those who really push their bikes to limit will notice.

10. Stability

While 27.5-inch wheels are stiffer and stronger than 29ers, that does not always translate over to stability.

In fact, 29ers are considered to be more stable than 27.5 bikes by a margin.

Not only do 29ers have more tire traction, keeping you grounded on the trail, but all that added weight also provides a few stabilizing benefits.

To start, extra weight helps 29-inch wheels want to stay straight and move in the same direction.

To jar a 29er off course, a bump or knock would have to be a little bigger than normal.

As well, the geometry of a 29er bike is designed so that the bottom bracket is better positioned between the wheel hubs.

This creates a more balanced riding position on the bike, helping you avoid those dreaded OTB crashes.

11. Availability

Winner – N/A

The only category on this list that is relatively matched for both 29ers and the 27.5, is the topic of availability.

Since they are both newer innovations to the industry, you can expect them to be equally as available on upgrades and parts.

What is a 29er Best for?

29ers are a solid and comfortable choice for most riders, but they definitely accel in some areas.

For one, they are exceptional climbers.

So, if you plan on riding a lot of XC-style trails with climbs and long stretches, the 29er will be your best option.

Actually, some would say the 29er is the best bike for XC.

What is a 27.5er Best for?

The 27.5 is built to be a great all-arounder and it really is true to purpose.

Offering the additional rolling ability while maintaining a similar geometry to the 26er allows 27.5 bikes to compete in areas like Downhill racing and Jump Parks.

This is also a solid option for any rider who is looking for a bike that can do it all.

Who Should Ride a 29er?

A 29er is a good bike for anyone who is looking for the most comfortable ride, especially if you prefer the feel of Hardtails.

The people who will really benefit from the 29er will be XC riders or people who feel like most other Mountain Bikes feel too small.

Who Should Ride a 27.5er?

Again, a 27.5 is good for a person who wants a bike that can virtually do it all.

With attractive options in full suspension and hardtails alike, you cannot go wrong.

If your alternative was a 29er, you may even find yourself saving some money in the long run.

Can a Short Person Ride a 29er?

Contrary to popular belief, shorter riders can definitely ride 29ers.

Although the wheelbase and bike geometry support a larger rider, there are frame sizes to fit just about any rider.

The best option is to visit your LBS for a fit or possibly some advice.

Chances are, they can help you pick the best option based on your criteria and needs.

In conclusion, the 27.5-inch bike is a solid option for those looking to upgrade from the old 26er or those who are looking for a good all-around Mountain Bike.

If you really prefer the benefits that the larger wheels bring or possibly need a larger-feeling bike, the 29er may just be the bike for you.

Good luck with deciding for yourself and safe riding!

Avid rider, avid writer

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Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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In Transit: Notes from the Underground

Jun 06 2018.

Spend some time in one of Moscow’s finest museums.

Subterranean commuting might not be anyone’s idea of a good time, but even in a city packing the war-games treasures and priceless bejeweled eggs of the Kremlin Armoury and the colossal Soviet pavilions of the VDNKh , the Metro holds up as one of Moscow’s finest museums. Just avoid rush hour.

The Metro is stunning and provides an unrivaled insight into the city’s psyche, past and present, but it also happens to be the best way to get around. Moscow has Uber, and the Russian version called Yandex Taxi , but also some nasty traffic. Metro trains come around every 90 seconds or so, at a more than 99 percent on-time rate. It’s also reasonably priced, with a single ride at 55 cents (and cheaper in bulk). From history to tickets to rules — official and not — here’s what you need to know to get started.

A Brief Introduction Buying Tickets Know Before You Go (Down) Rules An Easy Tour

A Brief Introduction

Moscow’s Metro was a long time coming. Plans for rapid transit to relieve the city’s beleaguered tram system date back to the Imperial era, but a couple of wars and a revolution held up its development. Stalin revived it as part of his grand plan to modernize the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 30s. The first lines and tunnels were constructed with help from engineers from the London Underground, although Stalin’s secret police decided that they had learned too much about Moscow’s layout and had them arrested on espionage charges and deported.

