Fuji touring bike for $700, but found touring bikes that cost over twice as much?
#26
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I was looking at the Fuji about a year ago, in the end I decided on the DT. (built it myself) The thing that worried me was the wheel set. I'd heard a couple of stories about broken spokes. I looked at what it would cost to put a good wheel set on the Fuji and it brought it to the price of a DT.
I concede that I am a bit of an odd ball in that I like twitchy criterium bike handling just fine even for touring and also like to camp and cook with a super light load (14 pounds on the Southern Tier and I have trimmed a bit more since then). That said, my two companions on the Trans America found their Fuji clones well suited to long distance touring with medium loads. They probably carried 30-35 pounds on the TA, but the bikes would have been fine with more.
As far as the wheels on the Fuji, they are OK, but typically could benefit from a touch of hand tuning and stress relieving.
#27
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I was looking at the Fuji about a year ago, in the end I decided on the DT. (built it myself) The thing that worried me was the wheel set. I'd heard a couple of stories about broken spokes. I looked at what it would cost to put a good wheel set on the Fuji and it brought it to the price of a DT.
Its $400+ difference between a Fuji and DT, right? And that's when the DT is purchased built. Building a bike up is typically even more, unless you go used or cheaper for components. I assume you used the nicer wheelset for the DT build?
I am a big guy, so I am told quite often, and the only wheel failure I have experienced is spokes having broken a couple times and I am pretty sure both times was just from age and use. I built some wheels over the winter for a sport-touring bike I use a lot. I built them and then took them into an LBS for them to perfect the wheels. I had built them so they rolled perfectly- they were as true as could be- but they needed to still be fine tuned to ensure they could hold me plus bike(255#) and gear on top of that.
$20 later, I had good quality wheels that were properly tensioned and rolled great- all for $150.
To each their own- not knocking your decision to get a DT. And building a bike up is awesome, it can be a lot of fun...or frustrating but rewarding and good nonetheless.
I just don't get being scared of wheelsets when they can be worked on and made great by professionals for relatively cheap if needed.
#28
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And again the story just won't die, yes, 10 or more years ago, some Fuji touring bikes were sent out with defective spokes of which Fuji was more than willingly to replace the wheels. But since then, according to my local Fuji dealer, he's not had one issue with even one tourer leaving the shop and returning with multiple broken spokes. After all this time, I wouldn't let that prevent me from purchasing a Fuji touring bike.
#29
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I was looking at the Fuji about a year ago, in the end I decided on the DT. (built it myself) The thing that worried me was the wheel set. I'd heard a couple of stories about broken spokes. I looked at what it would cost to put a good wheel set on the Fuji and it brought it to the price of a DT.
#30
Senior Member
Kertrek, These days most wheel sets on factory builds are machine made so no matter which bicycle you choose, you'll be best served by stress relieving and re-truing the wheels yourself or by a pro at a LBS. Touring bike wheels are under a lot of stress, in particular the rear wheel, so a tune-up prior to a trip is a good idea anyways.
There are some work-arounds if you need heel clearance. In the pictures are the two possible rear rack mounting locations available on most touring bicycles. One mounts the rack higher and the other moves it rearward, but lower. Also pannier size can be reduced for more heel clearance.
The Fuji is a good choice, IMHO.
Brad
There are some work-arounds if you need heel clearance. In the pictures are the two possible rear rack mounting locations available on most touring bicycles. One mounts the rack higher and the other moves it rearward, but lower. Also pannier size can be reduced for more heel clearance.
The Fuji is a good choice, IMHO.
Brad
#31
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And again the story just won't die, yes, 10 or more years ago, some Fuji touring bikes were sent out with defective spokes of which Fuji was more than willingly to replace the wheels. But since then, according to my local Fuji dealer, he's not had one issue with even one tourer leaving the shop and returning with multiple broken spokes. After all this time, I wouldn't let that prevent me from purchasing a Fuji touring bike.
So while Fuji did probably address the issue from 10 or 15 years ago, I question how well they did on actually correcting the problem.
#33
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Some of the Jandd racks are a bit longer than most other racks which will help with pannier placement and heel strike.
Expedition Rack
Expedition Rack
#34
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I've put over 10,000 miles onto my current bike without a single broken spoke.
#36
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#37
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If it fits and you like it I would go for the Fuji. That is a great deal. Rebuilding the wheels is relatively inexpensive if they are an issue. Disc brakes are nice, but not necessary. I don't own a bike with disc brakes at the moment. I have ridden tens of thousands of miles on bikes with coaster brakes and rim brakes. My first transcontinental tour was on a low end "sport" bike. Motobecane Nomade. Still have it some 40 years later. Are their better bikes out there? Maybe, depends on your needs and wants.
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#38
Senior Member
I concede to some dog tail wagging with heavier loads though.
Last edited by rifraf; 08-29-15 at 02:19 PM.
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