Fuji Gran Fondo 1.3 Details

The Fuji Gran Fondo 1.3 comes in six sizes: small (47cm), small/medium (50cm), medium (53cm), medium/large (55cm), large (58cm), and extra-large (61cm).
The Fuji Gran Fondo 1.3 includes:

• Road bike featuring 10-speed Shimano 105, 11-28T cassette and 10-speed KMC X10 chain
• White frame with blue accents
• Main frame made from C10 ultra high-modulus carbon featuring oversized PIIS BB86 shell
• C10 ultra high-modulus carbon thin seatstays
• Rotor 3DF, 50/34T crankset
• Forged-alloy dropout featuring replaceable hanger
• Shimano Ultegra brake set and Ultegra Di2 STI brake levers
• Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic STI shifter/brake, 20-speed, Flight Deck-compatible
• Oval saddle R700 with CrMo-Ti hollow rails
• Oval 201 butted 6061 alloy, 31.8mm handlebars
• Oval 300 suede-padded tape
• Double water bottle mounts

Pros of the Fuji Gran Fondo 1.3

• 25cm tires provide extra comfort
• Electronic shifting is flawless
• Carbon frame is absorbs rough spots on road
• Bike handles very well
• Higher profile better for riders with bad backs

Cons of the Fuji Gran Fondo 1.3

• Saddle is uncomfortable, will probably have to be replaced
• Does not have the “jump” of a pure racing bike

Our Take on the Fuji Gran Fondo 1.3

As a larger rider with a very bad back, I was looking for something similar to my Felt F75 (which I loved ) that would provide adequate speed but that would also improve the ride on the rough roads and lower profile that were taking its toll with the Felt. This bike did not disappoint.

The bike was purchased at a local bike shop (Tuckahoe Bike Shop) where a custom setup was offered. This setup made a huge difference right off the bat, and I immediately noticed the comfort level of the bike. After changing out the 25s for 23s, I realized this was a mistake and eventually went back to the 25s, which added significant comfort to the ride without really sacrificing any speed (some studies have proven that 25s are actually quicker than 23s and based on my rides, I would have to agree, or at least say the difference is negligible).

The handlebars have a higher profile, which I needed to ease the back pain from longer rides. Again, I immediately noticed a difference when being down in the drops (I was able to stay down in the drops for a much longer period with little to no discomfort). However, because of the more upright profile, I also added aero bars, which I would recommend to any rider that is looking to improve their speed.

One thing I noticed rather quickly was that this particular Fuji model did not have nearly the “jump” of the Felt. I expected this going from a pure racing frame to a “gran fondo” frame. On the bright side, while it did take me longer to get up to speed, I also noticed it was much easier to find a good tempo and hold that speed on the Fuji. This bike does not have the high-end speed of the Felt, either, but it was purchased for longer rides that would keep me comfortable and enable me to hold my group, which it definitely does!

This speed issue does come into play on hills going both up and down. If you like to gather speed prior to climbing and like to do it at the last second, I would recommend building up instead of going for that big jump. I found the bike did not pick up speed going down as well as a pure racing bike, either, so if you are looking to set your Strava segment on a descent, you better keep pedaling instead of tucking. In addition, because of the bigger tires and a little more weight, you are going to have to work a bit more on the longer climbs.

Something I was concerned about prior to purchasing the bike was the handling. The Felt was superior and did everything I asked of it. I was pleasantly surprised to experience BETTER handling by the Fuji. I am able to take corners with speed as well as avoid any late-spotted bumps in the road. For the average and above rider, the bike handling is more than adequate. The bike is actually very quick to respond and riders moving up in quality for the first time need to be aware of this. It takes only a mere twitch of the bars to change lines, which may be more dramatic than beginner riders are used to seeing on their current rides.

The improved handling really helps when down in the aero bars. Initially, when coming up on a dicey stretch of road that required a lot of maneuvering (I live in Sea Isle City, so many of our roads were damaged by Sandy and are being redone as of this review), I would get out of the bars and move up to the hoods. Eventually, I just went to the drops and after realizing how responsive the bike actually is, I was able to remain in the aero bars and keep the bike under control.

I cannot say enough about the Di2 system. Is it necessary, probably not, but I can honestly say I do not ever see myself owning another road bike that does not have an electrical system. The gear change is immediate and extremely smooth. There is never any sticking of gears or jumping as I ALWAYS eventually experienced with a traditional system. Yes, the upgrade is the bulk of the cost of the bike, but when you are climbing a hill or descending rapidly and need a new gear quick (and correctly for that matter), you will be glad you decided to go with the Di2.

