General Cycling Discussion - New Fuji Absolute LX 07

I just purchased a 2007 Fuji Absolute LX off craigslist for $300, So far I like it for the most part, the seat was a little uncomfortable, and the shifters seemed a bit out of whack. I wanted to see what people thought about this as a beginner / exercise bike.

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2007&Brand=Fuji&Model=Absolute+LX&Type=bike

PS. there are so many child forums here, I am not really sure where this would fit in?

Looks like a reasonable deal. Add some bar ends for some more hand positions and you should be in business.

Any recommendations on a good set that's not too expensive?
While more positions would be nice, I am a little concerned that my handle bard are not wide enough for these. The grip is hanging off of the end on one side.

All you need is some stubbies and set them up so your hands are in the same position as when you ride on the hoods of drop bars.
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/HB295Z03-Ritchey+Comp+Bar+Ends.aspx

You simply move the trigger shifters and brake levers in about 1/2 inch, pour hot water on the grips and slide them in about that 1/2 inch and slip the bar ends on.

I ride this EXACT bike as my commuter.

- ride is quite stable feeling, I think the wheelbase is longer than my other road bike and my previous commuter bike. Also it has braze-ons for a rear rack, awesome!
-Seat is crappy. I plan to replace it.
- the stock foam grips and twist shifters drove me crazy- not enough hand positions, and I would sometimes shift by accident while grabbing the bar. Also the foam grip pieces would just pull off as I was riding. I went to the LBS and had them install Shimano Deore paddle shifters and ERGON grips w/ stubby little bar-extension pieces at the end. It is now wonderfully comfortable. I really recommend Ergon products.
- I'm still riding the stock wheels and tires.
- The RD is also a Deore long cage MTB derailleur. It ain't the best but it gets the job done.
- riding position is upright which is great for being in traffic. the stable wheelbase helps too.
- I've been riding this bike almost daily since January when my first bike was stolen. We bought it in spring 08 from Performance.

p.s. watch out for your CRANKS and PEDALS. I had the threads on the non-drive side crank fail on me. Pedal was installed correctly. When we took it off it looked like the crank arm's threads had just corroded away. I had LBS replace the crank arm and had no probs since. It appeared to be a manufacturing defect.

my favorite is ergon grips. you can get them with barends. if they are too long for bikes with "grip shifters" you can use a hacksaw to cut some off. the shifters and brake levels can move in towards the center of the handlebar. the seat is a very personal thing. i never have used a bike's original seat.

the shifters should be easily adjustable. they go out of wack after some time.
http://www.parktool.com/repair/

I have the same bike and use Specialized formed bar ends. They work for me. I've been very pleased with the bike and have frogs on it. Good price. Hope you enjoy it. I've found you can use canned air that you use on computers to loosen the grips. Just slide the little tube under the grip and wiggle it around. All you need to do is move the grips about half a inch or so. I also have Ergons on one of my bikes but find they can get very cold in winter and transmit that through the gloves.

I tried moving the grips, shifter and brakes in about 1/2 inch, just to get a feel, and it seemed to me that may be too narrow, anyone else feel that? Also is there a good website to buy these EGRON grips?

is it possible to use the road bike bar with our SRAM ATTACK shifters? or would new shifters be required?

Try here:

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/index.php?category=708

Heres the Specialized bar ends I have on the Fuji. I bought them at my LBS :

http://mikesbikes.com/itemdetails.cfm?LibId=50541

Oh so many to choose from, do the little stubs work well? which one is the best?

Ergon sellers listed here:
http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/service/index.php

there's 25% off on ergon grips at REI right now from may 1 to may 10th.

Oh so many to choose from, do the little stubs work well? which one is the best?

Depends how big yer meathooks are. I wear a size 8 glove - the short stubs work fine for me (female). Average size men's hands could probably use either size stubs.

ETA: For comparisons, I wear a S men's bike glove, for instance a men's S Pearl Izumi winter glove.

I have large hands and I have no problems with the small stubs. I personally prefer the short stubs, as they give a nice change of position. As I said before the alloy ones do get cold, not enough to justify the higher cost, but if you use good gloves in the winter you should have little problem. Of course shop around for the best deal as you can see prices vary.