New Bike Day! Fezzari Empire SL
10-25-19, 07:35 AM
#27
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Fezzari said the front center on a Large is 617, and 607 for a Medium. So even on a Medium with 172.5 cranks and size 45 shoes, I'll prob be ok. They recommend a Large for me, but looking at the stack/reach from my last bike fit, looks like a Medium would work too, I've been riding 56's with no problems.
11-07-19, 01:16 PM
#28
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does anyone have any further info on the Empire sl? I’m very close to pulling the trigger on an empire sl team. I can’t tell if it’s more of an endurance bike it is it ok for racing. Also looking at canyon ultimate and giant tar mainly. Thoughts?
That's great to hear, thanks for checking!
Fezzari said the front center on a Large is 617, and 607 for a Medium. So even on a Medium with 172.5 cranks and size 45 shoes, I'll prob be ok. They recommend a Large for me, but looking at the stack/reach from my last bike fit, looks like a Medium would work too, I've been riding 56's with no problems.
Fezzari said the front center on a Large is 617, and 607 for a Medium. So even on a Medium with 172.5 cranks and size 45 shoes, I'll prob be ok. They recommend a Large for me, but looking at the stack/reach from my last bike fit, looks like a Medium would work too, I've been riding 56's with no problems.
11-07-19, 03:50 PM
#29
Junior Member
There's a new review up at Bike Rumor (I can't link to it <10 posts, but you can search for it there). I'm also looking at the SL Team, and have considered the Giant TCR and Ultimate/Endurace, but like the hidden cables on the Empire.
11-07-19, 04:55 PM
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The empire is specced pretty unbelievable for that price which does concern me. I’ve compared geometry with all of those and the only thing that stands out to me is the slacker 71.8 degree head tube, not sure about that. But they basically let you pick any Enve wheel you want, different bars, add power meter etc. And the completely hidden wires is just a thing of beauty.
11-07-19, 05:24 PM
#31
Senior Member
Those using the new AXS 12 drivetrain report drivetrain noise and front chain drops as the two most common problems. If you don't have a chain catcher on the front, it might be a wise addition.
With regard to the AXS chain, it's not noisy, by itself. I put one on each of my bikes that have the new Campy Chorus 12, just as an experiment and found the chains to be very quiet. The chains come with nothing but a light oil on them, not the heavy grease that most chains have. I still stripped it and put my own home-brew wax lube on both chains. I've logged about 400 miles on each of the AXS chains and had no issues at all. Right now, I;m back to Campy 12 chains. The AXS chains have larger rollers - .311 inch diameter instead of .305 inch. The design of the AXS chain follow a #41 drive chain, while all others follow the #40 standard.
With regard to the AXS chain, it's not noisy, by itself. I put one on each of my bikes that have the new Campy Chorus 12, just as an experiment and found the chains to be very quiet. The chains come with nothing but a light oil on them, not the heavy grease that most chains have. I still stripped it and put my own home-brew wax lube on both chains. I've logged about 400 miles on each of the AXS chains and had no issues at all. Right now, I;m back to Campy 12 chains. The AXS chains have larger rollers - .311 inch diameter instead of .305 inch. The design of the AXS chain follow a #41 drive chain, while all others follow the #40 standard.
11-07-19, 07:09 PM
#32
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Thread Starter
Ive had it for a few weeks now and really love it. I was worried at first about ordering from a small company but they are awesome to work with and the bike has been great so far.
Regarding AXS: Yes, I quickly learned that it will throw the chain if you set it up like SRAM instructs in their manuals. I swapped larger chainrings when I got it and found out the hard way that you have to adjust the high limit on the front so that there is absolutely no gap or else it will yeet the chain. The Fezzari mechanic who set up the bike must have known this because I remember thinking he made a mistake at first when I got the bike and noticed the chain was rubbing slightly while in the highest gear. The drivetrain is also louder than Shimano stuff that I’m used to. It’s not bad or annoying per se, but it is noticeably louder.
The bike has been flawless. It’s stiff, fast and stable. It is not a hyper slammed race bike nor is it a lounge chair. I’m in my mid 30’s and I consider myself really in shape (I’m consistently in the top 5 percent of Active Duty Marines) and I feel the bike is a really good balance between fast and comfortable.
Regarding AXS: Yes, I quickly learned that it will throw the chain if you set it up like SRAM instructs in their manuals. I swapped larger chainrings when I got it and found out the hard way that you have to adjust the high limit on the front so that there is absolutely no gap or else it will yeet the chain. The Fezzari mechanic who set up the bike must have known this because I remember thinking he made a mistake at first when I got the bike and noticed the chain was rubbing slightly while in the highest gear. The drivetrain is also louder than Shimano stuff that I’m used to. It’s not bad or annoying per se, but it is noticeably louder.