Overall, I have to say for a rider that is willing to give up just a bit of speed for a LOT more comfort, the Fuji Gran Fondo 1.3 is the way to go. It is a nice step up from a traditional ride, but it is one that is well worth the money. The bike looks sharp, handles great, and it extremely comfortable on longer rides. It is really everything you could want from a bike in the road-endurance category.

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Title: Feed Zone Portables: A Cookbook of On-the-Go Food for Athletes
Author: Biju K. Thomas, Alan Lim, Ph.D.
Publisher: Velo Press
Category: Nutrition, Sports Training & Conditioning

Summary

Feed Zone Portables is a cookbook in the popular series, The Feed Zone. It expands on The Feed Zone Cookbook also written by chef Biju Thomas and Dr. Allen Lim. The original cookbook featured healthy, practical recipes for athletes, bringing these favorites to the masses. In this new cookbook, the authors focus on portable food recipes. Included are 75 new recipes created for athletes who travel by bike or on foot. More than 50 recipes qualify as vegetarian and more than 50 are gluten-free.

Each recipe features simple ingredients and is easy to prepare. The food can be taken on a run, hike, climb, or ride for sustenance during exercise. A full-color photograph is provided to illustrate each dish. Nutrition data is also included to reveal how the body will benefit. The authors offer tips about why these real foods are best for athletes and reveal timesaving methods of preparing this type of food.

As explained by Dr. Lim in his introduction to this cookbook, compared to prepackaged fuel products such as gels and bars, real food is a higher-performance energy source that is more easily digestible. Athletes must eat and drink at different intensities of exercising during hot or cold weather. Solid and liquid foods are burned different by the body, so Dr. Lim offers a new process of receiving energy by eating real food and drinking to hydrate.

Our Opinion

The Feed Zone Portables cookbook contains new recipes designed for anyone who exercises. Not only are these recipes based on common ingredients and easy to prepare, they create great-tasting foods including waffles, ride sandwiches, and cookies. Vegetarian and gluten-free recipes for athletes are difficult to find but this cookbook includes more than 50 of each, making it a must for anyone with special dietary needs.

The cookbook begins with an understandable explanation of how real food is more suitable for athletes and how it works in the body. Real food is a new idea within the sports world and it is yielding impressive results. Filled with nutrition, this food lacks the taste fatigue and queasy feeling that often results from consuming gels and sports bars.

Recipes in this cookbook feature an array of real foods that are also portable. Take them on a ride, hike, or a trip to the park with friends. Each recipe is made from scratch yet easy to prepare and the results are nothing less than delicious. This cookbook will change your thinking about the role of food in athletic performance.

I can tell you from personal experience, when I pull out my mid-ride snack of a rolled Panini or one of the many flavored rice cakes I make, everyone’s jaw hits the ground. My one riding partner usually utters, “Great, Jerry is pulling a gourmet meal out of his pocket and I am eating regurgitated protein!” These recipes are great and they are very open to tweaking to add your own personal flair. Best of all, they are extremely easy and inexpensive to make, especially when compared to the cost of most store-bought energy bars.

Bottom line here is that you can continue to eat food you cannot stand the taste of or start creating your own energy for your longer rides. Simply put, I cannot ever imagine eating another energy bar again that I have not created with my own two hands. Allen and Chef Biju have forever changed the way I look at “on the bike” energy. Thank you!

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Mark Cavendish Begins to Ride

Cavendish was born on May 21, 1985, in Douglas, Isle of Man. At the age of 12, he began racing informally on mountain bikes at the Douglas National Sports Centre. After graduating from school, Cavendish saved up enough money to become a professional cyclist. In 2005, Cavendish and Rob Hayles won gold in the madison at the 2005 Track World Championships, marking the first world title for Cavendish, who went on the win the European championship points race later that year.

Cavendish began his 2006 entry into road racing by winning two stages and the sprint and points competitions in the 2006 Tour of Berlin. This led to a position as a stagier on the T-Mobile Team. An excellent performance at the Tour of Britain resulted in a full professional contract for 2007 and 2008. During 2008, Cavendish became the most successful British cyclist by winning two stages at the Giro d’Italia and amassing four Tour de France victories.

Mark Cavendish Continues His Success

After joining HTC Highroad in 2009, Cavendish developed a partnership with Mark Renshaw, his lead-out man. Six Tour de France victories followed that year and Cavendish became the first Brit to retain the green jersey for two days in a row. Five stage wins at the 2010 Tour de France increased his career total to 15.

In 2011, this young cyclist became the first British cyclist to win the Tour de France points classification. He also became the first Briton to claim the rainbow jersey as the UCI Road Race World Champion in 46 years. In November of that year, Cavendish received the MBE order of chivalry at the Queen’s Birthday Honors at Buckingham Palace.

