I received my Fuji SLM 2.0 back in mid January. Needless to say I did not get to ride my new carbon steed much this winter. Winter has broke and spring has sprung, the long ardeous rides of a want-a-be mountain bike racer have commenced again. I have gotten in several long dual sport(road/trail/dirt road/doubletrack) style rides and several all singletrack "hot lap" rides. So without further ado a little bike review.
Climbing: What can I say the bike weighs 21lbs out of the box! I swapped a few of the stock parts with some of my own, either for additional weight savings or because of comfort issues. The bike now weighs some where in the 20lb range with my heavy "winter" tires still installed. There are no issues with maintaining traction over roots or rocks and there is no discernible lateral flex. Basically the bike climbs like a rocket headed toward the moon!
Descending: Once again the lightness of the bike is very noticeable. Changing lines on even the roughest descents is not a problem. I feel as if I can just pick the bike up easily and place it anywhere on the the trail I want. The frame offers a degree of horizontal flex very akin to a nice riding steel hardtail. The Rock Shox Sid suspension fork feels very much like her slightly more portly sister Reba and does an admirable job of soaking up the small chattery stuff along with the big hits.
Cornering: . The Fuji SLM 2.0 steers quick without that annoying twitchy race bike feel. The bike holds a nice line through even the most rutted corners.
Hammering Along: What can I say, this bike wants to be ridden hard. The more aggressive you are the more you are rewarded. The SLM 2.0 loves it when you jump up off the saddle and attack a hill. That it is what this bike is designed for.
The Verdict: BRING ON RACE SEASON!!!
Spec:
| S, M, L | |
| Color(s) | Carbon |
| Main frame | C-10 Super Lite T3 High Modulus carbon with custom weave carbon strands with RIB (Re-inforced I Beam), Integrated aluminum cupped head tube, Double water bottle mounts. |
| Rear triangle | C-10 Super Lite T3 High Modulus carbon stays with shaped ride tuned chainstay, cold forged dropout with replaceable hanger and CNC Disc mount only option |
| Fork | NEW Rock Shox SID Team, 100mm Travel w/ PopLoc Remote |
| Crankset | Shimano XT w/ Integrated spindle, 22/32/44T(changed the big ring to a 42) |
| Bottom bracket | -- |
| Pedals | Shimano |
| Front derailleur | Shimano XT, 34.9mm |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano XT Shadow (changed to a SRAM X9 mid cage) |
| Shifters | Shimano XT Trigger, 27-speed (changed to X7 gripshift front,X9 trigger back) |
| Cassette | Shimano XT, 11-34T 9-speed |
| Chain | Shimano HG-73, 9 speed (SRAM) |
| Wheelset | Shimano XT Tubeless Disc, 26"( changed to WTB Laserdisc light/Stans 355) |
| Tires | Schwalbe Racing Ralph UST, 26 X 2.1"(Schwalbe Fat Albert for winter/spring) |
| Tubes | Nil |
| Brake set | Shimano XT Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake levers | Shimano XT |
| Headset | Ritchey Logic Zero Pro 1 1/8" Press Fit Integrated, 30mm spacers |
| Handlebar | Ritchey WCS Al Flatbar( Salsa Pro Moto 17 degree sweep) |
| Stem | Ritchey WCS V3, 1 1/8" |
| Tape/grip | Fuji Lock-On Kraton rubber (WTB technical) |
| Saddle | Ritchey Streem WCS (WTB Shadow v) |
| Seat post | Ritchey WCS forged Al, 350mm (Thomson no offset) |
| Seat clamp | Fuji Superlite Alloy, 34.9mm Laser Etched |
