Introductions - fuji absolute

Anyone have a Fuji Absolute? I was looking at one the other day and thought if might be a good choice. I will be riding around town and some of the bike trails around the lake. Thanks Ken:rolleyes: :D

Hello Ken, it's a bit tough to answer your question without knowing which model you were looking at, although I'm guessing that you weren't looking at the tandem :).

Perhaps a bit more information?

Where are you located, by the way?

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

Sorry East Hill, I'm looking at a Fuji Absolute 2.0 bike, not a tandem. I need a good light weight bike that will be fast. I have had confort bikes (low end) and I would now like a better bike for around $500. to $600. I live in southern Ca near the beach. I see you are from Wa. I was born in Seattle then moved to Ca in Junior high. What do you think of the Specialzed Sirrus sport? Great talking with you. Ken

Hi Ken and welcome.

Since you want a fast road bike you may want to ask the folks in the Road Cycling (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=41) forum.
Also read thru the Under $700 Road Bike (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=69273) thread.

2004 Absolute is my main commuter. However, the label on the side shouldn't be an important part of your decision. #1 rule of bike purchasing: if the bike fits, ride it...

I have an Absolute 2004 (think that's the right year -- they've just started giving them revision numbers). I saw an Absolute 3.0 in the LBS and it was a completely different animal. So I don't know what really stays the same between model years. I found that I had to get just about the largest size they could order (23" ??) to get it to fit right -- original was a little too small. Plus had a raised stem put in. From a discussion re the Absolute in the tandem forum, it sounds like maybe all the absolutes are a little small. The important thing is to be sure whatever you get actually fits you. This may be tricky since even the LBS guys don't seem to know how to judge sizing.

Mine has almost 10,000 miles on it. However, the kenda tires gave out in only 700 miles. The wheels had to be replaced in 7000 miles (spokes were breaking). Replaced the rear cassette around 8000 miles and the middle front sprocket about the same time. Apparently this is pretty normal for lower-end bikes which I guess is bikes that sell for less than $1200.

Replaced the original pedals with clip-ins and the seat with a Brooks. So not too much of the original bike remains. Still the bike looks pretty good -- went 40 miles with it today. Hmm. So maybe mostly what I like is the burgundy frame ...

Like I said, I don't know how much changes between models, but here's some things to check. On mine, there are no braze-ons for fenders. So it may not be the best bike if you think you're going to be commuting in the rain. BTW I'm in "SoCal" too -- but the part where it almost never rains. Mine had the mini-vbrakes. After the first set of brake pads were swapped out, the front brakes started to squeal and I've never been able to get rid of it though switching brake pad manufacturer has helped some. The frame is aluminum with no suspension and it does ride pretty hard so it may not be the right bike for someone with back or wrist problems or with lots of pot holes.

The bike is really a road bike with a flat bar. Its not really a "hybrid" -- the main physical difference is the flat bar. I liked the look of the flat bar because it didn't look so much like a jock bike. But in retrospect, it would probably be more comfortable and faster if I could go into the "drops" from time to time.

Its been a good bike, but I'm thinking my next bike might be something more like a touring bike with drop handles, more steel than aluminum (if possible), a slightly longer body and the option to add fenders.

Ken I picked up an Absolute LX 2007 about a month ago and have only a couple of hundred on it. So far so good, fast and comfortable. No complaints here.

D