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Just In: Fuji’s Lightest Production Road Bike Ever, the Altamira SL

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Just In: Fuji's Lightest Production Road Bike Ever, the Altamira SL

Admittedly, for the longest time the Fuji brand has been associated with my parents now more than 30 year old, matching, lugged steel Fuji road bikes. They were fairly high end back then, and like many bikes of that era, they have stood the test of time long enough for my parents to not want to get rid of them. Fast forward to the present, and wow, Fuji has come a long way. Since then, Fuji has been pumping out more, and better, bikes leading up to their lightest production road bike ever, the Altamira SL.

We got our hands on the SRAM Red equipped, super carbon road machine to give it a thorough test. We break down the Altamira SL after the jump.

Just In: Fuji's Lightest Production Road Bike Ever, the Altamira SL Just In: Fuji's Lightest Production Road Bike Ever, the Altamira SL

Fuji says the Altamira is their lightest production model ever, and they mean it. Our S/M (47cm) test bike tipped the scales at 13.37 pounds complete – 13.87 with Dura Ace pedals! Even with a weight that low, Fuji really didn’t have to resort to extreme measures – though that may depend on your stance on tubulars. The Altamira SL frame is molded from Fuji’s c15 ultra high-modulus carbon that uses their new High Compaction molding system, which like most carbon processes manufacturers are touting these days is supposed to eliminate wrinkles and excess resin from the carbon.

Upfront, the FC-330 full carbon monocoque fork turns on a 1 1/2 to 1 1/8 tapered head tube.

Just In: Fuji's Lightest Production Road Bike Ever, the Altamira SL

Nearly every ancillary component on the bike from the wheels to the entire controls is sourced from Oval Components. Oval is owned by the same company that owns Fuji, so essentially Oval would be considered house brand parts like Bontrager from Trek. While maybe not the highest end componetry in the world, it is nice enough not to feel out of place on a $6k bike. Ovals R910SL carbon bar is held in place by the 713 alloy stem which is 3d-forged from 7050 aluminum.

Just In: Fuji's Lightest Production Road Bike Ever, the Altamira SL

The Oval parts continue through the seat and seat post with the 910 carbon seatpost in a 31.6 size supporting an R900 saddle with Carbon rails. The seat post is a horizontal two bolt affair that is easily adjusted since there aren’t “teeth” that have to mesh together – saddle tilt is easily dialed in, and holds firm with two 5mm allen screws.

Just In: Fuji's Lightest Production Road Bike Ever, the Altamira SL

Part of the lightness includes SRAM’s newest and lightest version of Red, with the exception of a KMC X10SL Ni-Ti plated chain. The drivetrain does not hide the intentions of the bike, coming stock with a standard 53/39 double crankset and 11-25T cassette. With a bike this light, you don’t need climbing gears right?

Just In: Fuji's Lightest Production Road Bike Ever, the Altamira SL

SRAM also has the brakes covered with Red units there as well. Rather than use SRAM’s typical Swissstop carbon pads, the brakes are fitted out of the box with Oval’s specially formulated carbon pads for their W932 full carbon tubular wheels the bike is also equipped with. The W932s have 32 mm high rims that are matched to the Oval 900 hubset which feature a 6 pawl double engagement freehub. The wheels are hand built with 20 f/ 24 r spokes held in place with internal nipples for a total weight of 1330g per set. Just In: Fuji's Lightest Production Road Bike Ever, the Altamira SL

I was a little concerned about receiving a bike with factory tubular wheels expecting a poor glue job, but the exact opposite is true. The tires are solidly glued to the rim with zero extra glue, and no humps or wobbles.

Just In: Fuji's Lightest Production Road Bike Ever, the Altamira SL

As this is the same frame they use for the highest end Altamiras, the frame is Di2 compatible as evidenced by the ports in the frame. Each port has a rubber plug installed that is difficult enough to remove that it’s not going anywhere (I tried). Also, the Altamira has completely normal, fully external cable routing. It’s still probably very light comparatively, and gets the job done. You should note that the cable guides are riveted to the frame, so if you’re thinking of switching to Di2, keep that in mind.

