SUB- 2,000 TRI BIKES. FUJI d6 3.0 ON TEST TF400C. SEPTEMBER 2011 I I 113. Jonny Gawler

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1 Jonny Gawler FUJI d6.0 ON TEST Tiger Frog TF400C SUB- 2,000 TRI BIKES This highly competitive price point in lo-pro tri bikes should buy you plenty of straight-line aero speed, without too much compromise in terms of weight and handling. But do these two machines deliver? Nik Cook decides SEPTEMBER 2011 I I 11

2 The Fuji really loves the flats but is less at home on the ascent up steep hills 114 I I SEPTEMBER 2011

bike test Fuji D6.0 1,899.99 www.evanscycles.com It definitely has the looks of an excellent aero performer, but does this promising beginning stand up under scrutiny?

The name was chosen as the mountain signifies strength and endurance and, having produced some outstanding bikes in their 111-year history, there must be something in it.

Plus, with the front brake hidden by the aero fork, and the rear brake entirely enclosed in fairings and internal cable routing, it appears that Fuji has done almost everything in its power to help

3 bike test Fuji D6.0 1, It definitely has the looks of an excellent aero performer, but does this promising beginning stand up under scrutiny? Fuji is often thought to be a Japanese brand but its headquarters are over 12,000 miles away in the good old US of A. The name was chosen as the mountain signifies strength and endurance and, having produced some outstanding bikes in their 111-year history, there must be something in it. THE BUILD The Fuji certainly has the looks and touches of a bike that should deliver great aero performance. The frame is a veritable aerodynamic feast of carbon curves and bulges. Plus, with the front brake hidden by the aero fork, and the rear brake entirely enclosed in fairings and internal cable routing, it appears that Fuji has done almost everything in its power to help you cheat the wind. The only aesthetic niggle, which may be down to the build, is the bird s nest of cables exiting the cockpit. The massively oversized bottom bracket looks likely to give excellent stiffness and the razor seatpost should slice the air well. The own-brand wheels, with a 4mm depth and bladed spokes, look the aero part but only the ride will tell just how fast they are. The Vittoria tyres are good allrounders a nice compromise between grip, performance and puncture resistance. The fuji effortlessly eats up the flat tarmac and has that magical sense of almost perpetual motion The FSA chainset and bottom bracket are a predictable but sound choice, and the 5/9 upfront combined with at the rear will, for most riders, suit a good variety of courses. The top three tiers of the Shimano podium are all represented in the groupset and there s some welcome Ultegra creeping in on the rear mech. The cockpit is the ultra reliable and infinitely adjustable T2/T1+ combo from Profile Design, and the TRP brakes are a good choice of stopper. The weight 9.78kg is on the hefty side, though, and is a concern going into the ride. THE RIDE Our tester has exactly the same Profile Design cockpit on his own bike, so after some minor Allen key fettling, he s feeling favouriteold-sofa comfy while still being powerful and aero. Rolling off, there s no snappy sense of urgency or incentive to sprint but instead a slow, almost relentless build-up to rolling speed. Once there and hunkered down on the aerobars, the Fuji effortlessly eats up the flat tarmac and has that magical sense that some lo-pros deliver of almost perpetual motion. On a local A-road drag strip, speed at equal heart rates and effort are easily on a par with bikes double the price. Hitting some rollers, the Fuji holds its speed well but requires prudent gear selection and a measured injection of power to get the most out of it. The ride quality is outstanding with the Fuji managing to smooth out the worst that the rural Peak District roads have to offer. The own-brand wheels perform impeccably on the flat, cut through the air well, have no sketchy crosswind moments and show no significant flex under power. On flat, moderately rolling roads, we sense we ve found the Fuji s natural habitat and, with its weight in mind, we didn t expect a great uphill trip. In fairness it s not anything to write home about, but isn t at all bad. It s not a bike for dancing up steep climbs, dragging slightly, but on long steady power drags so beloved of race directors it puts in a solid diesel performance. Heading back down, the Fuji is rock-solid dependable, even on wet roads with savage side winds, and although you d never describe it as flickable or nimble, it inspires fast and safe descending. verdict Handling 87 % Eats up the flat (but not the hills) like a true lo-pro Spec 85 % Ultegra rear mech. Own-brand wheels rather good Value 75% Not bad, but standard fare from a major retailer Comfort 92 % Feels like you re riding a turbo-charged armchair 84 % The own-brand wheels cut through the air well without any significant crosswind problems 2 The Fuji s rear brake is completely enclosed in the seatpost, helping the aerodynamics of the bike The cables exiting the cockpit are rather unsightly and spoil the Fuji s otherwise flawless aesthetic SEPTEMBER 2011 I I 115

4 The Tiger Frog performs well on the flats but really shines on the tough climbs 116 I I SEPTEMBER 2011

bike test Tiger Frog TF400C 1,900.00 www.tigerfrog.co.uk Tiger Frog prides itself on top-notch service. But service comes at a price is there enough left in the kitty for quality parts?

