mcpastor

I just bought a new old stock 2016 Fuji SL 2.5 with Shimano 105 at the local bike shop. Compared with my 2004 Trek 5200 with Ultegra, the big difference I feel is the frame stiffness and liveliness. Both bikes weighed about the same I think. Seems like the new frame is layered thinner with stronger, directional carbon.

It’s definitely not a scientific analysis or even apples to apples. Different frame style and geometry. The Fuji is a compact frame. The Fuji has wider rims with 25mm tires too. But I’m digging the feel. I was riding an aluminum Fuji Roubaix 1.3 for a few years in the interim between bikes.

chainwhip

I noticed a significant ride change going from 23mm at 100psi+ to 25mm at 80psi front/90psi rear tire. Going to see if I can get a set of 28mm to clear my frame, and try that out.

So, do we call those seat stays "spaghetti straps"?

Sharp bike!

mcpastor

Thanks! Yeah the seat stays are pretty radical. When viewed from the back, they are wider and look a little more substantial. I do think it makes for a compliant ride.

I agree that tire width and pressure makes a big difference too! Like many bikes today, this Fuji has a 19mm width rim instead of 17mm, so the 25mm tire has a more rounded cross-section than I've had in the past. I think it's more comfortable and has less rolling resistance, just like it's supposed to.

popeye

Direct mount brakes are sweet!

Kimmo 

Try the new wheels on the old bike and vice versa. You can leave a cog off the 11s cassette to fit it on the old wheel.

seedsbelize 

Hot. This is the first crabon bike I've seen that I like the look of. Kudos.

vader957

sweet ride

Kabuki12

Very nice bike! I have never ridden anything but lugged steel bikes, I guess I am afraid I will like the extra speed. I have been told that the energy is more directed to the speed of the bike. I know that most of the carbon bikes I see on the road go past me pretty easily , which could be more than just the bike. But , I do believe the newer bikes are most probably more efficient and quicker. I have no way of knowing because , as I say , I never ridden one. Joe joesvintageroadbikes.wordpress

Lemond1985

I can get up to cruising speed, from a dead stop, faster and with fewer pedal strokes, on my CF BMC, than I can on any of my steel bikes. If you ride a carbon bike all day, and then jump onto a steel bike, you can really feel the wasted energy that's eaten up by frame flex. For a frame of reference, it's much the same as switching from a fine lightweight steel bike, to a high-ten dept store bike. Talk about wasted energy, about half your power seems to drop into a black hole on dead-flexing dept store high-ten steel bikes.

That said, I still prefer steel, especially for long rides, it's just so much more civilized and comfy. If seconds count, CF is the way to go, but seconds don't count for me, all-day comfort does.

deacon mark

Once you get on a Titanium frame the flex stops and it rides like no CF can quite do. There is no difference in speed between my Ti and CF. The Ti just rides much better.

MyTi

I’m not sure Ti rides better it just depends. I’ve had nice carbon frames that ride as nice as Ti but I trust the durability of Ti over carbon. But Ti definitely looks better imo.

Seattle Forrest

That's a nice looking bike. Great shaded of blue.

mcpastor

Thanks! The minimalistic lines appealed to me. It is Fuji’s Super Light model, so the frame is sparse, save for the oversized downtube.

mcpastor

It’s true, the carbon is lighter, stiffer and quicker. My aluminum bike is also quicker than my ‘89 Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, but I still love it.

thehammerdog

I go back and fort between a 853 steel dura ace Lemond and love the bike 28's but when I ride the full carbon roady Bianchi it is like a magic carpet ride smooth stiff fast just feels different. Not sure of geometry differences but it rides so well I fee like a champ. I do however love the ride of steel but it gives away a bunch of weight.

jadocs

Yep...

I'm actually slightly faster on my Ti than my Carbon. Difference in ride quality is very noticeable as well. When I fly over railroad tracks the only thing you hear is my chain from the rear derailleur being bounced to maintain tension. My buddies who ride high end Specialized, Treks, and Giants all sound like their bikes are going to come apart.

cthenn

Too bad they came along just as dics were taking over the world. I think direct mount could have been that perfect balance of better stopping power, while still minimizing weight and ugliness. That's what I have on my bike, and I love them.

cthenn

I hop on my Ti bike after long days on the carbon bike and I need something more comfortable. So much more smooth, my butt, back, and teeth enjoy the break lol!

sirjag

same here, went from 25s at 90/95 to 28s at 75/90...so much better!!

noimagination

One man's "dampened" ride is another's "dead" or "wooden".
One man's "buzz" is another's "lively" or "connected".

One day, a bike feels "stiff", another day, for the same person, it "beats you up". Some love steel, some ti, some carbon, some aluminum. Some don't gaf.

IOW, 99.9% of what you're talking about is strictly personal preference. If carbon floats your boat - great, by all means get it. You're the one riding it.