CrewFan

So I'm looking at upgrading my road bike to something a little more upright, and hopefully, a little smoother. I currently have a nashbar 105 (an older version of this one - Cavalo 105) that is fine, but it's geometry is a little more aggressive than I want and I can't get tires much bigger than 25 on it. I was looking at the Fuji Gran Fondo line of bikes and started to think about the following bikes:


Gran Fondo Classico 1.1


Gran Fondo 2.1


Gran Fondo 2.3


The Classico is their non-disc brake line of Gran Fondo's and the other two have disc brakes. Given that I don't ride much in the wet weather and we don't have a lot of hills, let alone mountains, in central OH, disc brakes are not a big selling point for me. But what I do like about the 2.1 and 2.3 is some of the vibration dampening technology that is included in the bike builds ( VRTech vibration dampening technology & wave seat stays), which the Classico line does not appear to have. I'm not sure these techs add all that much or if they are worth the extra cost. Both bike lines seemed fine on the short ride around the shop, so I'm torn. I'm also not sure the jump to the 2.1 is worth the $700 jump in price, but I've heard great things about the ultegra breaks that come on the 2.1 - Anyone thoughts?


Just a little about my riding style - I ride 20-40 miles a few times a week with a longer 50-60 mile rides on the weekends. I've started to enjoy longer rides and wanted something that is a tad bit more comfortable. I'm about 5'7 and 175, with a little long torso vs legs. I spend about 60% of my ride on the hoods and the rest in the drop. Any help would be great!



Thanks!

NUTNDUN

I would go for the 2.1. The specs are great and disc brakes are awesome. Even if you don't think you need them as long as you are not worried about being a weight weenie I wouldn't get a bike without discs now. I don't ever plan on racing.

MyTi

Lazyass

$1664 if you get the code to sign up for an account. The wheelset is actually pretty nice, same one is on my Podium.

https://www.diamondback.com/road-bik...y-5c-carbon-41

BigPoser

I would go for the 2.1. The frame has VR Tech built in and is supposed to greatly reduce the amount of vibration you feel from the road. Similar to what CV does for Bianchi. Plus it has Ultegra and Ultegra hydro as well. Very nicely spec'd. I'm on the verge of picked up the Gran Fondo frameset and building it up myself.

CrewFan

@Lazyass I'll have to see if I can find one local to tryout.
@MyTi I'm going to see if one of my LBS has the Synaspe in my size in stock - the specs look a bit more racey vs the GF, but it may be a good compromise. The Lynskey looks awesome, but a touch out of my price range

*Paying for a wedding in less than 3 weeks has left me a fair bit poorer in the wallet (but she's worth every penny)!

I'm leaning towards the 2.1 and with the 3x points this weekend on bikes, I'd get about 750 in rewards points. I'll see if I can get a chance to test out the other two options for sure though.

Maelochs

I bought the AL-frame version of the Gran Fondo on a triple points weekend. For me, that was the decider. i ride with a few folks on Synapses, and the Trek and Spec enduro models .... I don't see anything the bigger names offer over the Fuji, and the Fuji is dramatically cheaper.

One question is ... are you going to buy $750 worth of performance gear in the next year? If not, the points are pointless. The Fuji is still cheaper and offers all the good stuff.

As for discs ... they are just brakes. Unless you are trying to shave grams, then they are just brakes. I think the 2.1 sells itself on the vibration reduction and the Ultegra group.

I want t a Lynkskey Sportive disc .... I just have to get rid of a few bikes before I can get it ... and that ain't easy.

Rock71

I ride a 2013 Fuji Gran Fondo 2.1, which is the 1.1 Classico now. I have been completely happy with the bike. Even being a Clyde at 220 lbs the original Oval wheelset lasted me until this summer. Although I never did care for the saddle. I really think whichever you chose you will be happy with. My next bike will be a Fuji also

noodle soup

$750 is pretty easy to spend in one year, especially if you're just getting started.

CrewFan

@Maelochs The Fuji's do seem to be good bang for the buck and the 750$ in reward bucks will easily be spent on new seat, pedals and other gear. No problem with that

@Rock71 that's sharp looking GF!

rgconner

Helmet + basic gear + shoes + bibs/shirts would easily do it.

Rock71

Absolutely agree. Peddles, shoes, bicycle computer, lights, helmet, couple pairs of shorts and bam, your reaching into your wallet cause 750 is gone.

Maelochs

Well , 2.1 then. We decided for you.

Be sure to get my size so I can test-ride it for you. I;ll be home this weekend, you can have it delivered direct. No charge for the test ride.

Rock71

+1 I ride a 55.... The Fuji 1.1 or 1.3 will be my next purchase.

Bah Humbug

Or $750 could get a nice pair of upgraded wheels.

canyoneagle

@CrewFan -
What size do you ride? I have a hardly used 61cm 2012 GranFondo 2.0LE (Ultegra) with upgraded brakes (R8000 Ultegra) and wheels (1600g handbuilt bicycle wheel warehouse race) that I am selling.
I picked it up from the original owner, who put a couple hundred miles on it, and I've put about the same. Very nice ride.

PM me if you'd like to chat. Awesome bike, but I'm building up another bike and will be selling the GF.

Rock71

I like this way of thinking. A person can pick up a computer here and shorts there and such but a new wheel set is a big purchase for some. Fuji only used the Oval Concepts 524 for a couple of years, so they may of had issues.

CrewFan

My fitting suggested I'm more of a 54 size bike - although the Italia color scheme is kinda sexy!

canyoneagle

Haha! I like the color scheme, as well.
I can attest to the ride quality of this series - really nice bikes. Good luck in your search!

MyTi

CrewFan

*** Update***

Well after a lot of looking and stressing, I finally pulled the trigger and got the Fuji Gran Fondo 2.1!! I have to say "WOW" what a fun bike! The combination of larger tires, full carbon frame, and anti vibration tech makes the ride very smooth, yet still fairly athletic feeling ad well. I've taken it on a few rides now and plan on a longer one this weekend.

Lazyass

Sharp bike. I would have to peel off those rim decals, though.

clasher

Yeah that's a nice looking ride. Do you think 32mm tires would fit on it?

CrewFan

The bike will take 32mm tires and maybe slightly larger... But definitely 32s.

@Lazyass I'll look into how to get the details off the wheels... It's honestly something i never thought to do. 🤔

Lazyass

I've removed wheel decals with a cheap heat gun I have. Heat 'em up and peel 'em off. If you do your own work on your bikes a heat gun is actually a very handy thing to possess.