foresthill

Seat masts often have a decent amount of adjustability to them. You can usually get a longer min-seat post or extender, depending on the style.

rangerdavid

Seriously, if you have to ask, don't get the Pinarello, and for goodness sake Do not go buy a CAAD9!!

Racer Ex 

I think you might have it backwards...if you keep your bikes for a long time an ISP should be much less of a concern than if you resell them quickly.

Weight savings is small and depends on the frame and post, best case might be 100-200 grams, worst it might even be a touch heavier. The ISP lets the manufacturer play with ride characteristics and compliance; I can't run a Thompson post on one of my standard post bikes because it's too darn stiff. Softer posts flex in directions that aren't always optimal but it's what I've ended up with. The ISP never slips, never rotates. And there's no clamp torque issues that could damage the seat post or frame, snug is fine unless you're a really bad mechanic.

Figure 85% of the people who buy a certain size frame fit into a fairly small fit box, I've found that there's enough adjustment in the ISP using shims and a hacksaw to accommodate those folks. But certainly there's 15% it won't so you're narrowing that market. FWIW I recently switched over the Fizik Aliante from the Selle SLR Carbonio, pretty big difference in saddle height between the two but I can switch back with a shim. EDR has bought two of my ISP frames, he's quite a bit longer in the leg but has been able to shim the post up using the extended clamp.

But absolutely, you'll lose some perspective buyers and if you've got an atypical fit, the ISP might not be for you. And you're stuck with a clamping system you might not like; if I had my way everyone would use a Thompson style two bolt clamp. Other than that and the travel issue (as opposed to shipping), I haven't found any bad stuff.

mikeE46

I would go with Fuji.

I don't have an any complain on my SST.

Banzai

Oh boy.

YGBSM.

Addressing this will take more time than I feel like investing right now.

Rocket-Sauce 

Which one do you like better? People on these forums with those brands will vote for their own "I don't any complain on my SST. "

Do you want a bike that gets approval from the BF or one that fits your riding style, character, taste etc best?

At that price point, you are going to get more performance value for your buck with the Fuji, and more style, cool points etc (IMO) with the Pinarello. As has been pointed out, mid level Fuji and bottom of the range Pinarello.

Anyway, which bike stirs YOU and makes you want to ride it?

PS Pinarellos fit big so go with a 57. The 59 fits more like a conventional 62....

rainmaker

Hi All -

First, thank you all for taking the time to respond and educate me. Here are a few more clarifications/comments:

- I have actually not road tested other bikes in the $2.5K range before narrowing my choices to Pinarello and Fuji. I was looking for a full-carbon bike at a substantial discount (as one usually gets ~ 30% towards the end of season) and these two seemed to offer good value. I totally agree and will road test other bikes in the same range before making a final decision, but as someone mentioned, test-rides have their own limitations
- Although it would be nice to get cool points riding a Pinarello (or an Italian make), ultimately I want a bike that offers 'more bike' for my money and is durable (good climbing and accelaration abilities) as well as I intend to keep my next purchase for a while. FWIW, I am 6'1" and weigh 178 lbs.
- I like my Felt F85 but I bought it a few years ago because it was my size on a huge sale and that was my first real bike. Want to try another make/bike if that makes sense
- I didn't think about the head-set length so that’s a good point. I have a "standard" headset in my Felt and don't have any neck-pain issues while riding.
- My current bike does not have an ISP so not familiar with how that will impact my riding
- RangerDavid adviced, "...for goodness sake Do not go buy a CAAD9". Funnily, a team rider actually "highly" recommened the Cannondale CAAD9 to me. I guess everyone has their preference and it gets confusing because many of these manufacturers make top quality bikes so its increasingly hard to make a decision

Appreciate all your inputs. Thanks again.

Menel

CAAD9 is a top quality, racing machine.
So is the Fuji SST.
So are certain models of Pinarello, take your pick.

The engine will matter far more than the bike.

Carbon Unit

Four years ago I was in a similar situation. I went to three bike shops and tested three bikes from each shop. I also rode a used bikes that was on Craigslist. Of the ten bikes I rode, one of them just felt right and that is what I bought. If you ride several bikes and they feel the same or similar then maybe you buy the lowest cost bike that feels right.

Good luck with your research.

rschleicher

To me, the decision is more about form versus function, or perhaps style versus substance.

There's no question that there is some amount of price premium that goes for the Pinarello name. To a lesser extent, the same is true if you were buying a Specialized or Trek.

Without even looking at the specs for the two bikes, I can say with a fair amount of certainty that if they are similarly priced, the Fuji will have better components than the Pinarello, and will weight less. (Lower-end Pinarello's are actually pretty heavy, in comparison to other brands of similar price and component gruppo.)

On the other hand, a Pinarello is a lot sexier.

If you recall the old movie "Breaking Away", the lead character fantasized about being an Italian bicycle racer, and even sang Italian songs while riding. I can't picture him having the same passion for learning Japanese, even if the Fuji is better than the Pinarello on most objective measures....

(This is not to disparage either bike choice, both of which are very nice machines!)

corbett1010

i like the fact that i dont live anywhere close to a performance bike store, closest is 2 hours away, there are two shops that sell fuji within 40 miles of my house, i hardly ever see a fuji on the road.

go with the one that fits better

rainmaker

Any experience with Jamis Xenith Endura series?

rainmaker

Hi All -

Sorry to bug you again but I went to the bike store to look at a few bikes I had shortlisted. While looking at the bikes, I came across Wilier. Had not heard of them before and they seem really cool, albeit a bit expensive. Any thoughts, ideas on Wilier. I was looking a the Izoard line and here is the link:

https://www.racycles.com/product.aspx...3,917&pid=4247

mikeE46

Hum, I should put more detail on SST.

Alright.
1. I rode Cannondale CAAD R500 and was very stiff and wanted comfort ride.
2. I rode Felt F55 for one year and was nice but broken by a car accident.
3. BMC SLC01 - yes, very nice and very bling bling(so many people asked me about the bike.
4. Motobecane Lechampion - I found out that $90 frame can beat my BMC and wasn't so bad.
5. Fuji SST - best ride so far. very stiff and comfortable and fast.

So my point is I won't pay extra money for the brand(NAME)
If you can buy top model from Fuji compare with mid Pinarellos, I don't even think about it.
Anyway, good luck and try to ride both.

pjn0629

If you're in the NYC area, head on over to strictly, im looking at a wilier gt, they had an izoard there for you to ride, thing handled like a dream. But didn't feel as fast as the orca i rode.