The bike has been flawless. It’s stiff, fast and stable. It is not a hyper slammed race bike nor is it a lounge chair. I’m in my mid 30’s and I consider myself really in shape (I’m consistently in the top 5 percent of Active Duty Marines) and I feel the bike is a really good balance between fast and comfortable.
11-07-19, 07:16 PM
#33
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Ive had it for a few weeks now and really love it. I was worried at first about ordering from a small company but they are awesome to work with and the bike has been great so far.
Regarding AXS: Yes, I quickly learned that it will throw the chain if you set it up like SRAM instructs in their manuals. I swapped larger chainrings when I got it and found out the hard way that you have to adjust the high limit on the front so that there is absolutely no gap or else it will yeet the chain. The Fezzari mechanic who set up the bike must have known this because I remember thinking he made a mistake at first when I got the bike and noticed the chain was rubbing slightly while in the highest gear. The drivetrain is also louder than Shimano stuff that I’m used to. It’s not bad or annoying per se, but it is noticeably louder.
The bike has been flawless. It’s stiff, fast and stable. It is not a hyper slammed race bike nor is it a lounge chair. I’m in my mid 30’s and I consider myself really in shape (I’m consistently in the top 5 percent of Active Duty Marines) and I feel the bike is a really good balance between fast and comfortable.
Regarding AXS: Yes, I quickly learned that it will throw the chain if you set it up like SRAM instructs in their manuals. I swapped larger chainrings when I got it and found out the hard way that you have to adjust the high limit on the front so that there is absolutely no gap or else it will yeet the chain. The Fezzari mechanic who set up the bike must have known this because I remember thinking he made a mistake at first when I got the bike and noticed the chain was rubbing slightly while in the highest gear. The drivetrain is also louder than Shimano stuff that I’m used to. It’s not bad or annoying per se, but it is noticeably louder.
The bike has been flawless. It’s stiff, fast and stable. It is not a hyper slammed race bike nor is it a lounge chair. I’m in my mid 30’s and I consider myself really in shape (I’m consistently in the top 5 percent of Active Duty Marines) and I feel the bike is a really good balance between fast and comfortable.
11-07-19, 08:00 PM
#35
Senior Member
Thread Starter
It will throw it on the outside of the rings if not set up correctly. I never had issue with it when Fezzari set it up. As soon as I swapped rings myself and readjusted everything is when I learned that it can be finicky.
I have the mid 48/35 up front right now with the stock 10/33 on the rear. I ordered it with the normal 46/33 because I wanted to have those smaller rings as a spare set for when I visit my family in North Idaho and have climbs that are consistent double digit grades for miles.
I have the DT ER1600’s that it came with. It’s a really nice wheelset. I am really wanting to get some Enve AR 4.5’s when I get back from 6 months of training but for now these wheels have worked great.
I have the mid 48/35 up front right now with the stock 10/33 on the rear. I ordered it with the normal 46/33 because I wanted to have those smaller rings as a spare set for when I visit my family in North Idaho and have climbs that are consistent double digit grades for miles.
I have the DT ER1600’s that it came with. It’s a really nice wheelset. I am really wanting to get some Enve AR 4.5’s when I get back from 6 months of training but for now these wheels have worked great.
11-07-19, 08:22 PM
#36
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11-07-19, 09:34 PM
#37
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Ive had it for a few weeks now and really love it. I was worried at first about ordering from a small company but they are awesome to work with and the bike has been great so far.
Regarding AXS: Yes, I quickly learned that it will throw the chain if you set it up like SRAM instructs in their manuals. I swapped larger chainrings when I got it and found out the hard way that you have to adjust the high limit on the front so that there is absolutely no gap or else it will yeet the chain. The Fezzari mechanic who set up the bike must have known this because I remember thinking he made a mistake at first when I got the bike and noticed the chain was rubbing slightly while in the highest gear. The drivetrain is also louder than Shimano stuff that I’m used to. It’s not bad or annoying per se, but it is noticeably louder.
The bike has been flawless. It’s stiff, fast and stable. It is not a hyper slammed race bike nor is it a lounge chair. I’m in my mid 30’s and I consider myself really in shape (I’m consistently in the top 5 percent of Active Duty Marines) and I feel the bike is a really good balance between fast and comfortable.
Regarding AXS: Yes, I quickly learned that it will throw the chain if you set it up like SRAM instructs in their manuals. I swapped larger chainrings when I got it and found out the hard way that you have to adjust the high limit on the front so that there is absolutely no gap or else it will yeet the chain. The Fezzari mechanic who set up the bike must have known this because I remember thinking he made a mistake at first when I got the bike and noticed the chain was rubbing slightly while in the highest gear. The drivetrain is also louder than Shimano stuff that I’m used to. It’s not bad or annoying per se, but it is noticeably louder.
