What we're talking about:

Fuji SL 1.5 (Panda reads this: Fuji SL One and a half, but it probably is one in five) is a bike with a price range of 10,000 - 20,000. It costs exactly PLN 19600 and is currently in the offer of -20% in Sport Guru (That's probably why I got it). At this price, we get one of the lightest frames in the world, full of Dura Ace 9000, Oval components (or Fuji), wheels of the same company that collect excellent opinions and weigh some 1445gr. My beloved tires - Vittoria Rubino Pro. The whole weighs less than 6.5kg, so in the category "zloty for kilograms" is great. The frame itself is the same as a water bottle: 695gr (and then another 45 by painting, which is cunningly hidden at the descriptions), exactly the same as in the weighing 4.95kg model 1.1 (which costs some 50,000, and in the current promotion 40,000 - I can already see how I enter home and say: "hey, I've saved just 10k, we can go on holiday."

Well, it's great, but it's NOT ....

A few facts for boring people

Just like the average man, Shimano can be associated with rods, so I think Fuji is associated with films for cameras. Meanwhile, it is one of the oldest existing bike videos in the world. Founded in Japan in 1899. with a logo in the shape of a mountain (here a plus, because a bit similar to the logos of this blog) - it is not difficult to guess, the highest mountain of Japan: the Fuji volcano. The company was also the first to organize a road stage race. I hope that proves that everyone who says that they are bikes without a soul and do not wash into the classic, legendary, Italian have no idea about the history of cycling. Let's focus on the mate I got.

Fuji SL 1.5 is like Sir Mick Jagger

Panda's first words after seeing this bike were: "What happened to him? Why is it scratched? " Then it was not better. This bike is, let's say it honestly, ugly. It looks like it was created for me - every scratch made with a shoe, wall or even asphalt will fit perfectly in the appearance with which it left the factory. The structure of the Carboniferous translucent through the colorless varnish looks strange. It reminds me of my black frame after a few hours on the trainer. We do not know exactly what is the crack, what next, which dripped from the forehead, and what the intended effect of the designer. I try to convince myself that it looks attractive, a week and a half. I even come to the conclusion that it is so ugly that it is nice. You have to try to make a bike like that. The inscriptions and graphics are ok, they would be beautiful on a full, black mat. There is only one problem ...

This bike is like Mick Jagger, who does not sin with his beauty, and yet has more fan followers behind him than everyone who reads this entry, multiplied by 10,000. However, before thinking about why, let's kill him further.

Why is nobody watching ?! ;-(

Bling factor of this bike is: 0 (ZERO) - no one is interested in it. Seriously, I was never so neutral. When I had Canyon, people asked how he was going, because they were trying too. People asked about Rose because they did not know the brand. For b'Twina, because he aroused extreme emotions because of his brand. Fuji nobody noticed. Okay ... those who know me ask what it is, but it's special without interest. I thought it was a Matrix mistake and I went to the Sunday Roundabout, but no - he drowned in the crowd. I can say with 100% conviction that if we want to impress foreign riders, this bike does not serve that purpose. Why strangers? Because when weight is mentioned, or someone grabs it for a moment, a flash appears in the eye. Bikes below the UCI weight limit are not yet the norm.

If you think it's because I got it in black with gold inserts (thanks to which I look a bit like a gypsy at the market), I'm worried about you. Yes, there are 3 color versions available, but they differ only in the color of the graphics and are assigned to a specific model. So if you want with a red one, you have to try extra on Dura Ace Di2. I've already pushed him out of the look, now it's time for configuration, if that's the case.

Excuse me, who folded this Frankenstein?

Fuji SL 1.5 represents everything I do not want. Mechanical Dura Ace 9000 - it is known, works best, reliably and is beautiful ... but this silver does not fit a bit to general design. I know it's hard for black components, but the new 9100 black version would be perfect here! From my point of view - why a mechanical DA? Sram Red at a similar price would be lighter, Ultegra Di2 at a similar price would work better (for me).

For this wheel, which probably will go to the exchange first. They're decent, that's all I can say. Stiff, armored, almost 1.5 kilograms in a bicycle, whose main advantage is to be weight. On low carbon or anything with a black braking surface it would look 16 times better. In addition, the rear hub is pleasantly loud, but I perceive it as a shout of despair: "pay attention to me!".

The cassette is a funny topic. It is rare that a new Dura-Ace tape is in a new bike. It is an invisible element that raises the price cruelly. It's nice, but mania placing 11-25 only to get the catalog weight of the bike climbing is ridiculous. Anyone who tried to pick up anything at 36-25 will understand me.

This bike is like Benjamin Button

Unfortunately. Because, despite the fact that it seems old and ugly at the beginning, something changes with each defeated kilometer. Not only that, with time it turns out that the bike can be equipped with more matching wheels (uglier, such raw carbons), which makes it even uglier, that is, according to my theory, that some things are so ugly, that it is nice ( because you have to try to create such a monster) - it's getting nicer. This sentence does not make sense, I know - but this constant drive on Fuji has impaired my head. Looking for pluses for strength. Each subsequent kilometer confirms me that this bike is a killer. The incredible stiffness of the whole, very low weight, typically sporty geometry make it possible to drive on it only quickly. This may be a disadvantage for many - it is not a bike for a Saturday ride ... unless we belong to those who, going to the McDonalds lunch, put on a suit. Everything hurts from slow driving.

This bike is racing, and the more up, the better. On the first day, I am happy every time the red light stops me. Moving it is pure pleasure - a rocket man. Fortunately, after a week, it passes by and I return to the club of Warsaw-boomers who are disappointed with the lack of the Red Wave. What's more, I'm like a real Japanese samurai in traffic. Instead of driving bravely between the two lanes, I'm stupid. Like a tracksuit in the Golf changing the belt 7 times a second. Maneuverability is - I'm afraid I'm going to have an idea - for example, I'll turn the steering wheel 90 degrees to fly through the front wheel, make a ladder in the air and land a telemark in front of another car. Fuji SL is crazy and if you're looking for your first machine - let it go.

"The best part of the beauty is the can express"

I do not know exactly what Mick Jagger is all about, so I ask Pandas and the answer is simple. Mick Jagger does not have to be beautiful, just male. It's the same with Fuji - this bike does not have to be nice. He is like an American muscle car with the guts on top and indecent power - he starts a slight smile at first, but as soon as he moves, it's already known

who he was created for. Only in this case, the equivalent of horses under the hood are watts per kilogram.

I visit Rondo Babka with a bicycle, hoping that we will not land in an accident ... although it does not matter, because no matter how many scratches I make to him, nobody will notice. I'm fine on it, unfortunately. Despite everything I wrote above, on the battlefield of my potential bikes is Fuji SL, which is cool, because cheap and Rose X-Lite Team, which is cool, because nicer, but more expensive ... and with electrics ... and cool wheels ... and lighter ... oh wait: /