The Fuji Supreme was developed for female riders using a range of data sources and Fuji’s long association with pro athletes, such as the women's pro team TIBCO-SVB, which shines through in its design and spec.
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- The Fuji Supreme 2.3 is one of our Bike of the Year bikes for 2019. To read reviews of the other contenders and the categories tested across road, mountain and women's bikes, visit our Bike of the Year hub page
This is a bike built for out-and-out speed and competition. It’s a bike that means business, and it’s great to see a specialist build dedicated to the women’s market.
Fuji Supreme 2.3 frame
The frame is constructed from high-modulus carbon composite with carbon monocoque forks and comes in a lilac purple colour called Satin Storm, which some will love and some will loathe.
Aero gains are the name of the game and Fuji has used a Kamm aerofoil profile on the majority of tubing and forks to achieve exactly that, claiming a 1 minute 19 second time saving over the Fuji Transonic on a 40km test. Internal cable routing further reduces drag.
The geometry of the bike places the rider in a very aggressive position, with a fairly mid-range reach of 381mm, but a low stack of 538mm.
While I can’t speak for the exact time savings, what I can say is that combined with other factors, such as the aggressive ride position and gearing, it certainly feels fast.
Fuji Supreme 2.3 kit
Unsurprisingly, given the nature of this bike, the gearing is designed for speed. The Shimano Ultegra groupset comes with an 11-28t cassette and an Oval Concepts 500 crankset with 52t and 36t chainrings.
A press fit Praxis bottom bracket lies at its core, with a cost-saving KMC chain.
Alloy finishing kit is deployed to keep costs low, with an Oval Concepts 100mm stem and 400mm handlebar. This is a good opportunity for a future upgrading because replacing the alloy bar with a carbon one would help eliminate a little more road chatter for a smoother ride.
Personally, I prefer this classic rather than integrated cockpit set up because it allows greater adjustment to fine-tune fit, which is particularly important in a bike that puts the rider in such a hard body position. It’s great for producing power, but it can take its toll.
An aero-shaped carbon seatpost does take the edge off road chatter at the rear, absorbing enough to smooth out the ride, but this is still a bike that’s focussed on speed rather than comfort, and feels it.
Oval Concepts 524 Disc alloy wheels are a good, sturdy wheelset with a reasonable claimed weight of 1,880g a pair, but this is one area where an upgrade would make a huge difference. Something lighter and stiffer would drop weight and provide a more efficient feel on the road surface.
That said, these are more than fine for the majority of riding, and the Vittoria Zaffira Pro tyres in 700x25 finish off the package.
Finally, Shimano Ultegra brakes provide reliable, predictable braking power in all weather conditions with excellent modulation that’s easy on the hands.
Fuji Supreme 2.3 ride impressions
The Supreme feels focused, fast and aggressive. It’s nimble yet controlled, flowing through corners with an exhilarating grip and speed.
The turn of speed you can generate on long, flat sections of road is undeniably exciting. The Supreme asks you to give it more and more and encourages you to push as hard as you can.
However, you do pay the penalty on longer climbs with the speed-oriented gearing, which means you have to keep pushing hard and don’t have much in the way of easy gears to spin uphill.
Fuji Supreme 2.3 overall
The Supreme 2.3 is a specialist, and it’s very, very good at what it does. If you’re looking for something that will be comfortable for long miles in the saddle, I’d suggest you look elsewhere to something like the Trek Domane or the Canyon Endurace. If, however, you want a bike that will reciprocate and amplify your love of speed, this is it.
Fuji Supreme 2.3 specifications
- Sizes (*tested): XXS, XS, S, M*, L
- Weight: 8.48kg
- Frame: C10 High modulus carbon
- Fork: FC 440 carbon monocoque with tapered steerer
- Chainset: Oval Concepts
- Bottom bracket: Praxis M30/BB86
- Cassette: Shimano Ultegra 11-28t
- Chain: KMC x11
- Mech: Shimano Ultegra
- Shifters: Shimano Ultegra dual control hydraulic
- Wheelset: Oval Concepts 524 Disc, centerlock hubs, 100x12mm and 142x12mm thru-axles, 700c 24/28H rims
- Tyres: Vittoria Zaffiro Pro, 700x25c, 60tpi, folding
- Stem: Oval Concepts 313, 3D-forged 6061 stem body, +/-7 degrees, 100mm
- Bar: Oval Concepts 310 Ergo, 6061 alloy, 31.8mm clamp, 133mm drop, 4 degrees sweep, 400mm
- Headset: FSA, 1 1/8in upper – 1 1/2in lower, integrated
- Saddle: Oval Concepts 551W Women's with pressure relief zone, cromo rail
- Seatpost: Oval Concepts aero carbon, 300mm
- Brakes: Oval Concepts aero carbon, 300mm
Fuji Supreme 2.3 geometry
- Seat angle: 74 degrees
- Head angle: 72 degrees
- Chainstay: 41cm
- Seat tube: 53cm
- Top tube: 53.5
- Head tube: 15.1cm
- Fork offset: 5.2cm
- Trail: 5.6cm
- Bottom bracket drop: 7cm
- Wheelbase: 991mm
- Stack: 53.8cm
- Reach: 38.1cm
BikeRadar would like to thank Stolen Goat, Lazer, Northwave and Effetto Mariposa for their help and support during our Bike of the Year test.
