learning2ride

Hi this is my 1st post

My brother is trying to get me into cycling. The bike that I like is Fuji SST, however all I keep hearing is that it is a very stiff bike. Stay away very very stiff. What does that really mean? It felt the same as the Trek Emonda that I tested.

Rob

yooperbiker

Fuji SST is a race bike. Depending on model expensive or very expensive. I think not really a reasonable choice for someone just getting into cycling.

Ah, I think stiffness means having the quality of being stiff?

f4rrest

It means that after a year or two of developing your leg strength, you can feel the frame bend under very hard acceleration.

If you can't feel the difference, then you aren't strong enough yet for it to matter. So test ride the bikes and buy the one that just feels / looks the best to you. Trade up later if it matters.

curbtender

Stiff is good for power transfer. Sometimes stiff also comes with a harsh ride, like with aluminum. Carbon stiff usually refers to side-to-side stiffness but still has the smooth road manners.

Lanceoldstrong

Me thinks this was meant to say...
"It (stiff) It means that after a year or two of developing your leg strength, you can't feel the frame bend under very hard acceleration. "

In addition to Race Bikes, consider a class known as Endurance Bikes.

I ride a 2013 Specialized Roubaix, a good balance of compliance for comfort and stiffness for power transfer.

Trek makes a similar bike called a Domane.
(Madone, Emonda, Domane... they rearrange the letters for each model, kinda cute)

Fuji makes the Gran Fondo model in the Endurance class.

The Trek Domane and the Specialized Roubaix have won some big time, and very grueling, professional races.

Lazyass

If you like the Fuji SST then buy it.

SpeshulEd 

No.

Yes.

79pmooney

Stiffness simply means the frame does not bend much when you apply force to the pedals. Some believe this makes a difference in efficiency; transmitting more of a rider's energy to the tires and that therefore stiffer frames are faster than less stiff frames. But a stiff frame also (usually) transmits more road shock and vibration to the rider, often tiring that rider more. The time honored test for stiffness is to hold the bike in front of you, one hand on the stem and the other on the seat, then gently push the crank at the bottom bracket away from you with your foot, noting how easily it flexes.

In the old days, the feeling was that if you pedaled efficiently and smoothly all the energy lost in bike flex was recovered as the bike flexed back - IF you were a smooth rider. The rider who seemed to verify that thinking was Sean Kelley who won many hard races in sprints on a bike that was famous for being probably the most flexible race bike ever made.

Don't sweat the stiffness of the Fuji. If it suits the rest of your needs, ride it. Over time, you will fine tune your wants and can apply them to your next bike.

Ben

BoSoxYacht

Correct. A lightweight beginner might find the SST unnecessarily stiff, and less comfortable than an Altamira or Gran Fondo.

learning2ride

Thank you all

allen254

dude buy the fuji sst it is a real good bike it will run laps around any bike the fuji sst is my next bike i've always wanted one they look so awesome ,,, it is a super stiff bike and thats a good thing in the cycling world better power transfer and power efficiency

CraigMI

First post, hello all...
I hope I'm not guilty of hijacking this thread. Ben's post seems right on topic for my question. So question first: Can a stiff bike cause more muscle soreness than one with more flex? Background is: I've been on a Roubaix for 5 years/10K miles. Love the bike. But I also love attacking hills. I know there is flex on the Roubaix when charging up a hill. Mix that knowledge with new bike fever and a smokin' deal on a NOS 2012 S-Works Tarmac SL3 and I now have a second bike. I have about 400 miles on the Tarmac and really like how light, crisp, snappy it is. And I don't find the ride harsh at all. I was worried about the SL3 vs SL4 in that regard. Fit is nearly identical to the Roubaix. Initially the handlebars were 2cm lower. Hip pain caused me to raise them. They are now about 2" lower than the seat. Fit now is pretty much the same. But I am still feeling the Tarmac ride in my legs as sore quads and a little soreness in the hips. Now sore muscles are a good thing, but why on the Tarmac and not so much on the Roubaix? I'm 55/190lbs and a typical ride is 25-35 miles at 18-19 mph. Is it likely the stiffer bike? I am skeptical its the fit. Tarmac has Roval 45's, the Roubaix Ksyrium SLs. Thanks in advance for sharing your collective experience.
Craig in MI

rms13

That's the opposite of what I keep hearing

Point

Helps power transfer? No quantifiable evidence that I've found. Harshness? Just subjective anyway.

Just buy what you like and are comfortable on,

kbarch

A new rider may not be in a position to appreciate the value of stiffness, and some may discourage one from getting a bike that's too race-oriented (no sense spending extra for something one can't appreciate), but I figure if one isn't immediately put off by it, it doesn't matter. It's not a Le Mans prototype - it's not going to complicate matters or make anything difficult.

By the way, I don't see the SST in Fuji's current lineup; does your shop have a good deal on a closeout in your size? If so, by all means get it if you like it.

RoderWrench

Proper size and fit should be your primary concern. How long, fast and comfortable you can ride is much more dependent on proper fit than frame stiffness.

Phil_gretz

^ this trumps. As a new rider, you may not appreciate how important fit is to your overall experience on the bike. Make certain that the seller will work with you to make sure that you're on the best fitting size and that they've adjusted things to where you feel initially best.

Fit will change over time as your body learns and adjusts. Good luck.