Road Cycling - Road Bike Purchase Questions

I am looking at the Fuji finest-al or the Felt R-85. I want something that is going to go the distance and be around for the long haul. I dont plan on racing just biking for fitness. What would your suggestions be on both of these companies? I have heard good things from both but having a tough time deciding! Thanks for your help guys.

Did you mean the Felt F-85?

If so, I like it a bit better than than the Fuji as far as each one looks and the specs they provide online. Which one rides nicer to you? The Fuji has a chro-mo fork and the Felts is an alloy. I haven't ridden a road bike with an alloy fork, so someone else could tell you better about that. They list the Felt at 21.5lbs for a 56cm which is not a bad weight.

Good luck and enjoy whichever one you get!

I just bought a Felt F75 (one model up from the 85) late last week. Only done about 50 or so KM's on it thus far, but I can tell you it rides brilliantly. As far as I know the frames are exactly the same, with the exception of the fork (alloy on the 85, carbon on the 75).

I was unable to have a look at the Fujis, as they don't have a distributor in my state, but wow...they can't be any better than the Felt line.

My two cents - get the felt. And if you can afford it, the F75 has a nice mix of tiagra and 105 componentry.

Take this with many grains of salt, but FWIW my ti Airborne light-touring bike was delivered to the bike shop where I ordered it with an aluminum fork. We knew we were going to replace it, but I rode it for a day or two first. Even with the fat (700x32c) tires and heavy touring wheels, the fork seemed harsh and the bike seemed squirrely, trying to turn every time it hit a tiny bump of crack in the pavement.

The chro-mo fork I'd ordered came in, and the difference was quite striking. I can't say it's not partly due to it being a couple hundred grams heavier, rather simply to the difference in metal, but the bike seemed much more stable and easier on my hands.

But this is a different type of bike from yours, and anyway one man's "squirrely" is another man's "responsive." And forks can be upgraded.

So go with the frame that fits best. These bikes are different from one another -- the Fuji is a little more upright and has a lower low gear -- but comparable in terms of parts mix and overall quality.

If you can't choose on the basis of fit (which is always the most important single factor in choosing a road bike), choose on the basis of which shop treats you better and offers better service. And if both bikes come from the same shop, well... the Felt is all-red, and everybody knows red bikes are faster! :)

RichC

Originally posted by Brahman Bull
I am looking at the Fuji finest-al or the Felt R-85. I want something that is going to go the distance and be around for the long haul. I dont plan on racing just biking for fitness. What would your suggestions be on both of these companies? I have heard good things from both but having a tough time deciding! Thanks for your help guys. Most folks can't get rid of an aluminum fork fast enough. Fuji for my .03 cents worth.

I have the fuji newest a step up from the finest al I love it and they make a great bike. But I have to agree buy the one that fits the best

You wont be sorry with the felt.Ah,do you think there is a reason they are putting carbon forks on so many bikes?YES

You should really try and ride the bikes and find the one that fits best. All else being equal, go for the one that looks the best, lightest, cheapest, etc. If it fits and the components are of quality, then you can let your lust take over when deciding on which one :D :D .