General Cycling Discussion - How to buy a Fuji ?

I want to support my LBS, but no one in my state carries Fuji.javascript:smilie(':confused:') Does anyone know an online source they trust? , or should I wait untill I take a trip to purchase one? or just get something else? Thanks

Where do you live?

Personally, I think it's better not to focus on a particular bike until after you've ridden a variety of them. If you have no Fuji dealers nearby then how do you know this bike will fit you? Buying a bike you've never ridden, sight unseen, could be a mistake.

Fuji makes fine bikes, to be sure, but there's nothing special or unique about them. You could be just as happy with a Jamis or a Giant, a Trek or a Lemond, a Specialized or a Cannondale. Depending on fit and riding style, any of these or a dozen others could make a bike that could suit you as well or better than Fuji.

And particularly if it's a road bike you're looking for, and/or if you are inexperienced in bike setup and maintenance (or lack the tools), then the support of a local bike shop that comes with buying a bike there can be worth a lot.

RichC

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/road_bikes.htm

Hope this helps, I never ordered from them so I don't know how they are.

Thanks for the response. I live in the St Louis area. I was thinking about the Fuji league, because of the price point, and it has a cro-moly frame. It seems like the LBS's in my area can fit me to different sizes at different stores. I am 5'6" 140 lbs. I have been comparing geometries etc. One thing I like about Fuji is they disclose the weights of their bikes, where most other manufacturers dont. Thanks

No one in the entire state of Missouri carries Fuji bikes? Did you actually check? The Touring Cyclist, one of the largest chains in the midwest is a stocking dealer and I'm sure there are others. Here's their website:

http://www.touringcyclist.com/bikes/bike_road.html

Paul

Originally posted by Rich Clark
Where do you live?

Personally, I think it's better not to focus on a particular bike until after you've ridden a variety of them. If you have no Fuji dealers nearby then how do you know this bike will fit you? Buying a bike you've never ridden, sight unseen, could be a mistake.

Fuji makes fine bikes, to be sure, but there's nothing special or unique about them. You could be just as happy with a Jamis or a Giant, a Trek or a Lemond, a Specialized or a Cannondale. Depending on fit and riding style, any of these or a dozen others could make a bike that could suit you as well or better than Fuji.

And particularly if it's a road bike you're looking for, and/or if you are inexperienced in bike setup and maintenance (or lack the tools), then the support of a local bike shop that comes with buying a bike there can be worth a lot.

RichC
At least 5 of those bikes will cost more then a fuji with the same group on them.

Originally posted by shokhead
At least 5 of those bikes will cost more then a fuji with the same group on them.

Depends. If a bike doesn't fit, or if you have to pay for new parts or for an LBS to fix the setup on a bike you bhought mail order, the money you saved on the purchase can be quickly eaten up.

That's why I make the point about the buyer's experience. I have a Fuji myself, that I bought from an ebay seller, but I was already familiar with the frame and I'm able to set up a bike and prep the wheels, and I have the tools. The very same bike, bought by a novice, could have been a disaster, or at least an expensive mistake.

RichC

paul, I checked the fuji web site. I also emailed fuji, and they gave me an 800 number to find a local dealer, (he knew his dealer locator was not operating correctly). I will check your link thanks. I saw a Motcambe on the online shop that was even less than the fuji league, at $329 Has anyone seen one of these. it is similar ,cro-moly etc. thanks

Paul, You were correct they are all over the place. Thanks for setting me straight. Now I can ride and compare.

Bought my Fuji Roubaix at the Touring Cyclist in Manchester, MO. If you go to that shop message me and you can mention my name (God knows I've spent a lot of money there in the past year and a half). Though Touring Cyclist is a big retailer, their individual shops feel more like neighborhood bike shops.

and the rain sounds like a round of applause
Napoleon is weeping in the Carnival saloon.

Sorry for the off topic post, but Tom Waits fans need to be recognized.

I miss my Fuji. It was a double-butted steel frames S-10-S 12-speed, circa 1977. The rear seat stays finally gave up the ghost just behind the seat post. This bike was a really comfortable touring bike, with lots of flex in the frame to absorb road shock...

Funny this thread should come up when I'm about to go in and buy a low end Fuji.... It will be my first ever road bike! Whoppeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Congratulations Koffee!!! Which fuji will you be getting?

Funny this thread should come up when I'm about to go in and buy a low end Fuji.... It will be my first ever road bike! Whoppeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Cool! Which one, what size, what year?

RichC

I'm not sure yet. I'm calling them tomorrow. They said they had 2 Fujis available- one was an older used one with the shifters on the downtube, and that's not cool, but the other one has normal shifters, so that is nice, but it costs about twice the other bike. :( I'll take notes and post when I get back because they want me to do a bike fit first before they even think to sell me a bike.

Koffee

I saw a Motcambe on the online shop that was even less than the fuji league, at $329 Has anyone seen one of these. it is similar ,cro-moly etc. thanks

I bought a Motobecane Mirage on ebay for my first bike. It has been a month now and I am already looking to upgrade. I am about your size (a little heavier) and the Mirage just feels clunky to me. I am looking to upgrade to either a Specialized Allez Sport or a Cannondale. THIS time though, I plan to test ride before I buy. The Mirage cost me about 150 below 'MSRP' but after getting it set up (the frame was warped) and adjusted, it cost me almost all the money I saved. If this is your first bike, I would recommend doing some test rides at your LBS and save yourself some frustration.

Maybe no Fuji after all...

I spoke with the shop owner today- he's such a good guy, he knows I want that upscale road bike so bad. He said my bike as it is right now will probably do me well until it's time for me to get my new bike in the early part of next year, and he didn't want me wasting money on a low end bike when I had plans on getting a more expensive bike- he wants me to get my bike tomorrow and just ride with it for a bit, and if it's still a mess, then he'll fit me for the Fuji.

Koffee

It's easy to replace the downtube shifters...