Fuji Altamira 2.5 C or Fuji Gran Fondo 2.0 LE--which would you choose and why?

[K_Man]

Assume you are new to the sport of triathlon and looking for a first road bike. If you could only choose between a Fuji Altamira 2.5 C and Fuji Gran Fondo 2.0 LE, which bike would you choose and why? The bikes are exactly the same price at Performance Bicycle. Apparently, the biggest difference between the two bikes is the Gran Fondo frame has a more relaxed geometry than the Altamira frame. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55ekNZdXJe8.

At first I was drawn to the Altamira 2.5 C based on the fact that Fuji features the Altamira frame as its best competition road frame. But now I’m second-guessing myself because the Altamira has non-internal cable routing and an alloy steerer. Also, the Altamira has 105 components whereas the Gran Fondo has Ultegra components. Here’s a comparison of the specs:

Frame
(Alt) C5 high-modulus carbon, integrated head tube w/ 1 1/2" lower, oversized PIIS BB86 shell, double water bottle mounts, C5 high-modulus carbon thin seatstays, oversized chainstays, carbon dropout w/ replaceable hanger
(GF) C5 high-modulus carbon, integrated head tube w/ 1 1/2" lower, internal cable routing, oversized PIIS BB86 shell, double water bottle mounts, C5 high-modulus carbon thin seatstays, oversized ETC chainstays

Fork
(Alt) FC-770 carbon fork blades w/ tapered alloy steerer
(GF) FC-330 carbon monocoque w/ tapered carbon steerer & carbon dropout

Crankset
(Alt) Oval 730 forged alloy, 50/34T
(GF) FSA Gossamer 50/34

Bottom Bracket
(Alt) Press-fit BB86 sealed bearing
(GF) Shimano Press-Fit

Front Derailleur
(Alt) Shimano 105, braze-on mount
(GF) Shimano Ultegra, Braze-On

Rear Derailleur
(Alt) Shimano 105, 10-speed
(GF) Shimano Ultegra

Shifters
(Alt) Shimano 105 STI shifter/brake combo, Flight Deck-compatible, 20-speed
(GF) Shimano Ultegra

Cassette
(Alt) SunRace, 11-28T, 10-speed
(GF) Shimano 5700, 11/25T

Brakes
(Alt) Shimano 105
(GF) Oval 500, dual-pivot

Levers
(Alt) Shimano 105 STI
(GF) Shimano Ultegra

Chain
(Alt) KMC X10, 10-speed
(GF) KMC 10-speed

Grips/tape
(Alt) Oval 300 suede-padded tape
(GF) Fuji Suede

Handlebar
(Alt) Oval 310 butted 6061 alloy, 31.8mm
(GF) Oval 710 Alloy

Headset
(Alt) FSA Orbit C-40, 1 1/8" upper - 1 1/2" lower, integrated
(GF) FSA integrated 1 1/8"

Saddle
(Alt) Oval R500 w/ CrMo hollow rails
(GF) Selle Italia X1, FeC Alloy rails

Seatpost
(Alt) Oval 905, carbon 31.6mm x 350mm
(GF) Oval 700

Stem
(Alt) Oval 313 3D-forged 6061 alloy, 31.8mm, +/- 7 degrees
(GF) Oval 713

Tires
(Alt) Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Slick, 60 tpi, 700c x 23mm, folding
(GF) Hutchinson Equinox, Clincher, 700x23

Wheelset
(Alt) Oval 327 aero alloy clincher, 20/24H sealed bearing hubs, stainless bladed spokes
(GF) Oval 327, Clincher

Fuji Altamira 2.5 C:

Fuji Gran Fondo 2.0 LE:

[microspawn]

I have been looking at the same bikes. I currently have a Madone in an H2 geometry. I was looking at something a touch more aggressive. The aggressive bike in the Fuji line is the SST (but many say it is very harsh). The Altamira is more relaxed than most aggressive bikes and the Fondo is even more so.

Value wise, The Grand Fondo 2.0LE is the where it is at (ultegra and the much lighter fork). But you have to decide what type of riding you are doing. I made the following chart comparing the stack and reach of the Fuji bikes and my H2 Madone. The stack is even higher on the Fondo than the H2 Madone.