He has a bike-building background, and soon started importing quality frames from the Far East and offering a bespoke build service.

THE BUILD Before you even see your Tiger Frog, you ve already submitted six key body measurements and specified every component and decal to ensure you get the best for your body, budget and

5 bike test Tiger Frog TF400C 1, Tiger Frog prides itself on top-notch service. But service comes at a price is there enough left in the kitty for quality parts? Frustrated at the spiralling cost of tri kit, Phil Nuttall founded UK-based Tiger Frog three years ago. He has a bike-building background, and soon started importing quality frames from the Far East and offering a bespoke build service. The Tiger Frog name comes from a poisonous frog and reflects triathletes tough, amphibious nature! THE BUILD Before you even see your Tiger Frog, you ve already submitted six key body measurements and specified every component and decal to ensure you get the best for your body, budget and aesthetic tastes. Phil then either aims to deliver and fit the bike personally, or works from a video of you riding. The TF400C frame is the latest addition to the Tiger Frog stable and there s no denying that it s a mean looking piece of carbon. The entire build tips the scales at a svelte 8.40kg and it s not in-your-face aero, but has bulges and cutouts in all the right places. The own-brand seatpost offers a range of seat-tube angles between and looks suitably slippery. Apart from the ubiquitous Dura Ace bar-end shifters, the groupset is Shimano right through. It s not the lightest groupset but has received consistently whenever the road kicks up the frog really flies, hinting that we may have a lo-pro that can genuinely climb impressive plaudits for both performance and reliability. Its black finish also adds to the Tiger Frog s stealth looks. The Fulcrum 5 wheels aren t an aero choice but are lightweight, stiff and, mounted with Conti rubber, a sensible do-it-all option. The cockpit is an interesting mix of Pro Synop and Deda but looks good, is aero and offers adequate degree of adjustability. The own-brand, alloy, carbon-wrapped stem appears a quality piece of kit and the Selle Italia SL T1 saddle should give a comfy ride. THE RIDE Having tweaked the cockpit and opted for the mid-range seat-tube angle, the ride position on the Tiger Frog strikes that perfect balance between aero aggression and a reasonably open hip angle. Acceleration off the mark is, frankly, startlingly quick and our tester is soon licking his lips at the prospect of throwing the Frog around his local tight, twisty and hilly 10-mile TT course. Even without a race number on his back, our tester dips under his PB and is waxing lyrical about the Frog s ability to power out of sharp corners and its responsiveness to powerful kicks on short climbs. Next up is a rolling A-road blast and, despite its non-aero wheels, the Frog cuts through the air well and delivers a fast and comfortable ride. Performance on the flat sections is good but not out and out lo-pro fast. It s whenever the road kicks up slightly that the Frog really flies, hinting that we may have a rare beast on our hands a lo-pro that can genuinely climb. So we dispatch our tester to the infamous Cat and Fiddle climb that, in its 11km ascent from Macclesfield to the second highest pub in England, has everything from steep rough switchbacks, flat sections exposed to moorland winds and sustained power climbs. Again the Frog shines, our tester sets another PB and has to keep checking he isn t onboard an out-and-out climbing road bike. Handling coming back down the climb is nimble and shows none of the cruise liner slow-to-turn tendencies that can plague lo-pros. Braking, even after a July downpour, is 100% predictable and the rest of the 105 groupset performs predictably well. verdict Handling 95 % Road bike-esque climbing, cornering, descending Spec 80 % Great frame; adequate finishing kit and wheels Value 95 % The one-to-one service you ll get is near priceless Comfort 87 % Would deliver you to T2 fresh and ready to run 89 % The Fulcrum wheels are a lightweight and sensible option, if not the most aerodynamic 2 The Pro Synop and Deda cockpit looks good, is aerodynamic and nicely adjustable The Shimano 105 groupset has received impressive plaudits for both reliability and performance SEPTEMBER 2011 I I 117

bike test overall Verdict For tri bikes, these two are very different beasts and it s hard to compare them head to head.

