Fuji Team 1.0 £999.99 Review
Reviewer: Cycling Weekly
23-Feb-2011 | 13 Reviews
Rating:
We ride and rate four bikes that come in at the government's Cycle to Work maximum price point of £1,000
The frame is made from Fuji's custom-butted Altair 2 aluminium and compared with some of the riotous colours and shapes thrown by the Cinelli and the Condor, looks relatively conservative. However, the top tube is subtly arched and the seat tube is round-profiled but oversized, taking a seatpost with a diameter of 31.5mm by our measurements.
The components are definitely on the money - Shimano 105 shifters and derailleurs with a cost-saving FSA Gossamer Pro chainset specced. The brake calipers are the other deviation - made by Oval Concepts, which is part of the same family of brands as Fuji. Oval is known for its top-end time trialling equipment so it's slightly surprising to see its name featuring on a £1k bike.
The wheels are Alex ALX 200s - fairly basic and, at 1,980g for the pair, 100g heavier than the Campag Khamsins of the Cinelli.
As you would expect, Shimano 105 shifting is fast and accurate, but the Oval calipers don't supply the same stopping power as the Cinelli's Campag Veloces.
Instant gratification
As for the ride - after spending the winter on an old steel fixed with a quill stem it was a shock to rediscover how good modern bikes are, even so-called entry-level ones. It was possible to just set the saddle height of the Fuji and ride off, and it felt instantly right.
The head tube is 1cm shorter than the Cinelli's, giving a more aggressive position, and overall the feeling was one of raciness rather than sportivism, although Fuji says this bike is suitable for all-dayers.
We might hesitate to ride all day on it - it's not the most comfortable on test and this could be partly due to the oversized aluminium seatpost, which tends to transmit lumps and bumps straight through the saddle. Perhaps if your all-day ride was on the Continent this wouldn't be an issue, but in this country the roads are covered in bomb crater-sized potholes now, and we may all need to resort to full-suspension mountain bikes soon.
Verdict
It's only a small criticism, but as bikes are said to be bought mostly with the eyes here goes: the red, black and white scheme is a bit Noughties, especially next to the Cinelli's Pac-Man palette. With the renewed interest in keirin racing and NJS components, now would be a good time for the company to reconnect with its Japanese roots and come up with something more eye-catching. But we're just being picky.
Full specification
Frame
Fuji Altair 2 aluminium tubing
Group Set
Shimano 105 shifters/mechs
Size Tested
54sm
Weight
19.6lb/8.9kg
Wheels
Alex ALX200 wheels
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User reviews
Add your review
Lee
February 25 13:01
Strange but if I spec up a 105 model with ITM wheels it comes to £1123.45 That's off the website as of the 25th Feb 2011 Not really fair on the other guys I think?
kev
February 25 18:37
To Lee above-You need to use the "special edition bikes" section to get the best price,I made it £1078.
David Morris
March 04 16:57
I have owned a Ribble Sportive (The old red and black colour scheme) framed bike for 4months now. Funds where tight so I purchased the frame and fork only and swapped all of the other components from my old bike. The new machine is OUTSTANDING! it's lightweight, comfortable, fast, stiff, sure footed and beautiful to look at. I can't recommend the frame enough.....go on treat yourself!
Mike Finch
March 23 12:18
I bought a Ribble Sportive (the red one) last October, with a 105 compact Groupset and RS20 wheels. It rides beautifully soaking up the rough Cumbrian roads far more effectively than my previous Aluminium framed bikes. Mine weighs in under 18lb, I recommend it greatly. Only slight disappointment was that the expected 10 day delivery spun out to four weeks.
Paul Solerti
March 23 21:01
Like the reviews on this bike and i have been saving up for this one. Finally bought it last night with blue tape and tyres. Can't wait to see it turn up...
Dave Hewes
April 13 17:05
I bought this frame recently and have been hugely impressed. Fast, efficient and secure delivery of a high-quality, well-made product which is finished superbly. Extremely comfortable ride with enough stiffness to really enjoy putting in a quick burst of power when the mood takes you (which on this thing is seriously often.) The only draw-backs include the impracticality of the gleaming white paint and the american spelling of carbon fibre(er) on the seat-stays. Like David Morris above, I transferred the components from my old bike onto this frame and am already considering upgrading, if only to do the frame justice. The Sportive Bianco performs at the level of a bike at twice the price and the Ribble name emblazoned on the tubing helps destroy the unfounded pre-conceptions of the bike snobs out there. Highly recommended.
Andy Griffiths
April 17 18:47
Bought my Sportive Racing 10 months ago using the cyclescheme voucher. Its my 1st Carbon bike, but my 5th Ribble in 15 years or so. Since it turned up my Ribble Winter Audax bike hasn't been out of the garage!! Incredible bike, frame fits 25mm tyres, its a real eye catcher which goes as well as it looks.
BeSpoke
June 01 13:05
Tempted o buy one of these. Great reviews... However, reported humming sound isn't necessarily a good thing. In fact engineers would normally strive to prevent resonance because the enhanced vibration is generally detrimental to the fatigue life of a structure.
Si
July 24 18:55
Fear not, I have the red version of this frame, and it doesnt hum. However, I do have an aluminium Colnago which whirs in pleasing kind of way! Back to the Ribble, which rides superbly in all respects, and the finish is top notch. For the money, and compared to many other mid range carbon frames that I have looked at costing more, in my opinion the sportive is tough to beat. Get one and enjoy.
Ivo Costa
August 18 18:16
I bought my Ribble Grandfondo last April with Ultegra groupset but 28mm tyres for the pot holes in Fife Scotland. What can I say... it's an amazing bike, light, strong and amazing value for money. My £1200 vs my mates £2100 Trek and the service at the Ribble shop to get properly measured to get the right size frame has been brilliant. Go on get one and clock up the miles.
Rik Slingsby
October 28 09:23
Just ordered my Sportive Bianco with 105 group,and can't wait! Used to be a keen cyclist as a teen, and not really done any miles since then, 20 years plus!, and back then it was a Ribble, Reynolds tubing, with I think the first 105 groupset! Always been great bikes!! Gonna feel a big change!! ....Mainly because I'm just turning 40!!
Neil Jones
December 03 21:40
Just taken delivery of a Sportive Bianco kitted out with Sram Apex and a Fulcrum 5 wheels. An awsome and great looking machine on which climbing is almost a pleasure!
Steve Peters
January 31 21:29
Cinelli the best option here for 1k. It looks a lot classier than the Ribble IMO and looking at the range of bikes out on a typical sportive, far more exclusive! It may give away half a pound in weight but comparing like for like perhaps the £75 you'd save could be spent on lighter wheels as you spec up a bike with fantastic heritage. Carbon ain't the be all and end all and that's before you look at reports of customer service and satisfaction on the'net..