dd123

For example: Fuji Gran Fondo 2.0 LE Road Bike - 2014 Performance Exclusive - Racing Bikes

Fuji Gran Fondo 2.0 LE Road Bike - 2014 Performance Exclusive

Looking for a carbon road bike with ultegra if possible
This seems to be the best value for me as PBS is close to my place so I get an advantage of LBS, fitting, maintenance etc.

I am gonna do an extended test ride later

Don't feel like throwing $3K for a ultegra carbon bike



Thanks

longbeachgary

I think that they are a good value and Performance stands behind their products. PLUS you can get $200 back in bonus points redeemable for stuff you need if you're a performance member. If there is a weakness, it would be the wheels but at this price point most brands cheap out on the wheels.

dd123

Thanks

Out of the box, none of the bikes come with good wheels and easily replaceable..

dtrain

Yeah, you could do a lot worse. If you live near a Performance (like I do), there are some perks. You might like the Altamira or the full carbon/6800 Scattante.

bikerjp

I know nothing about the bike, but in my experience "performance exclusive" means they cheaped out on something. Might not apply to bikes but might want to check just to see if you care about any changes. I know one of their exclusive wheel sets came with steel bearings instead of the normal ceramic ones but that isn't something I care about but also don't want to think I'm getting a good deal on something only to find out it's not what I thought it was.

SpeshulEd 

Usually Performance Exclusive means a different color, but there are a few other differences. I don't get the 2.0, since Fuji did away with the .0 stuff in 2012, in 2013 they started doing 2.1, 2.5, etc.

I'd say this bike is close to the 2.1:
Fuji Bikes | ROAD | ENDURANCE SERIES | GRAN FONDO 2.1

the 2.0 has an aluminum steerer, 2.1 is carbon
2.0 has fsa crankset (the 2.1 oval one is just a rebranded fsa from what I can tell)

Looks like everything else is similar or the same at quick glance other than the color.

And to answer the OP's original question, there's nothing wrong with the Fuji's at Performance. My first bike was an Altamira from them and when it broke, they were very kind in helping me get a frame replacement.

Elvo

Protip: Wait until they do double or triple points. You can get up to $400 or $600 to spend in the store

dd123

Thanks, I'd wait for triple points. Any idea how often it happens ? or if it is coming soon ?

I am looking for a carbon endurance road bike with 105 or better components. I like Felt z5 but at $1600 bit expensive. I am going to ride Fuji and see how does it feel. If I like the ride, I'd buy it.

Felt's ultegra is Felt z3 which is listed at $3K. So, Felt z3 would cost me almost double of what Fuji Gran Fondo would cost me.

Elvo

Triple points is usually during their anniversary which is in June or July

dwatson

I have a Felt F3 and a Fuji SST. I have not ride the Grand Fondo, but the Felt wins hand down on ride quality. I know the SST is a much stiffer bike than the F3. But I have a good amount of time on the Altamire and the Felt just rode better.
The Fuji is a good bike but will need some upgrades. The wheels, like stated above, most and of the Oval branded parts.

dd123

HI dwatson
I like felt bikes as well but to be frank I have not ridden other bikes.
I am curious for the similar groupset, I am getting Fuji bike almost 50% of other brands like Felt, Trek etc. The wheels and cranksets on all bikes under $3K are almost just average. So, nothing different between Fuji and other brands on cheapening out here. They may say Ultegra or 105 but it is never Full groupset to keep the price or profit margin in line.

I may buy Felt Z5 but wanted to ride Fuji first and see how doe sit feel.

Thanks

dwatson

Differently ride it. I have a soft spot for Fuji bikes, in 1985 I bought my first race bike, Fuji Club with SunTour Superbe Pro.

Long Tom

Just from a quick glance at the specs, I'd upgrade the brakes from the Tektro's to Ultegra. Not a knock on the Tektro's but the 6800 Ultegra brakes are fantastic.

jwalther

If you have a Focus dealer near you, check out the Izalco Ergoride. I just bought a 2012 closeout with full Ultegra for $2100. You might find one in your area. Focus Izalco Ergoride 4.0 review - BikeRadar

RPK79

I really like my Fuji, but it's not stock and the frame is a decade old (NOS) and made from a material they no longer make their road bikes out of. So my experience is not comparable to buying a new Fuji from Performance.

Dave Cutter

Ditto. I bought my Fuji Newest at Performance in 2010. Been very happy with both the Fuji and Performance.

IMO.... The best bicycle selection is early spring (now). Best prices are late summer. But if you wait till that late August price cut the bicycle you want may not be included... or the bicycle size you need may not be available. It's a gamble... and the price difference may be as little as $50. (Current sale price looks pretty impressive to me).

Check with the staff at the store about pending sales events and availability options.

P.S. Came back to this post to edit: Just saw that "double points" start Friday (April 11th-13th, 2014) at Performance.

lyrictenor1

They are doing double points this coming weekend.

SpeshulEd 

OP, you just struck gold!

dd123

Thanks You guys for the time to comment here...
All comments are valuable to me.

Not in a mood to spend lots of $$ on carbon bike but with performance bikes, I probably can stretch myself..

I need endurance carbon road bike. Fuji gran fondo as well as new ridley fenix is what I am eyeing..

I'd do extensive test riding of these two and may pull the trigger on one.

Any more comments about ridley fenix is welcome..

Hope I like how the bike feels to me.. otherwise, I'd go back to Felt z5..

longbeachgary

I agree about the brakes however even if you just replace the pads with Ultegra it's a big improvement.

paintguy

I just bought a Fuji Gran Fondo 3.0 from Peformance and I love it. It's a big difference over aluminum in opinion.

dd123

I went to Performance bike today and test rode the Fuji Gran Fondo in 2 sizes: 53 cm and 55 cm.
I am now bit confused between the two sizes. They both seem to be OK to me.

I ride a Felt z85 in 54 cm and the geometry is listed at: Z85 - Felt Bicycles
The fuji GF geometry is listed at: Fuji Bikes | ROAD | ENDURANCE SERIES | GRAN FONDO 2.1

Looks like Fuji GF 53 cm matches closely with Felt z85 54 cms. Not sure if I should go for FujiGF 53cm or 55cm.

I am 5'10'' BTW.

The PBS folks were of no help to me. I was left there on my own and only a very youngish boy ~19 years was there to talk to me who knows nothing about fit.

I can definitely feel the difference between PBS and LBS. In LBS, you usually have a owner who likes to interact with you and tries to help you.
But in PBS, I can definitively see the they are just employees.., dont blame them either as I like those guys..


They basically told me buy whatever feels good to you :-)

martinus

The bikes on sale, go up in price, ( but still "on sale" ) when, there is a double points weekend ... so, you break even. ( you gotta catch the sales manager, sqrewing up the tags, to "piggy back" sales .) Its all a trick to get you in the door...

Also, if you cant sell quality, you sell price. : o)

Nexx11

PB did start selling a few Ridley models too.

SpeshulEd 

Ah yes, the "Kohls" way of selling merchandise.

I've never paid attention to Performance before, but that sounds about right.