Stripped down, lightweight, lightning fast off the mark, great fun through the bends and perfectly suited to sinuous mountain roads, heading up or down. The Fuji is an American muscle car.

On spec and ride, which one you choose could easily boil down to the type of racing you like. If you seek challenging courses like Helvellyn or IM Lanzarote, then the Tiger Frog is the perfect choice.

6 bike test overall Verdict For tri bikes, these two are very different beasts and it s hard to compare them head to head. Using a car analogy, both are similar to vehicles from their respective countries. The Tiger Frog is like a classic British two-seater roadster. Stripped down, lightweight, lightning fast off the mark, great fun through the bends and perfectly suited to sinuous mountain roads, heading up or down. The Fuji is an American muscle car. Big, brash, in your face, slower up to speed but, once there, scarily fast in a straight line and wonderfully comfortable. On spec and ride, which one you choose could easily boil down to the type of racing you like. If you seek challenging courses like Helvellyn or IM Lanzarote, then the Tiger Frog is the perfect choice. However if it s more about races like IM Austria, finding the fastest, flattest course around and blasting a PB, think seriously about the Fuji. For us, though, the deciding factor has to be that personal touch that Tiger Frog offers as a company. The bike will be delivered to your door, Phil will tweak the fit based on a computer software model and even join you for a ride to check everything s spot on. The spec is 100% flexible and can be perfectly moulded to suit your riding and budget. Knowing that the guy who built your bike is only a phone call away, is a triathlete himself and knows what your bike means to you is priceless, and that service wins the test. 220 best on test The Tiger Frog just takes the win, thanks to the company s fantastic personal service Fuji D6.0 bike SPEC Fuji vs Tiger Frog Tiger Frog TF400C 1, , Size tested 58cm Overall weight 9.78kg (without pedals) 9 7 Size tested 57cm Overall weight 8.40kg (without pedals) 9 Frame and forks Sizes 50cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm Frame High Modulus C-7 Carbon Fork FC-440 Fuji Carbon Monocoque TRANSMISSION Chainset FSA Gossamer Pro MegaExo 5/9t Bottom bracket FSA MegaExo Cassette Shimano t Chain Shimano 105 Derailleurs Front Shimano 105, rear Shimano Ultegra Shifters Shimano Dura Ace WHEELS Front Fuji CGC Alloy Clincher 4mm Rear Fuji CGC Alloy Clincher 4mm Tyres Vittoria Diamante Pro 700x2 COMPONENTS Stem Oval R-00 alloy Bars Profile T2 wing basebar with T1+ extensions Saddle Oval ST-500 Tri with CrMo rails Seatpost Fuji Carbon Aero Brakes TRP 925 DIMENSIONS 1 Head angle 7 2 Seat angle 76 Top tube 58cm 4 Cockpit 96cm 5 Seat tube 57.5cm 6 Standover 78cm 7 Chainstay 40cm 8 Bottom bracket 28.5cm 9 Wheelbase 10.cm 10 Headtube 12cm Frame and forks Sizes 5cm, 55cm, 57cm Frame TF400C Carbon Fork Tiger Frog TRANSMISSION Chainset Shimano 105, 5/9t Bottom Bracket KCNC BB86 Pressfit Bottom Bracket Cassette Shimano t Chain Shimano 5701 Derailleurs Shimano 105 GS rear, Shimano 105 front Shifters Shimano Dura Ace WHEELS Front Fulcrum Racing 5 Clincher Rear Fulcrum Racing 5 Clincher Tyres Conti Grand Prix Chilli 700x22 COMPONENTS Stem Tiger Frog 110mm 12K carbon Bars Deda Parabolica aerobars Saddle Selle Italia SL T1 Seatpost Tiger Frog Carbon -position Brakes 105 callipers, Tiger Frog levers DIMENSIONS 1 Head angle Seat angle 74, 76, 78 (depending on seatpost setting) Top tube 57cm 4 Cockpit 91cm 5 Seat tube 55cm 6 Standover 79.5cm 7 Chainstay 9cm 8 Bottom bracket 27.5cm 9 Wheelbase 99.4cm 10 Headtube 1cm 118 I I SEPTEMBER 2011

ON TEST. AUGUST 2011 I I 121. Jonny Gawler

ON TEST. AUGUST 2011 I I 121. Jonny Gawler High-End Pinarello FP Quattro ON TEST Racers Jonny Gawler VO2 V:Pro:Carbon personalised They re ultra stylish, versatile and, at,000, should be a seriously fast addition to your tri armoury. Nik Cook puts