Just In: Fuji's Lightest Production Road Bike Ever, the Altamira SL

Just In: Fuji's Lightest Production Road Bike Ever, the Altamira SL

Finally, Fuji sticks with a BB86 press fit bottom bracket – meaning the BB shell is 86mm wide and uses a standard GXP crankset. The massive down tube still has to flare out a touch for the BB and then continues into the squared chainstays for what should be an efficient ride.

Stay tuned as we put some miles on the Altamira and report back with a long term review!

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22 Comments
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Michael
Michael
11 years ago

47cm are you kidding me!
Maybe time to check out a Jamis Xenith SL weight!!!!!!!

djconnel
11 years ago

My size small Fuji SL/2 has a 860 gram frame and weighs total, with pedals, 10.97 lb. The frame provides a nice smooth ride, while the evident stiffness of this bike doesn’t scream “comfortable” at me. What’s the frame & fork mass on this one?

Ck
Ck
11 years ago

I really like the way this bike looks. It’s kinda loud with the graphics, but everything looks good together.

Brandon
Brandon
11 years ago

“Part of the lightness includes SRAM’s newest and lightest version of Red” – Wouldn’t it be lighter with BB30 cranks?

brad
brad
11 years ago

At least put the bike in the right chain ring!

greg
greg
11 years ago

Cannondale Evo is still lighter

Matt
Matt
11 years ago

Ordered a frame today. Matching it with New SRAM Red, Zipp 404 tubbies, Ritchey bars, stem and post. Should be a great ride!

Colin
Colin
11 years ago

I love companies that support their IBD’s…

Oh wait…

Meta
Meta
11 years ago

This a much better bike than the Cannondale Eve, C’dale got their geometry Cannondale wrong in the 2 smaller sizes, they ride like boats.

Joshua Murdock
11 years ago

That bike looks sick! Really impressive weight with house brand components, too!

thomas
thomas
11 years ago

Oh Boy ! Another black-white-red carbon bike with a fat-ass front end and a skinny-ass rear ! Jeez, too bad I just bought one !

Taylor McClung
Taylor McClung
11 years ago

I rode the 2012 SST 1.0 and loved it. I normally change a ton of stuff out on my bikes and if I didn’t already have the Shimano evo stealth bars I would have left the stock bars on. I even loved the wheels more than my shimano dura-ace 55mm carbon clinchers. The only thing I changed that really improved the bike was converting the wheels to tubeless with a stan’s kit. My 2013 SST 1.1 is on it’s way. My wife has the new Altamira 1.1 with Dura Ace Di2 on its way. I wish the SST came with the same group. I catch a lot of flack about the price of my bikes but we live in a small 1200 square foot house with no kids and own one car (Used 2002 Honda Civic). I would say my priorities are in check.

Rick
Rick
11 years ago

This Bikes got NOTHING on the Cannondale EVO my Race come in at 13.5 in a 54cm and it’s light stiff fast and compliant …. You can say what you want to convince yourself a Fuji is even half the bike and EVO is but it never will be …

plum
11 years ago

SLAM
THAT
STEM

Josh
Josh
11 years ago

a 13+ lbs bike with a MSRP of $5999 complete w/ Sram Red. Sounds like a deal to me…

Josh
Josh
11 years ago

That’s w/ Full Carbon Tubular Wheels also. Other brands would price this at $8,000+

Josh
Josh
11 years ago

Priced w/ Durace Di2 $7,899. I might have found my new Road bike.

Sam
Sam
10 years ago

This looks exactly like the argon 18 krypton model thats been around for 3 years even uses the same fork not the most original bike but sounds like an incredible deal

Lorcan
Lorcan
10 years ago

Purchased this bike about 3 mo the ago. A great climber, however noticed a fracture in the carbon. So I hope the next frame is well ex rayed in quality control!

Samson Costales
Samson Costales
10 years ago

I now am the proud owner of two Fujis,The 2009 sl1 rc that weighed in at 14.5 lbs and now the ALTIMIRA SL which weighed in at 13.6 when it arrived the sales people at performance couldn’t wait to see if the weight given by Fuji was accurate and it was..I absolutely love both these bikes.runs circles around my specialized Tarmac.

Ricardo
10 years ago

How to make my 2014 fuji sportif lighter

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