mattfeet

Ok- weird topic I know, but hey, gotta learn somewhere. Anywho, lets begin with me... Im 19 years old (soon to be 20) and am in fairly good shape, Im 6'4 220 lbs, so Im on the bigger side of your average joe schmoe. Onward now- I was originally going to get a 06 Giant OCR3 from a store in Raleigh, NC (All Star Bike) for 550.00 plus 7% tax and 10% off accesories w/ 1 year of free tune-ups. I had already put a 100.00 deposit down on that bike, but on a whim today I called some shops here in knoxville MUCH closer to where I am. I found one shop that is out of 06 OCR3's, but will get me on an 07 for 580.00 OUT THE DOOR, but the kicker is, they offer free LIFETIME tune-ups. Like whoa! Anyways, the guy told me he also carries Fuji, and reading on here, I havent heard TOO much about them. He said he might be able to get me onto a Fuji that has the Tiagra's for right around 620-630.00 OUT THE DOOR. Now, I called the shop back in Raleigh, and they said I can use that 100.00 for a helmet or shorts or something, so Im not losing out on that money. Anyways, what Fuji model is the cheapest that comes with the Tiagra components? Thanks a lot, sorry for the long post! All this good info on here!

Thanks for the help,
Matt

dekalbSTEEL

Fuji markets a good bike, at least as good as Giant, in my opinion.


https://www.fujibikes.com/2007/bikes.asp?id=275&subcat=

mattfeet

Whoa thats a good looking bike. What is the MSRP on that?! Thanks for the response man!

-matt

daytonian

Check out fuji newest.

the beef

A quick search at Fujibikes.com woulda got you the answer. The Newest 1.0 features Tiagra, and for $620 it wouldn't be too shabby of a deal.

As for the OCR3 - I personally think the 2007 OCR3 is a 'meh' stylingwise, with the strange crooked decal on the downtube. Still, free lifetime tuneups is often a pretty sweet deal.

All of your current options wouldn't be bad choices. I'd personally recommend the Fuji w/ Tiagra (and by the way, Fujis are excellent bikes), just because you'll be happier with it in the long run.

Good luck,
Will

the beef

It's a Fuji Roubaix. In past years they've had 105 shifters, for 2006 I believe they got down-spec'ed to Tiagras while the price kept going up. $1200 MSRP is ridiculous.

mattfeet

Hmm, The only newest with Tiagra is 949.00 MSRP, thats a little steep. Im wanting to stay under 650.00 w/ Tiagra and if that isnt possible (depending on the deals the LBS can swing), Im going to get the 07 OCR3.

-matt

dekalbSTEEL

The newest has sloping geometry, the roubaix traditional.

Once you buy a bike and learn to work on it yourself, lifetime tune-ups will not be that big a deal to you.

Use your $100 top buy some basic bike tools.

mattfeet

Well, maybe I will be able to swing that. Ill definitely look into that Newest 1.0. Seems like a hot ride. My only worry is that the largest frame is a 58cm. Being 6'4, thats a little small. But Ill have to ride it to see.

-matt

SSIndyRider

The Fuji Rubaix is a "traditional" frame road bike with the level top bar. I looked at these this summer. They have carbon seat stays, which translates to a bit smoother ride. The price of it is quite a bit more than the OCR3. MSRP on the site is over $1200. You can probably get it for less, but not under $1,000 The OCR3 is the relaxed frame, the top bar slopes backward. This allows for fewer frame sizes, as one frame size can fit more people. The Fuji Newest line is the same style of frame as the OCR line and a lesser expensive line. I purchased a Newest 3.0 for my wife this Spring. It has Sora components. Newest 2.0 will get you a Tiagra rear der, Newest 1.0 Tiagra and 105 mix. Their site shows an MSRP price for each, but you should be able to get below that amount at the LBS. One reason I chose not to get the Roubaix was not so much the bike, but a smuck LBS owner that just gets under my skin.

I rode a Fuji aluminum alloy bike for the last 20 years+ and was quite happy with it, but I'd suggest you make sure you ride them to see how they feel. Different bikes can look similar but feel very different under your body.

michaelmc

Definitely ride it and see. The biggest size is a 58, but that's C-C distance. the Effective Top Tube length is actually 590 mm. It's a big ass bike. The Fit Guide has up to 6'3" on it. You could probably stick a longer stem on it for 6'4". In any case, the Fujis are great bikes, and I'm waiting on delivery of a Roubaix myself. Best bet, go down there, chat with the guy, take some test rides, and see what you can do. Good luck.

mattfeet

Well yea, I was planning on going to the LBS tomorrow afternoon after my classes and riding them around. I know whatever I pick Ill be happy with, but I just want (obviously) to get the most for my money. Heh, who doesn't? Anyways, thanks for all the replies!

-matt

mattfeet

Thats true too, being a newb, I forget different bikes are measured different ways. I just find it odd that a 63 in Trek can fit about the same way a 58 may fit in Fuji. Heh, Ill let y'all know what I pick, keep the info coming!

-matt

woodcycl

I was truly impressed with a couple different Fuji road bikes I test rode last summer. Fuji has a long positive reputation from what I remember over the past 20yrs or more. The "value" of a Fuji is one of its greatest assets IMO.

mattfeet

Hmm, ok. So do you think a Giant or Fuji of equal value is the better bike ASSUMING that they both fit exactly the same. Haha, which they wont; but you get the question...

-matt

michaelmc

It's even within brands. I'm 6'0" and buying a 58 cm Roubaix LTD, but because of the difference in the way it's measured (seat tube length), mine is much smaller than a 58 cm Newest. The most important lengths are the Effective Top Tube and the Head Tube Length. The former controls how close your ass is to the handlebars, and the latter, controls how high the bars are relative to your ass. Bar height is important if you're not flexible enough to handle the drop. Anyway, have fun riding, and don't let them force you out the door with whatever. Make sure you're comfortable on the bike, not too stretched out (probably difficult for someone your size...), and not too compressed.

EDITED TO ADD: Don't worry about "perceived value." Fit is more valuable than any parts that can come on the bike. You're buying a slightly-above-entry-level bike, which will be great, and you'll love it, as long as it fits. Giant and Fuji both make great bicycles, and at that pricepoint, they'll all be more or less similar, so don't worry about brand. As Lance said, "It's not about the bike." I don't like Lance, but he's right. It's about your body.

mattfeet

Yea, Ive yet to feel stretched at all, and Im hardly one to be a "pushover", so Im also not too worried about that either. :-P Haha, but yea, Im just going to see if I can swing a Newest 1.0 for about 650.00 and if not, the Giant is comin home with me.

-matt

austinspinner

Since almost all of us have quickly replaced our first bike because of rapid improvements in conditioning and love of the sport, you should always consider buying used, craigslist etc, for your first bike... that way you can get something with better components that will satisfy you for a little longer before you jump to replace it. In addition I seem to notice that larger frames tend to pop up more in the classifieds.

mattfeet

Well yea, but the thing is I have been watchin ebay and Craigslist for my area and surrounding cities, and nothing much has really shown up that is in my price range. Im just going to keep looking around and riding some bikes until i find the one for me. Thanks for all the info fellas!

-matt

jrennie

go big, ready to do quick trips to the store or commute around town


14lbs $6k

mattfeet

Shooooooot boy, youre out of your mind. Hahaha.


-matt