spectastic

It's easy to assume Im newbie when I say things like that, but I'm a competitive cat 3 in road, with 3 years of racing under my belt. I've not noticed difference in ride quality that can specifically be attributed to the frame. I notice a 5mm difference in reach or handlebar drop before I ever notice a significant difference between two well setup bikes.. but im me. Subjective characteristics that adds no quantifiable value to my performance doesnt really register with me. Someone else might be a 135 lbs lightweight, and road comfort is a much bigger deal. Or someone can be a 200 lbs clyde, where a flexible frame would feel like a noodle. I can only speak from my experience

noodle soup

I didn't assume anything about you being a newb, just making a statement on the differences that new riders can feel.

I am a little surprised that you can't feel the the difference in the frames that you listed. Did you try each frame with identical components and similar fits?

I'm not sure when I started to notice the differences, but I've been riding and racing road and mountain bikes for 33 years. If you tried a few bikes with the same components and fit, but different frames, I'm sure you would notice a difference. Would you be faster on one frame over another? Maybe not.

jamesdak 

Having just got done with a ride in the mountains I totally understand this. It's a descent bike, the heavier weight makes you go that much faster downhill!

spectastic

my takeaway point. provided a frame is well designed and engineered, how it feels is as secondary to me as color choice or shimano/sram/campy. there are long lists of pros and cons behind each decision, but at the end of the day, it's a matter of preference. For the 99.9%, it doesn't make a lick of difference if a bike is 14 lbs or 21 lbs, but people pay money for them anyway, because it makes them happy in some way or another. to reiterate the long repeated words of wisdom, it's about the engine.

texaspandj

Heavy carbon fiber is the new black. Fuji is leading the pack on this trend. I don't want to be a follower, I wanna be a leader like fuji.

noodle soup

More often, it's not just the engine.

spectastic

do tell

znomit

All Fujis are heavy. Its to do with branding, they chose a huge mountain as their brand, nothing about that says weight weenie. Nope, these are solid bikes.
If you look inside you'll find the carbon tubes are lead lined because making a carbon frame that heavy isn't cost effective. This is why you can't use sram wireless shifters with Fuji bikes.
I hear they are popular cyclocross frames in Europe because the lead lining stops overly eager officials from x-raying for hidden motors, as is the fashion these days.

CliffordK

Maybe one should ask:

Where is the best place to cut weight? The proverbial most bang for the buck?

If you start with an old Schwinn Varsity, there are lots of places one can cut weight.

• Double Butted Chromoly Frame
• Alloy Cranksets
• Alloy Derailleur
• Alloy Wheels
• Lighter Tires
• etc.

Much of those items have just become "standard" on modern bikes.

So, now one wishes to save more weight.

• Carbon Fiber Frame
• Carbon Fiber Shifters
• Carbon Fiber Derailleurs
• Carbon Fiber Crankset
• Carbon Fiber Wheels
• Hollow Everything Else.
• Paper Thin Tires and Latex Tubes
• Titanium Nuts and bolts everywhere
• Aluminum or Titanium Cassette

There may be some advantages for a manufacturer to jump to a CF frame before going crazy on all the other components. It is a single component where one might be able to shave off a few pounds quite easily. Yes, one can have a super-light steel, aluminum or titanium frame, but they aren't cheap either.

And, it is great for advertising. Customers like CF, whether or not they really need it.

Upgrading all the components to the lightest possible gets very expensive very quickly, but also allows the company to sell "premium options".

It also might allow a customer to buy the "stock" version then add a few personal touches like premium wheels and tires, or a few race only features.

rpenmanparker 

Clifford, a CrMo cassette can be very light also if it is a SRAM Red or Edco.

Vexxer

I just bought a Gran Fondo 2.0, its the lightest bike I have ever owned, and is not noticeably heavier then any other equivalent bike I tested from other manufacturers. Since I ride a 61, they are all gonna be a bit heavier then my friends smaller carbon bikes.

sbxx1985 

It makes a huge difference.

sbxx1985 

This is my favorite bike of all time. 2009 R3SL. Light is fun.

UmneyDurak

It's 13 pounds. You are calling that light? Mmkay.

noodle soup

Think about it for a few minutes. I'm confident that you'll figure it out.

DrRobert

Why are they even making carbon entry level bikes? If anyone is going to spend $100's extra for a couple pounds weight advantage, you should reconsider.

I bought a Ridley Fenix all Ultegra only because it was a great deal. Surprised to find it is only 2.5# lighter than my steel Soma Smoothie.

But the comfort level/gearing/ridability is 2.5X better so no regrets.

redlude97

Because the additional manufacturing cost for cheap carbon compared to hydroformed aluminum is minimal

Danny01

On the cheaper carbon bikes, it's usually the finishing kit that makes them heavy. The wheels and saddle alone on that Fuji are over 5lb. One can easily shave 1.5lb there. 105 isn't the lightest either and the semi 105 on the Fuji is probably even heavier.