2017 vs 2018 Fuji Gran Fondo
02-04-18, 12:23 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
2017 vs 2018 Fuji Gran Fondo
I'm looking at the 2018 Fuji Gran Fondo 2.1 ($2499.99) which comes with F/R Shimano 8000 derailleurs, brifters, and brakes, and Oval 500 crankset. 11-32 105 cassette.
Fuji Bikes | Gran Fondo 2.1
I'm also looking at the 2018 Fuji Gran Fondo 2.1 ($1999.99 - 15% discount) which comes with Shimano R-685 brakes and brifters, Shimano Ultegra 6800 crankset, F/R derailleurs, 11-28 105 cassette.
Fuji Bikes | 2017 Gran Fondo 2.1 Disc | Bike Archives
If it were you which one would you choose and why? Would you go with the Ultegra brakes or the crankset? Everything else on the bike is exactly the same except the wheels (Oval 524CX 2018 vs Oval 327 2017)
I'm not interested in other models. These are my ONLY two choices.
Thanks in advanced.
Fuji Bikes | Gran Fondo 2.1
I'm also looking at the 2018 Fuji Gran Fondo 2.1 ($1999.99 - 15% discount) which comes with Shimano R-685 brakes and brifters, Shimano Ultegra 6800 crankset, F/R derailleurs, 11-28 105 cassette.
Fuji Bikes | 2017 Gran Fondo 2.1 Disc | Bike Archives
If it were you which one would you choose and why? Would you go with the Ultegra brakes or the crankset? Everything else on the bike is exactly the same except the wheels (Oval 524CX 2018 vs Oval 327 2017)
I'm not interested in other models. These are my ONLY two choices.
Thanks in advanced.
02-04-18, 12:47 PM
#2
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If they were priced the same, I'd go for the 2017 with the Ultegra crank. To actually save $500 would make it a no-brainer for me.
The 685 levers have always been considered Ultegra-level, though not specifically branded as such by Shimano (whereas the 505s were considered 105-level), so I'd consider levers/calipers to be a wash.
I'd prefer a Shimano crankset vs not and, in addition, my (not at all comprehensive) understanding of the mechanical differences between 6800 and 8000 cranks/FDs is that the spacing between the small and big ring is a little tighter on the 8000, so I'd be concerned that the spacing on the Oval is appropriate for the FD.
The 685 levers have always been considered Ultegra-level, though not specifically branded as such by Shimano (whereas the 505s were considered 105-level), so I'd consider levers/calipers to be a wash.
I'd prefer a Shimano crankset vs not and, in addition, my (not at all comprehensive) understanding of the mechanical differences between 6800 and 8000 cranks/FDs is that the spacing between the small and big ring is a little tighter on the 8000, so I'd be concerned that the spacing on the Oval is appropriate for the FD.
02-04-18, 12:52 PM
#3
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Thread Starter
If they were priced the same, I'd go for the 2017 with the Ultegra crank. To actually save $500 would make it a no-brainer for me.
The 685 levers have always been considered Ultegra-level, though not specifically branded as such by Shimano (whereas the 505s were considered 105-level), so I'd consider levers/calipers to be a wash.
I'd prefer a Shimano crankset vs not and, in addition, my (not at all comprehensive) understanding of the mechanical differences between 6800 and 8000 cranks/FDs is that the spacing between the small and big ring is a little tighter on the 8000, so I'd be concerned that the spacing on the Oval is appropriate for the FD.
The 685 levers have always been considered Ultegra-level, though not specifically branded as such by Shimano (whereas the 505s were considered 105-level), so I'd consider levers/calipers to be a wash.
I'd prefer a Shimano crankset vs not and, in addition, my (not at all comprehensive) understanding of the mechanical differences between 6800 and 8000 cranks/FDs is that the spacing between the small and big ring is a little tighter on the 8000, so I'd be concerned that the spacing on the Oval is appropriate for the FD.
02-04-18, 12:59 PM
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Better wheels on the new one. 200g lighter. Improved hydraulic levers. Functional improvements I'd favor at the same price over the aesthetics of the Ultegra crankset.
But it's not the same price. They're not worth $500 (or more).
But it's not the same price. They're not worth $500 (or more).
02-04-18, 01:30 PM
#5
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Thread Starter
So are you saying go with the 2017? I'm not too concerned with the wheels since that will be one of the first things I would change on it.
Last edited by Laurido92; 02-04-18 at 01:33 PM.
