Fara, in biking model phrases, is a relative newcomer. Founded in 2015, it’s comparatively distinctive in that it’s a Scandinavian model. The biking business tends to be focussed on just a few nodes – the USA, Taiwan, Italy, Germany – so it’s actually novel to see a model come out of Norway, and never even Oslo both. Fara is predicated within the ‘mid north’, in a city about 30km from Trondheim, roughly the identical latitude as Iceland the place the nationwide landmass begins to get skinny.
Given the model’s barely distant origins, it’s not a shock that it began with gravel bikes, earlier than transferring by way of all-road till we get the F/Road, a fully-fledged highway bike. In the identical means Italian bikes have some Italian traits of their design and aesthetics, and even trip high quality, there may be a few of that right here, although the flavour is Norge.
I’ve had the F/Road for some time now, blasting spherical my native check loops, so it’s time to see the way it stacks up towards the perfect highway bikes in the marketplace.
Image 1 of 4
Design and aesthetics
I’ve an actual mushy spot for the Norwegians. I used to work there, and one of the simplest ways I can sum up the nationwide ethos is that the primary {hardware} store known as ‘Tools’. No messing round, no superfluous prospers. This is the impression you get with the F/Road.
Fara operates on a direct-to-consumer mannequin and has a fairly complete bike configurer, however my mannequin was comparatively inventory. A Sram Rival groupset decks out the body, with the one improve being a swap from a conventional two-piece cockpit to a Fara-branded all-in-one unit.
Aesthetically I feel it’s a really stunning bike. The benefit of being a brand new model is you’ve got a fairly clear slate to work from, with out many years of design language from which you must evolve. Here we simply have a collection of block colors, an enormous FARA wordmark, and two skinny strains, one on the fork and one on the seat tube. Neat, efficient, sufficient to indicate some thought has gone in however nothing excessive. Like it or not, biking is now an especially aesthetically pushed pastime, and the F/Road, particularly on this off-white (‘Forest Fog’) colourway, will go along with all the flamboyant package you may consider (I’m you, MAAP and PNS).
Crucially, the paint can be shiny. Matte bikes look cool however they’re a ache to dwell with and maintain onto every part from mud to fingerprints with gusto. Gloss is wipe clear; a lot better.
Image 1 of 3
Before I dive into the geometry, just a few design issues are price mentioning. The F/Road (and the model’s different bikes) use an increasing bung and headset mixture that compresses the headset bearings concurrently it expands. It’s a one-bolt answer, however I discovered it a bit fiddly in comparison with the traditional means, which works completely effectively, and this feels somewhat incongruous towards the backdrop of a ‘no nonsense’ model ethos.
Both the headset and backside bracket bearings are CeramicSpeed models, which is to be applauded because it’ll provide you with extra time between pricey/fiddly headset companies primarily. The seatpost is novel in that it’s reversible. It has a slight setback, however if you wish to slam your saddle ahead you may flip it round. It would possibly look a bit odd, nevertheless it’ll be much better to your saddle rails.
The body itself has been ‘aero optimised’ in accordance with Fara, although no particular claims have been made as to wattages. To be sincere, given the remainder of the advertising is round it simply being an fulfilling trip reasonably than quick, I’m prepared to let that slide. It seems comparatively aero, and it’s UCI authorized, however that’s probably not its objective.
For the geometry nerds on the market it’s most just like the Canyon Ultimate, a motorcycle we discovered to have very balanced dealing with. Very related, the truth is, with the primary distinction being a 0.3-degree slacker head angle and a 0.8-degree slacker seat tube. The Ultimate is barely decrease, and a bit shorter, however with barely longer chainstays. This performs out within the efficiency.
Performance
The F/Road is a really nice place to be. To kick off with the dealing with, it shares many similarities with the Ultimate, however in a barely extra mellow bundle. The Ultimate was nippy however usually felt somewhat skittish, whereas the F/Road felt nimble however relaxed. It’s a far cry from the dealing with of one thing just like the Colnago C68, which is much longer and slacker and is somewhat too relaxed for my tastes. It hits a superb center floor the place you would fairly fortunately smash a series gang on it or a mega time out solo within the nation the place overly speedy dealing with can turn into tiresome.
