The Fuji brand has not necessarily stood out as a high-end supplier in recent years. A very broad portfolio of solidly equipped bikes with a fair price-performance ratio has tended to be the hallmark of the American supplier. However, the Transonic aero model presented last year was the first indication that more expertise would be invested in the technical development of racing bikes in the future and that the brand would be presented more confidently. The professional involvement with Team Net-App at the time underpinned this claim. For the 2016 season, Fuji is launching the SL, a super-lightweight racer designed to compete with the top bikes of leading brands. The announcement of less than 1,000 grams for the frameset (for frame size 56) and less than five kilograms for the complete bike are figures that will make lightweight construction fans sit up and take notice.
Not too much promised
In fact, our test bike impresses with a flyweight of just over five kilograms. But the sales price is at least as impressive: Fuji is asking just under 12,000 euros for this exquisitely equipped top racer. However, the frame set should be available for a fair €1,799. In the lab test, however, it doesn't quite reach the targeted lightweight construction goals; weighing in at 779 grams for the frame and 315 grams for the fork, the set weighs around 100 grams more than announced - although this announcement refers to an unpainted model, in contrast to the test bike. Nevertheless, the frame set is still at the top of the lightweight league and proves on the TOUR test benches that its low weight is not its only quality. All stiffness values are in reassuring spheres, and the comfort on the saddle is also state of the art. The impressive frameset score of 1.4 is therefore well deserved - the SL is on a par with other top racers. This is made possible by a new production technology: unlike the previous Altamira model, Fuji only assembles the new frame from three instead of five individual parts - the front frame triangle including the strut connections is laminated in one piece. In addition, the frame wall is covered with extremely strong fibre fabric in certain places, which can only be used on flat surfaces. This results in the striking outer shape with many surfaces and edges. However, the lightweight frame is only the basis - for a five-kilo racer, all the stops have to be pulled out for the equipment.
With SRAM Red as well as carbon components from Ritchey and Fuji's own brand Oval, the SL has lightweight and functional components that are suitable for everyday use. The expensive eeBrake lightweight brakes also impressed during the test rides. However, the wheels, which make a not inconsiderable contribution to achieving the five-kilo target, have to make concessions in terms of suitability for everyday use. The Reynolds RZR 46 wheels allow the bike to accelerate playfully and still make a stable impression even when travelling at speed. However, the construction with carbon rim, hub and spokes is one of the more sensitive representatives of the carbon wheel genre. Added to this are the fast but extremely thin 22 mm Vittoria Chrono tubular tyres - pure competition material that would be better suited to a time trial bike than an all-round racer, especially as the tyres somewhat reduce the otherwise good comfort of the bike. You can also tell from other features that the SL is designed for racing: the tight gearing and the emphatically sporty riding position are particularly appealing to racers. If you like the frameset but are looking for a bike that is more suitable for everyday use or don't want to spend so much money, the SL is available in six equipment variants, starting with 105 equipment for €1,999; with a mechanical Dura-Ace, the bike costs €4,999.
Complete wheel 11,999 Euro | Weight 5.0 Kilo
Frame set 1,799 Euro
Info www.fujibikes.com
Weight frame/fork/steering bearing** 779/315/47 grammes
Frame sizes*** XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Seat/steering angle 73°/73°
Seat/upper head tube 525/560/157 mm plus 10 mm headset cap
Wheelbase/caster 985/57 mm
Stack/Reach/STR**** 561/39 mm/1.44
EQUIPMENT
Steering bearing FSA, top 1-1/8 inch, bottom 1-1/2 inch
Brakes eeCycleworks eeBrakes
Circuit SRAM Red 22 (53/39 t.)
Wheels/tyres Reynolds RZR 46/Vittoria Chrono CS 22 mm
Handlebar/stem Oval 910 SL/Oval
Saddle/post Ritchey Super Logic
*The frame set accounts for 40 per cent and the equipment for 60 per cent of the overall grade. The grades are calculated with all decimal places up to the final grade; however, for the sake of clarity, all grades are given with rounded decimal places.
**Weighed weights.
***Manufacturer's specification, test size bold.
****Stack/Reach projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube; STR (Stack to Reach) 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 an upright riding position.