The beauty of its stations (if not its trains) is well-documented, and certainly no accident. In its illustrious first phases and particularly after the Second World War, the greatest architects of Soviet era were recruited to create gleaming temples celebrating the Revolution, the USSR, and the war triumph. No two stations are exactly alike, and each of the classic showpieces has a theme. There are world-famous shrines to Futurist architecture, a celebration of electricity, tributes to individuals and regions of the former Soviet Union. Each marble slab, mosaic tile, or light fixture was placed with intent, all in service to a station’s aesthetic; each element, f rom the smallest brass ear of corn to a large blood-spattered sword on a World War II mural, is an essential part of the whole.

The Metro is a monument to the Soviet propaganda project it was intended to be when it opened in 1935 with the slogan “Building a Palace for the People”. It brought the grand interiors of Imperial Russia to ordinary Muscovites, celebrated the Soviet Union’s past achievements while promising its citizens a bright Soviet future, and of course, it was a show-piece for the world to witness the might and sophistication of life in the Soviet Union.

It may be a museum, but it’s no relic. U p to nine million people use it daily, more than the London Underground and New York Subway combined. (Along with, at one time, about 20 stray dogs that learned to commute on the Metro.)

In its 80+ year history, the Metro has expanded in phases and fits and starts, in step with the fortunes of Moscow and Russia. Now, partly in preparation for the World Cup 2018, it’s also modernizing. New trains allow passengers to walk the entire length of the train without having to change carriages. The system is becoming more visitor-friendly. (There are helpful stickers on the floor marking out the best selfie spots .) But there’s a price to modernity: it’s phasing out one of its beloved institutions, the escalator attendants. Often they are middle-aged or elderly women—“ escalator grandmas ” in news accounts—who have held the post for decades, sitting in their tiny kiosks, scolding commuters for bad escalator etiquette or even bad posture, or telling jokes . They are slated to be replaced, when at all, by members of the escalator maintenance staff.

For all its achievements, the Metro lags behind Moscow’s above-ground growth, as Russia’s capital sprawls ever outwards, generating some of the world’s worst traffic jams . But since 2011, the Metro has been in the middle of an ambitious and long-overdue enlargement; 60 new stations are opening by 2020. If all goes to plan, the 2011-2020 period will have brought 125 miles of new tracks and over 100 new stations — a 40 percent increase — the fastest and largest expansion phase in any period in the Metro’s history.

Facts: 14 lines Opening hours: 5 a.m-1 a.m. Rush hour(s): 8-10 a.m, 4-8 p.m. Single ride: 55₽ (about 85 cents) Wi-Fi network-wide

Buying Tickets

• Ticket machines have a button to switch to English.
• You can buy specific numbers of rides: 1, 2, 5, 11, 20, or 60. Hold up fingers to show how many rides you want to buy.
• There is also a 90-minute ticket , which gets you 1 trip on the metro plus an unlimited number of transfers on other transport (bus, tram, etc) within 90 minutes.
• Or, you can buy day tickets with unlimited rides: one day (218₽/ US$4), three days (415₽/US$7) or seven days (830₽/US$15). Check the rates here to stay up-to-date.
• If you’re going to be using the Metro regularly over a few days, it’s worth getting a Troika card , a contactless, refillable card you can use on all public transport. Using the Metro is cheaper with one of these: a single ride is 36₽, not 55₽. Buy them and refill them in the Metro stations, and they’re valid for 5 years, so you can keep it for next time. Or, if you have a lot of cash left on it when you leave, you can get it refunded at the Metro Service Centers at Ulitsa 1905 Goda, 25 or at Staraya Basmannaya 20, Building 1.
• You can also buy silicone bracelets and keychains with built-in transport chips that you can use as a Troika card. (A Moscow Metro Fitbit!) So far, you can only get these at the Pushkinskaya metro station Live Helpdesk and souvenir shops in the Mayakovskaya and Trubnaya metro stations. The fare is the same as for the Troika card.
• You can also use Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Rules, spoken and unspoken

No smoking, no drinking, no filming, no littering. Photography is allowed, although it used to be banned.

