raria

I get a lot of questions along the lines of "How good are Fuji bikes" and I really don't have an answer. Comments? I guess their lineup is of variable quality so which Fuji models are worth considering.

I suspect that since Nashbar sells them cheaply they popular but you don't read much about them.

This bike for instance Fuji SL 2.5 Road Bike - Nashbar seems great. A C10 CF frameset, full carbon fork etc for $999 sounds great, but its hard to get any details. Is this the same frame as the SL 2.1 whose weight is supposedly 800 grams?

Doge

They have been around forever.
They typically do not have the very highest end bikes, but are an excellent value.
So site/model unseen I'd think a $3,000 Fuji to be a better bike than a $3,000 <Big name brand here>. But the <Big name brand here> may be better at the top for a higher price.

They are the general purpose frame the US Air Force Academy uses for road. We built several (5) for the team bikes for the road.
I can't comment on specific model having not ridden them (except in the 1970s...).


I think your link for $1,000 is good deal.
Look at real price, not retail. No way is this a $9K bike. It is a good value at the listed price.
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...0052_604014_-1

Laurido92

I think Fuji are great bikes. I'm on my third one and it love them. I think they are a great bang for the buck. You usually get higher end components for less money. Yes, most come with Oval brand components as well but all bike manufacturers use their own "in house" brand on their bikes. The bike you are referring to is a step "below" mine. The frame is the same C-10 carbon with a FC-440 fork. Mine came with Ultegra brifters, front and rear derailleurs, 105 cassette, and brakes. The same Oval wheels, cranks, seat, seat post, stem, and handlebar. When I was looking for my first road bike I looked at the usual mikes (Trek, Specialized, Cannondale) and none would have the components that I got with my Fuji. They would be one to two models below what I got in my Fuji for the same or more money.

I think $999 for that bike is a great price. That model used to be a Performance Exclusive but now has moved to Nashbar which is owned by Performance Bike. Their forever guarantee can't be beat. As long as they have your size I would go for it.

Good luck.

jitteringjr

My MTB is a Fuji and wont die despite being around for 13 years. During that time I have torn a Crank Bros Candy C pedal spindle off with the threads still in the crank, ripped the rear derailleur off, and blown up the original Alex wheels. Yet the frame is still in top notch condition.

lyrictenor1

Fuji makes some very good bikes at a great value (see the upper end of the SL, Transonic, Supreme, lines, among others). The SL, and to a slightly lesser extent, the Transonic, have been reviewed pretty well by several bike publications; just do a google search for the reviews.

I may be biased as I have owned several Fujis (including an SL 2.5 frameset, an SST, and a Fuji Cross), and find them to be great rides.


Btw, the Oval Concepts components run the gamut of quality: The lower end stuff is what one would expect on a budget build; the upper end stuff is pretty good (especially the Oval 733 and 724 wheelsets). The Oval Concepts cranksets with the Praxis chainrings are very good and stiff, if not a little bit heavier than Ultegra-level cranks.

lyrictenor1

The SL in your link is excellent. I have the same frameset (ended upgrading most of the components from an ultegra bike I already had), and it's very responive.

wheelreason

They are owned by the same company that owns Breezer, so....

atwl77

I believe Fuji's model numbering is such that all bikes with the same model digit share the same frame, while the decimal indicates component quality (lower the number, better components).
So 2.5, 2.3, 2.1 will all share the same frameset, but with progressively better components (groupset, wheelset, etc).

Smithson1

Fuji Bikes | 2016 SL 2.5 | Bike Archives

Steve B.

I have a 1991 Fuji Professional steel framed mt. bike, still ride it, great bike. Light, and fast, welded Prestige tubing.

It was built in the era before suspension forks, so the handling is a bit slow with the Rock Shock I have on it. I used an Alsop suspension stem for years.

The company is a big conglomerate now, Kestral, etc....I’m certain the carbon is generic Chinese, but good value bikes.

lyrictenor1

Incorrect.

yamsyamsyams

Purchased the Fuji SL Elite and the thing is a weightweenie race rocket. Very stealthy too without the external bling factor, and love that it allows for a ton of customization with their standard sizing for everything.

helmet4000

$999 plus $300 in store credit from performance...black friday deal

upgraded wheelset to RS500 + tires to michelin service pro4 25mm

I love my Trek Emonda ALR 5, but this is great backup bike. Climbs very well.

Steve B.

What are you saying ?. Are Fuji’s put thru the same engineering and testing as say a Specialized or Trek, Scott, etc.... ?

If so how do they sell them so cheap, or is it beceause the more expensive frames are just way overpriced ?.

Please educate us.

lyrictenor1

Sorry sir, but you are the one who made the first strong claim as to what Fuji's carbon frames are, so the burden of proof lies with you.

BigPoser

I also have the SL Elite frameset that I built and it absolutely rips! With pedals and PM, she weighs in at a cool 14.7lbs. LOOOVE my Fuji!

BigPoser

I believe this is likely the answer you are looking for.

raria

Now that frame is a very racy frame right? It's not an endurance frameset is it?

BigPoser

Yes, it certainly isn't an endurance frame, but I've done 100 miles on it before and it didn't hurt.

Steve B.

No point. I happen to like Fuji bikes, would have no qualms about buying a frame. But then I ride one of those awful Chinese open molds, so don't trust my judgement.

raria

Ah thank you that is most helpful.

But there are still issues that confuse me.

1) I think Fuji do themselves a big dis-service by having so many model variations. I was looking at the Fuji Gran Fondo but there is also a Gran Fondo Classique and even a Gran Fondo CL! Why do they have so many "groups" of the same frameset or perhaps it isn't the same frameset?

2) The use of their inhouse oval concept brand confuses me. I understand the differences in Shimano's line up of say cranksets, but not the oval concept brand. Is there a nice write up on the performance and characteristics of the oval conccept brand parts that come with Fujis?

asiantrick

Performance is on par with other brand, plus big name companies all have their own in-house brand.

Scott Bike - SYNCROS
Cannondale - Cannondale
Trek - Bontrager
Giant - Giant

CyciumX

usually the best performance for money you can get. Sorry, not sorry.

You can pay more for more. You can pay more for the same and you can pay less for considerably less.

Most folks don't realize the design and engineering they did to make the top tube on my frame triangular - the limited flex and superior stiffness, but still forgiving to vibration on the SST is top-tier and pics do not do it justice.

2manybikes

A brochure from a couple of years ago said they have been around for 100 years. One of the close LBS sells Fuji. Most of my friends have Fujis. I have two and have owned three. I also worked at the shop a few years ago. Every time I compared prices it seemed like they were always less expensive when compared to a similarly equipped other brand. Around $100 cheaper most of the time. I ride my 2003 Roubaix on a century about every other week. I do centuries every week on different bikes, I get a lot of chance to compare similar bikes on the same route. My 105 10 speed Roubaix is my most comfortable century bike. I did upgrade the stock wheels to Ksyriums. And it's faster than the 21 lb weight would lead you to believe. Pretty close to my 18 lb Litespeed. I have recommended Fujis to friends, they are all happy.

doctor j

My first modern-day road bike was a Fuji aluminum. Still rolling just fine after 30,000 miles.