A very good dealing with frameset is nothing and not using a first rate set of wheels and tyres although. The Pirelli P-Zero Race tyres that come fitted aren’t my favourites and didn’t make it into my information to the perfect highway bike tyres. Much a rubbery sommelier I feel the right pairing for this bike can be a set of Continental GP5000 AS, in a 30c width. The body can deal with 32mm, and the additional quantity would add consolation with out a lot of a sacrifice wherever, and I feel this may actually play to its ‘massive time out’ strengths.
The wheels are completely high-quality, however really feel somewhat outdated. The inside width of the Fulcrum Racing 4 DB is 19mm, and the Fulcrum web site states that this implies you may ‘simply match 25mm tyres’. With 28c being the norm now, and growing with annually, that is someplace that will maintain the bike again.
The groupset performed its half effectively. I don’t suppose Sram Rival is a match for 105 Di2, however it’s actually a less expensive strategy to get digital shifting. It’s dependable, intuitive, and simple to dwell with.
Where I most felt the F/Road was at house was on backroads. More than most bikes with this aesthetic I discovered myself desirous to dive down sideroads and occasional gravel tracks. The undeniable fact that no aero claims are made does free you considerably from feeling such as you additionally need to be aero. While it was quick sufficient to take the odd PR, I by no means felt pace was the be-all and end-all of its existence.
I by no means felt responsible about leaving a bar bag firmly connected to the bars, and suppose with the small body bag connected through the neatly blanked bosses beneath the highest tube it’d be a fairly unimaginable long-distance machine. With the model’s new built-in cockpit and aero bars, It might very conceivably be an extremely machine, particularly when you think about the seatpost will be rotated to raised match that sort of using place.
In brief, it’s a hoot to trip, however given you can configure it with so many choices it’s extra of a flexible mile muncher than its visible bundle would have you ever consider.
Image 1 of 3
Value
The spec I examined would set you again £4,973. The launch of the Van Rysel RCR has considerably upset the worth apple cart, because it places roughly every part else into the shade when it comes to worth. For much less, (£4,500) you’re getting a WorldTour-proven frameset, Zipp carbon wheels, and an influence meter. That is a motorcycle firmly with racing in its sights, however no matter aspirations, there may be nonetheless a little bit of a gulf when it comes to worth.
If you went for the Canyon Ultimate, related as it’s in geometry, you would get Ultegra Di2 and carbon DT Swiss wheels for about £100 much less. Canyon is clearly an enormous enterprise and economies of scale come into play, however that may be a massive distinction.
Even extra boutique direct to client manufacturers it’s in all probability exhausting to justify from a worth perspective. If you desire a bike for large days out then you may package a Fairlight Strael, maybe the perfect massive time out bike I’ve come throughout, with 105 Di2 and a few carbon DT Swiss wheels for marginally much less.
Not nice worth. Not horrible, however there needs to be an quantity of wanting it since you just like the model and the aesthetic I’m afraid.
Verdict
A strong bike to trip with some design options that trace at it being extra attuned to massive days out. Looks aero, and appears beautiful, however there’s a premium to pay for using a little-seen cool Norwegian model over different equally specced choices. In order to get the perfect out of the frameset you’re going to need barely higher (wider) wheels and tyres, which is one other expense. The bike builder is fairly complete although, with an excellent number of choices for add-ons and matches.
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Testing scorecard and notes
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design and aesthetics
Good wanting, and nothing daft moreover an odd steerer bung, greater than made up for by a reversible seatpost
9/10
Build
Sram Rival is strong, the cockpit is available in myriad choices of all widths and lengths, however let down by the wheels and tyres a bit
8/10
Performance
Good enjoyable, however extra attuned to twisty lanes than a crit circuit on this guise
8/10
Weight
An 890g claimed body weight is aggressive, however alloy wheels add bulk
7/10
Value
Hard to justify towards massive title model and even some boutique choices