After a strong showing at last year’s SOC in the mountain bike department, Fezzari was back for 2014 with 3 new skinny tire prototypes. Whether you’re looking for standard road, road disc, or disc CX, Fezzari will have an option for you in the near future in line with their consumer direct sales model. That’s not to say the new bikes aren’t impressive looking machines though – Fezzari’s newest bikes look to be just as, if not more up to date with the latest trends as most major manufacturers.
Details next…
Starting with the road disc frame, all of the models were on display in nondescript white paint with Prototype the only discernible name. Names, pricing, and availability are soon to come, but as far as the technical specifications go, the bikes are fairly complete.
Both the road disc and the CX bike take on the 142×12 rear axle standard, and much like Raleigh, they have managed to keep the overall width to a minimum while offering the improved stiffness of the thru axle. Since 142 is only adding 3.5 mm to each side of the axle, the cassette stays in the same position which means the wider axle doesn’t affect chainline.
Fezzari had the road disc bike built with Reynolds’ new Stratus Pro disc wheelset, which is certainly among the first complete road specific disc wheel with a 142×12 compatible rear hub.
Fezzari is also equipping the two disc models with their new 15mm thru axle equipped carbon fork. Capable of running a 140mm rotor front and rear, the road disc model has clearance for 28mm tires and will run a PF30 bb. Expected to be offered with hydraulic discs, road disc bikes will be available by the end of August.
All of the new models will have modular cable routing which will allow for mechanical or electronic drivetrains.
If you’re shaking your head saying you don’t want thru axles or disc brakes, or any of it, check out Fezzari’s new high end road race bike. Using a new tube to tube carbon construction method, they were able to take a good chunk of weight out of the frame resulting in an 890g frame weight. Tyler from Fezzari made sure to point out that just because it’s light, doesn’t mean it’s not stiff saying, “it’s incredibly stiff for the weight.”
Tyler’s own test bike built and ready to ride with pedals and cages came out to 15.5 pounds with the build shown above. The frame will use a 27.2mm seat post, PF30 bb, and will be offered in Di2 and mechanical builds and should be available this June/July.
Discs, thru axles, mud clearance – Fezzari’s new cross bike looks to have it all. Also using their new construction method for the frame, they were able to take 200g out of the weight of the frame which should make for a light, stiff race ready CX platform.
Showing ample mud clearance around the tires, the cross bike is the only bike in the new line that uses a standard threaded BB.
As mentioned the frame make use of a 15mm front and 142×12 rear thru axle, with the disc mounts on the seatstays instead of the chainstays like the road disc bike. Compatible with Di2 or mechanical systems, cable routing is internal and the frame runs a 31.6mm post. Expected retail is somewhere around $2500-3000 and it will be ready for cross season later this year.