Empire
The Ari Empire is a lightweight carbon road bike that bridges the gap between a dedicated climbing platform and a traditional endurance machine. Formerly known under the Fezzari brand, the Empire eschews the heavy mechanical decouplers and elastomers common in the endurance category. Instead, it relies on a single-mold carbon construction process and generous tire volume to manage road chatter. This purist approach keeps the frame weight low while maintaining the structural rigidity needed for efficient power transfer. Positioned as a versatile option for varied paved terrain, the Empire suits riders who want the snappy acceleration of a race bike without a punishing ride quality. It is built for long days in the saddle, fast group rides, and steep canyon ascents, offering a straightforward, highly capable chassis that prioritizes raw pedaling efficiency and clean integration.
| Stack | 582mm |
| Reach | 397mm |
| Top tube | 570mm |
| Headtube length | 180mm |
| Standover height | 810mm |
| Seat tube length | 541mm |
Fit and geometry
The Empire utilizes an endurance-oriented geometry that centers the rider for long-distance comfort while maintaining enough weight on the front wheel for precise cornering. Across the size range, a consistent 71-degree head tube angle and 410mm chainstays provide a predictable, neutral steering character. The stack and reach figures encourage a posture that is slightly more upright than a pure criterium racer, yet aggressive enough to maintain an aerodynamic profile in the drops.
Handling and compliance are heavily influenced by the bike's tire clearance. Officially rated for 32mm tires, the frame easily accommodates modern, wide-internal rims that allow tires to balloon past their stated width, creating a substantial air cushion for rough pavement. On higher-tier builds, the cockpit features fully internal cable routing through the bar and stem. While this creates a clean aesthetic and minor aerodynamic benefits, it does require more involved maintenance for headset service or fit adjustments. A standard 27.2mm seatpost secured by an internal wedge further aids in rear-end compliance.
Builds
The Empire lineup spans six builds, leveraging a direct-to-consumer model to offer significant component value at every tier. The range opens with the Sport and Comp models, which utilize mechanical shifting from Shimano Tiagra and 105, paired with standard alloy wheels and semi-integrated routing. These entry points provide the same carbon frame and 32mm tire clearance as the premium models.
Moving into the mid-range, the Elite and SL Pro builds introduce wireless electronic shifting and fully integrated cockpits. The Elite features SRAM Rival AXS, while the SL Pro upgrades to SRAM Force AXS. Both of these SRAM-equipped mid-tier models include integrated power meters and step up to DT Swiss endurance wheels.
At the top of the ladder, the SL Team SRAM and SL Team Shimano builds are outfitted with flagship electronic groupsets. The SRAM Red AXS build includes a power meter, while both top-tier models feature Zipp 303s carbon wheels, premium Ergon titanium saddles, and carbon seatposts. Across all builds, Ari utilizes a standard BB86 press-fit bottom bracket and equips the bikes with 160mm rotors front and rear.
Reviews
Reviewers consistently praise the Ari Empire for delivering a premium ride quality that rivals much more expensive flagship models. Out on the road, testers found the bike highly responsive under power, noting that it "performs about the same if maybe not even better" (YouTube) than high-end alternatives from legacy brands. The single-mold carbon frame provides a cohesive, unified feel that translates rider input efficiently, making the bike feel remarkably quick on steep gradients.
High-speed stability is a recurring highlight. The chassis remains composed during fast, sweeping descents, with one tester reporting that the bike "felt great" (YouTube) while approaching 50 mph. Despite this straight-line composure, the handling does not feel sluggish. Reviewers described the steering as "stable and agile" (Bike Rumor), striking a careful balance that rewards aggressive cornering without requiring constant micro-corrections.
While the Empire lacks active suspension, testers found the ride surprisingly smooth, largely due to the frame's ability to accommodate high-volume tires. The direct-to-consumer experience also earned high marks, particularly the "expert assembly" (Bike Rumor) that allows riders to get the bike on the road with minimal mechanical setup.
