foe hammer

I guess I first need to say I am a noob to road cycling, and have just 1 yr experience mnt biking, but loved every second of it last year. With that said, I want to buy a road bike this year. I can buy a 2005 Fuji teamSL for $1500 from the LBS. First question is: Is this deal really as good as it sounds? second: Is this too much bike for a beginner?

Any input would be appreciated.

ucsd_cyclist

The Fuji Superlight is a really good bike from what I've heard. I tried to get an 04' SL model some months ago, but Fuji was flooded with orders, so I never got mine. 1500 is a pretty good deal, being an 05' model and all. I'd say the bike isn't too much for a newbie. Worst comes to worst you can resell, and bikes at this level always resell well.

53-11 alltheway

Fuji always seems to give the best deals for some reason. DA 10 bikes going for 1800

jslopez

too much bike only means you don't plan to ride it. if it calls you and you can afford it,. get it.

2manybikes

The Fuji Team SL is a great bike, and that's a good deal too. As with any good high end road bike, it's going to be fragile compared to a MTB. Have you done any road biking at all ? I would try some test rides before buying anything. Not just the Fuji either. What kind of riding do you see yourself doing?

foe hammer

More than likely I will ride mainly for fitness and recreation, but would like to have the ability to compete in local races, eventually. I have a friend who races some and teaches a spin class also, so I don't want to be too outclassed in the equipemnt category. I plan on riding with him frequently.

Thanks for the help.

53-11 alltheway

Is that bike DA10?

allgoo19

Ultegra 10 speed drive train. Weighs 15.3 lbs.

https://www.fujibikes.com/2005/bikes.asp?id=5#

53-11 alltheway

$1500 that is a really low price for that bike. I don't know how Fuji does it.....they must get a really good price on the parts since they are also in Japan (they don't get screwed by the exchange rate like other companies do)

What wheelset does it come with?

alanbikehouston

You can buy some nice road bikes for $600 to $800. Should you spend $1,500 on your first road bike? Well, if you can afford it, why not? But, don't assume that a $1,500 bike is "twice as fast" as a $600 bike. Speed comes from your legs, not from the bike.

allgoo19

Yup, $1500.- is an extremely good price for that bike, I have never seen one even close. It's usually sub-$2000.-.

foe hammer

[You can buy some nice road bikes for $600 to $800. Should you spend $1,500 on your first road bike? Well, if you can afford it, why not? But, don't assume that a $1,500 bike is "twice as fast" as a $600 bike. Speed comes from your legs, not from the bike.]


Believe me, I got the same question from my wife. My friends say I have an addictive personality, I jump head first into new sports and hobbies, learn everything buy everything and lose interest in a year. I guess that is true, however, I normally improve rapidly and outgrow entry level equipment pretty fast then I am out even more money on upgrades. I may still lose interest, but with that good of a deal on the Fuji I figure I can sell it next year and not take a huge loss on it.

Applehead57

I find the ride on my Fuji Newest is harsh.

There isn't a person on this forum who wouldn't buy the best bike they could afford.
You'll grow into a good bike, you'll regret buying an average bike.

dahvaio

Purchase the best bike you can afford... I just started riding about 8 months ago and bought a Fuji Professional as my very first road bike and I love the bike. It is extremely lightweight and rides great.

The people who buy entry level bikes are ones who either cannot afford a better one or people who really haven't decided that cycling is their game. By purchasing an expensive one it will give you more of an incentive to go out riding...

Good luck...

53-11 alltheway

,,,,,,,,And people say I give out bad advice.

53-11 alltheway

Then when that $3000 bike purchased by the N00by sits in the garage too long and the wife makes them sell it........that's when I buy it and let the other guy take the bath.

rfctx

Should be a great bike. My friend has a Motobecane SL (2004) that is essentially the same bike, and loves it. As a Clydesdale myself it would not work for me.

allgoo19

I agree. Many of us are in denial, need some counselling.
I don't understand th idea of rider outgrowing the bike. Is this like the rider becomes so powerful that the bike starts coming apart?

55/Rad

That's my MO and recommendation for anyone who wants a mid to high end bike for far less than what it costs new. The hard part is finding the one you want.

55/Rad

53-11 alltheway

Problem is only when you are experienced enough to judge the different quality levels of parts can you safely buy used. I got a mint size 60cm Six13 frame/fork for a stupid low price.....It's so new it looks like it came off a demo bike. Aluminum/CF frame wasn't exactly what I wanted but the geometry was right......Actually a Scott CR-1 was one of my dream frames (but it would have cost me a couple thousand more than this frame) Six 13 is good enough for now.

foe hammer

Thanks for all of the advice guys. I went ahead and took the plunge today and bought the Fuji (pics to come later). I figure at the $1500 price tag it was to good a deal to pass up. Wish me luck, see you on the road.

terrymorse 

American Classic 350s. About the lightest production aluminum wheels you can buy. Manufacturer page here. Note the weight limit, though.

I just bought a 2004 Fuji Team SL for $1500 in December and swapped out some components. Ultegra parts got replaced with Record and Chorus, etc. Now it's about 14 lbs., and it feels really solid and peppy when I'm out of the saddle.

But what a great price. I figured I could have sold the components on eBay and have the frame for free.

53-11 alltheway

No kidding.......Ultegra 10, AC 350's. 15lbs

Seriously I could probably buy one of these and sell off everything on ebay separtately (part it out) and make money

I think Fuji has a price advantage because when they buy from shimaNO they don't suffer the currency exchange rate problems other companies do.

The bike is a fantastic value for what you get. Probably the best value in a new bike it seems.

55/Rad

How so? Because they pay in Yen? It still gets exchanged to/for dollars when it's sent over here.

I might believe the idea that Fuji and Shimano have a special relationship that could lead to Fuji getting better prices than other manufacturers, but I've seen nothing that leads me to conclude that.

55/Rad

53-11 alltheway

Basically, yes.

This same relationship would hurt Fuji if the dollar ever got strong compared to the yen. Then companies like Trek would be able to sell their bikes for less relative to Fuji. Because if the dollar ever got strong.....the parts would seem "cheap" to overseas companies.....whereas Fuji wouldn't benefit the same way (because it would be paying with the same currency not a stronger currency)

Just a guess.

I wonder how much Fuji sells their Campy bikes for.......checked the website. They make a Euro version of all their bikes.