Fezzari Empire with SRAM Rival eTap
07-10-21, 10:43 AM
#1
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Fezzari Empire with SRAM Rival eTap
I have been looking at this bike. Does anyone have one? If so, what do you think about it?
07-11-21, 10:13 AM
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I popped in this thread to see if I could learn anything about this brand, because although I’ve seen their online ads for years, I’ve never seen one of their bikes in the flesh, not that I can recall, nor have I ever heard a real person mention their name, even.
Like that brand Stradalli, I sometimes wonder what kind of client base these bikes have; who buys them and where do they ride them. Maybe it’s a triathlon thing?
Like that brand Stradalli, I sometimes wonder what kind of client base these bikes have; who buys them and where do they ride them. Maybe it’s a triathlon thing?
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07-11-21, 10:32 AM
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I own a Fezzari, although it's the "earlier" model (Fore CR3) which was replaced by the Empire. It has been an excellent bike! I did change out the saddle and shortened the stem. You have to be very precise with your measurements they ask for prior to building your bike, so I would suggest having someone help you with those. Ideally, you could get a bike fitting, where they take all your measurements, and send them in.
Overall, I would say that Fezzari is right up there with the more expensive brand names. Go for it!
Overall, I would say that Fezzari is right up there with the more expensive brand names. Go for it!
07-13-21, 05:51 AM
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EDIT: so I went to the Fezzari site, and while they don’t do custom geometry, they do apparently use several personal measurements to spec components and probably pick or suggest a frame size, as there is no place to select size before adding the bike to your ordering cart. That’s pretty neat.
Last edited by chaadster; 07-13-21 at 06:03 AM.
07-13-21, 09:09 AM
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What?? They’re custom-built?? No way! Well, the mystery deepens…
EDIT: so I went to the Fezzari site, and while they don’t do custom geometry, they do apparently use several personal measurements to spec components and probably pick or suggest a frame size, as there is no place to select size before adding the bike to your ordering cart. That’s pretty neat.
EDIT: so I went to the Fezzari site, and while they don’t do custom geometry, they do apparently use several personal measurements to spec components and probably pick or suggest a frame size, as there is no place to select size before adding the bike to your ordering cart. That’s pretty neat.
Here's the missus with the bike. She's a lot better looking than I am! (The Varia unit on the seat post is not included in your purchase! Neither is the missus!)
Last edited by Bald Paul; 07-13-21 at 09:55 AM.
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12-13-21, 07:39 PM
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Hi all,
I’m new to this forum and wanted to chime in as I used this thread to influence my purchase of a Fezzari Empire SL Pro. There just isn’t a ton of info out there on this bike and I wanted to add to the general conversation to help others considering the Empire.
Working with a budget of approx $5000 I was leaning more towards a “do-it-all” bike. Something not too aggressive and racey but not entirely slack either.
Bikes I short-listed:
* BMC Teammachine SLR FOUR
* Tarmac SL7 comp
* Ventum NS1
* Canyon Ultimate CF SL 8
So, how did I come around to the Fezzari? Despite the questionable brand name (where/how did they come up with Fezzari?) it came down to value for my money and stock availability. Trying to stick to a budget that included a possible wheel upgrade was important to me. I’m riding the SL Pro size Small configuration which includes SRAM Force eTap and mid-grade DT Swiss ER1600 wheels and 350 hubs upgraded to the 54t ratchet. A fully integrated cable routing system is also something I wanted that was available on the Empire SL Pro. After purchasing I had the bike to me in 9 days. All other options on my list had questionable delivery dates reaching as far back as the summer of 2022 via my local bike shops.
Yes, the frame may not be as light as a Tarmac or a BMC Teammachine but those options left me wanting more in the wheel department (I have a set of Zipp 303S wheels coming my way in a few weeks and will update this again after I have some time on those wheels). My attempt at weighing the bike via bathroom scale clocked in right at 17.8 lbs with pedals, cages, and Wahoo attached. Not a featherweight but not heavy either.
Fezzari’s warranty also gave me peace of mind as too did Fezzaris place in the mountain bike market. I spoke via text and phone call with the same customer service rep for nearly two months while I was researching my purchase. They were polite and helpful the entire time.
