Fuji SST ultegra or F5 105?
BY: heftesmurf on 2014-05-08 4:29 PM
Looking for my first carbon bike and have rode several. The felt AR5 is ridiculously amazing but $2400 for a 105 set up doesn’t seem worth it to me. The other two bikes I’ve really enjoyed riding are the fuji sst w/ full ultegra and the felt F5 w/105s. Love the ride of the sst but it does shake the bones a bit. The F5 is a silky smooth ride but feels a little lazy compared to the sst. I do know they are re build very differently. My question is would an SST be a good tri bike for Olympic distance or maybe even a 70.3 if I decide to jump up in distance. Curious to hear opinions.
Thanks.
I have a Fuji SST 2.0 (Ultegra). It’s a great road bike–lightweight and stiff. However, except on long climbs, I’m significantly faster on my tri bike–a Specialized Shiv. I use my tri bike for almost all of my training and racing now.
Tri bike is always faster, except on technical courses, but I still ride my road bike 80% of the time. It’s safer (you’re more upright), is better for riding in groups, and it’s a more powerful position than riding on the bullhorns of a tt bike. Unless you’re going to be in aero 90% of the time, or have kona or 70.3 worlds aspirations in the next 2 years, go with the road bike.
In terms of the model, I’ve had a few Fuji road bikes and have always been happy with them. First the team issue, and now the 1st iteration of the SST. I think the SST has a slightly steeper seat tube angle so you might be able to get further forward if you end up putting clip-on aerobars on the bike. And the ultegra over the 105 is definitely worth it.
Also, any difference you perceive in ride quality probably has more to do with the saddle that’s on there than the frame characteristics
Thanks for the insight. I do have aspirations of doing a 70.3 but it wouldn’t be until next year. As far as a full ironman. I doubt that will even make the bucket list.
Surprisingly, I actually did tell the difference between 105 and ultegra group set. The ultegra definetely shifted smoother and the mechanics of the Seemed to be a little more responsive then the 105. I’ve been running 105 on my old specialized allez and had no issues. But, I feel I want an upgrade.
I’m going to ride the Giant TCR comp this weekend and then make a decision on what bike I want to purchase. The SST is still in the lead. I feel that it just want to keep going faster every time it surges forward when I put the hammer down. I almost feel my motor can’t fulfill the high octane requirements of the sst.
