Originally Posted by
MKahrl
None the less I'm going to nitpik anyway. The Connoisseur too closely replicates what would have been the 1970's entry level racer in a bike companies lineup. Close brake clearances, no dropout eyelets and that 52-42 chainwheel are indicators. But the 1970's entry level racer was no better suited back then for entry level racing than his sport-touring model stablemate with the eyelets. Today there is no demand for a steel retro racer. Everyone who goes into a bike shop to get something for "riding around, bike paths, maybe some touring, maybe some racing" is going to be shown a full-zoot carbon fiber skinny tire racing bike because the clerk can't imagine racing on anything else.
Agreed.
For what it is and what it is up against, it is overpriced and and under-delivers. For $700 the average joe can get an entry level (aluminum frame, CF fork) Trek 1.2 - that's roughly half of what the Fuji lists for. Aside from the aesthetic differences, the Trek is a better bike. Neither it or the Fuji allows for racks/fenders so that's a wash, and neither will accept tires much bigger than 25cm. Plus, the Trek has a better gear range - unless you're on flat ground, then just go buy a Schwinn Madison or something similar. Both are 8 speed, but the Trek has a 50/39/30 front and a 12/26 rear vs the Fuji's 52/42 and 12/25 cassette. Even if you don't need the triple, 50/39 is a better crank choice (IMO) for the casual rider.
Incidentally - look at the DT shifter position on the Fuji - little close to the head tube, no? I would imagine that would make one-handed double shifts a bit harder to do than on a true vintage machine.
I just can't see a compelling reason, other than looks, for peeling 14 Benjamin's off the roll. And I don't think it looks
that good.