Racing for Team Sky in 2012, Cavendish was part of the yellow jersey team and was named the best sprinter of all time at the Tour de France. He increased his stage victories to 23 and became the first cyclist to win the final stage of the Champs Elysees during four consecutive years. In January 2013, Cavendish signed a three-year contract with Omega Pharma-Quick Step and he is continuing his winning ways. While there are obviously other sprinters capable of winning races, most expect the future years to be dominated by Cavendish and his new nemesis, Peter Sagan.

*Photo Courtesy of Richard Masoner via Creative Commons License

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Chris Froome Begins Road Cycling

In Kenya, David Kinjah, founder of The Safari Simbaz, introduced Froome to mountain biking. The two trained together in the rural highland areas north of Nairobi. Froome began his cycling career as a member of the Kenyan cycling federation. He represented Kenya in the 2006 Road World Championships, where he crashed into an official and finished in 36th place.

As a teenager, he moved to South Africa for school and later took up road cycling. He did not turn professional until age 22 when he joined Team Konica Minolta. One year later, he joined team Barloworld during the 2008 season and was named to their Tour de France team, finishing 11th in the young rider category and captured worldwide attention. However, Froome was British at heart and in 2010, he joined the British cycling Team Sky.

Froome Breaks from the Pack

Froome began the 2011 season with top 15 finishes in both the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon and the Tour de Romandie. During the 2011 Vuelta a Espana, this young rider made his mark, finishing in second place overall and equaling the best finish by a British rider in the Grand Tour record held by Robert Millar. Froome was the main mountain domestique for Bradley Wiggins and this is where his true potential really started to shine.

Froome signed a new three-year contract with Team Sky in September 2011 and became part of the Great Britain team that assisted Mark Cavendish with a World Road Race Championship win. A third overall finish in the first edition of the Tour de Beijing was followed by a period of illness. After recovering, he participated in the Tour de Romandie, helping Bradley Wiggins to win the race.

As part of the 2012 Tour de France Sky squad, Froome set the pace for leader Wiggins and the two rode neck and neck throughout subsequent stages, with Froome repeatedly waiting for Wiggins. Froome may have finished second but he was hailed as a super domestique and many think he could have easily won. At the 2012 Olympic Games, Froome represented Team GB and won a bronze medal in the time trial. Froome already has some notable accomplishments for 2013 including a second place general classification finish at the Criterium International. It is anticipated that he will serve as the team leader for the2013 Tour de France, finally allowed to showcase his talent and must be considered one of the favorites to win the GC for the 2013 Tour de France.

*Photo Courtesy of Mostly Dans via Creative Commons License

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Tejay van Garderen Catches the Cycling Bug

Spending most of his early years in Bozeman, Montana, van Garderen begin riding when he was only ten. At age 14, he made the 28-mile, 7,000-foot Mount Evans hillclimb in just over two hours. As a junior cyclist, he amassed ten junior national titles in cyclo-cross and road racing. Early teams included the developmental squads of Team Rio Grande Racing and Team 5280 Magazine.

After turning 18, van Garderen participated in his first major senior level race, the 2007 Tour of California, as a member of the national team. In 2008, he joined the Rabobank Continental Team and came in second place in both the Fleche du Sud and Circuito Montanes. After joining Team HTC-Columbia in 2009, he had an impressive ninth place finish at the Volta ao Algarve, his first stage race. As a joint team leader at the 2010 Criterium du Dauphine, he finished third.

Tejay van Garderen Begins His Climb to the Top

Van Garderen had a landmark year in 2011, being named the best young rider at the Amgen Tour of California. He was also selected for the 2011 Tour de France squad, his first, where he rode to support Peter Velits and Tony Martin. Van Garderen became the first American to earn a King of the Mountains jersey in Tour de France history. During van Garderen’s thrilling stage 8 ride, commentator Phil Liggett called him the “Bozeman Boss” and he was eventually named Most Aggressive Rider.

HTC-Highroad was later disbanded and van Garderen and HTC teammate Marco Pinotti joined BMC Racing Team. In March 2012, van Garderen held the young rider’s jersey for the entire Paris-Nice race. He was chosen for the 2012 Tour de France to support leader Cadel Evans. Van Garderen ended up pacing Evans up the final climb, finishing in fifth place, and becoming only the third American to win the Best Young Rider Classification.

In August 2012, van Garderen had a second place finish at the USA Pro Cycling Challenge after several battles with fellow American Christian Vande Velde. A second place finish at the 2013 Tour de San Luis started this year on a positive note. Van Garderen started the 2013 European cycling season strong, placing fourth at Paris-Nice and third at Criterium International. It would not be a surprise at some poing this season to see Tejay van Garderen as the new BMC leader.

*Photo Courtesy of DenisMenchov08 via Creative Commons License

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