[K_Man]

I have been looking at the same bikes. I currently have a Madone in an H2 geometry. I was looking at something a touch more aggressive. The aggressive bike in the Fuji line is the SST (but many say it is very harsh). The Altamira is more relaxed than most aggressive bikes and the Fondo is even more so.

Value wise, The Grand Fondo 2.0LE is the where it is at (ultegra and the much lighter fork). But you have to decide what type of riding you are doing. I made the following chart comparing the stack and reach of the Fuji bikes and my H2 Madone. The stack is even higher on the Fondo than the H2 Madone.

Cool, thanks for the info. So a 53 cm Gran Fondo is roughly equivalent to a 50 cm Altamira?

Given the lighter fork and components, shouldn’t the Gran Fondo 2.0 LE be a lighter bike than the Altamira 2.5 C? (If so, I would find that kind of strange given that Fuji has been advertising how light the high-end Altamira SL frame is–13 pounds).

Does it bother you at all that the Altamira has exposed cables?

I guess I’ll have to do a side-by-side comparison at the shop.

I personally own a 2010 SST 2.0 and love it. I’m buying this new bike for my wife. I probably would’ve gotten another SST 2.0, but she doesn’t like the blue/black color of the 2013 model.

[dmounts]

Assume you are new to the sport of triathlon and looking for a first road bike. If you could only choose between a Fuji Altamira 2.5 C and Fuji Gran Fondo 2.0 LE, which bike would you choose and why? The bikes are exactly the same price at Performance Bicycle. Apparently, the biggest difference between the two bikes is the Gran Fondo frame has a more relaxed geometry than the Altamira frame. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55ekNZdXJe8.

At first I was drawn to the Altamira 2.5 C based on the fact that Fuji features the Altamira frame as its best competition road frame. But now I’m second-guessing myself because the Altamira has non-internal cable routing and an alloy steerer. Also, the Altamira has 105 components whereas the Gran Fondo has Ultegra components. Here’s a comparison of the specs:

Frame
(Alt) C5 high-modulus carbon, integrated head tube w/ 1 1/2" lower, oversized PIIS BB86 shell, double water bottle mounts, C5 high-modulus carbon thin seatstays, oversized chainstays, carbon dropout w/ replaceable hanger
(GF) C5 high-modulus carbon, integrated head tube w/ 1 1/2" lower, internal cable routing, oversized PIIS BB86 shell, double water bottle mounts, C5 high-modulus carbon thin seatstays, oversized ETC chainstays

I have a SST 2.0 Aero for my roadbike and absolutely LOVE it! Fuji makes a great bike!

D
Fork
(Alt) FC-770 carbon fork blades w/ tapered alloy steerer
(GF) FC-330 carbon monocoque w/ tapered carbon steerer & carbon dropout

Crankset
(Alt) Oval 730 forged alloy, 50/34T
(GF) FSA Gossamer 50/34

Bottom Bracket
(Alt) Press-fit BB86 sealed bearing
(GF) Shimano Press-Fit

Front Derailleur
(Alt) Shimano 105, braze-on mount
(GF) Shimano Ultegra, Braze-On

Rear Derailleur
(Alt) Shimano 105, 10-speed
(GF) Shimano Ultegra

Shifters
(Alt) Shimano 105 STI shifter/brake combo, Flight Deck-compatible, 20-speed
(GF) Shimano Ultegra

Cassette
(Alt) SunRace, 11-28T, 10-speed
(GF) Shimano 5700, 11/25T

Brakes
(Alt) Shimano 105
(GF) Oval 500, dual-pivot

Levers
(Alt) Shimano 105 STI
(GF) Shimano Ultegra

Chain
(Alt) KMC X10, 10-speed
(GF) KMC 10-speed

Grips/tape
(Alt) Oval 300 suede-padded tape
(GF) Fuji Suede

Handlebar
(Alt) Oval 310 butted 6061 alloy, 31.8mm
(GF) Oval 710 Alloy

Headset
(Alt) FSA Orbit C-40, 1 1/8" upper - 1 1/2" lower, integrated
(GF) FSA integrated 1 1/8"

Saddle
(Alt) Oval R500 w/ CrMo hollow rails
(GF) Selle Italia X1, FeC Alloy rails