The bike is fast enough and certainly feels faster than my last bike. After two weeks on the bike with 309 miles and over 17,000 ft of elevation, I feel confident saying the bike is efficient. It climbs very well, no creaks from the BB when I’m out of the saddle and when descending the bike does exactly what I want it to do. It feels planted on 35 mph switchback descents, never making me second guess my line and scrubbing speed on the brakes. It certainly has boosted my confidence out on the roads. Is this bike as good as a big brand “allroad” or “do-it-all” bike? I honestly can’t say as I have never ridden any of the bikes on my shortlist. I know things can only get better once I throw on the Zipp wheels so in general, I believe I got the best bike package I could with the budget I set for myself.
Any issues I have with the bike are more related to its initial setup. Fezzari’s 23-point custom set-up feels a little gimmicky and should really be the standard operating procedure for any direct-to-consumer brand. It was helpful to talk through that procedure with a rep though. The bike was packaged very well and the Force eTap derailleurs were set up perfectly. Wheels were true and came set up with tubeless tape. Where I had issues was with the front disc braking rubbing and the stem stack height being too high. Easily fixed at home. If I had to do it again, I would’ve asked their techs to leave their branded bar tape off the bike so I could use my preference of tape and route the cables fully through the handlebar and stem instead of just running them underneath the stem. again, easy fixes for anyone with basic bike knowledge. I think it’s a great bike at an amazing price. I’m holding onto this one.
I’m new to this forum and wanted to chime in as I used this thread to influence my purchase of a Fezzari Empire SL Pro. There just isn’t a ton of info out there on this bike and I wanted to add to the general conversation to help others considering the Empire.
Working with a budget of approx $5000 I was leaning more towards a “do-it-all” bike. Something not too aggressive and racey but not entirely slack either.
Bikes I short-listed:
* BMC Teammachine SLR FOUR
* Tarmac SL7 comp
* Ventum NS1
* Canyon Ultimate CF SL 8
So, how did I come around to the Fezzari? Despite the questionable brand name (where/how did they come up with Fezzari?) it came down to value for my money and stock availability. Trying to stick to a budget that included a possible wheel upgrade was important to me. I’m riding the SL Pro size Small configuration which includes SRAM Force eTap and mid-grade DT Swiss ER1600 wheels and 350 hubs upgraded to the 54t ratchet. A fully integrated cable routing system is also something I wanted that was available on the Empire SL Pro. After purchasing I had the bike to me in 9 days. All other options on my list had questionable delivery dates reaching as far back as the summer of 2022 via my local bike shops.
Yes, the frame may not be as light as a Tarmac or a BMC Teammachine but those options left me wanting more in the wheel department (I have a set of Zipp 303S wheels coming my way in a few weeks and will update this again after I have some time on those wheels). My attempt at weighing the bike via bathroom scale clocked in right at 17.8 lbs with pedals, cages, and Wahoo attached. Not a featherweight but not heavy either.
Fezzari’s warranty also gave me peace of mind as too did Fezzaris place in the mountain bike market. I spoke via text and phone call with the same customer service rep for nearly two months while I was researching my purchase. They were polite and helpful the entire time.
The bike is fast enough and certainly feels faster than my last bike. After two weeks on the bike with 309 miles and over 17,000 ft of elevation, I feel confident saying the bike is efficient. It climbs very well, no creaks from the BB when I’m out of the saddle and when descending the bike does exactly what I want it to do. It feels planted on 35 mph switchback descents, never making me second guess my line and scrubbing speed on the brakes. It certainly has boosted my confidence out on the roads. Is this bike as good as a big brand “allroad” or “do-it-all” bike? I honestly can’t say as I have never ridden any of the bikes on my shortlist. I know things can only get better once I throw on the Zipp wheels so in general, I believe I got the best bike package I could with the budget I set for myself.
Any issues I have with the bike are more related to its initial setup. Fezzari’s 23-point custom set-up feels a little gimmicky and should really be the standard operating procedure for any direct-to-consumer brand. It was helpful to talk through that procedure with a rep though. The bike was packaged very well and the Force eTap derailleurs were set up perfectly. Wheels were true and came set up with tubeless tape. Where I had issues was with the front disc braking rubbing and the stem stack height being too high. Easily fixed at home. If I had to do it again, I would’ve asked their techs to leave their branded bar tape off the bike so I could use my preference of tape and route the cables fully through the handlebar and stem instead of just running them underneath the stem. again, easy fixes for anyone with basic bike knowledge. I think it’s a great bike at an amazing price. I’m holding onto this one.
