Hi All,

I was hoping to solicit some feedback on the new bike I'm likely picking up tonight.

Last month I bought a new bike, a Fuji Odessa 2.0, and in the time since I've realized that it wasn't the best choice for me. The shop I bought it at is willing to take it back less $20 for wear, although they have limited choices for an upgrade.

The bike I've settled on is a 2008 Fuji Newest 4.0 that they're closing out (my budget is kind of tight - trying to stay under $400), and the shop owner agreed to swap out the drop bars for a pair of flat bars with the appropriate brake levers at no additional cost. This will pretty much set me up with the type of commuter bike I'm hoping for, but I'm wondering what you think about the Fuji Newest 4.0, about putting flat bars on a road bike (should really be no different that a hybrid like a Trek FX, I'm thinking), etc.

I am already aware that the Newest has down tube shifters, and am ok with that, but do have concerns about the narrow rims on it and other road bikes. I will be riding on the pothole-intensive streets of Milwaukee, so I'm wondering how easy it is to damage narrow wheels on bad pavement.

I guess what it boils down to is, do you think the Newest with the flat bars will be a decent urban/paved bike path ride, and would you expect the rims to hold up on rough streets?

Thanks for reading, and looking forward to your feedback