Seatpost
(Alt) Oval 905, carbon 31.6mm x 350mm
(GF) Oval 700

Stem
(Alt) Oval 313 3D-forged 6061 alloy, 31.8mm, +/- 7 degrees
(GF) Oval 713

Tires
(Alt) Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Slick, 60 tpi, 700c x 23mm, folding
(GF) Hutchinson Equinox, Clincher, 700x23

Wheelset
(Alt) Oval 327 aero alloy clincher, 20/24H sealed bearing hubs, stainless bladed spokes
(GF) Oval 327, Clincher

Fuji Altamira 2.5 C:

Fuji Gran Fondo 2.0 LE:

[K_Man]

I have a SST 2.0 Aero for my roadbike and absolutely LOVE it! Fuji makes a great bike!

Hey dmounts, it sounds like we own the same road and triathlon bikes! Now I only need to figure out how to swim and bike as fast as you.

[SurfL]

No idea what’s better or not better, but I saw the SST 1.3 in the local Performance Bike store yesterday and it gave me a hard on. Most road bikes don’t do that.

[microspawn]

How is the ride on the SST - searching other forums I keep seeing that it is a SUPER HARSH ride. I ride a lot on chip and seal roads and the Madone is silky smooth.

Will the SST rattle my teeth out?

[K_Man]

How is the ride on the SST - searching other forums I keep seeing that it is a SUPER HARSH ride. I ride a lot on chip and seal roads and the Madone is silky smooth.

Will the SST rattle my teeth out?

I’m guessing the ride on the SST is not as smooth as the ride on the Madone. You would buy the SST for the better power transfer, which I would wager is significantly better than any other carbon bike in the same price range. The 2010 model, which I own, has an integrated seat mast, which probably makes my bike even stiffer than the current model. Also, the 2010 model had Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels instead of the Oval wheels. I think the Ksyrium Elite wheels are lighter than the Oval wheels. I’m not sure which wheels would give a smoother ride.

In 2010, when I test rode the Cannondale bikes in the same price range and compared them to the SST 2.0, there was absolutely no doubt in my mind that the SST was a better bike–more powerful and lighter. I would definitely recommend test riding the bikes–you might notice the same thing I noticed about the SST.

[dmounts]

How is the ride on the SST - searching other forums I keep seeing that it is a SUPER HARSH ride. I ride a lot on chip and seal roads and the Madone is silky smooth.

Will the SST rattle my teeth out?[/quote

My SST is silky smooth but have never ridden many others. I did a ride with the Cannondale Super Six Evo and like my Fuji better.

[dmounts]

I have a SST 2.0 Aero for my roadbike and absolutely LOVE it! Fuji makes a great bike!

Hey dmounts, it sounds like we own the same road and triathlon bikes! Now I only need to figure out how to swim and bike as fast as you.
Ha, smart minds think alike. Shiv is a great bike as well!
D

[K_Man]

I picked up the Altamira 2.5 C today, which will likely be my wife’s first road bike. I compared it on the store floor with the Gran Fondo 2.0 LE. Even though the Gran Fondo 2.0 LE has better components than the Altamira 2.5 C, I decided that the Gran Fondo frame just doesn’t appeal to me. I like the more serious look and feel of the Altamira frame.

I’m still toying with the idea of exchanging the Altamira 2.5 C for the SST 2.3 C. The SST 2.3 C costs $250 more, but it comes with a better fork and it has internal cable routing. (The Altamira’s non-internal cable routing kind of bugs me.)

Now that I have the Altamira 2.5 C in my possession, though, I’m not sure I can give it up. It’s a pretty sweet bike.

(Sorry, my wife took this photo and she doesn’t know about the ST photo staging requirements!)

[microspawn]

Looks sweet! Put it on the scale before you add anything.

[microspawn]

I know this is your wife’s bike but how does it compare to your SST? What is the weight of the bike?

[K_Man]

I know this is your wife’s bike but how does it compare to your SST? What is the weight of the bike?

It turns out my 2010 SST 2.0 (with speedplay pedals) weighs exactly 18 pounds and the pictured 2013 Fuji Altamira 2.5C (with cheap MTB pedals) weighs exactly 20 pounds. I think at least one pound of the two-pound difference is the wheels. (My SST 2.0 came with Ksyrium Elite wheels.) The fork of the Altamira feels pretty light even though it has an aluminum steerer. It’s the back end of the bike that seems heavier.