Stand to the right on the escalator. Break this rule and you risk the wrath of the legendary escalator attendants. (No shenanigans on the escalators in general.)

Get out of the way. Find an empty corner to hide in when you get off a train and need to stare at your phone. Watch out getting out of the train in general; when your train doors open, people tend to appear from nowhere or from behind ornate marble columns, walking full-speed.

Always offer your seat to elderly ladies (what are you, a monster?).

An Easy Tour

This is no Metro Marathon ( 199 stations in 20 hours ). It’s an easy tour, taking in most—though not all—of the notable stations, the bulk of it going clockwise along the Circle line, with a couple of short detours. These stations are within minutes of one another, and the whole tour should take about 1-2 hours.

Start at Mayakovskaya Metro station , at the corner of Tverskaya and Garden Ring,  Triumfalnaya Square, Moskva, Russia, 125047.

1. Mayakovskaya.  Named for Russian Futurist Movement poet Vladimir Mayakovsky and an attempt to bring to life the future he imagined in his poems. (The Futurist Movement, natch, was all about a rejecting the past and celebrating all things speed, industry, modern machines, youth, modernity.) The result: an Art Deco masterpiece that won the National Grand Prix for architecture at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. It’s all smooth, rounded shine and light, and gentle arches supported by columns of dark pink marble and stainless aircraft steel. Each of its 34 ceiling niches has a mosaic. During World War II, the station was used as an air-raid shelter and, at one point, a bunker for Stalin. He gave a subdued but rousing speech here in Nov. 6, 1941 as the Nazis bombed the city above.

Take the 3/Green line one station to:

2. Belorusskaya. Opened in 1952, named after the connected Belarussky Rail Terminal, which runs trains between Moscow and Belarus. This is a light marble affair with a white, cake-like ceiling, lined with Belorussian patterns and 12 Florentine ceiling mosaics depicting life in Belarussia when it was built.

Transfer onto the 1/Brown line. Then, one stop (clockwise) t o:

3. Novoslobodskaya.  This station was designed around the stained-glass panels, which were made in Latvia, because Alexey Dushkin, the Soviet starchitect who dreamed it up (and also designed Mayakovskaya station) couldn’t find the glass and craft locally. The stained glass is the same used for Riga’s Cathedral, and the panels feature plants, flowers, members of the Soviet intelligentsia (musician, artist, architect) and geometric shapes.

Go two stops east on the 1/Circle line to:

4. Komsomolskaya. Named after the Komsomol, or the Young Communist League, this might just be peak Stalin Metro style. Underneath the hub for three regional railways, it was intended to be a grand gateway to Moscow and is today its busiest station. It has chandeliers; a yellow ceiling with Baroque embellishments; and in the main hall, a colossal red star overlaid on golden, shimmering tiles. Designer Alexey Shchusev designed it as an homage to the speech Stalin gave at Red Square on Nov. 7, 1941, in which he invoked Russia’s illustrious military leaders as a pep talk to Soviet soldiers through the first catastrophic year of the war.   The station’s eight large mosaics are of the leaders referenced in the speech, such as Alexander Nevsky, a 13th-century prince and military commander who bested German and Swedish invading armies.

One more stop clockwise to Kurskaya station,  and change onto the 3/Blue  line, and go one stop to:

5. Baumanskaya.   Opened in 1944. Named for the Bolshevik Revolutionary Nikolai Bauman , whose monument and namesake district are aboveground here. Though he seemed like a nasty piece of work (he apparently once publicly mocked a woman he had impregnated, who later hung herself), he became a Revolutionary martyr when he was killed in 1905 in a skirmish with a monarchist, who hit him on the head with part of a steel pipe. The station is in Art Deco style with atmospherically dim lighting, and a series of bronze sculptures of soldiers and homefront heroes during the War. At one end, there is a large mosaic portrait of Lenin.

