dds

I am a 10 - 15 mile per day - three days a week - street / paved greenway rider. I have a 7 speed Raleigh internal gear bike that has been wonderful for many years but better for New Orleans' flat topography than Nashville's hiilly one where I now live. I feel I have narrowed my search down to these two - Cannondale Quick 4 or Fuji Absolute 2.1. (The Trek FX geometry leaves me too stretched and hunched for my taste so it is out of the running despite the popularity. It shifts beautifully but the geometry is wrong for me.) Road bikes - not me - too hunched. I want to sit somewhat upright without going the "comfy" route - I still want to get some performance out of the bike. Can anyone offer opinions about the benefits of one of these two over the other? I know it is up to me and I have ridden both but I am no expert on the hardware. I will ride both again at least one more time. I will say the shifting on the Fuji seemed extraordinarily responsive compared to ANYTHING else I rode in the class but that could have been a dead-on set-up. When I ride both again I will ask both LBSs to make sure they are in best form for judging as that will help make the call. I'd like to hear opinions on both bikes. Thanks for your response(s).

ikaika777

I never rode a Fuji but I did test ride a Quick 5 and didn't like it, it looked good but I felt scrunched on it and it was my size, it just didn't feel good to me. I ended up with a Giant Escape 2 and couldn't be happier.

dds

Still looking for more information from people who were considering these two bikes. Thanks.

kamban

I recently bought a Quick 4 over a Giant Escape mainly because the local LBS for Giant was unhelpful and did not have assembled Escapes that I wanted to ride. I decided to buy a Carbon fork even if it was more expensive since I wanted the ride to be comfortable and the extra $100-150 over a steel or aluminum fork would be worth it in the long run. I did a 17 mile ride 2 days ago and it rode smoothly and shifted well. I am not sure if the Fuji has a carbon Fork and I suspect it does not, and hence is less expensive. So these are 2 different price points.

I found the Fuji's to be priced cheaper for the same set of components compared to Cannondale, Specialized or Trek. They charge more because they are well known and they can. But I was also told that they are easier to sell at a good price because of the same reason.

Notgrownup

I am not familiar with the Fuji but seem like they are nice...I just bought a Quick 5 but was originally considering a Trek Verve or a Giant Cypress...Test rode the Quick 5 and i was sold... ia m adding the 4" steering stem extender....i like it...Could i have found something else yes... the QUick MSRP is $590.00 there was a computer and a bottle holder, i walked out with it for $500.00 OTD...Very satisfied...I was also looking at the Motobecane Cafe latte from Bikes direct...Pick the one that makes you feel better...

goldfinch

I have a Quick 4 because it fit me better than the FX. I might have bought a Specialized Vita but there weren't any my size to try.

My Quick has about 4000 miles on it. In the winter I have it in the south and it is kept outside so it suffers some from weather. I have replaced the brake pads several times. I have experimented with various tires and now have some really nice rubber on the bike. I had to replace one shifter which broke. I have replaced all the cables and housing after a cable rusted through. I have gone through one chain and one cassette, not bad.

I replaced the stock seat which I found horribly uncomfortable. YMMV. I had a carbon seatpost which I substituted for the heavy stock seatpost which came with the bike. I chopped an inch off the handlebars and added Ergon grips to improve fit and comfort. I also have Ergon pedals on it. Mine also is different from other Quicks as it has 26 inch wheels rather than 700.

I love the bike as much as I love my road bike which cost many times as much.



I think any of the bikes in this category are fine. They aren't wonderful. The components are not top of the line. But they are serviceable. Get the one that feels the best when you ride it.

dds

Thanks for sharing some info. Interesting development - the LBS w/ the Fuji is $200 OVER MSRP. I called the LBS and asked why and they said their service package of one full overhaul and a lifetime of "tweaks" was the reason for the overage. What a load of garbage. Also the 2014s should be out at the end of July or August right? Seems like there should be a good deal on the 2013s. A lifetime of "tweaks" won't matter if the shop shuts down because they over charge. The LBS w/ the Cannondale is about $75 below MSRP and has a carbon fork unlike the Fuji. Will look into the Specialized Vita. I had similar experience w/ Giant LBS - nothing built to size and them trying to talk me into a road bike when I clearly know I want a hybrid for comfort and leisurely riding.

Notgrownup

Stick to your guns....

kamban

The Fuji is $430 at Performance Bikes. And all bike shops, including REI give one full overhaul in the first 3-6 months for free. I am not sure what the lifetime tweaks is all about. I would not pay more than $430, max $450 for that Fuji.

Jimbojo

I picked up my Fuji at Performance (Absolute 3.0), I love the bike but the price was $399 and tha includes lifetime satisfaction and adjustments, I know most the small LBS's cant offer the replacement guarantee Performance offers, but I would walk out and never look back at a shop that was charging $200 over MSRP.

Jimbo

dds

Amazing. They want $650 for the 2.1. I wish I had a Performance in TN. The reality is that I want to be able to get the bike serviced where I buy it to get the overhaul and tweaks. It looks like I'll have to go with the Cannondale based on no good place to buy Fuji locally. I plan to let Fuji know that.

Notgrownup

Yep... Franklin and Nashville seems to be the only places to get a Fuji bike...
[h=3]MAC'S HARPETH BIKES[/h]30.9 miles

1547
1110 HILLSBORO RD R230
FRANKLIN TN 37064
USA

Phone: 615-472-1002



Directions

[h=3]Green Fleet[/h]32.6 miles


1200 16th Ave S, Ste G
NASHVILLE TN 37212


Phone: (615) 379-8687
Email: austin@greenfleetmesse…



Directions

Notgrownup

Not sure where you live but i think you said TN

dds

Yes, Nashville TN - Fuji website had the other dealer's address you offered wrong - thank you for offering it up. Fuji website created some real confusion for me w/ bad info. Anyway, Fuji dealer #2 had the same bike (Fuji Absolue 2.1) for $429 (v $650 at the original dealer - buh-bye). I test rode it and the Cannondale Quick 4 (at another LBS) again. Despite being the son of a very cheap CPA, I went with the Cannondale for $650 + accessories -15%. The Cannondale just felt A LOT tighter and better built. I know on paper the two bikes are very close but the geometry of the Cannandale was a bit better and the service was heads and tails above both Fuji dealers. I suffer from a serious decision-making-disorder when spending more than $100. I was at the Cannondale dealer (Eastside Cycles, Nashville, TN) at least four times test riding and Nathan the sales associate, was PERFECTLY pleasant and NEVER out of patience - nor did he EVER try to sell the bike. He was the epitome of what I needed out of a sales associate - knowledgeable but not pushy. While I am a budget minded guy, I go with my gut. No intended dirt on the 2.1 - my ride on it could have suffered from a poor build or bad vibe from the dealer(s). They were close but geometry was key. I can't wait to go for my first long ride tomorrow morning!

kamban

Congrats. I too went with cannondale. It has the carbon fork which I believe the Fuji does not have. That makes long rides very easy and comfortable.

Notgrownup

I never saw the fuji but picked my Cannondale over the Trek & Giant. The 3 LBS i went to were all good but the local guy with the Quick was extra accomodating, encouraging me to test ride it and to go test ride the others also but i was sold...I thought $500 for a bike that MSRP at $590 with the computer and a water bottle cage....45 day tune up and lifetime od advice and local acquaintances...The fit & finish of the Quick i loved...I will probably put a carbon fork eventually on it...No go and enjoy...