Product news: Fuji Gran Fondo endurance bike: anti-vibration

Market: With the Fuji Gran Fondo 2016, Fuji presents a completely renewed endurance bike. The new VRTech technology is said to significantly reduce vibrations and the new, somewhat more relaxed geometry provides additional comfort. There are also disc brakes and thru axles front and rear.

The Fuji Gran Fondo is, if you like, an old acquaintance - the endurance bike has been an integral part of the US manufacturer's portfolio since 2012. For 2016, the long-running hit is now being given a comprehensive makeover. New frame, new models, new technology - almost all that remains is the name and philosophy of the Fuji Gran Fondo.

Fuji Gran Fondo 2016: Against the Vibration!

The big highlight of the new frame, which is only available in carbon, is the new VRTech (Vibration Reduction Technology), which is designed to dampen the vibrations before they reach the contact points between the rider and the bike. The engineers at Fuji came up with something special for this: An additional layer of polyurethane was woven between the carbon layers at strategically favorable points such as the fork, seat stays and chainstays should improve noticeably.

Fuji conducted extensive tests at the Taiwan Cycling and Health Tech Industry R&D Center, which showed that by using VRTech, high-frequency vibrations could be reduced by almost a quarter compared to conventional frames. In addition, the seat stays of the new Gran Fondo are given a gentle kink, which is also intended to dampen vibrations. In any case, Fuji Road Product Manager Steven Fairchild is very proud of the new Gran Fondo: “It's our message to the cyclist's nemesis: vibration. It causes fatigue, reduces comfort and degrades performance. By significantly improving damping and thereby dramatically reducing vibrations, we have designed a bike that makes it possible to spend the whole day in the saddle and enjoy every minute of it.”

Fuji Gran Fondo 2016: disc brakes, thru axles and a lot of comfort

But of course VRTech is not the only innovation on the Fuji Gran Fondo 2016. The new endurance racer now comes exclusively with disc brakes. The specially designed, flattened chainstays simplify the installation of the flat-mount brake caliper and increase rigidity in this crucial area. The thru-axles on the fork and rear triangle are also new - but if you fear that you will no longer be able to use your existing wheelset: the dropouts on the frame can be converted from a 12mm thru-axle to a conventional quick-release in a few simple steps. Optically unobtrusive eyelets for mudguards further expand the field of application of the Fuji Gran Fondo.

The geometry of the new frame was also fine-tuned - the maxim here was also comfort. The head tube is now longer, making the riding position a bit more upright. The longer chainstays (415mm) ensure better straight-line stability, even if agility will suffer a little as a result. The Gran Fondo comes with 28mm wide tires as standard, but 30mm tires should also fit through the frame and fork without any problems.

Fuji Gran Fondo 2016: model variants

In Germany, the new Fuji Gran Fondo 2016 will be available in two trim levels. The two models will be available from specialist retailers from April.

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