The bike has been flawless. It’s stiff, fast and stable. It is not a hyper slammed race bike nor is it a lounge chair. I’m in my mid 30’s and I consider myself really in shape (I’m consistently in the top 5 percent of Active Duty Marines) and I feel the bike is a really good balance between fast and comfortable.
I’ll be curious to hear from you in the future if you have premature bearing wear or creaking.
11-08-19, 07:49 AM
#38
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Thread Starter
Sounds like a great bike! One thing confused me though. It seems like the SL only comes with SRAM builds. If so, why did Fezzari think BB86 was a good idea? This means fitting a 29mm spindle into a 41mm shell with a sleeve. 30mm spindles typically use 46mm shells with a sleeve so we’re losing about 4mm of space and probably having to use specialty bearings.
I’ll be curious to hear from you in the future if you have premature bearing wear or creaking.
I’ll be curious to hear from you in the future if you have premature bearing wear or creaking.
Ill keep this thread updated if things go south but as of now I can only wax poetic about how much I like this bike.
11-08-19, 07:59 AM
#39
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The empire is specced pretty unbelievable for that price which does concern me. I’ve compared geometry with all of those and the only thing that stands out to me is the slacker 71.8 degree head tube, not sure about that. But they basically let you pick any Enve wheel you want, different bars, add power meter etc. And the completely hidden wires is just a thing of beauty.
Sounds like a great bike! One thing confused me though. It seems like the SL only comes with SRAM builds. If so, why did Fezzari think BB86 was a good idea? This means fitting a 29mm spindle into a 41mm shell with a sleeve. 30mm spindles typically use 46mm shells with a sleeve so we’re losing about 4mm of space and probably having to use specialty bearings.
I’ll be curious to hear from you in the future if you have premature bearing wear or creaking.
I’ll be curious to hear from you in the future if you have premature bearing wear or creaking.
11-08-19, 02:38 PM
#40
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That's all they have listed on the site, but they'll build anything you want. There's a guy out there that had them build up the SL with a 105 groupset. I talked to them about doing an Elite build (blue gloss paint) with Ultegra di2 and integrated cockpit, they said no problem. So basically you can mix and match pretty much anything you want.
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11-08-19, 03:42 PM
#41
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Good ride this morning. Started out doing some nice and easy climbs but decided to hammer it on a 2 mile straight segment and picked up a couple of KOM’s in the process. I’m excited to get a power meter on this thing and some deeper wheels.
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11-26-19, 07:15 AM
#42
Junior Member
BluFalconActual - any updated impressions? I was thinking of pulling the trigger on Black Friday (still can't post links, but add /empire-BF to their URL). But curious to hear any other real world thoughts first! I confirmed with Fezzari that they're able to supply the ENVE 4.5 AR wheelset at no additional price over the 3.4 AR on the TEam Edition, in case that's of interest to anyone. It sounds like it extends the delivery timeline a couple weeks, though.
Last edited by jkonst; 11-26-19 at 12:56 PM. Reason: Removed comment on BF pricing, since Fezzari fixed it on their site
01-05-20, 03:01 PM
#44
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I'm currently in the research process of buying my second bike. I'm coming from a 2017 Giant Contend SL and I want to upgrade to a better bike. There is still not much out there about these bikes, not even a YouTube review video. I am totally in love with the looks of this bike and the price seems to be lower than competitors. So with all that said, can you please provide an update of how the is bike holding up? have any issues sprung up after a few months of use?
Thank you,
Thank you,
01-05-20, 03:08 PM
#45
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This video is from Fezzari, but it gives good information on the bike.
11-22-20, 08:52 AM
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Fezzari Fore
Hello. I am looking at purchasing a Fezzari Fore CR2. Do you know what the max tire clearance is? Will it take a 28mm tire? How do you like the bike?
11-27-20, 08:27 AM
#48
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I'm currently in the research process of buying my second bike. I'm coming from a 2017 Giant Contend SL and I want to upgrade to a better bike. There is still not much out there about these bikes, not even a YouTube review video. I am totally in love with the looks of this bike and the price seems to be lower than competitors. So with all that said, can you please provide an update of how the is bike holding up? have any issues sprung up after a few months of use?
Thank you,
Thank you,
No, I have no affiliation with Fezzari. I'm a Cannondale guy myself...
Also, I have no idea what their availability is right now. Most bike companies are waaaaay behind because of Covid. If you are seriously looking I would contact Fezzari to see what they have.
Last edited by Clipped_in; 11-27-20 at 08:31 AM.