Stay on that train direction one more east to:

6. Elektrozavodskaya. As you may have guessed from the name, this station is the Metro’s tribute to all thing electrical, built in 1944 and named after a nearby lightbulb factory. It has marble bas-relief sculptures of important figures in electrical engineering, and others illustrating the Soviet Union’s war-time struggles at home. The ceiling’s recurring rows of circular lamps give the station’s main tunnel a comforting glow, and a pleasing visual effect.

Double back two stops to Kurskaya station , and change back to the 1/Circle line. Sit tight for six stations to:

7. Kiyevskaya. This was the last station on the Circle line to be built, in 1954, completed under Nikita Khrushchev’ s guidance, as a tribute to his homeland, Ukraine. Its three large station halls feature images celebrating Ukraine’s contributions to the Soviet Union and Russo-Ukrainian unity, depicting musicians, textile-working, soldiers, farmers. (One hall has frescoes, one mosaics, and the third murals.) Shortly after it was completed, Khrushchev condemned the architectural excesses and unnecessary luxury of the Stalin era, which ushered in an epoch of more austere Metro stations. According to the legend at least, he timed the policy in part to ensure no Metro station built after could outshine Kiyevskaya.

Change to the 3/Blue line and go one stop west.

8. Park Pobedy. This is the deepest station on the Metro, with one of the world’s longest escalators, at 413 feet. If you stand still, the escalator ride to the surface takes about three minutes .) Opened in 2003 at Victory Park, the station celebrates two of Russia’s great military victories. Each end has a mural by Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli, who also designed the “ Good Defeats Evil ” statue at the UN headquarters in New York. One mural depicts the Russian generals’ victory over the French in 1812 and the other, the German surrender of 1945. The latter is particularly striking; equal parts dramatic, triumphant, and gruesome. To the side, Red Army soldiers trample Nazi flags, and if you look closely there’s some blood spatter among the detail. Still, the biggest impressions here are the marble shine of the chessboard floor pattern and the pleasingly geometric effect if you view from one end to the other.

Keep going one more stop west to:

9. Slavyansky Bulvar.  One of the Metro’s youngest stations, it opened in 2008. With far higher ceilings than many other stations—which tend to have covered central tunnels on the platforms—it has an “open-air” feel (or as close to it as you can get, one hundred feet under). It’s an homage to French architect Hector Guimard, he of the Art Nouveau entrances for the Paris M é tro, and that’s precisely what this looks like: A Moscow homage to the Paris M é tro, with an additional forest theme. A Cyrillic twist on Guimard’s Metro-style lettering over the benches, furnished with t rees and branch motifs, including creeping vines as towering lamp-posts.

Stay on the 3/Blue line and double back four stations to:

10. Arbatskaya. Its first iteration, Arbatskaya-Smolenskaya station, was damaged by German bombs in 1941. It was rebuilt in 1953, and designed to double as a bomb shelter in the event of nuclear war, although unusually for stations built in the post-war phase, this one doesn’t have a war theme. It may also be one of the system’s most elegant: Baroque, but toned down a little, with red marble floors and white ceilings with gilded bronze c handeliers.

Jump back on the 3/Blue line  in the same direction and take it one more stop:

11. Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square). Opened in 1938, and serving Red Square and the Kremlin . Its renowned central hall has marble columns flanked by 76 bronze statues of Soviet heroes: soldiers, students, farmers, athletes, writers, parents. Some of these statues’ appendages have a yellow sheen from decades of Moscow’s commuters rubbing them for good luck. Among the most popular for a superstitious walk-by rub: the snout of a frontier guard’s dog, a soldier’s gun (where the touch of millions of human hands have tapered the gun barrel into a fine, pointy blade), a baby’s foot, and a woman’s knee. (A brass rooster also sports the telltale gold sheen, though I am told that rubbing the rooster is thought to bring bad luck. )

Now take the escalator up, and get some fresh air.

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