Readers’ Rig: Maddie’s Track Fuji

Todays Readers’ Rig is a first, our first track bike and not just any track bike, but a quadruple US National champion winning bike. Maddie Godby has only been riding her Fuji Elite track bike since August this year and so far the pairing has been a match made in heaven.

Name: Maddie Godby
Location: Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Age: 23
Bike: Fuji Elite Track
Groupset: Rotor 3D SRM Track Crank
Wheels: Phil Wood track hubs and Wheelbuilder wheels for training; Zipp 900 rear and front disc and HED H3 front or Mavic iO for racing with Vittoria EVO CS tires
Pedals: Look Keo Blade 2
Saddle: Selle Italia X1 Lady Flow
Weight: 6.8 Kg per UCI regulations

What is the story behind the bike?
My bike and I were introduced to each other shortly before the 2015 Elite Track National Championships in August. After spending the last four years riding handmade aluminum frames by Tiemeyer Cycles, it was finally time to jump on the carbon train. Building a new bike up with two training sessions remaining before a major competition is not advised, however, it was a seamless transition due to Fuji’s well thought-out technology.

You have had quite a bit of success on it?
In our short time together, my bike has graced the top step of the podium in all four 2015 sprint national titles (Sprint, Keirin, 500m TT, Team Sprint). I also took silver in the International Belgian Open, a UCI category 1 race in Ghent, Belgium. I’d say we are off to a good start together, and I’m excited to continue racing my Fuji track bike around the world in the coming year!

What made you choose this bike?
I chose this bike because the geometry, technology, and reactivity are all parallel with the top track frames in the world, but without the steep price tag. The Fuji Elite can easily hold its own against the Look, BT, and Felt bikes at a fraction of the cost. I wanted to support a company that prioritizes uncompromising quality and affordability.

What modifications/additions have you done?
I have not modified or added anything to the bike – it’s a solid all around bike!

What components are you running?
I am running Alpina 33 bars or Shimano PRO TT bars; Thompson stem; a mix of Shimano and Sugino chainrings and cogs; Rotor crankset with an SRM power meter; Selle Italia saddle; Look pedals; Oval seatpost (comes stock with the frame); my wheel set varies between training and racing.

What do you love about this bike?
The sleek design is something that I enjoy about the Fuji Elite because you want to take pride in any bike you spend hours on. I get a lot of compliments about how good it looks. An eye-catching design is a nice touch, but the most important aspect of a bike is how well it performs. I can efficiently transfer my power through the stiff carbon frame. It reacts quickly to any movements I make in a race situation, and the fit on this bike is comfortable to ride even in an extreme sprint position. I have never had a problem with handling this bike, which can be the difference between winning and losing in track sprinting.

Favorite riding experience on your bike?
My favorite riding experience was sweeping the sprint national titles after spending less than a week on my new frame. Going into a race you need full confidence in your equipment in order to focus on the tactical aspect of racing. I took a big risk riding my Fuji not knowing how it handles in the final 50 meters of a sprint at 40 miles per hour. Yet, I was pleasantly surprised with how easy the transition to the Fuji Elite frame was. It’s a unique experience to earn stars-and-bars on the maiden voyage!

Future upgrades?
No future upgrades are planned to this bike. Obviously, the limits of technology and aerodynamics are always being tested, but track sprinting tends to stick with the basics 90 percent of the time. Some riders still chose to ride steel handle bars that have been used on the Japan keirin circuit for decades. The equipment for track sprinting takes such a beating between the power output of riders and the g-forces of a banked track that the same proven componentry can be found on most bikes around the world.

Any last words?
Next time you are in the market for a new track bike, give Fuji bikes a look.

Many thanks to Mark Tyson for helping put the article together and good luck to Maddie in the future.